Can I use .xls data to recolor .ai shapes?

Ok. Here's the first version that's reading a CSV file located on the desktop called "excelTest.csv" (formatted like the example you posted). I don't know whether you're a Mac or PC user. the relative path to desktop i used is for Mac. If you're on a PC, just comment out line 35 (2 forward slashes at the beginning) and uncomment line 36 (remove the 2 slashes).

let's just make sure this is on the right track before i go too much further into the specifics.

If you're able to share it, an example of the file you're going to be using the script on would be immensely helpful. let me know how it works for you. =)

function wrapper(){


    var docRef = app.activeDocument;
    var swatches = docRef.swatches;
    var theInfo = getCSV();
    var titles = theInfo[0];
    titles = titles.split(',');
    var shapeTitle = titles[0];
    var valueTitle = titles[1];
    theInfo.splice(0,1);


    var theSwatch = makeSwatch();
    theSwatch.name = "The Swatch";


    function makeSwatch(){
        var newSpot = docRef.spots.add();
        var newSwatch = new CMYKColor();
        newSwatch.cyan = 30;
        newSwatch.magenta = 30;
        newSwatch.yellow = 30;
        newSwatch.black = 100;
        newSpot.name = "The Color";
        newSpot.colorType = ColorModel.SPOT;
        newSpot.color = newSwatch;
        var newSpotColor = new SpotColor();
        newSpotColor.spot = newSpot;
        return newSpotColor;
    }


    function getCSV(){
        var thePath = "~/Desktop"; //Mac relative path to desktop
        // var thePath = "../Desktop"; //PC relative path to desktop. comment line above and uncomment this line if uing PC
        var theFile = new File(thePath + "/excelTest.csv");
        theFile.open();
        var contents = theFile.read();
        theFile.close();
        contents = contents.split('\n');
        return contents;
    }


    var left = 0;


    for(var a=0;a<theInfo.length;a++){
        var thisShape = theInfo;

        thisShape = thisShape.split(',');
        var shape = thisShape[0];
        var value = thisShape[1];
        var makeShape = docRef.pathItems.rectangle(0,left,100,100);
        left+=100;
        makeShape.fillColor=swatches['The Color'].color;
        makeShape.stroked = false;
        makeShape.name = 'Shape ' + thisShape[0]
        makeShape.fillColor.tint = thisShape[1] * 10;
    }


}




wrapper();

like Silly says, everything depends on your long term needs. but for the sake of practicing and giving you some insight on the simpler end of things, let's have a crack at doing just what you asked for above.

Give me a few minutes and i'll see what I can't rustle up for ya.

While the wonderful people of the forums may be able to provide a simple and amazing custom solution for you, I actually had posted an article on this very topic some time ago:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/illustrator-variable-data-advanced-techniques-recoloring-vasily-hall

Admittedly, this would be for someone who has to do this kind of thing regularly on different documents and/or situations, so the setup effort would be worth the time. For a single-time use, though, it would also work, but someone on here may be able to provide a simpler custom solution to fit just the situation at hand.