Import a file reads the file your instrument or LIS exported, says what it holds, and creates the study it fits or adds the rows to an open study. It asks only questions that change the numbers. To get a file ready, see Preparing files.
Where to start#
The same Import a file dialog opens from:
- the Import a file button at the top of the menu, on the Projects page and on a project page (also Bring your results in an empty project): it creates a new study;
- a study's Data stage: it adds rows to that study;
- Create and import data in the New study dialog: it creates the study, then opens the dialog on its Data stage.
A sigma study takes no file. See Sigma metric.
Step 1: choose a file or paste a table#
Choose Choose file, or paste rows copied from a spreadsheet, headings first, into Or paste a table. The dialog reads CSV, TSV and TXT files in UTF-8, UTF-16 or Windows text, one worksheet of an .xlsx workbook, or a pasted table. It finds the heading row, the separator and the number format itself. Text can be up to 2 MB, a workbook up to 2.9 MB. A workbook with several sheets shows a Worksheet list; choosing another sheet reads the file again. Formula cells come in as text. See Excel workbooks.
Step 2: check what the file holds#
The first line says what was found, for example Glucose · mg/dL · 20 samples, each with two results: “Analyzer A” and “Analyzer B”. Notes below it say, for example, which rows were set aside as controls or calibrators, which columns are not saved because they identify patients, and, for a file read as Windows text, a few of its accented words. If those look wrong, export the file as UTF-8.
For a new study, check Analyte and Unit. They are filled in from the file where it says, and you type them where it does not.
Step 3: answer the questions#
A question appears only when the answer changes the results:
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What the two result columns are: two methods, two analyzers of the same type, two reagent lots, or the same method measured twice | It decides which studies the file can feed. |
| Which is your current method, the reference analyzer, or the lot in use now | Differences are reported as the other one minus this one. |
Whether numbered columns such as Rep 1, Rep 2 are replicates, runs or days | Each becomes one row with that label. An empty cell becomes a row that needs a result or an exclusion. |
| Whether block headings in the file are levels, days or runs | Each block's rows get that label. |
What to do with results that are not plain numbers, such as <2.0, ND or 5.2 H | Exclude these … rows keeps them in Data as exclusions with a reason. Keep them; I will correct them in Data keeps them flagged; the study cannot calculate until each has a number or is excluded. |
| Whether rows that look like controls or calibrators are results or should be set aside | Set-aside rows are imported as exclusions. |
| Whether a repeated specimen ID is a different specimen or the same specimen measured again | The same specimen measured again is averaged. |
| Whether a column holds the known (expected) concentration | Linearity fits results against it. |
| What a column whose use is unclear holds | The column is read as the use you choose. |
Each answer then shows as one line with Change, so you can go back to it. If reading the file fails, your pasted text and column choices stay in place. Choose Try again after fixing the entry or connection.
Step 4: choose the study#
This file can feed lists the studies the file fits. ready means it can be created now; otherwise the line says what is missing. Choose one. For a study opened from Data, the dialog shows only that study.
Before you create the study:
- Adjust columns lists each column with what it was read as. our reading is the dialog's choice, choose means you must pick, and check means the column cannot be used as it is. Change a column's use in its list, or choose Not used. Column numbers and the first few values are shown beside each choice. The list opens for review.
- Rows to import shows the mapped columns, the number format and every measurement row, twenty at a time. Next rows and Previous rows move through the table. Import row is its new position; Source row locates the entry in the file or worksheet. Repeated levels and replicates stay on separate rows. Decimal-comma and thousands-separated entries show Read as with the number the study will use; an invalid value shows how to correct it.
- Study title is filled in for you.
- From the menu or the Projects page, choose the Project, or keep New project and check New project name.
The column reference lists the fields each study type uses.
Step 5: create or import#
The main button names what happens: for example Create method comparison study, or Import into this study from Data. If something is still missing, one sentence beside it says what. A new study opens at Data with its rows. Set its acceptance limits on Set up. See Acceptance limits.
Blank results and values such as <0.5 that you kept are imported and flagged. Correct or exclude them before you calculate. See Missing and censored values. In an instrument comparison, the file fills the instrument list on Set up.
Saved imports#
To reuse your answers for the next file from the same export, choose Save these column choices for next time and check the Saved import name. When a later file has the same headings, the dialog uses it and says Using your saved import “name”. Columns read from a saved import say As in your saved import under Adjust columns.
Rename or delete saved imports in the menu under Library → Saved imports and lot plans.
Append or replace#
From Data, imported rows are added to the current rows. To add measurements, import a file with only the new rows. Current rows keep their corrections and exclusions. In studies such as repeatability, interference and stability you can reuse a material or pool ID. Give the new measurements their own day, run, time, condition and replicate labels.
Tick Replace the current rows to make the file the study's complete data. Corrections and exclusions made in the app are dropped, so the file must hold every result and exclusion you need. Saved data versions are kept. See Saving and revisions.
Reviewing an append or a replacement#
The dialog stops and explains before importing when the rows repeat saved rows or an earlier file, match a saved specimen in more than one way, or leave paired specimens incomplete. It lists:
- rows that match more than one row in the study (in a lot comparison, ID and lot together);
- rows already in this study, or This file is already imported into this study.;
- specimens that still have no result for one method or lot;
- the number of new specimens.
Choose Import them anyway to go ahead, or Cancel.
Repeated rows and repeated files#
A row is a repeat when its IDs, design fields and original values match a saved row, even one corrected since. Importing the same file, or the same worksheet of a workbook, again is also flagged. Repeats within one new file are imported as they are. To import real repeats, choose Import an intentional repeat.
Files that mix analytes, matrices, instruments or units#
If the file's analyte, matrix, instrument or unit column differs from the study, Split this import opens. It says how many rows match this study and lists the other groups with their row counts. Only the groups you choose are imported. Choose Import the chosen groups when done.
Groups use the exact text, ignoring spaces at either end. Glucose and glucose, or mg/dL and mg/dl, form different groups. In an instrument comparison, the instrument column doesn't split the file.
Create a study for a group#
Tick Create a study for a group. This study gets the matching rows, and each ticked group becomes a new study in the same project, named after its analyte. For example, "Glucose repeat" gives "Potassium repeat". A new study copies this study's design; set its acceptance limits on its Set up stage.
Use this study for a group#
An empty study also offers Use this study, or Keep this study’s analyte, matrix, instrument and unit. Choosing a group gives this study that group's analyte, matrix, instrument and unit. If any of them changes, the study's acceptance limits, assigned values and claims are cleared. Set them again on Set up.
Downloading the original import#
- On Set up, open Imported files.
- Choose the file name to download the file or pasted text as imported, without any patient-identifier columns.
- A workbook download contains only the selected worksheet and retained columns. Numeric cells keep their values; text IDs and formula entries stay text. table as imported gives the same values as a tab-separated table, with numbers in the study's convention.
Studies created by a split share the same original.