Overview of Importing Data

To import sample data into eLab open the Import Wizard from the Materials tab and select a file. The Template Specification screen presents a list of the available properties. Click the plus symbol next to a node of the Database Field column to expand that node and access its sub-properties. A red exclamation symbol next to a name from the Database Field column indicates that it is a required property.

For each property that you import into eLab you must specify how the value of that property is determined. Click on the Source column of the row of the property and select either Column or Value. Column allows you to link the property to a value in the underlying Excel file. Value allows you to select or enter a particular value. To clear a property set the source column control to the first (empty) option.

Figure 11.2. The Source column drop down control.

Click on the Value column of the row of the property that you are setting and specify a value for the property. The entry method is controlled by the relevant setting from the Source column. A setting of ‘Column’ presents the user with a list of columns from the underlying file from which to choose from. A setting of ‘Value’ either presents a list of options that have been predefined in eLab or a control to enter the desired value.

When the Source column of a property is set to ‘Column’ the Click here to edit control becomes available in the Mappings column . Clicking on this control displays the File to database mapping dialogue box which allows you to map any value from the underlying column to a particular value.

Note: See Introduction to Samples for descriptions of the properties associated with samples and reagents.