ICP Expert Help
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Import and Export Samples and Data

Click File > Options > Export to specify the data that is exported.

Import a list of several fields from a .csv file or Export data on the analysis table in a Microsoft Excel readable format (.csv or .xlsx). In addition to the data shown on the table the user will also see the replicates, and a column with 'unadjusted data'. This unadjusted data is the measured solution concentration data excluding the weight, volume and dilution factors.

The following information is provided on this page:

Import

To import a file:

Once the ICP Expert software is open and a new worksheet has been created, the sample information can be imported at any time prior to the run starting. The Sample information will be imported to the Sample Labels and Recalibration section on the Sequence tab but the importation can be performed with any of the software tabs visible.

  1. Click File > LIMS > Import.
  2. Navigate to the desired file, select it and then click Open.
  3. If successful, you will see a message stating ‘Import complete’.

If an error appears stating that the import has failed, check that:

  • The rules listed below have been adhered to.
  • There are no blank rows among the information in the import file.
  • There are no additional columns in the data.

There are a few simple rules to import information into the ICP Expert software.

  1. The import file must be in .csv format and follow the format below. This can be created in Microsoft Notepad, Microsoft Excel or other text editor applications. 
  2. A header row is expected, otherwise the first row will not be imported. The header row can be blank, but to ensure all content is imported, this is not recommended.

If creating .csv files in Microsoft Excel, the header row cannot be blank. Excel will ignore blank rows when creating the .csv file.
  1. If using a .csv file from Microsoft Excel, the file must be closed during the importation process otherwise the file is locked (by Excel) and the import will fail.
  2. If the file is created in Microsoft Excel each entry must be entered into a new cell.
  3. The date must be in one of the following formats: MM/DD/YY OR MM/DD/YYYY.

To import a blank field in the .csv file, you must follow the formats described below.

  • Microsoft Excel worksheets - Click into the cell and then press the SPACE bar on your keyboard, and then click in the next cell.
  • Tab delimited files - Press TAB on your keyboard, then press the SPACE bar, then press TAB again.
  • Comma delimited files - Type a comma, press the SPACE bar, and then type a comma.

Microsoft Excel File Format Example

RackTube Name Weight Volume Dilution Autodilution DilutionList LimsId Customer CustomerRef. SampleDate SampleSite Description
2:1 Sample 1 9 9 1 1 List 1 1 Customer 1 ABC 01/12/2023 Melbourne Rocks
2:2 Sample 2 9 9 1 1 List 2 2 Customer 2 DEF 01/12/2023 Los Angeles Water

Tab Delimited File Format Example

RackTube    Name    Weight    Volume    Dilution    Autodilution    DilutionList    LimsId    Customer    CustomerRef.    SampleDate    SampleSite    Description
2:1    New Sample 1    9    9    1    1    New Dilution List 1    1    Customer 1    ABC    01/12/2023    Melbourne    SampleDescription 1
2:2    New Sample 2    9    9    1    1    New Dilution List 2    2    Customer 2    DEF    01/12/2023    Los Angeles    SampleDescription 2

Comma Delimited File Format Example

RackTube,Name,Weight,Volume,Dilution,Autodilution,DilutionList,LimsId,Customer,CustomerRef.,SampleDate,SampleSite,Description
2:1,New Sample 1,9,9,1,1,New Dilution List 1,1,Customer 1,ABC,01/12/2023,Melbourne,SampleDescription 1
2:2,New Sample 2,9,9,1,1, New Dilution List 2,2,Customer 2,DEF,01/12/2023,Los Angeles,SampleDescription 2

Import From

Use the ‘Import From’ feature to import sections into an existing worksheet from any existing worksheet or template. This feature is only available prior to results being collected.

If the current worksheet has already been run, the Import From menu option will not be available.

To access the Import From Menu:

  1. Click File > Import From.

The "Import Worksheet Sections From" window will be displayed.

  1. Click Browse and navigate to the saved ICP Expert worksheet and then click Open.
  2. Select the desired worksheet sections to be imported from the checklist.
  3. Click Create.

Worksheet Sections

Sequence List

The sequence list section import only includes normal user samples. All calibration block data including IEC and QC blocks are not included in the import and any manually inserted QC's will be replaced by placeholder samples in the sequence list.

Element/Wavelengths

The element/wavelengths section import only includes analytes, internal standards and interferents. If the initial worksheet does not have IEC enabled, interferent wavelengths will not be included.

Measurement Conditions

The measurement conditions section import only includes measurement condition sets. This does not include common conditions.

For the sequence list and element/wavelength worksheet section imports, it is possible to select between replacing or appending the data in the current open worksheet. The measurement conditions section import supports replacement data only.

Export

To export a file to .csv or Microsoft Excel:

  1. Click File > LIMS > Export.
  2. Navigate to where the file should be saved.
  3. Enter a file name and then click Save.

Export to Microsoft Excel is only available with ICP Expert Pro.

Setup Export Options

Select the worksheet content to be exported.

  1. Click File > Options > Export.
  2. Select the exported file format type.

Microsoft Excel format is only available in the ICP Expert Pro feature pack. Tabular exports the data in the grid format instead of detailed format. Because it exports the data in grid format, many preferences are not applicable and are disabled when selecting the tabular format.
  1. Select which data is to be exported in the Content section.

Sample information includes LIMS ID, Customer, Customer Reference, Sample Date, Sample Site, and the Description columns.
  1. Select whether to append to a file or to overwrite it.

The default file location is C:\Users\[Current User]\Documents\Agilent\ICP Expert\Exported Results (where [Current User] is the user name of the currently logged in user) and the file is saved as a .csv or Microsoft Excel .xlsx (depending on the file format selected above) file with the same name as the running Worksheet.

If 'During run' is selected ensure that 'Append' is selected so that all data is saved. Selecting 'Overwrite' with 'During run' selected will delete the existing data.
  1. Select 'Column' to export all results in the sample (column) units, 'Standard' to export all results in the standard units or 'Both' to export results in the relevant standard or sample (column) units based on the solution type.
  2. Select 'Visible' to export only the columns visible (hidden columns are not exported) on the Analysis page or 'All' to export all columns.
  3. Select 'End of run' or 'During run' to enable automatic exporting. During run will export data after every sample.

If 'During run' is selected ensure that 'Append' is selected so that all data is saved. Selecting 'Overwrite' with 'During run' selected will delete the existing data.

 

See also: