Tech Notes

Q. How do I import my data files into GeneSpring?

A. There are a number of ways to import data into GeneSpring. You can import data

- from text files saved in a tab-delimited format

- as data stored in databases*

- by copying and pasting into GeneSpring*

- or by using one of the External Programs

Here is a description of how to import data from tab-delimited text files:

1. Make sure that all your files have exactly the same format (same information in same columns, and same number of rows). Save each file in a "tab-delimited" text format.
   
   
2. From the File menu in GeneSpring, select "Import Data".
   
   
3. Browse for one of the files you would like to import and click "Open".
   
   
4. In the next window, select the genome into which the data is to be imported. If a representative genome is not yet in the list, create a new one. Click on "Create a New Genome" at the bottom of the window and enter the name of the genome.
   
   
5. Choose the file format corresponding to your data. In some cases, GeneSpring recognizes the format automatically. However, if not, the file format is set as "Custom".
   
   
   
   
6. Click "Next". If the format was set as "Custom", you are taken into the Column Editor window to define the formatting of the data file:
   
   
   
   
7. Click "Click to Set" and select the appropriate option from the pull-down menu. Only one column can be assigned as Gene Identifier. There may be several "Signal" columns containing raw signal intensities. Not all columns need to be defined. For more information on how to use the Column Editor, click on "Help" at the bottom of the window.
   
   
8. Make sure to adjust the First Line of Data, or the Line Containing Column Titles. Click on "Next".
   
   
9. Add all the files that you wish to import. Only files with the same format as the first one will be accepted at this stage. Click "Next".
   
   
10. Define the necessary attributes for your samples. This is an optional step used to record sample properties.
    
    
11. Each sample has been successfully imported. Next, indicate whether to create an experiment with all the samples. Click "Yes" if you wish to do so. Click "No" if you wish to import additional samples before creating an experiment.
    
    
12. Save your experiment if you have selected to create an experiment.
    
    

You are now ready to setup your experiment and start your analysis.

Loading Data from Signet:

You can also import data that is stored on your organization's Signet:

1. Select "Login to Signet" from the File menu. Enter your username and password.
   
   
2. Use "Open Genome or Array" from the File menu to open the genome you wish to download the files.
   
3. After opening the genome, select the experiment you wish to import in GeneSpring, right-click and select "Copy from Signet".

You are now ready to analyze this experiment locally on your computer.

*Please refer to the individual tech notes each that describe the procedures for importing data from a database and pasting data content into GeneSpring.