gh-zygi-bio-tool-skills-graphpad-prism/skills/graphpad-prism-skill/reference/data_operations.md

Data Operations - Summary

Creating New Sheets

Commands

• DuplicateDataTable <CLEAR>
• DuplicateFamily [prepend_text] <CLEAR>
• CreateLayout [#rows] [#columns] <orientation> <#StartingGraphIndex> <#Graphs>

Details

DuplicateDataTable: Duplicates only a data table (no linked analyses/graphs). Can import data but cannot analyze or graph within script.

DuplicateFamily: Duplicates sheet plus all linked sheets. Import new data replaces existing, all analyses/graphs update automatically. Prepended text added to all new sheet names. Use %F as prepend text to use imported filename.

CreateLayout: Creates new layout with array of placeholders.

• Orientation: "portrait" or "landscape" (default: portrait)
• Starting graph: rank order in navigator (1 = first graph)
• GraphsCount: number of graphs to assign (optional; stops at last placeholder or last graph if omitted)

Modifying Data Tables

Commands

• SetYReplicates [#]
• ClearTable <row>,<col>,<subcol>
• DeleteAllDataSets <CLEAR>

Details

Scripts have limited ability to modify data tables. Cannot change table structure or number format (only Y replicates).

SetYReplicates: Changes number of Y replicates (subcolumns).

DeleteAllDataSets: Deletes all data and all links to analyses/graphs.

ClearTable: Erases all data left and below designated cell (including cell itself). Maintains links to analyses/graphs.

Info Constants

Commands

• SetInfo ["value"] [rownumber] <position: 0 (name) or 1 (value) or 2 (notes)>
• SetValueToInfo [infotable #] [inforow#] [datarow] [datacol] <datasubcol>

Details

Both commands insert/change values in Info sheets.

SetInfo:

• Position 0: change constant name
• Position 1: change constant value (default)
• Position 2: append to notes (row number ignored)

Examples:

SetInfo 5.3, 3                        // Set 3rd constant = 5.3
Setinfo "Notebook 25, page 34", 5     // Set 5th constant to text
Setinfo "Experimenter", 3, 0          // Name 3rd constant
Setinfo "Dennis", 3, 1                // Set value of 3rd constant
Setinfo "Notebook 2007H, page 304", 1, 2  // Add to notes

SetValueToInfo: Value comes from data/results/info table. Must first navigate using Goto command. Specify source cell (row, col, subcol) and destination (info table #, info row #).

Example:

SetValueToInfo 2, 4, 14, 0  // From row 14, col 0 (X value) → 4th row of 2nd info table

Importing Data

From Text Files

Commands

• Import <"filename">, <row>, <col>, <subcol>
• ImportLink <"filename">, <row>, <col>, <subcol>

Details

Import: Imports data from text file into data table.

• If filename omitted in ForEach loop: uses current loop file
• If filename without path: uses SetPath directory
• Row 0 = title row, row 1 = first data row
• Column 0 = X column, column 1 = first Y column
• Column -1 = row titles
• Cannot import subcolumn titles

ImportLink: Replaces data in data object using existing filter/rearrangement choices. Before scripting, manually import file and create link with Filter/Placement tab options (select rows/columns, transpose, etc.). Properties stored with data object. ImportLink then updates using same properties.

• If single data object: omit row/col/subcol
• If multiple data objects: specify upper-left corner
• Only updates Prism→text file links (not Excel Paste Link)

From Script File

Commands

• InsertData <row>, <col>, <subcol>
• InsertDataLink <row>, <col>, <subcol>

Details

For scripts created within other programs, data can be included in same file as script commands.

InsertData: Imports data included within script file, starting at specified position. Data enclosed in <Data> and </Data> tags. Script continues after </Data> tag.

Example:

InsertData
<Data>
1, 2, 4
5, 7, 9
</Data>

InsertDataLink: Imports data into data object at indicated position. Works similarly to ImportLink command.

Row/column indexing same as Import command (row 0 = title, col 0 = X, col -1 = row titles).

Copy and Paste

Commands

• Copy
• Copy [#rows] [#columns] [first row] [first col] <first subcol>
• Paste [first row] [first col] <first subcol>
• Paste

Details

From data/info/results table, copy selected values to clipboard.

Copy:

• No arguments: copies entire sheet
• With arguments: specify range to copy
• #columns includes subcolumns (e.g., triplicate values in 2 columns = 6, or 7 with X)

Paste:

• No arguments: pastes entire table at current insertion point
• With arguments: specifies paste location

Copy/paste use system clipboard (overwrites other clipboard content).

Example:

Copy 1, 9, 5, 10  // Copies 1 row, 9 columns/subcolumns, starting row 5, col 10

Opening and Saving Files

Commands

• Open ["filename"]
• Close
• Save <"filename">

Details

Scripts can be saved in Prism file or separate .pzc file. When script runs from separate file, Open/Close switch between Prism files. Commands work on last opened file. Multiple files can be open; reissue Open to switch back.

Open:

• Without disk/directory: uses SetPath directory (or temp folder if no SetPath)
• Include extension: .PZF, .PZFX, .PZT, or .PZM
• Unlike Import, doesn't auto-open next file in ForEach loop
• For ForEach loop: use Open %F.PZFX (%F = next file)

Close: Does not save file.

Save:

• Include filename: creates new file
• Omit filename: saves changes to same name
• Saves to .PZF or .PZFX based on extension

Exporting Data

Commands

• ExportTable [filename] <ALL>

Details

Export format determined by file extension.

From data/results table: Exports entire table.

• Formats: .txt (tab-delimited), .csv (comma-delimited), .xml (Prism XML)

From info table:

• .txt file: exports only notes (not info constants)
• .xml file: exports both info constants and notes
• For info constants only: use WSheet command instead

XML with ALL option: Exports all data and info tables.

Can also export to script-created tables.