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

GraphPad Prism Scripting - Syntax & Basics Summary

Script Syntax

Punctuation Rules

• Command name followed by space, then arguments
• Separate arguments with spaces or commas
• Case-insensitive
• Extra spaces allowed for readability

Documentation Notation

• Required arguments: [like this]
• Optional arguments: <like this>
• Lowercase: value to enter
• UPPERCASE: exact word to type

Comments

Syntax

// single line comment

/*
 multiple lines
 of comments
*/

Row and Column Numbering

Columns

• Row Title column: -1
• X Column: 0
• Column A: 1
• Column B: 2, etc.

Rows

• Column Title row: 0 or -1
• First data row: 1 (not 0)
• Subcolumn titles: not accessible via script

General Commands

GoTo Command

Navigate between sheets and sections.

Syntax:

• GoTo <section: D, I, R, G, or L>, <sheet#>, V<tab#>
• GoTo + (next sheet)
• GoTo - (previous sheet)

Examples:

• GoTo G - go to graphs section, most recent graph
• GoTo 3 - third sheet of current section
• GoTo G, 3 - third graph
• GoTo V2 - second analysis tab of current results
• GoTo R, 3, V2 - second tab of third results sheet

Notes:

• Sheet numbering starts at 1 (not 0)
• Space required between results and view: R4V2 fails, use R, 4, V2

Loops and Simulations

Loop Commands

• ForEach [# of loops] - loop specified number of times
• ForEach [filespec] - loop over files (e.g., ForEach *.CSV or ForEach "C:\data\DR*.txt")
• ForEachSheet - loop over all sheets in current section
• Next - end loop statement
• Regenerate - regenerate random numbers (for Monte Carlo simulations)

Notes:

• Cannot nest loops
• Used for simulations and repeated file imports

Monte Carlo Pattern

1. Create Prism file with "Simulate data with random scatter" analysis
2. Link simulated data to another analysis (e.g., nonlinear regression)
3. In loop: GoTo simulation analysis → Regenerate → GoTo results → write output → Next

Variables for Text Output

Available in any command that exports text, primarily useful in loops:

• %F - file name (before period)
• %X - file extension (without period)
• %S - current sheet name (works inside or outside loops)
• %N - loop number
• %% - literal percent symbol (%)

Variables can be preceded/followed by other text. Additional variables available when writing text files.

File Path Management

SetPath Command

Syntax: SetPath ["drive and folder path"]

Sets default path for file read/write commands unless overridden in individual commands.

Windows Examples:

SetPath "C:\Users\(current user)\Documents\007\goldfinger\oddjob"
SetPath "(local drive):\DataFiles\August2005\"
SetPath "\\LabServer\DDrive\PrismFiles"

Mac Example:

SetPath "Hard Drive:Prism 4:Data:June21"

Network drives: Use \\ServerName\DriveName\path format without "C:" notation.

Individual commands can specify full paths to override SetPath.