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

GraphPad Prism Scripting - Advanced Features Summary

Graph Manipulation

Changing Graphs

• Scripts can modify graph properties and formatting
• Allows automation of graph customization

Exporting Graphs and Layouts

Commands for exporting visual output to various formats for use in publications and presentations.

Data Export Commands

ExportTable Command

Syntax: ExportTable [filename] <ALL>

File Formats:

• .txt - Tab-delimited text
• .csv - Comma-delimited text
• .xml - Prism XML format

Behavior by Table Type:

• Data/Results tables: Exports entire table
• Info tables (.txt): Exports notes only (not constants)
• Info tables (.xml): Exports both constants and notes
• XML with ALL option: Exports all data and info tables project-wide

Note: For info constants only, use WSheet command instead.

Output to Tables and Files

Writing to Prism Tables (Text/HTML/XML/SQL)

Scripts can create and populate Prism tables in multiple formats for structured data output.

Writing to Text Files

Commands for writing data to external text files for export and integration.

WBlock Command

Introduced: Prism 6.04/6.0e Purpose: Write cell block (range) to text file opened via OpenOutput

Syntax: WBlock [row(s)] [column(s)] <row label> <;>

Row Parameters:

Parameter	Meaning
Single number	One row
n-	Row n through first blank row
n-m	Rows n through m (inclusive)
List	Multiple specific rows (any order)

Column Parameters:

Parameter	Meaning
Single letter	One column
A-	Column A through first empty column
A-D	Columns A through D (inclusive)
List	Multiple specific columns (any order)

Row Label: Optional label prepended to each row Semicolon (;): If present, label joins with first column (no delimiter)

Examples:

WBlock "7-", "6,4", "PSummary"     // Rows 7-end, cols 6&4, labeled
WBlock "7-", "6,3", "Significant?";  // Label joins column (no delimiter)
WBlock "7-", "7,4", "PSummary"     // Label in separate column

Output Format: Tab-delimited by default (or comma if set in OpenOutput)

WTBlock Command

Syntax: WTBlock [row(s)] [columns to include] <row label> <;>

Difference from WBlock: Transposes output - each Prism column becomes a row in output, with label applied per output row

Example:

WTBlock "7-", "7,3,4"  // Transpose specified rows/columns

Microsoft Office Integration

SendToWord Command

Sends current graph or layout to Microsoft Word document.

SendToPP Command

Sends current graph or layout to Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

Platform: Windows only

Special Purpose Commands

SetProjectName

Syntax: SetProjectName ["new name"] Changes project file name for next save operation.

SetScriptDialogTitle

Syntax: SetScriptDialogTitle ["dialog title"] Customizes script progress dialog title (useful for user-facing scripts).

RecalcAll

Recalculates all results in project. Required when opening files from prior Prism versions saved in large format.

Beep

Plays audible alert when script completes (useful for long-running scripts).

CreateLog

Behavior:

• Script dialog execution: Ignored (log always created in dialog tab 2)
• File execution: Creates .log file with same name as script file

Logs each script step for debugging and verification.

SetSheetTitle

Syntax: SetSheetTitle [new_name] <K> Renames current sheet. K parameter: Retains first K characters of existing name, replaces remainder.

CloseScriptDialog

Closes script progress dialog (useful for programmatic control).

Print

Prints current sheet only (not entire project).

Exit

Syntax: Exit Platform: Windows only Closes all open files without saving or prompting, then exits Prism. Warning: Data loss risk - use cautiously.

Scripting Syntax Elements

Comments

// Single line comment

/*
  Multi-line
  comment block
*/

Punctuation Rules

• Command separation: Space between command and arguments
• Argument separation: Spaces or commas
• Case: Insensitive (mix upper/lower freely)
• Whitespace: Extra spaces allowed for readability

Documentation Conventions

• Required arguments: [like this] in square brackets
• Optional arguments: <like this> in angle brackets
• Lowercase: Placeholder for value you enter
• UPPERCASE: Exact keyword to type

Output Variables

Available in commands that export text (especially useful in loops):

Variable	Meaning
%F	Filename (before extension)
%X	File extension (without period)
%S	Current sheet name
%N	Loop iteration number
%%	Literal % symbol

Usage: Can precede/follow with text Context: Must be inside script loop (except %S) Additional: More variables available for text writing commands

Platform-Specific Features

macOS Integration

Automator Support

Requirements: macOS 10.4 (Tiger) or later Input: Script file path or script text Output: "Done" or error message Enables workflow automation with Prism scripts.

AppleScript/MacScript

Launch Prism from Microsoft Office (Word/Excel) via VBA:

MacScript "tell application ""HD:Prism4:Prism""" + Chr(13) + _
"activate" + Chr(13) + _
"open file ""Macintosh HD:Prism4:Scripts:dr2""" + Chr(13) + _
"end tell"

Requirements:

• Full path to Prism application
• Full path to script file

Behavior: VBA continues immediately (non-blocking) Synchronization: VBA program must manually wait for Prism completion (e.g., poll for output file creation)

Key Limitations and Notes

1. Exit command: Windows only, no macOS support
2. SendToWord/SendToPP: Windows-focused features
3. WBlock/WTBlock: Requires prior OpenOutput command
4. Async execution: AppleScript launches don't block - implement waiting logic
5. Info table exports: Different behavior for TXT vs XML formats
6. File format dependencies: Extension determines export format/behavior