Data Format
The QuBAS system accepts “delimited” type text files in UTF8 encoding. The most common of these is the comma separated variable or csv file described here but QuBAS can also read tab,”;” or space separated files.
Import Plugins
Import plugins are available that will convert various plate reader outputs into the standard QuBAS format. Once loaded into QuBAS these can be selected as part of the file import process
Auto Import
An auto import feature is available in Routine mode, that configures QuBAS to watch a pre-specified folder location on the installation server and automatically import and run a file that is saved to this location
How to Use QuBAS with Excel
It is important to note that excel files are not csv, but can be exported in csv format by using the Save as function.
Text Encoding
Preliminary: Configure Excel to create the correct text encoding. (Only need to do this once).
- Select the options menu from the File Open screen:
- Select Advanced options scroll to select Web options select Encoding :
- Make sure the encoding is set to Unicode (UTF-8). You may need to uncheck the Always save.. box to change this and then reselect the Always save.. box.
- Click OK x 2 to return.
Saving a data file for QuBAS import
- Configure your data in a QuBAS friendly format. QuBAS can handle almost anything but the template is easier to create if the file is basically of this form:
- Select Save As … CSV (comma delimited)(*.csv) or Text (Tab delimited) (*.txt)
The saved file will import to QuBAS directly.
How to Import SMP Data into QuBAS
In order for the SMP importer to function, it is important that the export file is configured correctly. Meta data is added to the export file using the notes facility. Please follow the following steps:
- Create a notes section that will contain Method metadata, such as Assay ID, Plate reader ID, operator ID etc
- Create a new notes section for each plate to be exported, containing the ID information for the Substance type metadata. Note that QuBAS will expect the order of this information to be the same for each plate as each plate will be read using the same Data file Template.
When complete, select export from the file menu. Select the notes and plates you wish to export. Do not select anything else as this is likely to create an export file that does not fit the Data file temple that you will use in QuBAS.
Then select raw or reduced data. If you select reduced data this will delete masked cells from the exported file, if you select raw then masked cells are ignored.
Select plate format output and click OK
Select where to save the exported file. If you are using the Autoimport function in QuBAS, make sure you select the pre-defined folder.