Importing Metadata Tables

The basic Metadata import tool is fast and easy. General features of this importer are:

To run the basic importer, go to:

        File | Import (Image Next_Folder_16_n_p) | Import Metadata (Image add_to_results_metadata_table_16_n_p)

In the box labeled Spreadsheet with sample information, select the Excel file (*.xlsx/*.xls) to be imported.

The rows in the spreadsheet are displayed in the Metadata preview table, as shown in figure 9.1.

Image importmetadatabasicstep1
Figure 9.1: The spreadsheet content is now visible in the importer dialog.

In the second wizard window, you can choose to associate data elements to the metadata. Select in the field Location of data the data elements to associate. In the Matching scheme area, select whether data element names must match exactly or partially the entries in the first column of the metadata (figure 9.2).

Image importmetadatabasicstep2
Figure 9.2: Metadata rows that have successful association are filling up the table.

You can now click on the button Next to select where you wish the metadata table to be saved.

The associated information can be viewed for a given data element in the Show Element Info view, as show in figure 9.3.

Image importmetadatabasicstep3
Figure 9.3: Metadata associations can be seen, edited, refreshed or deleted via the Show Element Info view.

If desired, a metadata table can be edited later from within the Metadata Table editor (see Associating data elements with metadata). It is also possible to create a metadata table directly within the workbench. For more information on Advanced Metadata Import, see http://resources.qiagenbioinformatics.com/manuals/clcgenomicsworkbench/current/index.php?manual=Advanced_Metadata_Import.html.