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Generic CSV File Format

This file contains columns of data separated by a single unique character, the data values can be numerical or labels or empty values. It can be produced using Excel or a simulation or a simple log file.

If the First line contains labels they will be used as the names of the datasets, ("s will be ignored). If the Second line contains labels they will be used as the units for the datasets, ("s will be ignored).

If no names are given the generic name Data[n] ([n] is a number) will be used.

PrestoPlot will use the set of Generic CSV preferences to detect and process the file structure:

  • Column separator - Can be AUTO detected from one of TAB, SEMICOLON, COMMA, or SPACE.
  • Decimal separator - Can be AUTO detected from either PERIOD or COMMA.
  • Parameter names - Defined in the first line of the file.
  • Units - Defined in the second line of the file.
  • Date column present/absent - Detected using the structure of the first column data.
  • Format of the date column - Detected from the Date Formats using the CSV preferences.

Additional Information

Additional comments can be added after the units line

Where » is the separator character for this file.

# Description : » DEFICIT » Charge deficit Will add a description for the dataset 'DEFICIT'.

# Label values : » MODEBM » I LIMIT » 0 » V LIMIT » 1 » TRICKLE » 2 Will add a labelling transfer function for the dataset 'MODEBM'

# X Label : » Calendar Date Gives a label to display on the X axis for all of the datasets in this file.

# Offset : » ISO8601 » 2005/05/17 00:00:00.000 » [delta] Will convert a calendar dated file to SECONDS by giving the Date value for the 0.0 SECONDS date, the date is added to all SECONDS values for this file. The optional 'delta' value will be added as a numerical correction factor.

# Baseline : » ISO8601 » 2005/05/17 00:00:00.000 » [delta] Will convert a dated file to SECONDS, the date is subtracted from all date values for this file. The optional 'delta' value will be added as a numerical correction factor.

Tip

Any other line starting with the # character will be ignored.

e.g. With ISO8601 format dates : 

t;IBAT;VBAT
ISO8601;A;V
2003/05/12 00:00:12.330;0.00;0.00
2003/05/12 00:00:44.330;3.20;3.20
2003/05/12 00:01:26.330;2.56;4.81

e.g. With LINE_NUMBER (Date columnn set to 0) : 

IBAT,VBAT
A,V
0.00,0.00
3.20,3.20
2.56,4.81

Special Number values

The special number values NaN (Not a Number) and Inf (Infinity) are handled by PrestoPlot depending on the other values present in the dataset.

  • An FLT with numerical values only will have any special values removed.
  • A LABEL or LABEL + FLT with label values will have the labels NaN or Inf added to the label transfer function and display the labels appropriately.