EXI allows to provide information about the samples in a shipment uploading one or more CSV files. This document contains information about the format and contents of the CSV file.

A CSV file is a plain text format mainly used to store tabular data. CSV means Comma-Separated Values then each value is separated with a comma. Example:

Dewar1,MX001,Unipuck,1,HEWL,xtal101,,P43212,77.4,77.4,37.2,90,90,90,,,,,,,,,Lysozyme test crystal

This line describes a Hen Egg White Lysozyme crystal, located in the position 1 of a Unipuck labeled ‘MX001’ included in a parcel called ‘Dewar1’. Optional or unused columns can be left empty, although the separating commas must be present.

Using a file like this makes it easier to edit, update or correct the sample information; the CSV file also acts as a backup. The advantage of using a CSV file and not a Excel file is that CSV is a standard format that can be handled in all different operating systems and it does not depend on any program.

Note: All the fields in the CSV file are case-sensitive

Value DescriptionExample
Parcel (compulsory)Identifier of the parcel. If it does not exist, it will be created automaticallyDewar1
Container name (compulsory)It must match the value engraved in the puckMX001
Container type (compulsory)Only Unipucks are accepted at MAX IVUnipuck
Container position (compulsory)Sample position in the container1
Protein acronym (compulsory)Case sensitive. Must have been saved previously to the sample databaseHEWL
Crystal name (compulsory)Name of the sample. Must be unique for the proteinxtal101
Pin barcode (not used)For the user’s records
Crystal form (optional)If present, used for strategy calculation and autoprocessing.P43212,77.4,77.4,37.2,90,90,90
Experimental parameters in rows 9-21 (not used)
Comment (not used) For the user’s recordsLysozyme test crystal
Page manager: Ana Gonzalez January 31, 2023