Data Set

23.08.2021

The data set is the data object in which FlexPro stores data that cannot be calculated as a formula. An example would be data that was imported from a file or entered manually. When importing multi-channel measurement data, FlexPro creates several data sets, one per measurement channel. Even if you enter data manually, you should create a separate data set for each measured quantity. It is especially important that all values in a data set have the same physical unit.

Data Editing Options

FlexPro offers you several options for directly editing data in data sets.

If the data set to be edited is a data series or a data matrix, you can edit this in an open folder's data view. The data view allows editing across several data sets. This means that you can edit several data sets at the same time in a single data grid.

In the data set window, you can edit each data set independently of its data structure. However, the data set window always only displays the data of an individual data set.

If you are measuring the curves in diagrams using the cursors, you can edit the data under the cursor and between cursors directly.

Data Set Window and Data View

The data set window and the data view function much like a spreadsheet in Excel or another spreadsheet program. You can edit them like in a spreadsheet, add, copy and move data and much more.

Data view allows you to work with the data of more than one data set as opposed to when using the data set window. All data sets with the data series and data matrix data structures in the open folder are displayed in one data grid.

The following table clarifies the user interface elements of the data set window:

Element

Purpose

The upper left corner functions like a button; if you click on this button, the complete data set is selected.

There are buttons on the left side that number the rows of the data set, starting with zero. By clicking on this button, you can select the complete row in the data set. The buttons on the left side are described as row headers.

At the top you will find buttons identifying the component of the data set. If the component represents a data matrix, the components are numbered. By clicking on this button, you can select the complete column in the data set. The buttons at the top are described as column headers.

These cells, which, depending on the structure of the data set, can be found at the bottom and/or on the right, act as placeholders for new values that can be inserted there.

These cells identify areas where no input is possible. They result from the structure of the data set.

Dividing lines provide visual separation of data set components, since all components of a data set are always displayed together in the data set window.

The following table describes the user interface elements of the data view:

Element

Purpose

This button is located directly under the "Close" button. It selects all data.

On the left-hand side are the buttons that number the rows starting with zero. By clicking on this type of button, you select the complete row in the data view. The buttons on the left side are described as row headers.

At the top you can see the name row, which shows the names and component identifiers of the data sets displayed in the data view. Selections in the name row correspond to the selections in the Object List. By dragging the mouse across the name row, you can rearrange the data sets in the data view.

Underneath the name row you can see buttons identifying the columns of the data sets. If a data set represents a data matrix, the columns are numbered starting with zero. By clicking on this type of button, you can select the complete column. The buttons at the top are described as column headers.

Empty cells at the bottom and/or on the right serve as fields for new values that can be inserted there. If necessary, the data set concerned will be enlarged, or a new data set is created.

In the data view and the Object List, you can merge several data series and/or data matrices into a single data matrix. To create a new data matrix, for instance, enter the data first as separate columns (data series) and then merge these into a matrix.

FPScript formulas can be used when entering values in the data view or in the data set window. To do this, the text that you input must start with '=', e. g., '=2 + 3' places the value 5 into the cell. You can also initialize one- and two-dimensional arrays; for instance, '=0#3#4' initializes a matrix with 3x4 elements with zeros.

You can also enter the values with a unit, such as '3 mA'. If the particular data set component does not have a unit, then the specified unit is assigned to all data. Otherwise, the specified value is transformed to the unit of the data set. If this is not possible, an error message appears and the input value is discarded.

Assigning Data Sets

The data view offers a particularly convenient way of assigning data sets. Simply specify for the individual data sets whether these are to represent the X, Y or Z component of an aggregate data structure. You can then determine from the order of the data sets which X or Z data sets are to be entered into the Y data sets headers as assigned data sets. This also applies if you have several of these XY or XYZ arrangements, e.g. a X data set, to which three Y data sets are assigned and another X data set to which four Y data sets are assigned. The data view always arranges the Y data sets belonging to a certain X data set to the right of that X data set. You can always assign a data set identified as Y to another X data set by simply using your mouse to move this to position to the right of the other X data set.

Automatic assignment follows this pattern:

1.All Y data sets that follow an X data set without interruption are assigned this X data set.

2.A Y data set with a Z data set immediately to its right is assigned this Z data set.

Some examples of common data structures and their arrangement in the data view:

Time (X) Signal1(Y) Signal2(Y) Frequency (X) Spectrum1(Y) Spectrum2 (Y)

Signal1 and Signal2 are time signals with a Time that is assigned as an X data set. Spectrum1 and Spectrum2 are frequency signals with a Frequency that is assigned as an X data set.

Sampling time(X) Measurements(Y) Trigger time(Z)

The Sampling time and Trigger time data series are entered into the Measurements data matrix as an X or Z component. Together they form a signal series with a Z component.

XLocus (X) Measurements (Y) ZLocus (Z)

The XLocus and ZLocus data series are locus coordinates for the data found in the Measured values data series. Together they form a space curve.

Adding Components

You can also add an X or Z component with linearly increasing values to one or more data sets at a later time. This makes sense, for instance, when you know the sampling rate of the measured data, but the time information was not stored in the data file. You can access the relevant commands from the object list and data view.

See Also

Data Object

Working with Data Sets

Creating a Data Set

Opening a Data Set

Arranging Data Sets in the Data View

Selecting Data Sets in the Data View as Components

Changing the Data Type

Merging Data Sets to a Data Matrix

Adding an X or Z Component

Changing the Column Width

Working with Data

Navigating and Selecting Data

Changing and Adding Values

Adding Columns and Rows

Deleting Columns and Rows

Copying Data via Drag-and-Drop from the Object List

Copying Data via the Clipboard

Copying Data via Drag-and-Drop from a Data Set Window or the Data View

Filling Columns with Values

Calculating Values in Columns

Share article or send as email:

You might be interested in these articles