Empower - Export result tables to Excel

[abell1234]

Hi All,

Going back to my original question I still dont see why you should have to export result to excel. Are results not genersted using Empower? Inputing data to Excel or any other data manipulation tool is another step that should not be required. Please let me know if you require any information on this subject.
Andy

[njohnsto]

this can be done in either excel or empower (1 or 2) however it can only be done easily in empower if you purchase the dissolution option. A export method can be created if the admin has allowed the user access. The export method can contain pratically any result field if required.

The best option is to purchase the dissolution option and keep the calcs in a qualified software system.

[DR]

Hi All,

Going back to my original question I still dont see why you should have to export result to excel. Are results not genersted using Empower? Inputing data to Excel or any other data manipulation tool is another step that should not be required. Please let me know if you require any information on this subject.
Andy

The data output via the CDS is seldom the final resting place for the information. The data usually have to be incorporated into Word documents. This is most easily accomplished by pulling it into Excel, formatting it there (fonts, borders, cell sizing), then tossing it into Word. Some Empower users are probably feeding data to legacy databases and/or non-Waters LIMS systems.

If Empower were to produce PDF files with logical tabs, we probably wouldn't need export nearly as often as we do as we could cut and paste from the pdf files. As it is right now, if you copy from Empower generated tables in PDF format, all you get is a fairly randomly ordered single column of data in Excel. This is something Waters *really* needs to fix (IMHO).

[abell1234]

Hi All,

From what I can gather from a number of replies
1 ) Results are calculated using Empower /2 via custom fields.
2 ) These results are then copied into word via excel and tables formatted as required.
3 ) Data inputed into excel (or indeed word) is then manually checked against data in Empower 2
4 ) Empower 2 cannot create suitable PDF files when data is exported and 'locked down'
5 )Dissolution profiles including mass and volume correction calculation can only be performed with the purchase of 'dissolution option'.

The major points are 2 and 3. Should these steps be required using Empower 2?

If anybody has any ideas on solving these problems 2,3 and 4 especially (without changing CDS!) please pass on this information ,

Cheers

Andy

[aceto_81]

Hi All,

From what I can gather from a number of replies
1 ) Results are calculated using Empower /2 via custom fields.
2 ) These results are then copied into word via excel and tables formatted as required.
3 ) Data inputed into excel (or indeed word) is then manually checked against data in Empower 2
4 ) Empower 2 cannot create suitable PDF files when data is exported and 'locked down'
5 )Dissolution profiles including mass and volume correction calculation can only be performed with the purchase of 'dissolution option'.

The major points are 2 and 3. Should these steps be required using Empower 2?

If anybody has any ideas on solving these problems 2,3 and 4 especially (without changing CDS!) please pass on this information ,

Cheers

Andy

You can export your data with an export method in Empower, where you can specify column delimeter and row end. From here it is fairly easy to import in Excel. This should skip the manual check of your step 3.
If you make multiple sheets in Excel, you can use the first sheet for import, where on the second sheet all the formating and calculations are done (at least when you have all the time the same amount of data).
Or you can write a VBA macro to do the trick.

Good luck


Ace

[abell1234]

Hi Ace ,

Thanks for your reply.
Just to clarify :

When you import results from Empower to excel is then this sheet 'locked', (ie .no changes can be made to that data?) and calculations are still made using 'external software '(excel)? Would it not be simpler to use custom calc fiel within Empower 2 to produce actual results?
Wont these calculations/data in excel still need to be checked? (or even spreadsheet validated??)
Im just trying to figure out the capabilities of this software versus other CDS's out there

More info on VBA macro would be very useful

Thanks again

Andy

[aceto_81]

When you export your data, you get an ASCII datafile, which can be adjusted with any text editor, this is a weak point.

The calculations are indeed done with the external software (excel in this case), so you have to validate your spreadsheet, and lock the right cells.

It is much simpler to use the custom calculations in Empower to produce the results, and I think it is possible with intersample calculations and proper labeling of your samples. But I never tried it, because I didn't need it yet.

About the VBA macro, this allows you to make up specific parts of your report/sheet while taking care of your data, it can "look" how many data you have, and make decisions about how your data is presented.
But to make this work isn't as easy as it should. And of course there is the validation.....

Ace

[DR]

We tend not to do any calculations in Excel - we just go there with report tables so that they can be included in other reports.

The exception is if a dissolution run gets fouled up somehow. Then we use the data tables (typically either component or all peaks tables) and Excel to do the calculations. When we do this, we fully document all of the Excel formulas and we do thorough manual checking of them.

If all we do is cut/paste or import a result table into Excel, the checking is minimal - just making sure the results are in the same place in both tables.

[aceto_81]

@DR: do you have purchased the dissolution option, or did you make your own custom fields?

I still think it's possible to set things up without the dissolution option (maybe not the easiest way, but certainly cheaper).

If you label your injections with V1T1 (vessel 1, timepoint1), you can create a custom field which holds the total volume in the vessel, on which holds the sampling volume. And you can calculate your amount by using reference substances.
For the next timepoint (V1T2), you can create a custom field which accesses the volumes and amounts of the previous timepoint:
eg to sum the amounts: amount + V1T1..(amount)

In this way, it should be possible.

Ace

[DR]

You're correct in that it should be possible to do something like that (though you'll want some leading zeros in your labels), but it's a lot easier to just purchase the dissolution option. That's what we did. We also have structures, suitability, GC and A1100 control options.

[Jade.Barker]

Hello all,
I am also currently trying to Export to Excel.

1. I have only been able to Export to a txt file. Then I have been importing that file into Excel. Is there a more direct way to export?

2. Can Chromatograms be exported this way? I have been able to export the data points that create the Chromatogram - but not the full graph. I can copy it as a "picture" file, but not a graph, Has anyone been able to this?

Background:
We have a Waters HPLC with Empower 2. I have full access to the software and hardware. I have less than 3 months experience as an operator. Our lab is not a regulated environment.

I would like to Export to Excel for reporting purposes to our sales staff. Eventually I would like to map some long term data for different plants in Access. I want to streamline the process of exporting so all data is captured:
1. As we do a higher volume of samples
2. When other users are running the instrument.

[aceto_81]

Hello all,
I am also currently trying to Export to Excel.

1. I have only been able to Export to a txt file. Then I have been importing that file into Excel. Is there a more direct way to export?

I think this is the most direct way unless you program a VBA program in Excel to import your data through the data toolkit from Waters, but this requires a lot of experience in both VBA and the Empower Toolkit.

2. Can Chromatograms be exported this way? I have been able to export the data points that create the Chromatogram - but not the full graph. I can copy it as a "picture" file, but not a graph, Has anyone been able to this?

What do you mean with graph file?
I think that you can export as EMF file, but this is a picture file, as you said.

I would like to Export to Excel for reporting purposes to our sales staff. Eventually I would like to map some long term data for different plants in Access. I want to streamline the process of exporting so all data is captured:
1. As we do a higher volume of samples
2. When other users are running the instrument.

Exporting with an export method to a txt file, and then import in Excel looks the most appropiate way to do this stuff.

Ace