Data Set Overview
Data is entered, edited, organized and stored in a Data Set.
The type of data that will be entered into a Data Set determines which action item to use to create the Data Set.
To enter data from field notes or labels choose the New Data Set action to create an empty Data Set. Column headings for the new Data Set are chosen from fields within Specify 6, which ensures that any data entered into the WorkBench will import correctly into Specify 6. The column headings can be renamed, but will still maintain a link to the original Specify field. These links are referred to as 'maps'.
Use the Import Data action to import data from an MS Excel or CSV file. The WorkBench not only imports the data, but also helps map the existing column headings to fields in Specify 6 with an 'auto-mapping' feature that reads the import column headings and automatically maps them to any matching fields. Any remaining, unmapped column headings can be manually mapped. The column headings can be mapped to different Specify fields later using the Edit Data Set Mapping action.
Data Sets display the imported column headings rather than the field names, as these are more familiar.
The Import Images action links images to individual records in a new Data Set. This action item is especially useful when entering data from scanned card images or field notes.
The WorkBench can also link images individually to each row within an existing Data Set.
Data Sets are edited as either a Grid, or a Form. Each view offers unique functionality:
| Grid Editing |
Search Panel Georefrencing with BioGiomancer Mapping with Google Earth Georeference Conversion tool Export selected records |
| Form Editing |
Rename Columns Rearrange form layout in the work space |
An entire Data Set, or selected rows can be exported to an MS Excel spreadsheet using the Export Data Set action.
A Data Set can be described, as well as named using the Data Set Properties dialog.