Skip to main content
Version: 6.0.0

Create samples.xlsx

Background​

Under this feature, SODA lets you quickly and accurately prepare the samples metadata file which is recommended for SPARC datasets. SODA provides a convenient interface, which is more intuitive than the Excel spreadsheet template. It also makes use of information from your dataset on Pennsieve, NCBI Taxonomy, Scicrunch, and protocols.io to help you populate some of the fields easily. The expected structure of this file, generated automatically by SODA, is explained in our corresponding "How to" page if you would like to learn about it.

How to​

To access this interface click on the Free Form Mode side bar option, then click on the Prepare Metadata tab, and finally click on the Create samples.xlsx card.

Step 1​

You can start by either creating a samples.xlsx file from scratch with SODA or continue working on an existing samples.xlsx file.

If you want to continue working on an existing samples.xlsx file, you will be prompted to either import it from your computer, or specify a Pennsieve dataset where the file is currently located. SODA will load information from such samples file so you can edit them through the SODA interface.

Step 2​

If you are continuing to work on an existing samples file, the samples included in that file will be shown in a table. They can be modified or removed through the associated Edit/Copy/Delete buttons.

Click on Add a sample to add a new samples. This will prompt you to a form where you can provide information about that sample based on the fields listed below.

  • subject id (mandatory): Enter the ID of the subject this sample belongs to. It must be unique for each subject across a dataset. The ID must start with sub- followed by any series of alpha-numeric characters (upper and lower cases allowed) or dash -. No other characters (including white space) are allowed.

  • sample id (mandatory): Enter the ID of this sample. It must be unique for each sample belonging to a same subject. The ID must start with sam- followed by any series of alpha-numeric characters (upper and lower cases allowed) or dash -. No other characters (including white space) are allowed.

  • Experimental Setup (Mandatory if available):

    • pool id: Enter the id of the pool this sample's subject belongs to, if applicable. It must be unique for each pool across a dataset. The ID must start with pool- followed by any series of alpha-numeric characters (upper and lower cases allowed) or dash -. No other characters (including white space) are allowed. E.g: pool-1.

    • experimental group: Enter the experimental group this subject is assigned to in the study, if applicable. E.g: control.

    • wasDerivedFromSample: Enter the ID of the sample from which the current sample was derived from (e.g., slice, tissue punch, biopsy, etc.).

  • Species Information (Mandatory if available):

    • Sample type: Select from the dropdown list. This refers to the physical type of the specimen from which the data were extracted.

    • Sample anatomical location: Specify the organ, or sub-region of organ from which the sample was extracted.

    • Member of: Provide the ID of the population that the specimen of your subject belongs to. The ID must start with pop- followed by any series of alpha-numeric characters (upper and lower cases allowed) or dash -. No other characters (including white space) are allowed. E.g.: pop-1.

    • Also in dataset: Include the Pennsieve id(s) for other datasets that have data about the same subject.

  • Protocol Information (Optional):

    • Protocol title on protocols.io: Enter the title of the protocol on protocols.io associated with this subject study. Alternatively, click on Help me with my protocol information located at this end of this section. A login interface will instruct you to connect your protocols.io account with SODA (if not already done), then select your relevant protocol. SODA will automatically populate the protocol title and protocols.io link (see below).
    • Protocol URL on protocols.io: Enter the protocol.io URL of your protocol.

  • Additional fields (Optional):

    • Laboratory internal id: Provide a mapping for groups that have incompatible internal identifier conventions.

    • Date of derivation: Provide the date at which the sample was collected.

    • Pathology: Provide the pathological condition of the sample if applicable.

    • Laterality: Select from the dropdown list. This indicates which one of a pair of organs (i.e: kidneys or lungs) the sample is.

    • Cell type: Provide the cell type of your subject.

    • Plane of section: Select from the dropdown list. This refers to the plane of section of your sample.

    • Reference atlas: Enter here the reference atlas and organ.

    • Experimental log file name: Provide the path to the log file. This is a file containing experimental records for each sample, whenever applicable.

  • Custom fields (Optional)

Click Add custom field to start adding a header for a field that is not a SPARC-standard samples.xlsx field. You will have the option to add value for this field after it is created. Click on the trash can icon next to a field to delete a custom field.

After you complete all steps, click on Generate to generate your samples file. You have the options to generate and save it on your computer or generate and upload it directly to Pennsieve. If your dataset is not organized yet, you can save this file anywhere on your computer then import it in SODA when prompted in the Organize dataset feature.

tip

If you have a properly structured SPARC primary folder to import, you can click on I want to import subject ID(s) from my primary folder specified under the button Add a sample to import it to the table of subjects. SODA will extract the subject and sample ID(s) (if available) onto the table of samples for your edits.

Was this page helpful?