Your columns should match your mLIMS fields, as shown in the template. You can remove any fields you don't need and add any fields that are in mLIMS, or add your own (add as custom field).
Check your Excel File for errors! If you are importing an existing file, check to make sure that strains, genotypes are not written more than one way. This will create additional strains!
Example: Alpha1, Alpha_1, Alpha-1 are all the same strain, but formatted differently. Be sure that all have the exact same format.
Here are some important things to know when importing:
1. Under the genotype header, list your genotypes separated by a comma and a space. (alpha +/+, Alph x/y, Beta p/+). The genotypes will automatially upload to the genotypes section in mLIMS. Use the Genotypes in Single Column option when importing. Or, you can use the gene name as the header and the genotype in the cell. One column for each genotype (not recommended if you have a lot of them, this can be difficult to manage).
Proper format for each genotype: genename (space) allele. mLIMS will look for the spaces to differentiate gene and genotype, and will look for the commas to differentiate multiple genes and genotypes.
2. Check your data for inconsistencies in strains and genotypes. If the same genotype or strain is written in two different ways, mLIMS will import them as separate strains or genotypes!
Example of inconsistent strain: Alpha/998-ty OR Alpha-998-ty. These will import as two separate strains!
3. Use Proper Date Format!
Correct: 12-15-16 Incorrect :12.15.16
4. Check all mLIMS Fields before creating custom fields. Duplicate fields will cause mLIMS to not display fields properly.
5. Remove any columns you do not need. Animal Name, Life Status, Cage name and Cage Status are required fields.
6. You can import animals directly to a project by adding a project column.
7. Add a protocol column to assign the protocol, if desired. Set up your protocols in mLIMS before importing.
8. Owner name should exactly match the person's name listed in your group.
