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LC ChemStations Revision B.04.02 SP1 or higher
Date 09/02/2010
Macro Contribution #21
Contribution 'Import of LC Column Catalog'

Revision History
----------------


  1. 1.0.3215 version is original
  2. 1.0.3868 new features: import by column description, Auto-synchronization of
                            off-line ChemStation, optional import of serial numbers




Contribution Purpose
--------------------

When working with method development systems with G1316C column compartment
clusters a significant amount of time needs to be spent with entering
all column information of the columns in use.
Adding a new column to the on-line ChemStation requires a shut-down and
start-up of the off-line ChemStation before the off-line column catalog
gets updated.

The user contributed solution allows importing column information from
a generic column catalog in .csv format. The import can only be done in on-line 
while the off-line ChemStation column catalog is updated on the fly.
 


Contribution Structure
----------------------

	-   one library 'ImportColumns.dll'
        -   one Column catalog with > 750 Agilent standard columns
	

Prerequisites
-------------


       - MS operating system as supported by the revision of the 
         ChemStation in use          
       - The LC ChemStation software, Rev B.04.02 SP1 or higher


       GC, AD, CE ChemStation are not supported




Installation
------------

	1. Copy the 'ImportColumns.dll' file to the ChemStation's plugin
           directory, 'C:\Chem32\CORE\PLUGINS' by default.  

        2. The generic column catalog file 'columns.csv' can be centrally stored in
           OpenLAB ECM, but needs to be downloaded to a local driver
           before importing the column information.
           
           New columns in the inventory can be deployed by creating a small 
           catalog file, e.g. new_columns.csv


	3. Reboot the PC


Operation Overview
------------------

- Generate a Backup of the column catalog file 'catalog.csv' or
  save it to OpenLAB ECM.

- Review the catalog file with Windows Notepad or Microsoft Excel.
  You may delete columns which you do not like to import for sure.


**********************************************************************
     Note: Do not change the order of table columns.
           
           When using Microsoft Excel, the file needs to explicitly 
           saved in .CSV format.
**********************************************************************

- Start up LC ChemStation, on-line

- If on-line and off-line ChemStation are running,
  ensure the column catalog is closed in both 
  session before importing the column information

- In the Method and Run Control view select the menu
  Instrument > Import Column. The column import dialog opens.

- Specify the path where the column catalog file is stored
 
-  Specify the sub-set of columns you like to import by entering
   a column length, diameter, particle size and/or the column 
   description. (Use as * as a wildcard if you want to enter parts
   of the column description. Note: The 'description' filter is 
   case sensitive)

All columns that matches the pre-defined selection and that are not yet
present in ChemStation's column catalog will be imported to the on-line column catalog.
The off-line's column catalog gets updated the next time 



Customization
-------------

When writing an own column database or converting an existing column list in XLS 
format, the following needs to be considered:


- Only plain .CSV format is supported. Use the Microsoft Ecxel "Save as" function
  and select the file type CSV when saving the column list

- The column headers should be equal to headers in the example column database.
  A customization is possible but should be tested step by step.

- The order of columns can be customized to a certain extent and has a direct 
  impact on the columns that are filled in ChemStation's column table.
  The order of columns should be adjusted to the order of the example.

- CSV format support only dots "." as decimal delimiters. Commas must also 
  not be used in text fields, as they are interpreted as column separators

- The following fields are mandatory and need to be filled prior to 
  the import: void. volume, max. pressure, particle size, column length,
  column description

  Void volume and max. pressure must not be zero if the column is supposed
  to be used with the Agilent Method Scouting Wizard.

- Number fields (max. temperature, max. pressure, etc.) must not be filled
  with text strings

In order to troubleshoot the consistency of a customized column database
it is recommended to empty the ChemStation column list on a test system
and import the CSV.
In case of an error check the number of imported columns. It indicates
the last good column description that could be imported. Use e.g.
Microsoft Excel to determine the next column supposed to imported and correct
incorrect entries.