Microplate Barcode Labeler User Guide - Agilent Technologies

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Chapter 6: Running a print job
VCode User Guide
About data sources
Introduction
This topic defines a data source, describes the advantages of using a
data source, lists the available types, and discusses a limitation to their
use.
Data source defined
A data source is any external file from which PlateTag can import the
field data that governs the text and bar codes to print on a bar code
label, as well as the label format and drop stage setting.
Data source use
The use of a data source is optional. You can instead define the data to
print on a bar code using counters, constants, and clones. Either way,
you set the source of the bar code data when creating a schema.
Some advantages of using a data source are that:
❑ They can be stored permanently in a format that is easily edited
❑ They can use values that have no sequence pattern
❑ They are easily re-used or modified
❑ Can be automatically generated by a LIMS (Lab Information
Management System)
Before creating a
data source
You reference a data source in PlateTag at the time you create a schema.
You must create the data source before the schema, but it will help you
to understand data source creation if you already understand schemas.
For this reason, we recommend that you review the information about
schemas in this guide about before you create a data source.
Types of data source
PlateTag can read data from:
❑ Comma-separated value files (CSV).
❑ Tab-separated text files (TXT).
❑ Excel files.
Note: The file must be created using Excel 2002. You cannot
create the file with a later version and then save it as an
Excel 2002 format, because the original and converted formats
are not identical.
❑ Online databases using Open Database Connectivity (ODBC).
Note: Setting up an online database is a specialized procedure
that is not covered in this version of the VCode User Manual. For
information about using PlateTag with an online database, please
call the Velocity11 Service Center.