MPO Canopus - Data Exchange
One of the great benefits of Canopus is its ability to import and export data so that
data from several observers can be easily combined into a single data set for period
analysis. For those using Canopus exclusively, the process is extremely easy since it
involves the exchange of two files that contain all the session information and data and
can brought into a master data set with no conversion or external manipulation. For those
using spread sheets or other programs, Canopus can import/export data to and from simple
text files.
The Observations Import Form allows considerable flexibility in handling data from
other programs. The import file must be a text file but, as seen above, can be formatted a
variety of ways. In the file, one line represents an observation with the data fields
separated by a comma, space, tab, semicolon, or in fixed-width columns. Many programs,
including spreadsheets, allow exporting the data to either comma or tab-delimited files,
making them perfect for importing into Canopus. The form also allows you to specify which
data fields are in each observation and the order in which they appear.
For those using Canopus, the data exchange is even simpler. You select which sessions
you want to send to another Canopus user, export them to a pair of data files, and send
those files to the other user. He then uses the direct import facility to bring that data
into his files to create a merged data set for period analysis.
Many successful collaborations have been carried out using MPO Canopus using the
import/export features, making them one of the more important included in MPO Canopus.
