Importing a Dataset

This guide shows how to import a Dataset, in Excel format, into the Metadata Exchange as a "Data Model".

1. From the dashboard, click the import menu button to open the import menu:

2. Select "Import Excel" to get to the following screen:

3. Here you can provide an Excel file which will be imported and converted into a Data Model. The name of the Data Model may be specified in the first field under "Model Name". If this is not provided, a name will be extracted from the filename of the Excel file.
An example Excel file is available here (a snapshot of a version of the LOINC dataset).

4. In addition to the Excel file you will also need to provide an Excel Config XML File i.e. a Headers Map such as this one. This Headers Map tells the Exchange which columns should become what sort of Catalogue Element.

For example, in LOINC the following columns are mapped to Catalogue Elements like this:

• CLASS-→ Data Class Name (the name of a Data Class),
• COMPONENT-→ Data Element Name (the name of a Data Element).
• LOINC_NUM -→ dataElementID (the id of a dataElement).
• SCALE_TYPE-→ Data Type Name.
• Many columns become metadata entries for each Data Element e.g. SYSTEM -→ Metadata

Generally it is assumed that a row of the spreadsheet represents one "Data Element", possibly with an associated "Data Type" and "metadata", and belonging to a "Data Class".

Please see the extended example below if you require further assistance.

5. Once an Excel file and Headers Map have been selected, click on import to generate a Data Model.

6. You will be taken to a temporary loading page while the files are uploaded. Please refresh the page after a short time (depending on the size of the upload) to see the finished Data Model.

Example Spreadsheet and XML Headers Map

A fragment of the example spreadsheet, and the whole associated XML Header Map are shown below to illustrate how the headers will be mapped in practice:

<dataClassID></dataClassID>
<dataClassName>CLASS</dataClassName>
<dataClassDescription></dataClassDescription>
<dataElementID>LOINC_NUM</dataElementID>
<dataElementName>COMPONENT</dataElementName> <!-- must occur-->
<dataElementDescription>LONG_COMMON_NAME</dataElementDescription>
<dataElementMultiplicity></dataElementMultiplicity>
<dataTypeID></dataTypeID>
<dataTypeName>SCALE_TYP</dataTypeName>
<dataTypeDescription></dataTypeDescription>
<dataTypeRule></dataTypeRule>
<dataTypeEnums></dataTypeEnums>
<measurementUnitID></measurementUnitID>
<measurementUnitName></measurementUnitName>
<measurementUnitSymbol>EXAMPLE_UCUM_UNITS</measurementUnitSymbol>
<metadata>PROPERTY</metadata> <!-- can have multiple -->
<metadata>TIME_ASPCT</metadata>
<metadata>SYSTEM</metadata>
<metadata>METHOD_TYP</metadata>
<metadata>VersionLastChanged</metadata>
<metadata>CHNG_TYPE</metadata>
<metadata>DefinitionDescription</metadata>
<metadata>STATUS</metadata>
<metadata>CONSUMER_NAME</metadata>
<metadata>CLASSTYPE</metadata>
<metadata>FORMULA</metadata>
<metadata>SPECIES</metadata>
<metadata>EXMPL_ANSWERS</metadata>
<metadata>SURVEY_QUEST_TEXT</metadata>
<metadata>SURVEY_QUEST_SRC</metadata>
<metadata>UNITSREQUIRED</metadata>
<metadata>SUBMITTED_UNITS</metadata>
<metadata>RELATEDNAMES2</metadata>
<metadata>SHORTNAME</metadata>
<metadata>ORDER_OBS</metadata>
<metadata>CDISC_COMMON_TESTS</metadata>
<metadata>HL7_FIELD_SUBFIELD_ID</metadata>
<metadata>EXTERNAL_COPYRIGHT_NOTICE</metadata>
<metadata>EXAMPLE_UNITS</metadata>
<metadata>UnitsAndRange</metadata>
<metadata>DOCUMENT_SECTION</metadata>
<metadata>EXAMPLE_SI_UCUM_UNITS</metadata>
<metadata>STATUS_REASON</metadata>
<metadata>STATUS_TEXT</metadata>
<metadata>CHANGE_REASON_PUBLIC</metadata>
<metadata>COMMON_TEST_RANK</metadata>
<metadata>COMMON_ORDER_RANK</metadata>
<metadata>COMMON_SI_TEST_RANK</metadata>
<metadata>HL7_ATTACHMENT_STRUCTURE</metadata>
<metadata>EXTERNAL_COPYRIGHT_LINK</metadata>
<metadata>PanelType</metadata>
<metadata>AskAtOrderEntry</metadata>
<metadata>AssociatedObservations</metadata>
<metadata>VersionFirstReleased</metadata>
<metadata>ValidHL7AttachmentRequest</metadata>