Importing Raw Data Files

Importing Data Files

You can import a raw data file into Windographer in several ways.

Use File > Open to import a single raw data file into a new Windographer workbook.
Use File > Add Dataset(s) to import one or more raw data files as new datasets in the current workbook.
Use File > Append to append data from one or many raw data files into an existing Windographer dataset. Hold down the Shift key or the Ctrl key to select multiple files.
Drag and drop a file into Windographer to add a dataset to the current workbook.

Raw Data File Types

Windographer can open many types of raw data files, including:

RLD files from the SymphoniePRO data logger by NRG Systems
RWD files and NSD files from the Symphonie data logger by NRG Systems
NDF files from the Nomad2 data logger by Vaisala
ROW files from Ammonit data loggers
WND files from Kintech Engineering data loggers
Triton data files from the Triton SoDAR by Vaisala
ASC data files from the SoDAR units produced by ASC
ZPH files and CSV files from the ZX Lidars
STA files from the Windcube LiDAR by Leosphere
Text files, also called ASCII files or flat files, that contain data points delimited by tabs, commas, spaces, or semi-colons. Text files often have .txt or .csv extensions, but Windographer can open text files with any extension.
Excel files, which may have .xls or .xlsx extensions. To open Excel files you must have Microsoft Excel installed on your computer. If you open an Excel file that contains more than one worksheet, Windographer will ask you which worksheet contains the data you want to import.

Windographer will read and store calibration information from RLD, RWD, NSD, NDF, and WND files.

Import Process

When you import a raw data file, Windographer analyzes the data and tries to determine:

the number of rows and columns of data
the name and units of each data column
the start time and the length of time step
the type of data that each data column contains (speed, direction, temperature, etc.)
the measurement height of each sensor
any column associations (e.g. a standard deviation column associated with a wind speed data column)
the latitude, longitude, and elevation
the time zone
calibration constants

Tip: If Windographer fails to interpret a file correctly on its own, you can supply additional instructions in the form of a Windographer Import Settings WIS file.

Windographer then displays the Configure Dataset window so you can verify all of the pieces of information that it has automatically determined, and make any necessary changes. When you click OK to close the Configure Dataset window, Windographer displays the dataset in the main window. If you save the dataset to a .windog file, Windographer will store the data and the configuration information in the .windog file. When you open the .windog file in the future, you will not have to specify the configuration information, but the Configure Dataset window is always available in the Revise menu if you want to make changes.

Windographer can open many file formats. Try opening your data files with File > Open, and contact us if you have any trouble.