Use tables in Notebook entries

Aarthi
Aarthi
  • Updated

To insert a new table into a Notebook entry, click Insert and then choose Table from the drop-down menu.

Use common table features

  • Formulas: Click on a cell, and type “=” to begin a formula. Reference other cells by clicking on other cells. Tip: You can create formulas that reference other tables 

  • Functions: Click on the fx symbol, and choose from the dropdown of functions. 

  • Merge cells: Select adjacent cells and click the Merge symbol to merge cells. Click again to unmerge the cells.

  • Scientific notation: For example, 1e3 will be interpreted as 1000 by the table. Change the precision by clicking the Settings gear and then Precision. 

  • Delete/insert rows and columns: Right-click on a row or column, and choose the appropriate action.

  • Rename tables: Right-click the table name, and then Rename Table.

Copy and paste data into tables

To import data from outside Benchling into tables in entries, copy the data from the spreadsheet you’re importing, and paste it directly into the table. 

Benchling supports ingestion of localized numbers and dates based on your locale. You can configure your locale in your user settings. To learn more, visit Updating user locale.

Show your table formulas in your Benchling tables

If you want to show the formulas for your Benchling tables, click on the gear box on the top right of your entry. Select the box for "Show Formulas" to display the formulas you created. Simply unselect the box to turn it off!

Change the Format of Number

If you want numbering to be in Scientific Notation, prefix your formula with 0e0 + . For example,  =0e0 + (1 + A2)/A3 should render the value of (1 + A2)/A3 , but it forces it to be rendered in scientific notation.

If you want numbering to be in Decimal Form, prefix your formula with 0.0 + . For example,  =0.0 + (1 + A2)/A3 should render the value of (1 + A2)/A3 , but it forces it to be rendered in decimal form.

Change the Precision of Number

Precision setting can be found under the setting(gear icon) button in the table. You can use precision setting to define how many number of decimal places should exist for selected cells/columns/rows/table.

 

 

Fill Cells

Benchling's table can also auto-fill numerical series. To fill the series, you will need to add the subsequent number in another cell, highlight the cells, and drag the box from the blue-square (see gif below).

Use Selectors

With Selectors, set up data validation for specific cells to standardize data capture. 

  1. Select one or more cells. Click the gear icon and choose Selector.
  2. Click Create a new selector first.

Specify the Selector Name and the options for the selector, one per line. Click Save to create your new Selector

Click Back to return to the Set Selector screen. Your new selector will show up in the dropdown by default. If you create more than one selector, you can choose which one should apply to the cell(s) you picked earlier via the dropdown.

Click Set to apply the selector to the cell(s) you picked.

Now, Benchling will provide a dropdown menu of choices for that cell, and will indicate if the data entered in the cell is invalid via a red corner

Anchoring Cells

Anchoring, or locking a cell inside a formula, can be done by adding a $ between the letter and number of a cell, e.g. A$2, B$3.

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