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Functional Data Helper for CES 4.0

In CES, there is no built in mechanism for importing an existing table of data into an 'array type' functional data expression in CES.

The 'Functional Data Helper' is an Excel Add-In provided to allow CES users to take a table of data stored in an Excel '97 or 2000 worksheet and convert it to the format required by CES.

Installation instructions:

1. Download the Add-In by clicking on the icon below and selecting 'Save File As' (or an equivalent option). It is recommended that you save the add-in in your CES installation directory (typically 'C:\Program Files\CES Selector 3.2 \' or 'C;\Programj Files\CES Selector 4.0'). Alternatively, you may save the file in your 'Excel alternative startup location' or your 'Office Startup' folder (if you do this, you can skip step 3).

   Download 'CES Functional Data Helper' Excel '97 or 2000 Add-In

2. Run Excel
3. Select the 'Add-Ins' item in the 'Tools' menu. Using the 'Browse' button, locate the 'CES Functional Data Helper' add-in and select it. Close the 'Add-Ins' dialog.
4. A toolbar will appear, with a CES icon and the text 'Format Data for CES'

Formatting instructions:

1. The first row should contain the headings/names of the attribute and its parameters.
2. If the attribute is a 'range' type (one where the attribute has a maximum and a minimum value available), then the first two columns should contain the attribute values, with the lower values in the 1st column, and the higher values in the 2nd. If the attribute is a point value, then the values should be in the first column. It is not necessary to label these columns.
3. Parameter values can appear in the next 1-5 columns. Each column should be labelled with the name of the parameter as it appears (or will appear) in the CES Constructor database.

How to use the Helper

• The functional data attribute into which you wish to put the Excel data has already been created in CES Constructor.
• CES Constructor is open, with the database loaded, and the edit box for the functional data attribute into which you wish to place the data is visible.
• You have opened the Excel spreadsheet that contains the data you wish to export, and that it is in the correct format, as described above.

1. In Excel, place the cursor in the top left hand cell of the range of data that you wish to export (as shown in the image above)
2. Click on the 'Format Data for CES' button on the 'CES' toolbar, and the Functional Data Helper will appear.
   

3. In the top part of the dialog, click the 'Range Property' box if the attribute is a range property. This will be done automatically if the column labels end in the word 'min' and 'max' (see spreadsheet above for an example of this)
4. If the values of the attribute are estimated or uncertain for this set of data, check the 'Estimated Value' check box
5. If the attribute values should be interpolated linearly, check the 'Linear Interpolation' check box.
6. In the middle part of the dialog, if necessary, deselect those parameters that you do not wish to export or are not relevant.
7. If the parameter values should be interpolated linearly, check the relevant 'Linear Interpolation' checkboxes.
8. If you do not wish lines to be drawn between the points in the graph in CES, or values between the points to be interpolated by CES, check the 'No Interpolation' checkbox.
9. The box at the bottom of the Helper shows the data in the correct format for CES. Change over to CES Constructor and click in the edit box for the attribute into which you wish to put the formatted data. The data has already been automatically copied to the windows clipboard by the Helper, so it is possible to just paste it straight into the attribute edit box without having to copy it first.
10. If required, enter a description for the type of data being presented. This text will also be used as a legend for certain types of graph.

Uninstalling the helper

1. In Excel, right-click on the 'CES' toolbar and select 'Customise'. In the 'Toolbars' tab in the dialog that appears, scroll down and select the 'CES' toolbar. Click on 'Delete' and then 'OK'. Close the Customise dialog.
2. Close Excel.
3. Delete the Add-In from where you saved it.
4. If you installed the Helper as an add-in, then restart Excel, chose the 'Add-Ins' item from the 'Tools' menu, and deselect the 'CES Functional Data Helper'. You will be prompted to delete the add-in from the list. Click 'OK'

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