The Import Mass List dialog box lets you import a CSV file and map the CSV header to the chromatogram ranges to create XIC traces in the active Chromatogram view. The application reads only files with a .csv file name extension. The CSV header is mapped to chromatogram ranges parameters as follows:

  • Trace Type: Mass Range
  • Ranges: m/z
  • Compound name label: Compound Name (optional)
  • Scan Filter: blank, MS, or MS2

The following table describes the parameters in the Import Mass List dialog box.

Import Mass List dialog box parameters

Parameter

Description

Radio button

To replace an existing trace or to add a new trace to the Ranges table, use one of these options:

  • Replace Existing Table: The application replaces the existing traces with new traces corresponding to the mapped CSV values.
  • Append Existing Table: The application adds the new traces corresponding to the mapped CSV values with the existing traces.
  • NOTE When the maximum trace limit (50) is reached, the Append Existing Table option becomes unavailable; however, the Replace Existing Table option remains available.
  • Default: Replace Existing Table.

Header Row

The row number of the CSV file that contains CSV headers. Default: 1

File Name

Specifies the path and file name of the CSV file to be imported.

Filter

Specifies a filter type of the XIC to apply to the file.

Mass Tolerance

Specifies the mass tolerance for the m/z of the specified ion.

Range: 0.00 to 1,000; Units: amu, mmu, or ppm. Default: 5 ppm

Checkbox

Enables the CSV Header element to map to the corresponding Chromatogram Ranges parameter.

CSV Header

Ranges

Specifies the CSV header element to map to the corresponding Ranges parameter.

Compound name label

Specifies the CSV header element to map to the corresponding Compound Name parameter.

Procedure

  1. Do one of the following:
  2. In the workspace, turn on the Info Bar toggle .
  3. Select View > Ranges > Chromatogram ranges.
  4. A Ranges dialog box that is linked to the active or selected Chromatogram view opens.
  5. Select Import Mass List.
  6. The Import Mass List dialog box opens.
  7. Import Mass List dialog box
    Import Mass List dialog box
  8. In the Mass List dialog box, do the following:
  9. Enter the row number of the CSV file that contains CSV headers in the Header Row box.
  10. Select , and then locate the .csv file stored in the computer.

  11. NOTE

    The application displays a red error box if a corrupt or invalid CSV file is opened or if there are any file input errors. The CSV file must have m/z values as the minimum requirement, and no header can be left blank (see CSV file format).

  13. Select the scan filter from the Filter dropdown list.
  14. In the Mass Tolerance box, enter the mass tolerance value, and then select the units from the dropdown list.
  15. The options are amu, mmu, and ppm.
  16. Select the checkbox under the CSV Header to enable and select a CSV header from the dropdown list to map to the corresponding parameters.
  17. To import the selected parameters, select Import.
  18. The Import Mass List dialog box closes and the application maps the CSV headers to the chromatogram ranges. Each row in the Ranges dialog box defines one trace in the active Chromatogram view.

  19. NOTE

    The maximum number of traces that you can have in the Ranges dialog box is 50.
    When the maximum of trace limit is reached (50) the Append existing table option remains unavailable in the Import Mass List dialog box. However, the Replace existing table option remains available.
    If the CSV file contains more than 50 entries, only the first 50 entries are added, the rest are discarded.

  20. (Optional) To close the Import Mass List dialog box without changing the parameter settings, select Cancel.

     If the applied parameters are valid, the application does the following:

  • Adds a row to the Ranges dialog box with the Trace Type set to Mass Range.
  • Populates the Ranges column with the individual m/z value mapped from the CSV header.
  • If the compound name label is selected from the Chromatogram Ranges parameter, the application adds the compound name that is mapped to the corresponding m/z.

  • NOTE

    When the .csv file does not contain a compound name corresponding to a specific m/z, the field remains blank, and the application generates XIC traces based on the m/z value.

  • Maps the Filter parameter in the Import Mass List dialog box to the Scan Filter edit box in the Ranges dialog box.
  • Maps the Mass Tolerance parameter in the Import Mass List dialog box to the Mass Tolerance edit box for all the rows in the Ranges dialog box.

     If the applied parameters are invalid, the application does the following:

  • Displays a red error box.
  • Makes the Import buttons unavailable.

TIP

Point to the error box to display the error message.

  1. Select Apply.
  2. In the active Chromatogram view, XIC traces are displayed corresponding to the m/z value based on the defined parameters in the Import Mass List. The chromatogram title on the right of the view displays the NL value, compound name, m/z, mass range, detector type, filter, and the file name.