Spreadsheet

The IsoFind spreadsheet is an integrated calculation environment designed for isotopic data processing. It combines the functions of a standard spreadsheet with a set of native geochemical formulas and a direct connection to the project database.

Accessing the Spreadsheet

The spreadsheet is accessible from IsoFind's main side navigation bar:

On opening, an empty workbook is created automatically with a first sheet of 100 rows by 26 columns. The maximum capacity is 10,000 rows and 100 columns per sheet.

Figure 1: Spreadsheet interface with toolbar, formula bar and active sheet.

Interface Layout

The interface is divided into several distinct work areas.

Top toolbar

The toolbar groups the most frequent actions: text formatting (bold, italic), decimal rounding on the selection, ascending and descending sort, function insertion, and access to the import and chart panels.

Formula bar

The formula bar displays the reference of the active cell and its content. It allows a value or formula to be entered or modified before confirmation with the Enter key. All formulas must begin with the = sign.

Data grid

The central grid is fully editable. Columns are named with letters (A, B, C... Z, AA, AB...) and rows with integers. Rows and columns can be resized by dragging the header separators. Columns can also be reordered by drag and drop.

Sheet tabs

The tab bar at the bottom of the grid lists the workbook's sheets. Clicking the + button creates a new sheet. Double-clicking a tab name allows it to be renamed. The cross on each tab deletes the corresponding sheet (this action is irreversible; deletion of the last sheet is blocked).

Status bar

The bottom bar permanently displays the number of rows and columns in the active sheet. When a range of numeric cells is selected, it automatically displays the sum, average, minimum, maximum and count of values in the selection.

Importing Data

The spreadsheet offers two distinct import sources, accessible via the Import button in the toolbar.

Figure 2: Import panel with the two available sources.

Import from the database

This source queries the IsoFind database of the current project directly. Four types of data can be extracted:

The list of available samples is displayed with a name search field and filters by material type and isotopic element. A checkbox allows the entire result set to be selected in a single action.

Import format for isotopic data

For imports of type Isotopic data or Complete data, IsoFind offers three layout modes:

Import destination

Each import offers three destination options, accessible at the bottom of the panel:

Import from a file

The second source allows an external file to be loaded by click or drag and drop. Accepted formats are:

Figure 3: Drop zone for importing external files.

Auto-Save and Session Restoration

The spreadsheet automatically saves the workbook state to the browser's local storage. This save is transparent and requires no user action.

How it works

A save is triggered automatically three seconds after each modification (keystroke, import, formula). A second pass every thirty seconds catches any modifications not yet saved. The time of the last auto-save is displayed in the status bar.

Restoration on return

Each time the spreadsheet is opened, if a previous session exists, a restoration banner appears at the bottom of the screen. It shows the workbook name, the date and time of the last save, and the number of sheets.

Formulas and Calculations

The spreadsheet supports standard formulas (SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, IF, etc.) as well as a set of geochemical and statistical formulas developed specifically for IsoFind.

Entering a formula

Any formula is entered in a cell or in the formula bar by starting with =. Selecting a range before using the function insertion button automatically fills the range as the argument.

Isotopic statistical formulas

Geochemical formulas

Geochronological formulas

Regression formulas

Error propagation formulas

Isotopic reference standard

The GET_STANDARD formula retrieves the reference ratio value of an international isotopic standard directly into a cell:

Custom formulas

It is possible to define your own calculation formulas and reuse them in any cell of the workbook. The custom formula manager is accessible from the toolbar:

Figure 4: Interface for creating and testing a custom formula.

Each custom formula is defined by a name, a mathematical expression using the variables x, y and z, and an optional description. Standard mathematical functions are available in expressions: Math.sqrt, Math.pow, Math.log, Math.exp, Math.abs, etc.

An integrated test tool allows the result of the expression to be verified with arbitrary values of x, y and z before saving the formula. Custom formulas are stored locally and persist between sessions.

Creating Charts

The chart panel is accessible from the toolbar or from the context menu of a selection. Nine chart types are available, covering common needs in isotopic geochemistry.

Figure 5: Chart configuration panel with real-time preview.

Available chart types

Selecting data ranges by drag

Each data field in the chart panel (X axis, Y axis, X errors, Y errors, Z series, Series 2, Labels) has a targeting button represented by a cursor icon. This button allows the corresponding range to be defined directly by selection in the grid, without manually entering the reference.

The procedure is as follows: click the targeting button for the desired field, drag over the cells to use, then release. The range reference is automatically injected into the field, and the chart preview updates immediately. An indigo banner at the top of the Data tab signals the active capture mode; it can be cancelled by clicking the cross or clicking the button again.

Multiple series and sample names

The Data tab includes a Series 2 section allowing a second Y dataset to be overlaid on the same chart, with its own colour, uncertainties and legend label. Both series share the same X axis.

A Labels (tooltip) section allows a column of sample names to be associated with the chart's data points. When a range is defined in this field, hovering over a point displays the corresponding sample name in the tooltip, in addition to the coordinates and uncertainty. If the field is left empty, IsoFind attempts to automatically detect a column whose header matches Sample, Nom, ID, Label or Site.

Chart configuration

If a range is selected when the panel is opened, the X and Y data ranges are pre-filled automatically. The panel provides a real-time preview updated on every modification. When creating an error bars chart, IsoFind automatically detects uncertainty columns if they are named with the suffix (2σ).

Managing created charts

Created charts are listed in the My charts tab of the panel. Each chart can be downloaded as a PNG file. The Preview tab allows the preview of the chart currently being configured to be consulted before confirming.

Publication-Ready Charts (Publi Tab)

The Publi tab of the chart panel groups the advanced formatting options designed to produce figures directly usable in a scientific article.

Figure format

Six dimension presets corresponding to the templates of the main journals are available. Selecting a preset automatically fills the width and height fields; the values remain manually editable.

Typography

Four font families are available, covering the main scientific editorial conventions. Sizes are independently adjustable for the title, axis labels and tick marks.

Colour palettes

Five predefined palettes are available. Selecting a palette automatically applies the colours to the chart series and updates the colour pickers in the Style tab.

Advanced axes

Additional options allow fine control of axis rendering: forced number of tick marks on X and Y, display of a zero line, full frame (top and right borders, publication style), and secondary grid.

Annotations

The Publi tab provides an annotation system for adding graphical elements directly on the chart. Five types are available:

Each annotation is defined by its coordinates in axis units (not pixels), a colour and a font size. Annotations are listed with an individual delete button and rendered in real time in the preview.

Coordinates can be entered manually or placed by clicking directly on the chart: activate the Click button, then click on the chart to pre-fill the X and Y fields. If text is already entered, the annotation is added immediately; otherwise, the coordinates are pre-filled for manual confirmation.

Publication export

Saving and Exporting

Saving the workbook

Workbook saving is accessible via the Save button in the toolbar or with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + S.

Figure 6: Name and format selection window for saving.

Three formats are available for saving:

Data export

The export function provides finer control over the content to extract:

Four export formats are available: Excel (.xlsx), CSV (.csv), JSON (.json) and PDF (.pdf, currently under development). For each, it is possible to choose between exporting all sheets, the active sheet only, or the current selection.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Limitations and Technical Considerations

The IsoFind spreadsheet runs entirely client-side, with no automatic synchronisation with the database. Modifications made in the spreadsheet do not alter data saved in IsoFind: the spreadsheet is an independent analytical workspace.

The maximum capacity per sheet is 10,000 rows and 100 columns. For larger volumes, it is advisable to distribute data across multiple sheets or to use the IsoFind API for programmatic processing.