Data entry without JMP?

[#1]

We are new to JMP and expanding its usage.  Currently, there is two distinct users for JMP:  Statical Analyst People and Data Entry Only People.  There is a thought that the only way to get new data added to JMP is for Data Entry to be performed directly to the JMP file itself.  Therefore, there would be several people that need the JMP software merely to add rows of data.  This seems to be a waste of money. 

My Question:  does JMP have any method where the data entry can be performed on the side in an Excel spreadsheet, SQL, SharePoint Form, etc. instead of adding data directly?

I'm envisioning a JMP file that is linked to a excel file or database that merely pulls in any new entries added to the source data.  Thoughts?

Regards,

Chris

[#2]

Yes, JMP reads CSV files and native excel files and has SQL support. There are a few exotic file types as well if you look at the file extension choices on the file-open menu.

CSV or excel will likely be the lowest friction path at first, but they might not scale well; a database solution might work better if you need a production setup with multiple sources of data.

[#3]

Just to add a bit to @Craige_Hales thoughts...if you go the route of having non JMP users entering data into some sort of file/database architecture make sure to stress the importance of, with the new data, making sure it's characteristics are consistent with the prior data. Like all of a sudden appending text entries into what was heretofore a numeric series of entries. One can sure  do this in Excel easily by accident...and then it won't play nice on importation to JMP. And it'll have to be repaired by the JMP users. Lots of little details like this having somebody source the data that is NOT the JMP user. If the non JMP user is unfamiliar with these little, what I'll call JMP quirks, it could cause lots of issues post entry into the source file.

[#4]

Hi @cclayton000 ,

  Adding on to what @Craige_Hales and @P_Bartell mentioned, I will add that one very nice aspect of JMP, which you should start learning and implementing right away is the programming ability using JSL (JMP Scripting Language) -- especially since you and/or your organization is new to JMP. The time savings and benefits of JSL are worth the time invested in learning how to program.

  With JSL, it becomes very easy to automatically import data, concatenate new rows, and update data tables -- and this can all go on in the background while you do other stuff. Pretty much any analysis and action that you would do manually in JMP can be programmed using JSL, even clicking an OK button can be programmed.

Hope this helps!,

DS

[#5]

Thanks everyone.  Two follow up questions.  

1. If the source data is in excel or CSV, will JMP automatically update with the new data entered into those side files?  If not, is that where the scripts come into play?

2. Is there any simple example JSL scripts that pull data from an excel spreadsheet?  I envision it to be pull the rows of data and then delete after copied.  That way there is always a fresh spreadsheet to work with for the data entry people.  

[#6]

Hi @cclayton000 ,

  JMP will not automatically import the new data from the CSV/Excel file. You would need to script it. But, with the script, you can automate the data import and prep steps. 

  if you go to the Help menu the Scripting Index, you can search for Open and see what examples come up. You can also read through some previous JMP discussions, like:

https://community.jmp.com/t5/Discussions/RE-Importing-a-CSV-File-Into-JMP-amp-Turning-it-Into-a-Data...

https://community.jmp.com/t5/Discussions/Read-a-CSV-and-text-file-with-JSL/td-p/213048

https://community.jmp.com/t5/Discussions/Scripting-open-CSV-with-both-file-dialog-picker-and-column/...

  A Google search will bring up many links. Yes, JSL can open, delete, copy and move files. You can do a lot with JSL (send emails, make your computer talk, and so much more!).

Hope this helps!,

DS

[#7]

Thanks for confirming the approach.  I will work with our team to see what options for scripted import works for them best.

Regards,

Chris

[#8]

To add to the discussion, the structure of the data is important in all statistical software programs.  Excel is wonderful for its flexibility, Excel is awful for its flexibility...I spend 95% of analysis time getting the data into the proper structure for analysis (for example, time series goes top to bottom in stat software, in Excel lots of folks merge cells that need to be de-merged to be useful).  Suggestion, create the data tables in JMP and export them into Excel.  This way the structure is correct.

[#9]

---

@cclayton000 wrote:

Thanks everyone.  Two follow up questions.  

1. If the source data is in excel or CSV, will JMP automatically update with the new data entered into those side files?  If not, is that where the scripts come into play?

2. ...

---

#1 can give you some headache.
data import is the most complicated part of data analysis : )

JMP helps:
With every Excel import, you automatically get an "update" script:

On the other hand: 
Since users add data (manually  or via formulas), add columns or rows, providing a robust way to "update" a JMP data table is more complicated than it sounds. At the moment, "update table" doesn't handle these cases, it's more like a "reset table":

Additional rows and columns will get deleted and the table starts virgin with just the content of the Excel file.

[#10]

Great idea! JMP supports linking to Excel/SQL for seamless updates.