Draco can import data from either text sources or OpenDocument
spreadsheets. The import feature for OpenDocument spreadsheets
allows the user to select the preferred worksheet from which to extract
data. The text import feature allows delimited or formatted files
to be loaded in as data.
Usage
The data import feature is found in the File menu. Two options
appear in the submenu.
The text import submenu contains the option to import either time-series or panel data onto the main worksheet.
Each import feature is discussed further below.
Importing OpenDocument Spreadsheets
Draco can import numeric data from OpenDocument-compliant spreadsheets
with ease. To import an OpenDocument spreadsehhet, select the
menu option shown in the section above. When the file dialog
opens, select the spreadsheet file containing the data you wish to
import. After selecting the file, the import dialog appears:
First, select the worksheet within the OpenDocument spreadsheet which
contains the numeric data of interest. The first text entry
allows for the specification of the row within the spreadsheet from
which the vairable names should be determined. If no appropriate
row exists on the worksheet, enter "0." The next text entry
specifies the row on which numeric data begins. If variable names
or further descriptive information is present, this row value will
change. The next text entry can be used to specify the final row,
although an entry here is not necessary if all data should be imported.
Finally the column specification text box is not enabled,
although it may be enabled in future software versions.
When importing data into Draco from an OpenDocument spreadsheet,
remember to save any earlier work in the Draco worksheet beforehand.
The imported data will overwrite all data present in the Draco
data window in the current worksheet main window.
Importing Text Files
Draco also has the ability to import numeric data from delimited text
files. Data from text files may be imported as either simple
panel data or time series data. Depending on the type of data
being imported, the appropriate New Worksheet
dialog will appear initially. When importing time series data,
the type of time unit and the duration of the series must be initially
specified.