Before you can start visualizing your data, you need to load it into the application. Virtualitics supports loading data from CSV files, Excel spreadsheets, tabular text files, JSON files, OBJ files, and VIP Projects. Your data needs to be in a machine readable format. Simply put, this means each row has values and the same number of columns.

To load a file, simply click the Local button in the Files section that appears on the left after launching the application and while in Spreadsheet View, and then find the file to load.

Selecting a file will open the Dataset Preview window. This window lets you confirm that the data you are loading is what you intended and choose a subset of rows and columns to load. Once you’ve confirmed your settings, click the Load button to finish loading the data.

We have included some sample projects, datasets and OBJ files with the installation of Explore, which can be found in the following locations on different platforms:

• Windows: C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Virtualitics\SampleData 
• Mac: /Users/[username]/Virtualitics/SampleData 
• Linux: /home/[username]/Virtualitics/SampleData 

Please note that loading a new dataset will close all open panels (such as the various AI tools, Search, History, etc.).

Supported File Types

• CSV – A Comma Separated Values file
• Excel spreadsheet – Virtualitics will allow users to select the worksheet from the ‘Worksheets’ dropdown with multiple sheets
• Text file – Note: Must specify the delimiter used to separate values in the Dataset Preview window
• JSON file – A specific file type for loading in network data (see Network Data Formats)
• OBJ file – A standard 3D image format which includes 3D coordinates, texture maps, polygonal faces, and other object information
• VIP Project – A saved Explore project with a “.vip” extension

Dataset Preview Options

• Worksheets – This option is only available when an xls or xlsx file is loaded.
• Data Format – This is where you can specify whether your data is in a standard spreadsheet format or in one of the supported Network Data Formats.
• Delimiter – Allows the user to specify the character that separates values in the data file (defaults to comma). The drop down menu contains a number of commonly used delimiters, as well as a custom option that you can use to enter any combination of characters.
• Number Format – Change this for datasets with regional formatting that uses a comma for the decimal separator.
• Edge Weight Format – Note: only for network data formats. Allows the user to specify whether the edge weights in the file represent similarity or distance.
• Headers included – Uncheck this box if your data does not include column headers.
• Columns/Rows– Enter ranges here to specify which columns and rows to import from the data file.
  • Random subsample – If you have a large dataset and only want to examine a smaller, random subsample, that subsample can be created upon import by specifying either the percentage or number of rows to use.
  • Note: ranges can be entered in a similar format to page ranges for printing documents, e.g. “1-10, 13, 15-18, 20”.