Table files

Understanding and working with table files

Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Table files
About table files
Table Files are used to store tabular data or tables and provide a convenient
mechanism for storing irregular, non-spatial data such as coal quality data and
other data collected using point sampling. A table is made up of named columns
and associated rows of data, much like a spreadsheet you would encounter
using a PC application such as Microsoft Excel.
To allow you to view and manipulate table file data, Minescape includes a
graphical table editor known as the Table Editor. The Table Editor is similar to a
standard spreadsheet application and allows easy access and editing of table
file data.
Table file data is used extensively in Minescape for a number of purposes. For
example, it can be used:

as data for gridding (e.g. coal quality)

to draw data postings in a design file
to draw 2D business graphics (bar charts, line charts, etc.)
to collate statistics about columns
to create reports from the data stored in the table
to store polar survey data.

Each project can contain many table filesthe only limitation is disk space.
Table files are created in the project tables directory.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Table conventions
Table file types
Table files are used for many purposes in Minescape. For example, to store
volumetrics compiled from Stratmodel and Reserves operations, as well as
quality data compiled from operations in the Quality and Washability products.
To assist in organising and finding table data, the following table classifications
are used by Minescape.
Classification

Description

Generic

General Minescape table files.

Block Model

Table files used by the Block Model product.

Survey

Table files used by the Survey product.

Stratmodel

Table files used by the Stratmodel product.

Reserves

Table files used by the Reserves product.

Quality

Table files used by the Quality product.

Washability

Table files used by the Washability product.

Table characteristics
A table file consists of a set of constants in a header, followed by the data that
contains up to 2500 columns and an infinite number of rows (limited only by disk
space).
Minescape tables have the following characteristics:

A table name of up to 16 characters.

A set of up to 500 constants stored as a header.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

A set of up to 2500 columns, each having:

a name of up to 16 characters in length
a description of up to 32 characters in length
a unit category and unit name
a type (and length, if applicable)
a named parent column if required for weight averaging.

An infinite number of rows (restricted only by disk space).

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Table file structure

Table file structure
Table columns
Col 1 Col 2 Col 3

Col n

Table rows

Row 1
Row 2
Row 3

162.8

56.7

57.0

Table record

Row n

Table columns
A table column is defined by:
Column Nameup to 16 characters
Descriptionup to 32 characters
Unit Category
Unitthe unit in which the column data is stored. If omitted, the unit when the
column was created for the specified Unit Category is used.
TypeString (or Character), Real, Double (precision) (or Numeric), Integer,
or Logical
Lengthonly for String (Character) columns
Column Parent Namepart of table creation is the definition of the
relationship of columns. This association assists in table row accumulation. A
column parent refers to a weight average parent, the column used for weight
averaging. For example, a column called Coaltons would have no parent (i.e.
it is additive) whilst a column called CoalAsh would probably have Coaltons
(an additive column) as its parent.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Table constants
Table constants are items defined in the header of the table file on disk. Hence,
there is only one value defined per table (cf. per row for columns). A table
constant is defined by:

Constant Nameup to 16 characters.

Descriptionup to 32 characters.

Unit Category.

Unitthe unit in which the constant data is stored. If omitted, the unit when
the column was created for the specified Unit Category is used.

TypeString (or Character), Real, Double (precision) (or Numeric), Integer,

or Logical.

Lengthonly for Character constants.

Vectorsconstants may be single subscript arrays, up to the maximum

vector count.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Working with table files

Accessing
Table file operations can be accessed through the Minescape Explorer.
Listing table files
By default, only a list of the table files created for the current project (i.e. table
files in the project tables directory) can be obtained. This list can be accessed
using one the following methods:
Open the Minescape Explorer by selecting PageFilesOpen Minescape
Explorer from the Menu Bar or by selecting the Minescape Explorer
button from the Tool Bar.
Expand the Table files hierarchy
to reveal a list of current table file types
for the project
Open the table type
folder (e.g. Generic).

Expand
Table files
hierarchy

Open the
table type
folder

The tables files are listed in the Table file panel.

Table
files

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

or

Expand the selection list

in the forms table file field in the relevant form:

Expand the
selection list

The table files are listed in the pull-down selection list.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Listing columns
Table file columns are listed using one of the following methods:
Open the Minescape Explorer
.

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

Expand the table type

Expand the

Open the Table column

to reveal a list of current table file types

hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

hierarchy for the table file whose columns you wish to list.
folder.

Expand the
Table files
hierarchy
Expand the
table type
hierarchy
Expand the
table files
hierarchy

Table
columns

Open the
Table column
folder

The table columns are listed in the Table column panel.

or

Expand the selection list

in the forms table file column fieldthe table
file columns are listed in the pull-down selection list.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Listing table constants

Table file constants are listed using the following method:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

Expand the table type

Expand the

Open the Table constant

to reveal a list of current table file types

hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

hierarchy for the table file whose constants you wish to list.
folder.

Expand the
Table files
hierarchy
Expand the
table type
hierarchy
Expand the
table files
hierarchy
Open the
Table constant
folder

The table constants are listed in the Table constant panel.

Table
constants

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Creating
Creating a table file
A table file must first be created before output can be directed to it. A table file
can be created in advance or as required (without the need to backtrack).
A table file is created using one of the following methods:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

types for the project.

to reveal a list of current table file

Select the appropriate table type

folder (e.g. Generic).

Select the Create

button.

or alternatively,

Right-click in the form table file field and select Create from the pull-down
menu or select FieldsCreate from the form Menu Bar.

The following form opens:

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Choose from
the Selection List

Select
Create

Expand
Table files
hierarchy
Select the
table type
folder

Enter the following parameters:

Table file namea name for the table file up to 80 characters in length
must be entered.
Some values can be chosen from a selection list. To do this, double click
in the required fielda
button denotes that there is a selection list
available for that particular field.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Table columns
- Namethe name of the column must be entered.
- Descriptionthe description of the contents of the column can
optionally be entered (case sensitive)
- Unit categoryselect a category for the units from the selection list
(optional).
- Unitselect the name of the units in which the column data is to be
stored from the selection list (optional). If left blank, the current units for
the specified Unit Category apply.
- Typea data type for the table column must be selected from the
selection list.
- Lengthenter a length for the table column. This value is only required
for string (character) columns and is not used for numeric columns.

- Parentthe parent column for the table column. If a parent column is

entered, the column will be weight averaged (rather than accumulated) if
the table is accumulated.
Table constants
- Namethe name of the constant must be entered.
Note: A column and a constant in the same table file cannot share the same name.

- DescriptionA description of the constant can optionally be entered

(case sensitive).
- Unit categoryselect a unit category from the selection list (optional). If
the field is left blank, unit conversion is not performed.
- Unitselect the units in which to store the constant data (optional). If
the field is left blank, the data is loaded and stored in current units.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

- Typea data type for the table column must be selected from the
selection list. Options are: String (or Character), Real, Double
(precision) (or Numeric), Integer, Logical.
Note: If the data type is Character, a Length must also be specified).
- Lengththe length of a table constantonly required for string
(character) constants.
- Vectorsthe number of elements for the table constant. A constant may
be either a scalar value (one value) or vectored (an array of values). If it
is scalar, set the vector count to one; if it is vector, enter an appropriate
maximum vector count.

Controls
- The constant buffer size defines the maximum size of the complete
constant record. For most purposes, 4096 bytes (the default) is
sufficient. If the buffer size is not large enough, it is expanded
automatically when constants are added.
When the buffer size is automatically expanded, the table is reprocessed.
It is therefore recommended to calculate the approximate buffer size
required, using the formula below, to avoid lengthy
processing time.

The following number of bytes are required for each constant:

Header=100 bytes
Data=the number of data bytes where:
Real=4 bytes per real
Double=8 bytes per double
Integer=4 bytes per integer
Logical=4 bytes per logical
String=1 byte per character

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

For example, if 20 sixteen-character strings and one vector of 10 double

precision numbers are required for table constants, the following
calculation can be made:
Strings:20*(100+1*16)=2360 bytes
Doubles:1*(100+10*8)=180 bytes
TOTAL=2500 bytes (Minimum size required)

Select the OK or Apply button. The specified table file is created in the project
tables directory as <table file name>.tab. This table file can now be
accessed at any time within the current project.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Adding table file columns

A table file must exist before columns can be added. To add a column to a table
file, use one of the following methods:

Open the Minescape Explorer

.
Expand the Table files hierarchy
types for the project.

Expand the appropriate table type

Expand the
column.

Select the Table column

Select the Create

to reveal a list of current table file

hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

hierarchy of the table file to which you wish to add a

folder.

button.

or

Select EditColumnsAdd in the Table Editor.

or

Right-click in the form column field and select Create from the pull-down
menu or select FieldsCreate from the form Menu Bar.

The following form opens:

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Select
Create

Expand the
Table files
hierarchy
Expand the
table type
hierarchy
Expand the
table files
hierarchy

Select the
Table column
folder

Complete the following fields:

The name of the input Table file must be entered.

Column Details

The name for the New column must also be entered. If the column name
already exists, the name is highlighted. Expand the selection
list to
view the existing columns in the current table and enter another name.

The Column description is optional.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Index

The Column type is the data type for the new column and must be
entered. Choose from the pull-down selection
list. Options are: String
(or Character), Real, Double (precision) (or Numeric), Integer, Logical.
Note: If the data type is Character, a Length must also be specified).

The Column length is required for String (or Character) columns only and
is not used for Numeric columns.
The Column unit category controls the number of decimal places
displayed. Choose from the pull-down selection list (optional).
Column units are the name of the units in which the column data is to be
stored. Choose from the pull-down selection list (optional).
The Column parent is the parent column for the table column. If a parent
column is named, the table is weight-averaged (instead of accumulated) if
the table is accumulated.

Glossary

Home

Initialisation
Valueany value within the domain of the column type.
MXL expressionthe values stored in the new column must be initialised
to some value according to an MXL expression. In the simplest case, a
value may be entered, e.g. 0, MISSING, FALSE. The expression may also
use the names of columns and constants as variables. The evaluated result
must be compatible with the new columns type. Refer to the on-line
Mincom Expression Language documentation found in Minescape under
HelpReferenceMXL on the page Menu Bar for full details.
Select OK or Apply. The column is added to the table file.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Adding table file constants

A table file must exist before constants can be added. To add constants to a table
file:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

types for the project.

Expand the appropriate table type

Expand the
constants.

Select the Table constant

Select the Create

to reveal a list of current table file

hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

hierarchy of the table file to which you wish to add

folder.

button

or alternatively,

Select EditConstantsAdd in the Table Editor.

The following form opens:

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Select
Create

Expand the
Table files
hierarchy

Choose from
the selection list

Expand the
table type
hierarchy

Expand the
table files
hierarchy

Open the
Table constant
folder

Complete the following fields:

Some values can be chosen from a selection list. To do this, double click
in the required fielda
button denotes that there is a selection list
available for that particular field.

Table filethe name of the table file to update.

Namethe name of the new constants. These names must unique to the
existing table columns or constants.
Descriptiona description of the new constant (optional).

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Unit categoryselect a unit category from the selection list (optional). If

the field is left blank, unit conversion is not performed.
Unitselect the units in which to store the constant data (optional). If the
field is left blank, the data is loaded and stored in current units.
Typea data type for the table column must be selected from the selection
list. Options are: String (or Character), Real, Double (precision) (or
Numeric), Integer, Logical.
Note: If the data type is Character, a Length must also be specified).
If the data type is Character, a Length must also be specified).
Lengththe length of a table constantonly required for string (character)
constants.
Vectorsthe number of elements for the table constant. A constant may
be either a scalar value (one value) or vectored (an array of values). If it is
scalar, set the vector count to one; if it is vector, enter an appropriate
maximum vector count.
If the table to update does not have a constant buffer size large enough to
accommodate the new constant, it is automatically expanded. However, if you
did not calculate an approximate buffer size when the table was created, the
process could take a considerable amount of time.

WARNING

Select OK or Apply. The constant is added to the table file.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Deleting
Deleting a table file
To delete a table file:
Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

to reveal a list of current table file types

Select the appropriate table type folder (e.g. Generic) to reveal the table files
in the Table file panel.

In the Table file panel, select the table file (by left-clicking) or multiple table
files to be deleted.

Select Delete
from the Menu Bara confirmation pop-up appears giving
you several options.
Select
Delete

Expand
Table files
hierarchy

Open the
table type
folder
Select the
table(s) to delete

Delete Alldeletes all table files highlighted in the Table file panel. No
further confirmation is requested.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Deletedeletes individual table files, requesting confirmation for each

delete operation.
Ignoredisregards a Delete request in the highlighted list and moves on
to the next.
Cancelcancels the delete operation.
Helpprovides help on the deletion operation.

Select one of the above options to delete the table file(s) and its data from the
current project.

Deleting constants
To delete table file constants:

Open the Minescape Explorer

.
Expand the Table files hierarchy
types for the project.

to reveal a list of current table file

Expand the appropriate table type

hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

Expand the
constants.

Select the Table constant

the Table constant panel.

In the Table Constant panel, select the table constant (by left-clicking) or
multiple constants to be deleted.

Select Delete

hierarchy of the table file from which you wish to delete the
folder to reveal a list of table constants in

from the Menu Bar.

or alternatively,

Select EditConstantsDelete in the Table Editor.

The following form opens:

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Select
Delete

Expand
Table files
hierarchy
Expand the
table type
hierarchy
Expand the
table files
hierarchy

Open the
Table constant
folder
Select the
table constants
to delete

You can also

choose from
a pull-down
selection list

Select OK or Apply to delete the table constant(s) from the table file.
Further table constants can be deleted without returning to the
Minescape Explorer by using a pull-down selection list in the Delete
Table Constants form. To do this, double click in a Constants fields and
left-click on the
button to reveal the list of table constants.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Deleting columns
To delete columns from a table file:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

types for the project.

to reveal a list of current table file

Expand the appropriate table type

Select the Table column

Table column panel.

In the Table column panel, select the table column (by left-clicking) or
multiple columns to be deleted.

Select Delete

hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

folder to reveal a list of table columns in the

from the Menu Bar.

or alternatively,

Select EditColumnsDelete in the Table Editor.

The following form opens:

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Select
Delete

Expand
Table files
hierarchy

Expand the
table type
hierarchy
You can also
choose from
a selection
list

Expand the
table files
hierarchy

Open the
Table column
folder
Select the
table columns
to delete

Select OK or Apply to delete the table column(s) from the table file.
Further table columns can be deleted without returning to the Minescape
Explorer by using a selection list in the Delete Table Columns form. To do
this, double click in a Columns fields and left-click on the
button
to reveal the list of table columns.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Renaming
Renaming a table file
To rename a table file:
Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

to reveal a list of current table file types

Select the appropriate table type

table files in the Table file panel.

folder (e.g. Generic) to reveal a list of

In the Table file panel, select the table file you wish to rename.

Select the Rename

for the selected file.

buttona pop-up appears asking you for a new name

Select
Rename
Select the file
to Rename
Enter the
new file name

Expand
Table files
hierarchy

Select the
table type
folder

WARNING

Enter the new file name and select OK. The file is renamed as
<filename>.tab.
A table file cannot be renamed while it is open or being used by a module.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Renaming constants
To rename constants in a table file:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

Expand the appropriate table type

Expand the
renamed.

Select the Table constant

Table constant panel.

In the Table constant panel, select the constant(s) to be renamed.

Select the Rename

to reveal a list of current table file types

hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

hierarchy of the table file containing the constant to be

The following forms opens:

button

folder to reveal a list of table constants in the

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Select
Rename

Select the
table constants
to rename

You can also

choose from
a selection
list

Enter the new name and description for each constant. The new names must
be unique within the table file.

Select OK or Apply to rename the constants.

Further table constants can be renamed without returning to the
Minescape Explorer by using a selection list in the Rename Table
Constants form. To do this, double click in the Old Constant fields and
left-click on the
button to reveal the list of table constants.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Renaming columns
To rename columns in a table file:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

to reveal a list of current table file types

Expand the appropriate table type

hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

Expand the

Select the Table column

Table column panel.

In the Table column panel, select the column(s) to be renamed.

Select the Rename

hierarchy of the table containing the column to be renamed.

folder to reveal a list of table columns in the

button.

The following forms opens:

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Select
Rename

Select the
table columns
to rename

You can also

choose from
a selection
list

Enter a new name and description for each column.The new names must be
unique within the table file.
Once you have renamed each column, select OK or Apply.

If the Update table surfaces check box is selected

, the column name is
updated in any table surface definitions using this table file.
Further table columns can be renamed without returning to the
Minescape Explorer using a selection list in the Rename Table Columns
form. To do this, double click in the Old Column fields and left-click on
the
button to reveal the list of table columns.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Copying
Copying a table file
To copy a table file:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

to reveal a list of current table file types

Select the appropriate table type

table files in the Table file panel.

folder (e.g. Generic) to reveal a list of

In the Table file panel, select the table file(s) you wish to copy.

Select the Copy

of the selected file.

buttona pop-up appears asking you to name the copy

Select
Copy
Select the
table file(s)
to copy

WARNING

Enter the
new file name

Enter the name for the copy of the file (and optionally specify a directory
location if, for instance, it is to be copied to another project).
Select OKthe file is created as <filename>.tab in the specified directory
location.
A table file cannot be renamed while it is open or being used by a module.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Copying constants
You can copy one or more constants within a table file. To do this:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

Expand the appropriate table type

Expand the

Select the Table constant

Table constant panel.

In the Table constant panel, select the constant to be copied.

Select the Copy

to reveal a list of current table file types

hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

hierarchy of the table file containing the constant to be copied.

folder to reveal a list of table constants in the

buttonthe following forms opens:

Select the
constant
to copy

or
select from the
selection list

Select
Copy

Enter new
constant
name

Enter the appropriate parameters and select OK or Apply.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Copying columns
To copy one or more columns within a table file:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

Expand the appropriate table type

Expand the

Select the Table column

Table Column panel.

In the Table column panel, select the column to be copied.

.
to reveal a list of current table file types
hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

hierarchy of the table file containing the column to be copied.

Select the Copy

folder to reveal a list of table columns in the

buttonthe following forms opens:

Select the
column
to copy

or
choose from the
selection list

Select
Copy

Enter new
column
name

Enter the appropriate parameters and select OK or Apply.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Editing
Editing columns
Data in a table file column can be edited as follows:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

Expand the appropriate table type

Expand the

Select the Table column

Table column panel.

In the Table column panel, select the column to be edited.

Select the Edit

.
to reveal a list of current table file types
hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

hierarchy of the table file containing the column to be edited.

folder to reveal a list of table columns in the

buttonthe Table Editor opens:

Select the
column
to edit

Select
Edit

Modify the required columns using the Table Editor.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Importing
Minescape provides standard filters for importing data to a table file from the
types of files listed belowthese options are available in Minescape by selecting
one of the tab-dividers shown in the following example form.
Load

Loads an ASCII file in any format into an existing table file, as

long as its data is in a regular sequence. The table file may be
empty or may already contain data.

Dump

Restores a table file from a dump file in ASCII table dump

format. The dump file contains the table constant and column
information and the corresponding data. This file must initially be
produced by the table dump option in order to contain the correct
dump format.

To load data to a table file:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

Select the appropriate table type folder

listed in the Table file panel.

In the Table file panel, select the table file into which the data is to be loaded.

Select the Import

The following form opens:

button.

.
to reveal a list of current table file types
(e.g. Generic)the table files are

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Select
Import
Expand
Table files
hierarchy

Open the
table type
folder

Select the
table columns

In the above example the Load tab-divider is selected to import data from an
ASCII file.
The table file may be empty or it may already contain data in which case it may
be overwritten, inserted at a specific line, or appended to the file.

Select OK or Apply to import the data.

Note: Select the tab-divider names listed under Importing for information on the various
form fields.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Exporting
Table file data can be exported using the options listed belowthese options are
available in Minescape by selecting one of the tab-dividers shown in the following
example form.
Accumulated

Values in table columns are accumulated and exported to an

ASCII file.

Dump

Table file data is dumped to an ASCII format.

Lotus 123

Column data is unloaded to a file suitable for importing into

Lotus 123.

Minestar

A data file containing reserve values for mining blocks is created

in a format suitable for loading into Minestar.

Unload

Data from the table file is unloaded to an ASCII file.

To export data from a Minescape table file:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

Select the appropriate table type folder

listed in the Table file panel.

In the Table file panel, select the table file to be exported.

Select the Export

The following form opens:

button.

.
to reveal a list of current table file types
(e.g. Generic)the table files are

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Select
Export

Expand
Table files
hierarchy

Open the
table type
folder

Select the
table columns

Select the data format that you want to export to by selecting the appropriate
tab. For example, to accumulate values in table columns and output to a dump
file, select the Accumulated tab-divider.

Enter the appropriate parameters in the form fields including the table file that
you want the data exported from.

Select OK or Apply to invoke the module which exports the data.

Note: Select the tab-divider names listed under Exporting for information on the various
form fields.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Processing
Processing a table file
Table files can be processed or updated using the options listed belowthese
options are available in Minescape by selecting one of the tab-dividers shown in
the following example form.
Accumulate

Table file columns can be accumulated to a new table file. This

function is frequently used to gather all samples in a sample
table of a particular block and add them into a single entry.

Change type

Changes the table file type to generic or select a type

designated for a particular usage by the system from a selection
list.

Clone

Creates a copy of a table file without transferring the row data.

The table constant header is copied with all of the current values
set. This option is equivalent to copying a file and deleting all of
the rows.

Expression

Modifies an existing table column using an MXL expression.

Merge

Merges tables using one ofinner restriction, outer restriction,

inner projection, outer projection, set difference, set inclusion,
table append, table merge.

Reformat

Reformats a table file to the same format as another table in the

project area.

Sample

Updates a table file using surface expressions.

Sort

Data is stored in a table in the order in which it was loaded.

However, it may be more useful to sort the data in a particular
order. Once a table has been sorted, the original data order is
lost and cannot be restored.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Subset

Create a new table file that is a subset of an existing table file.

Substitute

Substitutes values in one or more tables by defining a Lookup

Spec.

Surface

Updates a table file using gridded surface expressions.

Transform

Transforms the data in a table file to a new set of coordinates

using up to 50 sample points.

Transfer

Transfers a range of column data (restricted by rows) from one

table to another table.

User Cmd.

Processes table file data using an MPL user command.

To process a table file:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

to reveal a list of current table file types

Select the appropriate table type

table files in the Table file panel.

folder (e.g. Generic) to reveal a list of

In the Table file panel, select the table file you wish to process.

Select the Process

buttonthe following form opens:

or alternatively,

Select Process from the Menu Bar in the Table Editorthe menu displays
the same options as listed on the tab-dividers on the following form.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Select
Process

Select the
table files to process

Select the required processing operation by selecting the appropriate tabdivider. For example, to accumulate columns to a table or a report, select the
Accumulate tab-divider.

Enter the appropriate parameters.

Select OK or Apply to process the file.

Note: Select the tab-divider names listed under Processing a table file for information on
the various form fields.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Processing columns
Table file columns can be processed or updated using the options listed below
these options are available in Minescape by selecting one of the tab-dividers
shown in the following example form.
Expression

Modifies an existing table column using a specified MXL

expression.

Sort

Sorts rows in a table file based on a list of sort keys. The sort
can be ascending or descending.

Substitute

Substitutes table column and constant values by values

specified in a corresponding Lookup Spec.

Transform

Transforms data in a table file to a new set of coordinates, using

up to 50 sample points.

To process columns in a table file:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

Expand the appropriate table type

Expand the

Select the Table column

Select the columns to be processed from the Table column panel.

.
to reveal a list of current table file types
hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

hierarchy of the table file containing the column(s) to process.

folder.

Select the Process

buttonthe following forms opens. In this example,
the Transform tab-divider is selected.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Select
Process

Select the required processing operation by selecting the appropriate tabdivider.

Enter the appropriate parameters and select OK or Apply.

Note: Select the tab-divider names listed under Processing columns for information on the
various form fields.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Obtaining column Information

Information and statistics on table columns can be obtained using the options
listed belowthese options are available in Minescape by selecting one of the
tab-dividers shown in the following example form.
Information

Interrogates a table column by returning header information,

data limits and a row count.

Statistics

Allows you to specify a Table Statistics Report that details

statistics for one or more specified table columns. The number of
values, number of missing values, minimum, maximum,
standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis are reported.

To obtain information or statistics on a column in a table file:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

Expand the appropriate table type

Expand the

Select the Table column

.
to reveal a list of current table file types
hierarchy (e.g. Generic).

hierarchy of the table file containing the column(s) to process.

folder.

Select the Info

buttonthe following forms opens. In this example, the
Information tab-divider is selected.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Select
Info

Select the required processing operation by selecting the appropriate tabdivider.

Enter the appropriate parameters.
Select Applythe information fields are completed on the form
Select OK to dismiss the form.

Note: Select the tab-divider names listed under Obtaining column Information for
information on the various form fields.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Generating charts from table files

Table file columns can be processed or updated using the options listed below
these options are available in Minescape by selecting one of the options shown
below.
Bar

Generate a bar chart from a table. The bar chart is generated in

a design file using data from a table file and can be drawn with a
variety of text annotation options

Line

Generates a line chart from a table. The line chart is generated

in a design file using data from the table file. The line chart can
be drawn with a variety of text annotation options. The lines on
the chart connect values plotted from data from the same
column.

Frequency

Generates a frequency distribution chart from a table based on a

given number of classes. The chart can be one ofdistribution,
histogram, frequency, cumulative, pie or statistics.

Rosin-Rammler Generates a Rosin-Rammler chart into a design file. A RosinRammler size distribution chart plots particle size against
percentage oversize yield for coal samples.
X Plot

Generates a crossplot into a design file using data from two

columns in a table fileone value plots along the X-axis and the
other along the Y-axis. For example, you may wish to plot ASH
values against RD (relative density) values.

To create a chart from a table file:

Select GraphicsCharts from the menu bar the following form opens.

Select the option corresponding to the type of chart you wish to produce. In
the following example form, the Frequency option was selected to produce a
frequency distribution chart.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Enter the appropriate parameters.

Select OK or Apply to generate the chart.

Index

Note: Select the tab-divider names listed under Generating charts from table files for
information on the various form fields.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Generating Reports
The following report options are available:
Record

Produce data dictionary records from a table filethese records

are then used to provide the variables to produce a user-defined
report through Repent.

General

Create a report using a Repent report definition. The report

definition must be created through Repent before this module
can be used. The data dictionary records used are standard
records stored in the tables directory.

Specific

Create a report of a table file using a Repent report definition.

The report definition must be created through Repent and the
data dictionary records must be created using the Record
option. This option differs from the General option (above) in
that the latter uses the standard data dictionary records.

Report

Generate a report from a table file. Once the parameters have

been set up for this report, they can be saved as a Spec.
Standard table reporting has been implemented to enable you to
define different Specs for a number of different table or report
types and to generated reports periodically using the same
saved Specs.

Print

Print a report file using a system command.

To generate table file reports:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Select the Reports

folder.

Select the Process

buttonthe following form opens:

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Select the required reporting operation by selecting the appropriate tabdivider. In the following example, the Report tab-divider is selected:
Select
Process

Select
Reports

Enter the appropriate parameters and select OK or Apply to generate the

report.

Note: Select the tab-divider names listed under Generating Reports for information on the
various form fields.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Other table file operations

You can also perform the following operations on table files:
Contouring table file data into a design file.
Posting table file data into a design file.
Outputting table file data to a design file layer.
Note: Postings and contours can only be produced from a table that contains easting and
northing coordinates.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

The Table Editor

Data in a table file may be edited directly using the Table Editor. The Table Editor
is similar to a spreadsheet and is opened in the work area of a page as a semiindependent application. It exhibits standard window behaviour and permits
access to only one table file at a time. However, you can have multiple Table
Editors open simultaneously in a page work area.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

The Table Editor has the following features:

The table rows and columns are displayed using a spreadsheet-like interface.
Its look and feel and intra-table navigation is similar to that of a standard table
field.
You can navigate table cells using either the mouse (point and click) or
keyboard.
A summary of the table file data is displayed in the table header.
Column names are displayed at all times.
Vertical and horizontal scrollbars and a panner for easy scanning of the entire
table.
A sentinel row allows data to be easily inserted.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Components of the Table Editor

The principal components of the Table Editor are shown below.
Current
column
selector
Current
cell

Current
row
indicator

Current
cell
indicator

Panner

Column
names

Row
scroll
bar

Rows

Column scroll bar

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Status panel
The status box displays:
File

the name of the table file currently open.

Rows

the number of rows in the table.

Columns

the number of columns in the table.

Mode

the mode in which the table file is open. May be either read or
read/write.

Current column panel

Left-click in the relevant column to display the following information:
Desc

the description of the current column.

Unit Cat.

the unit category of the current column.

Units

the units of the current column

Parent Col.

the parent column of the current column.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Menus
File menu
Open
Save

Opens a table file (closing the current file) in the Table Editor.
Saves changes to the current table file.

Save as

Saves changes in the table file to another file.

Close

Closes the current table file and exits the Table Editor. If changes to
the table file have not been saved, you are prompted to do so.

Edit menu
The Table Editors action buttons are:
Rows
Deletedeletes the specified row from the table file.
Insert Afterinserts a row immediately after a
specified row.
Insert Beforeinserts a row immediately before a
specified row.
See also: Keyboard shortcuts
Columns
Addadds columns to the table file.
Deletedeletes the specified column from the table
file.
Editedits the specified column.
Constants
Addadds constants to the table file.
Deletedeletes the specified constant from the table
file.
Editedits the specified constant.
Find in Table
Finds a pattern in a table column using a specified
search pattern.
Replace in Table Finds and replaces a pattern in a table column using a
specified search pattern.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Process menu
Sort

Home

Glossary

Index

Sorts table rows based on a list of sort keysthe sort

can be ascending or descending.

Substitute

Substitutes column and constant values by values

specified in a Lookup Spec.

Reformat

Reformats a list of table files to the same structure as

the source table.

Transform

Transforms table data to a new set of coordinates, using

up to 50 sample points.

Apply User Command Applies user-generated TABMPL executable code.

Apply Expression

Modifies a table column using an MXL expression.

Accumulate

Accumulates values in columns and output to a new

table file.

Sample

Updates a table file using a surface MXL expression.

Merge In

Merges tables using one ofinner restriction, outer

restriction, inner projection, outer projection, set
difference, set inclusion, table append, table merge.

Transfer

Transfers a range of column data (restricted by rows)

from one table to another table.

Change Type

Changes the table file type to a type selected from a list

of options.

These options are also available through the Minescape Explorer.

Panner

Panner

The panner functions as a two-dimensional scroll bar. The portion of the table
currently displayed by the Table Editor is reflected by the relative location of the
panner in the panning window.To use the panner, left-click in the panning window
and slide until the table is in the desired position.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Current cell indicators

Current
column
selector

Current
row
indicator

Current
cell
indicator

Column selector
The column selector displays the name of the currently selected cell.
Another column can be selected using one of the following methods:
Expand the selection list
in the current column selector field and
select the required column name.
Enter an alternative column name in the current column selector field
press Enter.
Left-click in a cell in another column.
Navigate to a cell in another column using the keyboard.
Row Indicator
The row indicator displays the number of the currently selected row. Another
row can be selected using one of the following methods:
Enter an alternative row number in the current row indicator field and
press Enter.
Left-click in a cell in another row
Navigate to a cell in another row using the keyboard.
Cell indicator
The value of the current cell is displayed in this field. To change the cell
displayed:
Left-click in a cell in another row.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Opening the Table Editor

The Table Editor is opened when the following editing function is performed.
Editing a table file
The Table Editor is used to edit table file data.
To open the Table Editor:

Open the Minescape Explorer

Expand the Table files hierarchy

for the project.

Select the appropriate table type folder (e.g. Generic) to reveal the table files
in the Table file panel.

In the Table file panel, select the table file to be edited and either:
Select the Edit
button

to reveal a list of current table file types

or

Drag-&-drop the table file into the page work area (using the middle mouse
button).
Double left-clicking on the table file to be edited also invokes the Table
Editor.

The Table Editor displaying the selected table file is opened in the page work
area (see following example).

Perform the necessary editing functions.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Select
Edit

Select the
table file
to edit

Open the
table type
folder

Glossary

Index

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Opening multiple table files

More than one Table Editor may be open at one time. To do this, repeat the steps
as for Editing a table file.
Note: Multiple Table Editors cannot be opened using the Table Editor option FileOpen. This
option closes the existing editor when a new one is opened.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Resizing and moving the editor

The Table Editor is similar to a standard desktop window and may be resized
and/or moved within the page work area as follows:

Left-drag
the window corner
to resize

Left-drag
the window border
to resize

Middle-drag
the window border
to move

To resize the Table Editor in one dimension, left-drag a vertical or horizontal

window border until the appropriate size is reached. The
mouse pointer
displays while you perform this operation.

To resize the Table Editor in two dimensions, left-drag a window corner until
the appropriate size is reached. The
mouse pointer displays while you
perform this operation.

To move the Table Editor, middle-drag a window border until the desired
location in reached. The
cursor displays while you perform this operation.
If you have multiple windows open within a page work area, they may overlap.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Using the window menu

The Table Editor window menu is activated by right-clicking the Table Editor
window border. It contains the following options:
raise

Pop the window above all other work area windows.

lower

Push the window behind all other work area windows.

maximise

Increase the size of the window to the size of the work area.

reduce

Decrease the size of the window to its previous smaller size.

close

Close the window and its data.

Keyboard shortcuts
A set of standard keyboard accelerators are defined which permit quick access
to many of the common table editing functions. These are shown in the following
table.
Navigation command

Key command

Insert row (after current row)

F5

Insert row (before current row)

Ctrl-F5

Delete current row

F6

Move to next cell in row

Tab or

Move to previous cell in row

Shift-Tab or

Move to row above

Move to row below

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Other editing facilities

The following table shows the editing facilities available through the Table Editor:
Editing command
Change column width

Key command

Ctrl and middle-drag on the column

border

Restore previous cell value

Esc while cell is selected

Closing the Table Editor

To close the Table Editor:

Select the FileQuit from the Menu Bar of the Table Editor. If there are
unsaved changes to the current file, a pop-up appears prompting you to save
the changes.
or

Display the window menu and select Closeany changes to the table file are
not saved if this option is used.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Opening and closing files

Opening table files
Once the Table editor is open, other table files from the current project can also
be opened. By opening another table file, the current table file is closed.
To open another file and leave the existing table open, see Opening multiple
table files.
To open a table file from within the Table Editor:

Select the FileOpen from the menu bar of the Table Editor. If the current
table file contains unsaved changes and is open in read/write mode, a pop-up
appears asking if you want the changes savedthe following form opens:

Select the table file

List of
available
Table
files
Selected file

Open as readonly
if required

Locate and select the table file you want to open. If you want the file opened
in read mode, select the Read only check box
.
Select OKthe selected table file opens in the Table Editor.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Saving table files

To save the changes in a table file, select FileSave from the Menu bar of the
Table Editor. The changes are saved to the table file.
Saving table files to new names
To save changes in a table file to a new name, select FileSave As from the
Menu Bar of the Table Editorthe following form opens.

The following form opens with the current table file selected by default.

Current table file

Select the name of the table file you want to save or enter a new name (the
.tab file extension is optional).

Select OK to save the file.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Closing table files

To close the current table file:

Select the FileClose from the Menu Bar of the Table Editor. If there are
unsaved changes to the current file, a pop-up appears prompting you to save
the changes.
or

Display the window menu and select Closeany changes to the table file are
not saved if this option is used.

Locating and editing data

Locating table cells
The panner and/or scrollbars can be used to locate a position within the current
table. The position of the cursor and the current cell value are displayed in the
respective column selector, row indicator and cell value indicator fields. In
addition, you can use the following facilities:
To locate a table column.
To locate a table row.
Changing cell values
To change a cell value:
Locate the cell whose value you want to change. Once selected, the cell is
outlined in black and the cell value left-aligned. The cell value also displays in
the current cell indicator.

Make the necessary changes to the data using either the current cell indicator
or the cell itself and press Enter.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Editing rows
Adding a new row
Rows are added using the Table Editor. The last row of any table features a
sentinel row which is used to add new rows to a table. A sentinel row is indicated
by an @ in the table number column with each cell in the sentinel row containing
an ellipsis
.

Sentinel
row

To add a new row, double left-click on a cell in the sentinel row and input a
valuethe new row is registered with the table.

Inserting a row
Rows can be inserted before or after the current row using the following options.

To insert a row before the current row, select EditRowsInsert Before

from the Menu Bar in the Table Editor or alternatively press Ctrl-F5.

To insert a row after the current row, select EditRowsInsert After from
the Menu Bar in the Table Editor or alternatively press F5].

See also:

Keyboard shortcuts

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Deleting a row
Rows are deleted from table files using the Table Editor.
To delete a single row:
Left-click anywhere in the row to be deleted and press F6].
To delete multiple rows:
Select the row(s) to be deleted and select EditRowsDelete from the
Menu Bar in the Table Editor.
See also:

Keyboard shortcuts

Editing columns
Adding a new column
A new column can be added to a table file by:
selecting EditColumnsAdd from the Table Editor Menu Bar
or
using the Minescape Explorer
.
The following form opens for either option.
Deleting a column
A table column can be deleted by:

selecting EditColumnsDelete from the Table Editor Menu Bar.

or

using the Minescape Explorer

The following form opens for either option.

Editing column data
Once the Table Editor is open, column data can be edited by modifying the
required cells.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Resizing columns
To resize columns, Ctrl middle-drag on the required column border.
Ctrlmiddle-drag

Editing constants
Adding a new constant
A new column can be added to a table file by:

selecting EditConstantsAdd from the Table Editor Menu Bar

or

using the Minescape Explorer

The following form opens for either option.

Deleting a constant
A table column can be deleted by:

selecting EditConstantsDelete from the Table Editor Menu Bar.

or

using the Minescape Explorer

The following form opens for either option.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Searching for columns

When searching columns, the search commences at the current cell and
continues to the top or bottom of the table, depending on the value of the
Backward field, until a match is found or the end of the table is reached. The
current cell is not included in the search.
To search for columns:

Select EditFind in Table from the Table Editor Menu Barthe following
form opens:

Column. Select the column to be searched from the pull-down selection list
. The default is the name of the column containing the cell where your
cursor is positioned.
Search For. Select the pattern to search for. Three pattern types may be b
entered:
Regular expressions (text strings)use the ~ operator. The syntax of a
search pattern conforms to Minescapes wildcard format. In particular, an
asterisk represents zero or more occurrences of any character. To specify a
substring, an asterisk (*) must be used before and after the substring to
wildcard the search pattern.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Conditional operators and valuesuse one of the ==, <>, <, >, <=, >=
operators. The cell is matched if the column value is True for the conditional
operator and the value provided. For example, the conditional operator >=
with a value of 20 will match all cells in the column with a value greater than
or equal to 20.
Expressionuse the # operatorany expression that will return True or
False. The column name is used as the variable to match. For example, for
a column named MASS:
MASS > 10 & MASS < 20
will match any values greater than 10 or less than 20.

If Case Sensitive is set

, only the values that match the case of the search
expression are matched, otherwise the case is ignored.

Select OK or Apply to commence the search.

Searching and replacing columns

When searching and replacing columns, the search commences at the current
cell and continues to the top or bottom of the table, depending on the value of the
Backward field, until a match is found or the end of the table is reached. The
current cell is not included in the search.
The contents of each cell that matches the search criteria are replaced with the
text in the Replace with field.
To search and replace columns:

Select EditReplace in Table from the Table Editor Menu Barthe following
form opens:

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Column. Select the column to be searched from the pull-down selection list
. The default is the name of the column containing the cell where your
cursor is positioned.
Search For. Select the pattern to search for. Three pattern types may be b
entered:
Regular expressions (text strings)use the ~ operator. The syntax of a
search pattern conforms to Minescapes wildcard format. In particular, an
asterisk represents zero or more occurrences of any character. To specify a
substring, an asterisk (*) must be used before and after the substring to
wildcard the search pattern.
Conditional operators and valuesuse one of the ==, <>, <, >, <=, >=
operators. The cell is matched if the column value is True for the conditional
operator and the value provided. For example, the conditional operator >=
with a value of 20 will match all cells in the column with a value greater than
or equal to 20.

Table files
Understanding and working with table files
Contents

Home

Glossary

Index

Expressionuse the # operatorany expression that will return True or

False. The column name is used as the variable to match. For example, for
a column named MASS:
MASS > 10 & MASS < 20
will match any values greater than 10 or less than 20.

Replace with. Enter the text to replace the contents of the cells searched.

If Case Sensitive is set

, only the values that match the case of the search
expression are matched, otherwise the case is ignored.

If Next Match is set, the first matching cell (from the current position) is
substituted, otherwise, all matching cells in the column are substituted.

If Selected Only is set, the search is restricted to the cells selected.

Select OK or Apply to start searching and replacing.