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Uploading Laboratory Analytical Data

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for uploading laboratory analytical data via the Laboratory Data tab on a fieldwork task

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Written by Trin Murphy

Objective

This SOP outlines the steps to upload laboratory analytical data into EnviroAutomate via the Laboratory Data tab on a fieldwork task. Laboratory data is uploaded as file sets, with each set linked to a specific laboratory.

Prerequisites

  • A fieldwork task must already exist in the system

  • The field submission for the fieldwork task must have been submitted (via the Field Data tab) before laboratory file sets can be added

  • At least one laboratory must be configured in the system (under Scientific Settings > Laboratories)

Key Steps

1. Navigate to the Fieldwork Task

  • Click Fieldwork Tasks in the left sidebar under the TASKS section.

  • Find and click on the fieldwork task that you want to upload laboratory data for.

  • Click the Laboratory Data tab.

2. Add a Data File Set

  • Click the Add Data File Set button at the top of the page.

  • A new file set card will appear with one or more groups (e.g., Primary, Secondary).

3. Select a Laboratory

Each group within a file set requires a laboratory selection:

  • Laboratory selection cards are displayed showing available laboratories with their name, phone, and address.

  • Click Select Laboratory on the card for the laboratory that provided the analytical results.

  • If a laboratory is already selected by another group in the same file set, it shows greyed out with an "Already in use" label.

  • You can change the selected laboratory later by clicking Change Laboratory. A confirmation warns that this will discard any uploaded files for that group.

4. Upload Laboratory Files

Once a laboratory is selected, file upload fields will appear. The specific fields shown depend on the selected laboratory's configuration, but typically include:

  • Chain of Custody (COC) PDF

  • Sample Receipt PDF

  • Certificate of Analysis PDF

  • QA/QC files

  • Sample data CSV file (e.g., .sample2e.csv)

  • Chemistry data CSV file (e.g., .chemistry2e.csv)

Each field shows an info tooltip with a description of what file to upload. Upload the relevant files by clicking the file input and selecting the file from your computer.

5. Save and Process

  • Click Save to upload and process all files.

  • The system will process the uploaded CSV files to extract and store the analytical data.

  • Wait for processing to complete.

6. Apply lab files to sibling tasks (when prompted)

If this task is a Soil Classification or current Groundwater Monitoring Event task and it has sibling tasks (same type at the same project and site) without their own lab files, an Apply lab files to sibling tasks? modal appears after Save:

  • Tick which siblings should receive a copy of the files you just uploaded.

  • Siblings that already have their own lab files appear with a disabled checkbox and an "Already has files" note.

  • Click Apply to selected siblings to copy the files, or Apply to this task only to skip the copy.

The copy points at the same underlying file blobs, but each sibling's lab data processing then runs independently. See Sibling fieldwork tasks: combining submissions into one report for the full sibling workflow.

7. Review Processing Results

  • After processing, check the Processing Messages card at the top of the page

  • Green messages indicate successful processing

  • Yellow warnings indicate non-critical issues that should be reviewed

  • Red errors indicate problems that need to be resolved (e.g., unrecognised analytes, mismatched sample IDs)

  • Some error messages include clickable links to help resolve the issue (e.g., a link to create a missing laboratory analyte)

Multiple File Sets and Groups

  • You can add multiple data file sets if laboratory results come from different lab batches.

  • Each file set can have multiple groups (e.g., Primary and Secondary) for cases where samples were sent to different laboratories.

  • Each group is linked to a specific laboratory.

  • Use the Download All (ZIP) button to download all uploaded files across all file sets.

Processing History

The Processing History table at the bottom of the page shows a log of all processing runs, including:

  • Date and time of each processing run

  • Whether errors or warnings occurred

  • This helps you track when data was uploaded and identify any issues from previous uploads

Cautionary Notes

  • The field submission must be submitted before laboratory file sets can be added - if you see a message about this, go to the Field Data tab first

  • Ensure all uploaded files correspond to the same lab batch within a file set to avoid data discrepancies

  • Review processing messages carefully after each upload - errors may indicate unrecognised analytes or sample ID mismatches

  • Deleting a file set or individual file is permanent and will prompt for confirmation

  • Each laboratory within a file set can only be selected once - if you need results from the same lab in different batches, create separate file sets

Tips for Efficiency

  • Prepare all laboratory files before starting the upload - having COC, certificates, and CSV files ready streamlines the process.

  • Check the Processing Messages immediately after saving to catch any issues early.

  • Use the Download All (ZIP) button to back up all laboratory files for a fieldwork task.

  • If your site has parallel sibling tasks that share a lab batch, save lab files on one task and use the Apply to selected siblings modal to copy them instead of uploading per task.

  • Use consistent file naming conventions to easily identify files during upload.

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