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.
Instructional Video
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 0:15
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 1:50
Click the "Add Data File Set" button at the top of the page
A new file set card will appear with groups (e.g., Primary, Secondary)
3. Select a Laboratory 2:05
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 will show as "Already in use"
You can change the selected laboratory later by clicking "Change Laboratory"
4. Upload Laboratory Files 2:05
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 3:45
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. Review Processing Results 3:59
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 processing errors mention unrecognised analytes, use the provided link to add the missing laboratory analyte mapping
Use consistent file naming conventions to easily identify files during upload