Batch File Format

Each line of the file specifies the runs to use for a single reduction. First the role of the run and then a comma and then the run number. So the following file specifies three runs:

sample_sans, 992, output_as, 992_sans_nocan
sample_sans, 992, sample_trans, 988, sample_direct_beam, 987, output_as, 992_sans
sample_sans,  992, sample_trans, 988, sample_direct_beam, 987, can_sans, 993, can_trans, 989, can_direct_beam, 987, output_as, 992_full

Often it is easier to edit the files in a spreadsheet application, like Excel, where it is possible to enter large numbers of columns more easily:

../../_images/batch_file_spreadsheet_example.png

It is possible to analyse a single period (entry) from a multi-period run file. Specify the period by appending a ‘p’ followed by the entry number to the run number.

If a multi-period run is entered for the “sample_sans” all periods in the sample are reduced and the result will be a workspace group. If any multi-period run was included on the same line without a period specification then the period 1 in the sample will be reduced with period 1 from that run, period 2 with period 2, etc. An error will be raised if the number of periods differs from that in the sample. If an individual period is specified for the “sample_sans” but no period is given for another run then the first period from that run is used in the analysis by default.

It is also possible to specify individual user files for each row. If the user file is not specified for a row then the default user file and potential setting changes which the user made via the GUI are applied. Manual changes of the settings via the GUI will be ignored for rows which have an individual user file. So the following file specifies three runs where the first and the last use individual user files and the second run uses the default user file which is specified at the top of the “Run Numbers” tab:

sample_sans, 992, output_as, 992_sans_nocan, user_file, user_file1.txt
sample_sans, 998, output_as, 998_sans_nocan
sample_sans, 999, output_as, 999_sans_nocan, user_file, user_file2.txt