Data Grids
Data grid blocks provide a spreadsheet-like table inside your notebook. Use them to display, edit, and explore tabular data — experimental results, sample metadata, gene lists, or any structured dataset — directly alongside your code and analysis.
Inserting a Data Grid
Section titled “Inserting a Data Grid”Type /table anywhere in a markdown block to insert a new data grid. It starts with 3 default columns and 1 empty row.
You can also type /data-grid — both commands do the same thing.
Importing CSV Data
Section titled “Importing CSV Data”The fastest way to populate a grid is to import a CSV file.
- From the toolbar: Click the CSV button (upload icon) to choose a file
- From the empty state: When the grid is empty, a prominent Upload CSV button appears in the center — click it to import
After selecting a file, CoPI shows a preview of the first few rows and asks whether the first row contains column headers.
- Yes, use as headers — the first row becomes the column names displayed in the grid header. For example, if your CSV starts with
Date,Sample,Concentration, those become the visible column titles. - No, all rows are data — every row is treated as data. Columns are labeled A, B, C (the default).
Empty or duplicate header cells are auto-named (“Column 1”, “Column 2”, etc.). This works well for instrument exports (e.g., flow cytometry FCS-to-CSV conversions) where the header row contains marker names like CD56, CD16, or CD197(CCR7).
Importing a Dataset
Section titled “Importing a Dataset”You can populate a new data grid from a dataset you’ve already saved in Co-PI.
When you insert an empty data grid, the setup overlay shows an Import Dataset option alongside the blank-table and CSV options. Select the dataset you want and the grid will be populated with its data, linked to the source dataset so you can save updates back to it.
Importing a Dataset
Section titled “Importing a Dataset”You can populate a new data grid from a dataset you’ve already saved in Co-PI.
When you insert an empty data grid, the setup overlay shows an Import Dataset option alongside the blank-table and CSV options. Select the dataset you want and the grid will be populated with its data, linked to the source dataset so you can save updates back to it.
Editing Data
Section titled “Editing Data”Click any cell to edit its value inline. Changes save automatically as you type — no manual save needed.
Adding Rows and Columns
Section titled “Adding Rows and Columns”Use the toolbar buttons that appear when you hover over the block:
- + Row — appends a new empty row to the bottom of the grid
- + Column — appends a new column (named “Column N”) to the right
Sorting
Section titled “Sorting”Click any column header to sort the grid by that column:
- First click → ascending (A → Z, 0 → 9)
- Second click → descending (Z → A, 9 → 0)
- Third click → clears sort
Filtering
Section titled “Filtering”Each column has a filter control. Click the filter icon in the column header to filter rows by value. Multiple columns can be filtered simultaneously.
Resizing Columns
Section titled “Resizing Columns”Drag the border between column headers left or right to resize a column. All columns have a minimum width of 100px.
Block Actions
Section titled “Block Actions”Hover over the block to reveal the toolbar. Use the ⋮ menu (kebab) for:
- Move up / Move down — reorder the block within the notebook
- Duplicate — clone the block and all its data
- Delete — remove the block
Export
Section titled “Export”Data grids are included when you export your notebook to PDF or Word. The grid renders as a formatted table in the exported document.