Dips > General Features

# Starting a New File

To begin creating a new Dips file, select New from the toolbar or the File menu.

This will create a new Grid View with:

- The two mandatory Orientation Columns (this is the minimum Dips file configuration) and

- 100 rows.

The default Global Orientation Format for a New file is DIP/DIPDIRECTION. You can immediately begin entering data in the Orientation Columns if this is the correct format for your data. However, in general, before you start entering data, you will need to set up your Dips file according to your requirements, as described below.

Project Settings

After creating the new Grid View, the first thing you will generally need to do is configure the Project Settings parameters.

Global Orientation Format

Declination

Quantity Column

Project Summary

Traverses

The default Global Orientation Format for a New file is DIP/DIPDIRECTION. If your data is STRIKE/DIP or TREND/PLUNGE format, you will have to change this in the Project Settings dialog.

Additional Columns

- If your file requires a Quantity Column, to record multiple identical data units in a single measurement, this is added through the Project Settings dialog.

- If you are recording data on Traverses, the Traverse Information is entered in the Traverses dialog in the Analysis menu (also available through the Project Settings dialog). A Traverse Column will automatically be added to the spreadsheet once you have defined your Traverses.

- Any other information you wish to record in your Dips file is entered in Extra Columns, which are added with the Add Column option in the Edit menu.

Additional Rows

- If more than 100 rows are required, any number of additional rows can be appended to the end of the spreadsheet with the Append Row(s) option.

- Rows can be added or deleted anywhere in the spreadsheet with the Insert Row(s) and Remove Row(s) options.

Plotting Data

Data can be plotted immediately as it is being entered, if you wish.

1. For example, after creating the new Grid View, generate a Pole Plot.

2. Tile the views with the Tile Vertically option.

3. Start entering orientation data in the FIRST row of the Grid. As soon as the first data pair has been entered, a pole will appear on the Pole Plot.

4. Data will be plotted as it is entered, however, note that data must be entered continuously FROM THE FIRST ROW OF THE GRID. Dips will only plot data up to the FIRST BLANK ROW OF THE GRID. The last row of the file, for plotting purposes, is indicated by an ASTERISK ( * ) in the ROW ID buttons at the left of the spreadsheet.

NOTE THAT PLOTTING DATA AS IT IS BEING ENTERED IS NOT NECESSARILY RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE, IT IS SIMPLY MENTIONED HERE AS A CAPABILITY OF THE DIPS PROGRAM. In most cases, you will probably want to enter data in a maximized Grid View, and create plots after all data has been entered.