Dips > Data Input > Grid Data > Data Columns

# Orientation Columns

The first two columns of the Dips spreadsheet are for entering the raw orientation data pairs that you wish to analyze. The two Orientation Columns are present in all Dips files, and represent the minimum data file configuration, i.e:

- YOU MAY NOT DELETE, MOVE OR RENAME THE ORIENTATION COLUMNS!!!

The format of the orientation pairs in the Orientation Columns is determined by the Global Orientation Format in the Project Settings dialog. For example:

- if the Global Orientation Format is STRIKE/DIPR, then Dips will interpret the numbers in the first orientation column as STRIKE (right hand rule) and the numbers in the second orientation column as DIP.

There are two important exceptions to this, however:

1. If data has been collected on Traverses, then the Traverse Orientation Format in the Traverse dialog can be used to specify a different orientation format for any given traverse. This allows the user to combine mixed data formats in the same file.

2. If data has been recorded from borehole core logging, then the user must specify the Traverse Type as BOREHOLE. In this case, the data pairs in the Orientation Columns will represent alpha and beta angles from the borehole core logging. See the Borehole Orientation Data Pairs topic for complete details.

Valid Orientation Data Input

- All values are in degrees.

- Only INTEGER data is allowed in the Orientation Columns. Decimal places are ignored by Dips, and will not be saved when you save the file.

- NEGATIVE ORIENTATION VALUES – Negative values ARE allowed in the Orientation Columns. Where negative values, or values which exceed 90 or 360 degrees (for dip and dip direction, for example) are present, an attempt will be made to convert to a corresponding orientation in the lower hemisphere. For example, if dip/dip direction is input as –35 400, Dips will convert this measurement to 35 220. To ensure correct plotting, it is best to record all measurements so that they fall in the lower hemisphere and are within standard limits.

- If non-numeric, or blank data is encountered in the Orientation Columns, Dips will ignore ALL rows in the spreadsheet including and AFTER the first such row, for the purposes of plotting, etc. Therefore you MAY NOT leave blanks or write comments in the Orientation Columns, all rows must contain valid numeric orientation data pairs, in order for data to be plotted. In this way, Dips makes no assumptions about the data plotted (i.e. a blank is NOT interpreted as equal to zero, etc).

- The last row of the file, for plotting purposes (see previous paragraph), is indicated by an ASTERISK ( * ) in the ROW ID buttons at the left of the spreadsheet.

Orientation Column Titles

The titles of the two Orientation Columns will correspond to the Global Orientation Format except when:

1. Mixed data formats are used (at least one Traverse has a Traverse Orientation Format which is different from the Global Orientation Format), or

2. Borehole traverses have been used.

In these cases, the titles of the two Orientation Columns will simply be Orient 1 and Orient 2, to reflect the fact that mixed data formats, or borehole alpha/beta values, are present in the Orientation Columns.