How to use Smart Data Import

Please note this feature is currently in beta.

Simply input your experimental data in any format or structure—our AI-powered system will automatically clean, interpret, and prepare it for graphing. There’s no need to manually rearrange, copy, or paste your data. This streamlined process is designed to simplify your workflow, so you can spend less time on data prep and more time analyzing results.

You can generate multiple graph types from a single dataset, giving you the flexibility to explore different visualizations without reformatting or duplicating your work.

How to use Smart Data Import

1. Create a new graph file

• From your Gallery. Click on “Create New” > “ Graph” 
• Alternatively, open an existing Graph file if continuing work on a previous dataset.

2. Upload your dataset

• Select your CSV dataset file from your computer or click the “+ new data set” button in the existing graph file.
• The system will automatically start processing the file.

3. AI-Assisted data cleaning and variable identification 

• The system will clean the dataset by doing the following:

  • Handle merged header cells.

  • Remove annotations (for example cells that don't contain the main dataset, such as machine output headers).
  • Remove empty rows or columns.
    
• It will also identify variables present in the spreadsheet.

Example variables:

• • Hours (highlighted in red)
  • Gene (highlighted in green)
  • Condition (highlighted in purple)
  • Expression (highlighted in blue)

4. Review the variables 

• Click on a variable name to edit it.
• The system will attempt to classify variables as numerical or categorical. 
  • If this is incorrect, you can manually adjust the variable type.
  • Select ‘Generic’ if you’d like to use the variable as either numerical or categorical.
• Edit the highlighted cells for a variable if needed.
• You can also add or delete variables.

5. Assign variables and select graph type

• After reviewing variables, choose a graph type that best represents your dataset.

Assigning Variables:

• Once a graph type is selected, you’ll see specific variable assignment dropdowns. 
• For example, a Line Plot requires:
  • Independent Variable (X-axis)
  • Second Independent Variable (e.g., "Group")
  • Dependent Variable (Y-axis)
  • Optional Sample IDs (recommended for repeated measures, paired tests, or data tracking)
• Variable Availability:
  • If a variable is grayed out, its data type (Categorical or Numerical) may not match the graph’s requirements.
  • Update the variable type if needed—this will make it selectable.

Tip: Adding sample IDs helps with analyses like repeated measures ANOVA or paired t-tests and ensures data points align correctly.

6. Generating your graph

• Click “Generate Graph” to create your visualization.
• If a graph type appears disabled, check your variable classifications—adjust them as needed to unlock more graph options.

Note: Heatmaps and well plate heatmaps are not yet supported for Smart Data Import. Please continue using manual data entry for these features. 

7. Customize your graph

• Once generated, use the graphing tools to adjust appearance.
• Modify axes, labels, colors, and other visual elements.
• Run additional analyses as needed.

8. Create multiple graphs from the same data set

• Generate multiple graph types without needing to re-upload or reformat your data. Your original dataset stays intact for reuse.

Note on Graph and Dataset Sync: Graphs capture your dataset at the time of creation and won’t auto-update if the dataset changes. Edits to the graph’s data won’t affect the original dataset. To reflect updates, generate a new graph.

Video Tutorial

Troubleshooting

Ensuring a successful dataset upload

If your dataset isn’t uploading correctly, you may see an error when the file is uploaded. Check that it is a supported CSV format. If the data set contains multiple tabs, we recommend uploading separate spreadsheets for each table. Alternatively, you can merge your separate spreadsheets into one table. 

Updating variable types

If a variable is assigned the incorrect type. You can manually update it. Simply click on the variable and select the correct type to ensure accuracy in your analysis.

​Additionally, setting a variable to "Generic" allows the system to determine whether to treat it as categorical or numerical based on the data's characteristics. This is particularly useful for variables representing time points, such as "Day: 1, 2, 3, 4," which can be interpreted as either distinct categories or a numerical sequence

Frequently asked questions

What is AI used for in the graphing product? 

For the Smart Data Import feature, we use AI (LLMs) to help us identify the variables present in the data, infer the variable types, and infer variable or column names.

What AI models are you using? 

We are currently using Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s 4o and 4o-mini models. We may choose to use other vendors or models in the future, but will only use those that meet the same security and privacy standards.

How much of my dataset gets sent to AI models? 

Currently we send headers (column names) and the first 3 rows of the dataset to help us identify the variables present in the data, infer the variable types, and infer variable or column names. We do not send full datasets through AI models.

Who can view my datasets? 

Only you and anyone you share your graph files with. BioRender’s software processes your data to generate graphs, but BioRender employees will not view your datasets unless you choose to share them when you report an error for troubleshooting purposes. 

Will you use my datasets to train AI? 

Third parties (e.g. OpenAI) will never train their models on your data. We will not train our own AI models on private customer data without explicit approval.

How do you ensure AI does not alter the data or hallucinate? 

The only edits to your spreadsheet the AI might make are to clean up annotations (non-data rows) and clean up or infer column names. It should not change the underlying data points. However, since AI can make mistakes, we always recommend that you verify that your data has been imported correctly.

Related resources

• BioRender Graph
• Setting up a new file in BioRender Graph
• Data Visualization Best Practices

What’s next?

We're actively improving this feature and would love your feedback! If you have thoughts or suggestions, please share them with us through this form. We have many exciting enhancements planned and appreciate your input as we refine the experience.

Although Excel file support isn’t available just yet, we know it’s important and are working to include it soon. 

Need help?

1. Email: support@biorender.com
2. Live Chat: Available by clicking on the "Help" bubble in the app on the bottom right-hand corner.