How to add your data in BioRender Graphing

There are two ways to get data into a BioRender Graphing file:

1. Smart Data Import - upload a file and have your variables detected automatically.
2. Blank spreadsheet - enter or paste your data manually.

How to import your data

Option 1: Upload a file (Smart Data Import)

Smart Data Import automatically cleans, interprets, and prepares your experimental data for graphing - no matter how it's structured or formatted. There's no need to manually rearrange, copy, or paste your data. You can also 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 Create New > Graph >Graphing
   • Alternatively, open an existing Graph file if continuing work on a previous dataset.
2. Upload your dataset
   • On the Data tab, click Upload dataset
   • Select your file (supported formats: .csv, .xls, .xlsx, .prism, .pzfx — up to 50MB)
   • Files with multiple sheets will show all available sheets — select all or choose one

• For .prism files, the option to import graphs and analyses is on by default. Uncheck this if you only want the raw data.

3. Select the Dataset(s) you want to import

4. Automatic data and variable identification
   • The system automatically:
     • identifies variables present in your spreadsheet 
     • Handles merged header cells
     • Ignores annotations (e.g. machine output headers outside the main dataset)
     • Ignores empty rows or columns
5. Review the variables
   • Click a variable name to edit it
   • Edit highlighted cells for a variable if needed
   • You can also add or delete variables

💡 Importing from GraphPad Prism? BioRender supports .prism files (newest format). Older .pzfx files will import data only. See the full guide: Importing from GraphPad Prism

Option 2: Blank spreadsheet

Start with an empty spreadsheet and enter your data directly in any format or structure. When you're done, re-detect your variables and BioRender will use the same Smart Data Import process to automatically detect your variables and get you ready to graph.

1. Create a new graph file
   1. From your Gallery, click Create New > Graph > Graphing
   2. Alternatively, open an existing Graph file if continuing work on a previous dataset.
2. Click Blank spreadsheet on the Data tab.
3. Copy and paste your data.
4. Add or delete rows and columns as needed by right-clicking any cell.
5. Click Re-detect variables when done to analyze your dataset.
   • BioRender Graphing will use Smart Data Import steps to automatically detect your variables and get you ready to graph.
6. A prompt at the bottom of the screen will also notify you if new data is entered: "We noticed you added new data. Re-run Smart Data Import?"

How datasets are organized

Once imported, each dataset appears as a tab along the bottom of the Data tab.  You can click between datasets to view them. Variables for the active dataset are listed in the left panel.

From the data view, you can:

• Manually add or delete variables, rows or columns
• Rename variables
• See which graphs are linked to each dataset

What's next?

Once your data is in, you're ready to start building graphs. To create your first graph, click ‘Create New Graph’ from the data tab in the right hand panel or head to the Graph tab, apply analysis guidance to choose the right statistical test, and customize your visuals - all without leaving BioRender.

Learn how to Run a Statistical Analysis in BioRender Graphing →

Need help? Reach out to our support team at support@biorender.com or start a live chat by clicking the "Chat With Us" bubble in the bottom right corner.