Importing JCAMP files for IR Spectra

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Hello,
I am fairly new to IGOR and I am trying to upload some spectra from the NIST database in JCAMP dx file format. I am not super computer savvy, but I have been looking through the manual and found info (listed below) but I cannot figure out how to execute the commands or find the proceedures mentioned. I know this is probably fairly simple task, but I think I need a step by step explanation of where to find this procedure and how to go through it. Sort of the "for dummies" version, if you will. Can anyone help me out with this?

"Loading Row-Oriented Text Data
All of the built-in text file loaders are column-oriented — they load the columns of data in the file into 1D
waves. There is a row-oriented format that is fairly common. In this format, the file represents data for one
wave but is written in multiple columns. Here is an example:
350 2.97 1.95 1.00 8.10 2.42
351 3.09 4.08 1.90 7.53 4.87
352 3.18 5.91 1.04 6.90 1.77
In this example, the first column contains X values and the remaining columns contain data values, written
in row/column order.
Igor Pro does not have a file-loader extension to handle this format, but there is a WaveMetrics procedure
file for it. To use it, use the Load Row Data procedure file in the “WaveMetrics Procedures:File Input
Output” folder. It adds a Load Row Data item to the Macros menu. When you choose this item, Igor will
present a dialog that presents several options. One of the options treats the first column as X values or as
data. If you specify treating the column as X values, Igor will use it to determine the X scaling of the output
wave, assuming that the values in the first column are evenly spaced. This is usually the case."

pg II-168 of IGOR PRO manual imported spectra_triiodo.pxp (50.63 KB)
Igor comes with a JCAMP-DX file loader but you have to activate it.

The file loader is located at "Igor Pro Folder:More Extensions:File Loader:JCAMPLoadWave.xop".

To learn about the JCAMP file loader, execute this:
DisplayHelpTopic "JCAMPLoadWave XOP"


To learn how to activate the file loader, execute this:
DisplayHelpTopic "Special Folders"


Now make a shortcut for "Igor Pro Folder:More Extensions:File Loader:JCAMPLoadWave.xop" and put it in the "Igor Extensions" folder of your "Igor Pro User Files" folder.

Now restart Igor to activate the file loader. Choose Data->Load Waves->Load JCAMP-DX File to load a file.

You may need to consult the help again. To bring the JCAMP help up again, execute this again:
DisplayHelpTopic "JCAMPLoadWave XOP"

November 30, 2012 at 07:24 pm - Permalink

Thanks hrodstein,
I was able to load the data but I am still getting a single column that produces a line when graphed. Shouldn't it be producing two waves instead of one? Any idea how to get it to look like a spectra?

November 30, 2012 at 08:37 pm - Permalink

The JCAMP expert is off for the weekend but if you will attach your JCAMP file and also tell me how you loaded it I will investigate.

Also let me know what version of Igor you are using and what OS you are running on.

November 30, 2012 at 10:29 pm - Permalink