# Adding sample information

Twenty-five CEL files (samples) have been imported into Partek Genomics Suite. Sample information must be added to define the grouping and the goals of the experiment.

* Select **Add Sample Attributes** in the *Import* section of the *Gene Expression* workflow panel
* Choose the option **Add Attributes from an Existing Column**
* Select **OK** to open the *Sample Information Creation* dialog

In this tutorial, the file name (e.g., Down Syndrome-Astrocyte-748-Male-1-U133A.CEL) contains the information about a sample and is separated by hyphens (-). Choosing to split the file name by delimiters will separate the categories into different columns

* In the *Sample Information* panel, specify the column labels (*Labels 1-4*) as **Type**, **Tissue,** **Subject, and Gender**, set each as **categorical**, and set the other columns as **skip** (Figure 1). Select **OK**

![](/files/EKJb1VSlY8SRKUy9JJ92)

Figure 1. Configuring the Sample Information Creation dialog

* A dialog window asking if you would like to save the spreadsheet with the new sample attribute will appear. Select **Yes**
* Make column *5. (Subject)* random by right-clicking on the column header and selecting **Properties** from the pop-up menu (Figure 2).

![](/files/bNTqIq0jKkX3hA73XrtX)

Figure 2. Changing column properties

* Select the **Random Effect** check box from the *Properties* dialog (Figure 3) then select **OK**.

![](/files/CMloS98rxsCU09e2zdEv)

Figure 3. Setting column to Random Effect

The column *5. (Subject)* will now be colored red, indicating that it is a random effect.

* To save changes to the spreadsheet, select the **Save Active Spreadsheet** icon (![](/files/ykBFTnYTQossixY4hcG7)). Spreadsheets with unsaved changes have an asterisk next to their name in the spreadsheet tree.

Note: More details on *Random vs. Fixed Effects* can be found later in this tutorial under the section [Identifying differentially expressed genes using ANOVA](/partek-genomics-suite/tutorials/gene-expression-analysis/identifying-differentially-expressed-genes-using-anova.md).

## Additional Assistance

If you need additional assistance, please visit [our support page](http://www.partek.com/support) to submit a help ticket or find phone numbers for regional support.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.partek.illumina.com/partek-genomics-suite/tutorials/gene-expression-analysis/adding-sample-information.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.