In Subio Platform, a new Platform is created each time an SSA file is imported. As a result, repeatedly importing SSA files from datasets that use the same Platform can lead to multiple similar Platforms appearing in the Platform List. The Merge Platforms tool allows you to merge multiple Platforms into one and organize the Platform List.
Merge Platforms lets you compare Measurement IDs, Annotation Columns, and Sample Information across Platforms and choose which information to add to the destination Platform. You can review the merge settings step by step before proceeding.
1. Select the Platforms to Merge
Open Merge Platforms and select the Platform that will receive the merged data (PARENT) and the Platform to be merged into it (CHILD). You can select multiple CHILD Platforms. If the same Measurement ID exists in both PARENT and CHILD, the Annotation values from PARENT are retained. Therefore, carefully choose which Platform to use as PARENT.
2. Compare Measurement IDs
The next screen allows you to compare the Measurement IDs in PARENT with those in each CHILD. It displays the IDs in PARENT, those shared by both Platforms, and those found only in CHILD. For Measurements unique to CHILD, the values from the selected Symbol Column are also displayed. This helps you identify Measurements when their IDs alone are not informative.
For each CHILD, use Include or Exclude to specify whether it should be included in the merge. If you select Exclude, that CHILD Platform will not be merged. You can also choose whether to add Measurements found only in CHILD to PARENT using Add to PARENT or Do not add. By default, Exclude and Do not add are selected, so you must explicitly select the CHILD Platforms to merge and the Measurements to add.
3. Select Annotation Columns and Sample Information
Next, compare the Annotation Columns and Sample Information in CHILD. For Measurement IDs shared by PARENT and CHILD, the Annotation values from PARENT are retained, and the values from CHILD are not carried over. If you choose to add Measurements found only in CHILD, the values in the selected Annotation Columns are also carried over. For Annotation Columns that exist only in CHILD, you can use checkboxes to choose which columns to add. You can also organize the merged information later using Edit Platform.
Sample Information from both PARENT and CHILD is retained. You can also choose whether to add columns that exist only in CHILD.
4. Review and Execute the Merge
Before executing the merge, review the selected CHILD Platforms, the Measurements to be added, and the settings for Annotation Columns and Sample Information. Once you have confirmed the settings, proceed with the merge.
5. Video Tutorial
The following video demonstrates the basic use of Merge Platforms. Although it was recorded using an older version of Subio Platform and the settings screens differ from those in the current version, the basic purpose of merging multiple Platforms to organize the Platform List remains the same.