Multi-plot graphing help

[kingsballer12]

I have a program that converts CSV to LVM files. From there, the information is scanned through and separated into arrays. The information it searches through has breakpoints at different columns and at certain rows (a sequence of letters at the rows it should start after). There are headers after this breakpoint that it places into a drop box. I can currently set it so I can pick which column at a certain row to start taking the information from only if the headers are consistant with what I programmed them to say (such as "Position" and "Force" will search for the header that says those two things and insert them into a drop box so I/the user can choose that column in a dropbox on the Frontpanel to be one of the arrays used for the graph). Is there a way to be able to detect what the headers say via a VI or some scan feature no matter what they say and insert them into a drop box? The user will be able to set the name of the header and it won't be the same every time.

Also, is there a way to pick multiple start and end rows for a certain column and insert the data separately using one click? So I can overlay multiple Y axis graphs against the same X axis for all the arrays selected. I now can get the number of graphs that will be available to graph (number of arrays that will can be set for the Y axis) if that helps. Such as, if I have Force at 3 different velocities, I candetect that there can be three different sets of numbers.

Sorry, this is probably confusiong and I cannot add the code because it is contained within an entire program that is proprietary. I welcome questions to clear up what I did not do a good job explaining and I will try to work on a sample of the piece I am talking about so I can get some code in to at least show what it looks like.

[Kevin_H.]

Ok let me see if I understand what you're saying.

You have a large 2 Dimensional array of data in which columns and rows have their first value as some sort of string identified (header)? And you want to pick out certain columns and rows that contain certain strings of characters in their headers and append them all together into a new dataset which will be displayed? You also want to be able to have multiple measures of Y axis for the same X? Alright let me see if I can address some of this, I'm still not sure I fully get parts of what you've said.

If you're looking to aggregate data from one dataset to another you're going to have to write a VI that does that for you (or use some other VIs in a "hacked" sort of way, which would probably take longer). There are lots of useful array manipulation tools in LV so look around and see if you see some that might help you! Same with string manipulation. Sorry if this answer isn't what you're hoping for (it's possible I'm misunderstanding your question and there is a solution if you'd like to explain in a different way).

On the multiple Y axis front, you can apply multiple datasets to an XY graph by making an array of clusters of single plot graphs. (see the Detailed Help for the XY Graph for examples) You'll need to make sure the units on each independent value are no spread out through too wide a range or some lines may appear on the bottom of the graph while others will dominate the scale. You can then label each line by it's value and unit. I'm also not sure if this is what you mean, but if it's not, feel free to post more so I can do a better job of helping you!

Thanks!