_Importing Graph Data
You can import graph data into a NodeXL workbook from a variety of sources in a variety of formats.

Imported graph data normally overwrites any graph data that is already in the workbook, but you can change this so that imported data gets appended to existing data instead. Appending graph data can lead to confusing results—in particular, you can end up with multiple rows in the Vertices worksheet for the same vertex—so this option is intended for advanced users only.

To tell NodeXL to append imported graph data to existing data:
In the Ribbon, select NodeXL, Data, Import.
Uncheck Clear NodeXL Workbook First.

_Importing Graph Data from Other Programs
NodeXL can import graph data in a number of file formats that are used by other graph programs, so that you can, for example, create a graph in UCINET and then import and view the graph in NodeXL. The supported formats are shown in the table below.

File Format Description
UCINET Full Matrix DL This is the only UCINET file format that can be imported into NodeXL. If you have a UCINET file in a different format, such as nodelist1, rankedlist1 or dataset, select the “What if my UCINET file is not in full matrix DL format” link in the Import from UCINET Full Matrix DL File dialog box for instructions.

Importing a UCINET full matrix DL file into NodeXL adds an Edge Weight column to the Edges worksheet.

GraphML GraphML is an industry-standard graph file format supported by a number of graph programs.

GraphML supports arbitrary vertex and edge attributes. When importing a GraphML file, NodeXL adds a column to the Vertices or Edges worksheet for each attribute in the file.

Pajek NodeXL can import files created by the Pajek program. Importing a Pajek file adds an Edge Weight column to the Edges worksheet. Any other edge or vertex attributes in the Pajek file are ignored.

To import graph data from another program:
In the Ribbon, select NodeXL, Data, Import.
Select from the second group of items on the Import menu.

_Importing Graph Data from Another Workbook
You can import graph data that is stored in another open Excel workbook in either matrix format or as an edge list. In either case, the other workbook must already be opened in Excel; NodeXL will not open it for you.

To import graph data from an Excel workbook that contains a matrix:
In the Ribbon, select NodeXL, Data, Import, From Open Matrix Workbook.
Follow the instructions in the Import from Open Matrix Workbook dialog box.
To import graph data from an Excel workbook that contains an edge list:
In the Ribbon, select NodeXL, Data, Import, From Open Workbook.
Follow the instructions in the Import from Open Workbook dialog box.

_Importing Graph Data from Online Social Networks
NodeXL can analyze social networks on Twitter, Flickr and YouTube, and then import the results as graph data into the NodeXL workbook. You can, for example, import a Twitter network of people whose tweets contain a specified hashtag, or a Flickr network of the people who have commented on someone’s photos, or the YouTube network of videos that are tagged with a specified keyword.

Because these features access external services to obtain their data, there are a few restrictions involved in their use. For example, the Twitter features will work if you use them anonymously, but they will work faster if you authorize NodeXL to use your Twitter account to obtain the Twitter data. And the Flickr features require something called a Flickr API key, which you can obtain from Flickr. These restrictions are explained within the features’ dialog boxes.

To analyze an online social network and import the results as graph data:
In the Ribbon, select NodeXL, Data, Import.
Select from the second-to-last group of items on the Import menu.

_Importing Graph Data from Email
If you use a desktop-based email program such as Outlook, Windows Mail or Outlook Express on Windows 7 or Vista, you can tell NodeXL to analyze the relationships among the people you communicate with via email, and then import the results as graph data into the NodeXL workbook. If you communicated 117 times with Bill via email, for example, the graph will include vertices for you and Bill, with a connecting edge that has an Edge Weight of 117.

NodeXL will not analyze Web-based email.

If you use Windows XP, you have to install Windows Search before NodeXL will analyze your email.

To analyze your email and import the results as graph data:
In the Ribbon, select NodeXL, Data, Import, From Email Network.
Select options in the Import from Email Network dialog box.
To obtain more information about how NodeXL analyzes email:
In the Import from Email Network dialog box, select the “How email is analyzed and imported” link.

1) What format does the data need to be in, in order to do the analysis?

We currently use survey software where we can send out to the participants to get data.

Thank you for your time and I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Marketta Ray
East Main Educational Consulting, LLC