.CEL File Extension

A CEL file is a data file created by Affymetrix DNA microarray image analysis software. It contains the data extracted from "probes" on an Affymetrix GeneChip and can store thousands of data points, which may make it large in file size. CEL files can be processed by software algorithms and visualized on a 2D grid as part of an overall genome experiment.

An Affymetrix GeneChip is a biological chip that contains a microarray which is valid for one experiment. To create these chips, a glass or silicon slide is arrayed with probes, which report expression levels (intensities) as perfect match (PM) and mismatch (MM) values, based on whether they are complementary to the original DNA sample. These values may be used for studying DNA alterations, called single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are used in human and animal disease research.

The CEL file format has multiple versions, which use different formatting. For example, version 3 uses ASCII text formatting while version 4 uses a binary format.

NOTE: CEL files require a corresponding .CDF file, which is the dictionary for the raw probe-level data stored in the CEL file. MATLAB has a built-in function called affyread that can be used to read CEL files in the Windows version of the software.

Script used by Celestia, a free space browsing application; written using a specific Celestia syntax and includes commands for moving the viewing perspective throughout the universe; used for creating 3D universe tours.

CEL files may also include more advanced features, such as instructions to load custom 3D models into the space tour. They can also include captions to provide interesting facts to the observer.

If you download or receive a CEL file, you can open it by double-clicking the file, or by selecting File → Run Script... from the application menu and then choosing the CEL file.

The CEL format has been replaced by the .CELX format in recent versions of Celestia. However, Celestia still supports CEL files. The newer CELX format uses the Lua scripting language, which is more expressive and powerful than the CEL language.

NOTE: CEL files are saved as plain text files and are edited using a text editor.

Audio file used by Adobe Audition, an audio production application; saves an audio loop that was originally in the .MP3 format but was modified by the software so is it suitable for looping.

Adobe Audition includes several royalty free loops with the software installation.

File used by Battery 3, a program that creates drum rhythms and sounds; contains sound properties for a particular drum sound within a Battery 3 drum sound cell; used to modify drum samples with additional effects, such as reverb, tone, or compression.

Cell library created by MicroStation, a CAD program used to create 2D and 3D design drafts; stores the geometry, symbols, and other draft information for an object; used to store the building blocks for generating higher-order designs.

CEL files can be exported to .DWG and .DXF formats using MicroStation.

Animation created in the FLIC format; stores a series of frames but does not store parts of previous frames that are not changed; more commonly uses the .FLC or .FLI extensions.