3.1 Loading the Cambridge Structural Database or Other CSD-Format Databases

When Mercury is launched, it tries to detect whether or not the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) is installed. If the CSD can be found, it is opened, and the scrolling list on the right hand side of the main Mercury window will then contain the refcodes (see Refcode (entry ID)) of all the entries in the database:

The database can be browsed in several ways:

By clicking on a refcode in the scrolling list.

By clicking the >> button to load the next entry or << to load the previous entry.

By using the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to load the previous and next entries (you have to click on the list first for this technique to work).

By typing a refcode into the text box just above the scrolling list. As soon as you have typed a complete refcode, Mercury loads that structure.

It is possible to display multiple structures simultaneously (see Section 4).

Mercury will also try to find any other CSD-format databases you may have created (see PreQuest). Any such databases are added to the Databases menu, which can then be used to switch between databases for viewing.

If you have a CSD-format database that is not detected automatically by Mercury, you can view it by hitting File in the top-level menu, and then selecting Open. The database will be added to the Databases menu.

If you do not have access to the CSD, you can still use Mercury to view crystal structures in other file formats (see Section 3.3).