Free Virtual Workshop: Investigating crystal structures online with WebCSD
Learn how to search, explore, and retrieve structural data from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) using WebCSD, with no software installation required.
Tuesday, 6th Oct 9:30–11:15 BST
Learn how to explore crystal structures and retrieve structural data from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) using WebCSD in this free, 90-minute hands-on virtual workshop. Discover how to search the CSD online, access the latest structural information, and perform advanced crystal structure searches directly from your web browser.
WebCSD provides online access to the Cambridge Structural Database through the same portal as Access Structures, with no software installation required. During this workshop, you’ll learn how to use advanced search capabilities, including substructure, similarity, bibliographic, unit cell, and text-based searches, to find and analyse relevant structural data efficiently.
What we will cover
We will introduce the online search platforms for the CSD: WebCSD and Access Structures. The main focus of the session will be the advanced search options of WebCSD. Along the way, we will provide some tips and guidance for setting up effective searches.
The session will include presentations and demonstrations by CCDC expert tutors, plus a hands-on session to try the software, with the tutors available to help you and answer your questions.
You will learn
- What Access Structures and WebCSD are.
- How to build a search, navigate hitlists and export results in WebCSD.
- How to construct a 2D structure search of the CSD using WebCSD.
- How WebCSD can be used to find similar structures of interest.
- How to perform advanced 3D structure searches to explore distances, angles, rings, vectors and planes.
This workshop will be recorded, and all registered participants will have access to the recording.
Software requirements
As this is an interactive workshop, you’ll need access to the WebCSD portal with a valid CSD license. All CSD licenses include access to WebCSD, and you can find information on how to log in here.
If you are unsure whether your institution already has a license, please get in touch with us using the form on the Contact Us webpage.
Entry requirements
This workshop is open to everyone who wants to learn hands-on how to search the CSD using WebCSD.
Who should attend
- Crystallographers and structural scientists.
- Academic and industrial chemists interested in exploring molecules in the solid form.
- PhD and post-doc researchers in the field of crystallography and materials science.
- Researchers and scientists who work with the CSD or their own structural databases.
- Industrial scientists using structural informatics to design new materials.
- Educators looking to incorporate the CSD into their teaching.