Adding a column to a SAM File

Question

[zaidnab]

Hi all! I am trying to edit a Sam File. What I am trying to do is add a new column to the end. Currently, there are 12 columns, but I want to add one more, that will store more information. Is this possible? When I have tried, I have been getting a parse error when trying to convert the SAM file into a BAM file. Please let me know, I would appreciate it tremendously :)

Answer 1

[Asaf]

You can add your data if it follows the TAG:TYPE:VALUE format. See the specifications of the sam file here: https://samtools.github.io/hts-specs/SAMv1.pdf The last columns specifications (which are optional) are in 1.5. Make sure your tag is lowercase or starts with X Y or Z