User Input Variables

User input variables are variables created by user who has to assigne a value. Two “user input” variables can be defined:

• The “user input by peak” (one value has to be defined by peak)

• The “global user input” (one value has to be defined by chromatogram file) Note: the peak or global choice is made in the “Scope” field.

For both NON MANDATORY ‘global’ and ‘by peak’ user input variables, it is possible to define a default value.

4.3.3.1 The User Input by Peak Variables

The User-Input variables are variables whose values are entered to be used for the calculation of other variables.

To add a User-Input by peak variable:

1. Add a variable in the variable editor (New button).

2. Define the scope: peak.

3. Define the origin as “User input”.

4. Choose a short, easily remembered identifier for this variable. This identifier can be used in the formula of other custom variables if this variable is needed for other calculations.

5. Define the name of the variable. The name will be used to identify the variable in the peak identification table.

6. Define the unit of the variable. The unit will be associated with the variable name.

7. Define the type and format of the variable, and optionally, add a comment for this variable.

8. Check the ‘Mandatory’ box to require the operator to enter the variable in the identification table (Identification part of the method)

9. Define a default value for non mandatory variable only (optional).

10. Check the "lock" box to forbid other users to modify it, except the format, the unit and the optional fields. This option is available only if the user owns the corresponding profile in ChromPass Configuration Manager

11. Press the Apply button.

For each peak “user input” variable, a column is added to the peak identification table in which a particular value can be defined for each peak.

Note that if the user modifies the user input default value in a chromatogram, the value is updated in the identification part of the method only for the peak that already contains the previous default value.

Example of “user input by peak” variable:

Molar response coefficient: if the response factor entered in the calibration table corresponds to the mass response coefficient, a new (user input) variable corresponding to the molar response coefficient could be defined for each peak (Its identifier could be MOL_RF). The value of this coefficient would be entered in the identification table. Then a new peak variable should be created. This variable would be an intermediate one and would be a peak variable defined with the formula AREA* MOL_RF peak (Its identifier could be INTERM). Then the Molar percentage of each peak would be calculated with a peak variable defined with the formula INTERM/SUM(‘INTERM’)*100. The global “user input” variables will be added in the Quick Start and the sequence windows. Click in the user input zone to enter a value

for the global variables.

The global variable values can be displayed and updated in the chromatogram properties (menu DATA / CHROMATOGRAM PROPERTIES / VARIABLES) after the acquisition.

4.3.3.2 The Global User Input Variables

The global user input variable are variables whose values are entered when starting a single acquisition or a sequence, or in the chromatogram properties. They are entered only for information or to be used for the calculation defined by the user (user formula variable).

• In the Quick Start windows, click on the More button.

• In the sequence, select the ”user input” column.

• In the chromatogram properties (FILE / CHROMATOGRAM PROPERTIES select the Variable tab or use the icon ).

Note: the value entered when starting an acquisition can be change afterwards, in the chromatogram properties.

To add a global User-Input variable:

1. Add a variable in the variable editor (New button).

2. Define the scope: global.

3. Define the origin as “User input”.

4. Choose a short, easily remembered identifier for this variable. This identifier can be used in the formula of other custom variables if this variable is needed in other calculations.

5. Define the name of the variable. The name will be used to identify the variable in the acquisition window (Quick Start or sequence) and in the chromatogram properties.

6. Define the unit of the variable. The unit will be associated with the variable name.

7. Define the type and format of the variable, and optionally, add a comment for this variable.

8. Check the ‘Mandatory’ box to require the operator to enter the variable in the identification table (Identification part of the method).

9. Define a default value for non mandatory variable only (optional).

10. Check the "lock" box to forbid others user to modify it, except the format, the unit and the optional fields. This option is available only if the user owns the corresponding profile in ChromPass Configuration Manager.

11. Press the Apply button.

Note that if user modifies the user input default value in a chromatogram, the value is updated in the chromatogram properties only for the variables that already contains the previous default value.

If loading a chromatogram in a reprocessing list, and then modify the default value of a global user input variable belonging to it, the user will have to load again the method to update the default value. The same behavior occurs in the sequence.

Example of a global user input variable:

Sample code: in the variable editor add a variable called Sample code, which would be a global user input variable. This variable would correspond to a number or a code identifying the analyzed sample.

Check the Mandatory Variable box and press Apply. You will be asked to enter a sample code in the

acquisition window before starting an acquisition (More button of the Quick Start or User input column of the sequence).