You can now run protocols and experiments using multiple conditions in parallel with our new variable fields feature. Whether you are running a protocol on multiple samples in parallel, varying the reagent used or testing the effect of other input variables, you can now collect structured data on all these conditions in just a few clicks.

Jump to content:

If there is a field in your experiment or protocol that may have a different value across different conditions, you can convert it to a variable by activating the toggle in the field settings.

This can be done for inventory fields (such as the sample used, the reagent used etc) or data fields (such as the temperature) when running a protocol.

With variable fields, you can select multiple items or add multiple values within the same field. For each value you add, it creates a new condition.

💡 Labstep team tip: If you have fields that have the same value across all conditions, such as a common buffer, or the temperature of the room, you can leave them as constants so you only have to enter one value!

When recording the outputs of your protocol/experiment (such as samples created or data points collected such as “Yield”), you can again record a different value for each of your unique input conditions by toggling the variable option in the field settings.

The easiest way to record this output data is through the conditions table.

💡 Labstep team tip: If you have a data field for a raw data file that relates to all your conditions, leave it as a constant so you only have to upload the file once!

The conditions table gives you an overview of all the input variables that may be different for each condition and allows you to easily record the outputs associated with each.

→ "Inputs" are all the input parameters or inventory you set at the start of your experiment/protocol. This could be inventory fields, such as the sample used, or numerical values such as Temperature.

→ "Outputs" include all the inventory or data generated throughout an experiment/protocol.

💡 Please note when you repeat an experiment, the "Inputs" remain the same but the values of any "Outputs" will be reset.

You can access the conditions table from any variable inventory or data field.

You can also embed the conditions table into the body of your protocol/experiment document using the slash command for "Conditions Table".

💡 Labstep team tip: You can also set up the Conditions Tables from the Experiment entry. To do so, follow the same steps as highlighted above.

Navigation → You can navigate the conditions table using the arrows on your keyboard to make data entry faster.

Shortcuts → You can also use keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V to copy and paste values within the table.

Copy-Paste → You can also paste in values from a spreadsheet.

Auto-fill → You can also use auto-fill by dragging the corners of cells to complete a sequence.

You can add conditions by clicking the ‘Add Conditions’ button at the bottom of the table and entering the number of conditions you would like to add. To delete a condition, hover over the condition number in the most left-hand column and click on the ellipsis.

Additionally, you can add or remove columns from the conditions table by clicking the cog on the ‘Input’ or ‘Output’ column group header. This will add extra ‘variable’ fields to your experiment/protocol.

You can either copy-paste with headers or group headers. To do so:

You have the choice to export a Conditions Table as either a CSV or Excel. To do so:

For variable inventory fields, input items will only appear in the lineage of items created in output fields in the same condition (i.e. in the same row of the conditions table).

For constant inventory fields, input items will appear in the lineage of all output items (if tracking is enabled).

For variable data fields, output data will only appear in the ‘Data’ section of items in the same condition (i.e. in the same row of the conditions table).

For constant data fields, output data will appear in the ‘Data’ section of all items.

Still need help?

Contact us here or start a conversation with a member of our team using our in-app chat.