In addition to the formatting options common to all Objects, and some of those common to all Plots, specifically Axis, Titles, and Legends, Spectrum Plots have certain properties, such as overlays and spectrum options which can be formatted.

 

Overlays are defined in FCS Express as a data set that is displayed on a plot. A data set for a spectrum plot consists the individual spectrum from every event. A Spectrum Plot must contain one or more overlays. Overlays can be added or deleted from a Spectrum Plot, but the first overlay, also known as the base overlay, cannot be removed, only reformatted or changed. Furthermore, spectra for all events may be displayed individually or as an average.

 

Spectrum Options share the same options as Display Gates and Color Levels options.  Here, you may automatically match the color of the spectrum line for each event to the color of the gate to which it belongs. These options allow for "backgating" of spectral flow cytometry data files.  You may alternatively choose to display the spectral line colors on Density.

 

You can always format a Spectrum Plot by right-clicking on the plot, selecting Format from the pop-up menu, and choosing a category. This method will allow you to use the Preview button to see what the changes would look like without actually accepting the changes. Alternatively, once the Spectrum Plot is selected, you can choose the desired category from the Format tab of the Ribbon.