In a typical experiment, you can repeat the same set of staining protocols many different times, with different samples, but using the same number and sequence of tubes for your experiment. This type of staining protocol is often referred to as a Panel. You can specify the number of tubes in the panel, as well as the name of each tube. Once you have designated an active panel, and added files to the Data List, FCS Express will automatically determine which data file corresponds to which tube in your panel. You can change this association from the Data List. With an active panel, when you create plots with files from the Data List, FCS Express will know which plots will display the proper file. When you change the Data List, the plots will automatically update with the correct file for that tube.

 

Panels can be added, deleted, edited, saved, and loaded from the Panel Information dialog which can be opened by using the Batch→Organize Data Sets→Panels command, or by clicking on the Panel status bar button (with the test tubes icon) at the bottom of the layout.