It is possible to group parameters into groups based on user defined labels. Parameters will then be shown in a tree by their group in certain parameter drop-down lists within FCS Express (e.g. the parameter drop-down list within the Export dialog; see figure at the bottom of this page).

The name of each group and the parameters belonging to each group, are specified via an allextrakeywords text file (with extension .TXT). In the text file parameter naming should be formatted as:

 

ParameterGroup1Members=<comma delimited list of parameter names>

ParameterGroup1Name=<group name>

 

The parameter names used in the ParameterGroup1Members= list must match the Keyword for Parameter Matching setting in the Instrument Specific Settings section of the User Options.

 

 

Example

In this example, we will create two groups. One will be name "Scatter" and the second will be named "Fluorescence".

The FCS files used in this example contain the following parameters:

 

 

The User Options used in this example, are set to use Name as Keyword for parameter matching.

 

ParameterGroup1Members=FSC-H,SSC-A

ParameterGroup1Name=Scatter

ParameterGroup2Members=FITC-A, PE-A, PerCP-Cy5-5-A, PE-Cy7-A, APC-A, APC-Cy7-A

ParameterGroup2Name=Fluorescence

 

The TXT file must be saved within the same folder together with the data, using the the following naming format:

 

<descriptor>.allextrakeywords.txt

 

 

where <descriptor> can be replaced with any text you would like.

 

 

The parameter list in the Export dialog will look like Figure 14.7 below.

 

 

 

 

 

The right-click menu in the Parameter to Export section allows to Select/Deselect/Toggle/Expand/Collapse All.

 

If a parameter group is selected, and the right-click is performed on it (see picture above with the group named "Fluorescence" being selected and right-clicked), options to Expand/Collapse All Children and Expand/Collapse Current Level will also be available.