How to use Text instructions

Introduction

You can use the Text Instructions editor in the Method Editor to build your method step by step. You can also use the editor to modify instructions in methods created by wizards or based on templates.

Advanced editing facilities are available when you work directly in the Text Instructions editor. This section is a very brief description of this process. See How to edit methods for detailed instructions.

Note: Each method is written for a specific strategy. The function of the method cannot be guaranteed on systems having other strategies.

When do I use Text Instructions?

Use Text Instructions when you want:

to change selected instructions in the method, for example the outlet valve position
to add blocks or instructions, for example Watch instructions
to change method instructions to adapt to non-standard system configurations
to create new methods for applications not covered by the supplied templates or wizards.

How to edit Text Instructions

Open the Text Instructions editor by following the steps in the table below.

Step	Action
1	Select the Method Editor module and click the Text Instructions icon.
2	Click the Customise Panes icon and select Text and Instruction Box. Click OK.
3	Select instructions in the Instruction box in the lower part of the Method Editor, and use the Insert, Change, Replace or Delete buttons. All text entries are shown in the Text pane. Applicable variables can be edited for each selection. The illustration below shows the Instruction box:

Instructions can be organized in blocks

Individual text instructions can be grouped in blocks of instructions (marked by blue square symbols) for a specific functional use, e.g. to load a sample, to equilibrate a column etc. A block may contain other blocks or individual instructions.

This is an example of text instructions in the Text pane:

How to save the new method

A new method is untitled, and must be saved under a method name before it can be used.

The table below describes how to save a new method.

Step	Action
1	Click the Save Method toolbar or choose File:Save.
2	If required, save the method in a folder other than the default home folder. Enter a Method name for the method. The total path can be up to 256 characters long. The method name must be unique for the chosen system within the folder.
3	If you have more than one system connected to the computer, choose the System for which the method is intended. The method can be run on any system that uses the same strategy. Remember that different systems may have different configurations and control capabilities. Choose the Technique for which the method was written. Click OK. Result: The method is saved, but remains open in the Method Editor, so that you can continue editing if you wish.

Note: You might want to sign your method. If you do so, you can choose to lock the method so that nobody will be able to change the method. See How to sign the method for further instructions.

How to display descriptions of instructions

A dedicated strategy is available for each system in the ÄKTAdesign platform. Although the majority of the instructions are general, some of them differ slightly between the individual strategies.

The list below describes two ways to display descriptions of the instructions in your particular strategy:

Select the instruction in the Instruction Box of the Method Editor and press <F1>

Right-click the instruction in the Text pane and choose the menu option What’s This?

How to print descriptions of instructions

The table below describes how to print descriptions of the instructions in your particular strategy:

Step	Action
1	Select File:Print in the Method Editor.
2	Select the Instruction set option to print the full set of instructions. Click OK.

How to add a Snapshot

The Snapshot instruction can be used to record the curve values at a specific point in the method run. For example, a snapshot can be inserted to record the curve values immediately before an injection. The values are recorded in the result file and can be viewed in the Snapshots tab of the Documentation dialog box (See Run documentation). Up to 500 snapshots can be recorded in each result file. The table below describes how to add a snapshot instruction to a method:

Step	Action
1	In the Text pane, select the instruction immediately before the position where you want to insert the Snapshot instruction.
2	Select Other in the Instructions field of the Instructions box. Select Snapshot in the instructions list.
3	Type a name in the Name text box in the Parameters field. Click the Insert button.

Note: Snapshots can also be taken in the System Control and Evaluation modules. However, these snapshots will only record the data for a specific moment. For more information about the Snapshot function see Snapshots.

2005-06-15