FlowJo's Batch Processing

Computers are great for repeating tasks. FlowJo takes advantage of this in batch processing. Simply set up a prototype sample with a gating scheme, statistics or a graphical layout and tell FlowJo to apply that prototype to groups or all samples.

There are three ways that FlowJo incorporates batch processing to help save time throughout your analysis:

Mouse over buttons for examples!

Most batch operations are initiated by drag-and-drop, or with a few click of the mouse.

1. Drag and drop gates and/or statistics from one sample to Groups or All Samples in the Workspace. Simply drag the analyses trees onto the group. They are attached to the group itself, and then attached to each sample that belongs to the group (assuming the analysis is valid for that sample). By using these kinds of group analyses, you can assure that all samples are being analyzed identically. When you change a group's version of an analysis (by dragging a new version of a gate onto the group), then all samples belonging to the group will be automatically updated with the new copy (with the exception of those samples which have "special" versions of such gates). These operations are fully explained in the pages on group analyses .
2. Generate tables of statistics in the Table Editor for groups of samples, or all samples. Using the Table Editor you specify what sorts of statistical information you wish to collect for each sample. Then you create the table for the current group; FlowJo allows you to save the table to a file (which you can export into a spreadsheet), to the clipboard (so you can copy it directly into a spreadsheet), or print it out. In addition, FlowJo will save the table AND open your favorite spreadsheet program AND copy the table into this program - all with a single click! Table definitions are saved with the workspace so that you can use them again in the future.
3. Generate layouts and graphical reports for multiple samples from one prototype sample in the Layout Editor. The layout editor allows you to arrange several graphs on a drawing board. This graphical layout is then applied to the series of samples in the current group; the result can be saved to a disk file (PICT format), copied into other applications (such as Canvas), or printed.

See Also: Simple Batch, Iterated Batch