Origin is a user-friendly and easy-to-learn software application that provides powerful data analysis and publication-quality graphing capabilities tailored to the needs of scientists and engineers.
Data Analysis
Origin contains powerful tools for all of your analytic needs, including peak analysis, curve fitting, statistics, and signal processing. To make data analysis more efficient, Origin supports many common formats for importing data, and exporting results. Multi-sheet workbooks and an integrated Project Explorer help you organize your Origin projects. Streamline your workflow by saving workbooks as analysis templates for repeat use.
Graphing
With over 70 built-in graph types, Origin makes it easy to create and customize publication quality graphs to suit your needs. Many popular contour, 2D, and 3D graph types are supported, as are specialty graphs such as windrose, stock (OHLC), ternary (including ternary-contour), 2D vector and 3D vector, and several statistical plots.
Programming
Origin includes two built-in programming languages: Origin C, a C-based compiled language, and a scripting language called LabTalk™. Use them to automate graphing and analysis. Origin comes with an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), Code Builder, that makes it easy to write and debug your own code. Origin is also an Automation Server for users of VB, C++, C# and LabVIEW™.
New in Origin 9
3D Open GL graphing
All 3D Graphs, 3D Function plots and 3D Parametric plots in version 9.0 will be OpenGL by default. OpenGL offers the following key benefits:
3D Parametric Function Plot
In Origin 9, you can create 3D function plots using parametric equations. You can also save your favorite equations as themes for repeated use. Modify the plot parameters in the Plot Details dialog at any time, and copy paste the settings from one plot to another.
Movie/Animation Creation
It is possible to export a collection of graphs as a video. The movie or animation creation could be accessed both from the user interface and programming scripts. The use of programming languages enables fast and automated video generation.
Data Filter
Origin 9 offers a data filter, which is a quick and easy way to filter large datasets by applying filter conditions to one or more columns in a worksheet. All graph and analysis based on the data will be automatically updated when filtering is applied.
Origin automatically reduces the data by hiding all rows that do not meet the combined filter conditions across all columns. Filters can be applied to text, numeric, or date data.
Graphing Improvements
The scatter matrix plot is improved with the ability to group data points, control axis ticks and labels, and modify the matrix profile.
Both counter-clockwise and clockwise rotation of axes are supported from the GUI.
You can now hide or show a data plot from a legend, and also utilize LabTalk substitutions to define a legend.
On the Graph, you can use the context menu to quickly change data plots in a layer. And if you do analysis on the graph and change the data plots, the result sheet can be recalculated by the new data showing on the graph.
Floating graphs in Worksheet
In Origin 9, inserting a graph into a worksheet is no longer limited to an embedded cell. It is now possible to place the graph as a floating object anywhere on the worksheet. This provides more flexibility for creating custom reports. User can choose to either embed graphs in cells, or arrange them arbitrarily as floating objects.
Global Vertical Cursor
The vertical cursor gadget is implemented in Origin 9 as a global vertical cursor, which supports data selection in multiple graph windows, helping you easily read X and Y coordinates for data points from multiple graphs in the same project file simultaneously.
Graphs can be linked together with a few button clicks. When the cursor is moved on one graph, data coordinates from all data plots and from each of the linked graphs will be displayed. Furthermore, when a tag is added to the graph with the cursor, corresponding tags will be added to each of the linked graphs.
To see all new features in Origin 9, click here.
Data Management
Origin provides powerful tools for data access and management:
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Import tools for ASCII, EXCEL, Database, and many third-party formats
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Project Explorer with hierarchical folder structure
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Metadata support in worksheets and matrices
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Tools to graphically explore your data
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Tools to filter or manipulate your data
Import Data
Origin supports importing ASCII, binary, CSV, Excel, as well as many other third party formats.
An Import Wizard is available for customized importing of ASCII files with the ability to extract metadata from header lines. All import dialogs support saving import settings as a theme or filter, for repeated use.
Organising Data
Origin provides an easy, flexible, and hierarchical approach to organize your data:
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The Origin Project file (.OPJ) combines data, notes, graphs, and analysis results in one document with flexible hierarchy for folder structure
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The Project Explorer window allows easy navigation within the project
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Workbooks and Matrices support multiple sheets, and columns/objects, and an organizer panel for additional metadata
Graphing in Origin
With over 70 built-in graph types, Origin makes it easy to create and customize publication quality graphs to suit your needs. Many popular contour, 2D, and 3D graph types are supported, as are specialty graphs such as windrose, stock (OHLC), ternary (including ternary-contour), 2D vector and 3D vector, and several statistical plots.
Overview
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Quick access to all built-in graph types from toolbars
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Page, Layer, Plot hierarchy to organize data plot
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Plot with graph templates and organize templates using Template Library
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Plot Setup dialog for quick plotting of data from multiple worksheets, common columns, Excel workbook and matrix book
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Create custom multi-panel plots
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Merge multiple graphs with preview
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Drag-and-drop data columns into graph
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Plot same column multiple times, such as different ranges, in a single graph layer
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Speed mode control for plotting large datasets
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Select and customize single data points in a plot
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Quick edit graph element style with toolbars; In depth editing of graph element details with Plot Details dialog
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Customize symbol color or size by column data (Can be used to represent another dimension)
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Custom color palettes and increment lists for grouped data and color map
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Customize the format increment lists and color palettes for grouped data
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Add tables to graphs, table cells may be linked to other worksheet and report cells
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Copy-paste cells from a worksheet to create a table
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Embed and edit MS-Word, Excel, and Equation objects inside Origin graphs and layouts
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Full-screen view for graphs, maintaining aspect ratio
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Contour or 3D plot from worksheet data (virtual matrix)
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Layer Content dialog for easy adding, removing, grouping, ungrouping and reordering of data plots
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Show and hide layer with the layer icon context menu
See Graph Gallery.
Data Analysis
Origin contains powerful tools for all of your analytic needs, including peak analysis, curve fitting, statistics, and signal processing. To make data analysis more efficient, Origin supports many common formats for importing data, and exporting results. Multi-sheet workbooks and an integrated Project Explorer help you organize your Origin projects. Streamline your workflow by saving workbooks as analysis templates for repeat use.
General
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Analysis Templates™ for automated analysis
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Custom Reports
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Consolidated Analysis Reports
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Recalculation of analysis results
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Analysis Themes
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Report Tables
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Data selection and masking tools
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Standardized analysis tools dialogs
Curve Fitting
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Linear Regression
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Polynomial Regression
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Sigmoidal Fitting/Dose Response Curves
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Nonlinear Fitter (approximately 200 built-in functions)
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Fitting Function Organizer (includes the ability to define your own functions)
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Fit Comparison: Compare models and compare datasets (OriginPro only)
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Global Fitting
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Peak Analysis (see Baseline and Peak Analysis below)
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3D Surface (Matrix) Fitting (OriginPro only)
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Residual Analysis/Plots
Baseline and Peak Analysis
Signal Processing
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FFT / IFFT
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STFT (OriginPro only)
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Hilbert Transform (OriginPro only)
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Correlation
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Coherence (OriginPro only)
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Convolution
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Deconvolution
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Digital Filters, including a Threshold FFT filter
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Smoothing, including Savitzky-Golay
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2D FFT/2D IFFT (OriginPro only)
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2D Correlation (OriginPro only)
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Wavelet (OriginPro only)
Mathematics and Calculus
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Simple Math Operations
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Interpolation / Extrapolation
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Trace Interpolation (OriginPro only)
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2D Interpolation (OriginPro only)
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3D Interpolation (OriginPro only)
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Numerical Differentiation and Integration
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Normalization
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Average multiple curves
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Inverse (matrix)
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2D Volume Integration (OriginPro only)
Statistics Calculations
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Descriptive Statistics
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Discrete Frequency (OriginPro only)
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Normality Test
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Correlation Coefficient (OriginPro only)
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Parametric Hypothesis Tests
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One-Way ANOVA and Two-Way ANOVA
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Repeated Measures One/Two-Way ANOVA (OriginPro only)
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One/Two Sample t-Tests
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Paired Sample t-Test
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One Sample Chi-Square Test for Variance (OriginPro only)
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Two Sample F Test for Variance (OriginPro only)
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Nonparametric Tests
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One Sample Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (OriginPro only)
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Paired Sample Sign Test (OriginPro only)
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Paired Sample Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (OriginPro only)
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Two Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test (OriginPro only)
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Mann-Whitney Test (OriginPro only)
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Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA (OriginPro only)
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Mood’s Median Test (OriginPro only)
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Friedman ANOVA (OriginPro only)
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Running Simultaneous Nonparametric Tests
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(NPH) K Independent Samples (OriginPro only)
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(NPH) Paired Samples (OriginPro only)
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(NPH) Two Independent Samples (OriginPro only)
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Survival Analysis (OriginPro only)
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ROC Curves (OriginPro only)
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Power and Sample (OriginPro only)
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Fit Comparison: Compare models and compare datasets (OriginPro only)
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Multiple Regression
Basic Image Processing
Expanded Image Processing (OriginPro only)
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Adjustments
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Channels:
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Color Resolution Converts:
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Reset XY Coordinate Scales
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User-Defined Spatial Filter
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Arithmetic Operations:
Statistics
Origin provides a number of routines suitable for general statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, one-sample and two-sample hypothesis tests, and one-way and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). In addition, several types of statistical charts are supported, including histograms and box charts.
Additionally, advanced statistical analysis tools, such as repeated measures ANOVA, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, power and sample size calculations, and nonparametric tests are available in OriginPro.
Themes and Templates
Origin provides two key features of Templates and Themes that help significantly in performing repetitive tasks such as creating custom graphs and performing repeat routine analysis.
A Theme is a collection of settings that can be saved to a file and used repeatedly. The Theme feature extends across multiple Origin objects such a graphs and worksheets. Themes are also supported in most Origin dialogs, particularly in the area of analysis and data processing. For example, custom settings of a graph can be saved as a Graph Theme and later applied to similar graphs to quickly change graph settings such as preparing a graph for publication. In the context of dialogs, settings in a dialog can be saved as a theme and recalled later from the dialog or even from Origin menus. For example, the Linear Fit dialog can be customized such as to fix the intercept to zero, and the settings can be saved to a named theme and later recalled for analyzing similar data. Origin provides a Theme Organizer tool which can be used to manage graph, worksheet and dialog themes.
A Template is an object that can be saved to file and used repeatedly. The template feature applies to Origin objects such as Graphs and Workbooks. In the case of workbooks the concept is further extended to Analysis Templates. Data in a workbook can be analyzed with any tool such as curve fitting, and the analysis operation settings along with custom report sheets and embedded graphs can all be saved as part of the workbook to an Analysis Template object on file. Such analysis templates can then be used to perform repetitive analysis of similar data using Origin's Batch Processing tool.
Programming in Origin
Origin is designed to meet the graphing and analysis needs of scientists and engineers in diverse areas of academics and industry. To accomplish this, Origin provides a broad range of tools for importing, analysing, graphing, presenting, and exporting data. As you gain familiarity with Origin, you may want to customise Origin to meet your specific graphing and analysis needs. To facilitate your customisation, Origin includes two complimentary programming languages: Origin C and LabTalk.
Origin C
Origin C is a powerful programming language that supports ANSI C plus some C++ features, including support for string, complex, vector and matrix data types, as well as internal Origin objects like worksheets and graphs.
Origin C is ideal for creating data processing and analysis routines, as well as for developing complicated algorithms.
Programs written in Origin C are compiled and linked to internal Origin objects that are executed during run time. Although not as fast as machine executable code produced by true compilers, a significant improvement in speed can be seen over previous programming options in Origin. In fact, certain tasks, such as computational loops and curve fitting with user-defined fitting functions, execute as much 20 times faster than if they were executed using LabTalk, Origin's built-in scripting language.
For the ultimate in speed, Origin C can be linked to (i.e. it can call exported functions from) external dynamic link libraries (DLLs) that have been built using third party native compilers, such as Microsoft Visual C++. Origin C's link with the DLL enables the passing of pointers from Origin's data structures directly to external DLLs, with little overhead or unnecessary copying of data as would normally be the case when programming in Microsoft Visual Basic.
Code Builder, Origin C's integrated development environment, provides users with a familiar programming language interface that includes color-coded editing and modern debugging capabilities.
Common customisations that can be achieved using Origin C include:
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Added Functionality: Create new importing, analysis, graphing, and exporting routines.
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Automation/Batch Processes: Create a routine that automatically performs the tasks you do in Origin.
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Simulations: Perform simulations with live feedback in Origin. For instance, you might want to execute a Monte Carlo Simulation that dynamically updates a graph.
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User-defined Fitting Functions: Create complex user-defined curve fitting functions using Origin’s Advanced Fitting Tool's direct link to Code Builder. This allows you to create and debug fitting functions quickly and easily.
LabTalk
LabTalk is a high-level, full-featured programming language which has access to most of Origin's operation. Its syntax and structure are similar, but not identical to C. LabTalk incorporates DOS-style commands with option switches and arguments, as well as object properties and methods comparable to those in Visual Basic.
LabTalk is ideal for performing simple tasks in Origin, as well as for writing and executing quick scripts. You can even create custom LabTalk utilities that run by clicking on a toolbar button.
Origin C and LabTalk
In addition to the power of Origin C and the simplicity of LabTalk, the two programming languages are tightly connected. This connection makes LabTalk commands and variables accessible to Origin C functions. It even allows you to call Origin C functions from your LabTalk code! This makes the ability to create customizations that are callable from toolbar buttons very useful. Origin's built-in cross communication between its two programming languages gives you the best of both worlds and makes it a robust and powerful programming platform for graphing and data analysis.
NAG Software Partner
Origin includes essential elements of the numerical computational routines from Numerical Algorithms Group, Inc. (NAG). Over 300 built-in NAG routines have been selected from the NAG C Library. These routines offer a large selection of time-tested numerical algorithms, such as Statistics, Fourier Transforms, Linear Algebra, Regression, Multivariate Analysis including Principal Component Analysis, and more.
All NAG function calls are accessible from Origin C to allow you to develop applications that require advanced numerical computation.
Other Resources
To learn more about how you can programmatically customise Origin, browse the pages offered in the Programming area by clicking on the desired link in the page. Or, review the Origin sample projects and associated programming source files that are installed in your Origin\Samples\Programming\ subfolders.
To see how other users have programmatically customised Origin, browse the OriginLab File Exchange.
More Features
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Batch Processing of Multiple Files or Datasets with Summary Report
The Batch Processing tool extends the power of Analysis Templates by allowing users to process multiple files or datasets. Users need only to process one file to create an Analysis Template with custom import settings, desired analysis results, and a worksheet that specifies which analysis result parameters to select for reporting. The tool then allows a user to select multiple disk files, or multiple datasets in the project, and performs batch analysis on them. In the end, a report sheet that consolidates the user-specified analysis results is generated from each file or dataset. Multiple files or datsets can also be repeatedly imported into an existing workbook window containing custom analysis settings and a Summary Report sheet.
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Batch Peak Analysis (PRO)
This feature allows OriginPro users to perfom peak fitting of one dataset, save their custom settings as a Theme file, and then perform batch peak analysis of multiple selected datasets in the project using the custom theme. A summary report sheet will be created that lists the dataset name and results from the peak analysis such as peak integration results, or multiple peak properties, depending on the Peak Analyzer goal saved in the theme.
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Slide Show of Graphs and Favorites Folder in Project Explorer with Support for Shorcuts
You can now view all graphs in your project, or in a particular subfolder, in a full-screen slide show. The slide show can be customized to play in a loop or end when last graph is displayed. Custom key entries can be used during the slide show including options to turn off speed mode if present, or go to the currently displayed graph window. The order of the slides can be set using a newly introduced slide order column in Project Explorer. This feature combined with the Favorites Folder feature allows for user to easily collect together all desired graphs in a project for viewing or for presenting to colleagues.
Shortcuts to any Origin Window type such as graph, worksheet, or matrix can be added to any folder in Project Explorer. A Favorites folder has also been introduced, allowing user to right click on any window to quickly add shortcut to Favorites folder. This allows for easy organization of key windows and graphs in your Origin Project, and can then be combined with the Slide Show feature to create custom presentations.
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Export Multiple Graphs to PowerPoint
In addition to viewing graphs as a slide show, you can also export all graphs in the project or in any particular subfolder to a Microsoft PowerPoint file. The order of export can be set using same control used for setting slide show order. Controls are provided for specifying vertical and horizontal offsets and size in units of percentage of page size, for inserting the graph into the PowerPoint slides.
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Password Protection of Origin Projects and Audit Log on Project Saving
Origin Projects can be protected in version 8.1 using a password. User can also turn on an Audit Log which maintains a log of who saved the Project and at what time. The Audit Log can optionally be protected by a separate password, allowing for a manager to turn on the audit log and check the listing to view activity on the project.
The new features of Password Protection and Audit Log time stamps, combined with Origin's ability to import data from databases using customizable SQL queries saved within the Project, allows for electronic record keeping. These features are important for submitting Origin Projects to Government Agencies that have specific security guidelines such as to the US-FDA which requires 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.
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New Graph Types: Ternary Contour, Weibull Probability, Windrose, Multi-Axes Plotting Tool
To complement the existing array of over 60 supported graph types, the following new ones are being introduced in Origin 8.1:
Ternary Contour Plot. This plot utilizes a fourth column of Z values to determine the contours for XYZ ternary data. Customization options include smoothing, and the newly introduced major and minor level contour controls and enhanced support for color palettes.
Weibull Probability Plot. The Weibull probability plot displays percentiles in order to determine if the data could be from a Weibull distribution. Data that are truly Weibull will plot as a straight line on the graph. Origin plots the reference line automatically, based on the Weibull parameters, which you may specify or let Origin estimate from the data.
Windrose Plot. The Windrose plot combines elements of a 2D polar graph with a bar chart, and is very useful for displaying directional data. It is most often used to display variations in wind speed and direction.
New Templates. New graph templates have been added to easily plot multiple datasets in same graph with shared X axis and multiple color-coded Y axes with offsets.
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Data Reduction Tools, and Data Rearrangement Tools, Including Pivot Table
Data consisting of multiple mixed groups can now be unstacked to separate sets of columns by using one or more columns as group variables. Once grouped data is unstacked, graphing and analysis can be performed with more flexibility.
Multiple new tools have been introduced for data reduction. These include a tool for deleting rows by skipping, such as deleting every alternate row, and a tool for reducing data with duplicate X values.The duplicate reduction tool allows for specifying what quantity to use for replacing Y values, such as mean, min, median or sum.
OriginPro provides additional tools for data reduction. These include a tool to reduce data to evenly spaced X values, and a tool to reduce data based on subgroup statistics of X values. Both tools provide multiple methods for deciding how to distribute the reduced data. The tools also provide a preview window of the results.
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Signal Decimation, Rise and Fall Time Analysis, Signal Envelopes (PRO)
This tool provides you with the ability to reduce data by a specified factor, with an optional filter specification. The filter options include moving average or finite impulse response.
This tool can be utilized to measure rise and fall time of signals. An interactive panel can be used to specify the range of interest on the graph.
This tool computes envelope of a signal. Options are provided for computing either upper or lower envelope, or both. A smoothing option is also provided allowing user to specify number of points to be used for smoothing.
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X Error Bars Support for Linear Regression (PRO)
Support for performing linear regression taking into consideration X error data is being introduced with this tool in OriginPro. The tool supports both X and Y error bars.
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Custom Menu Configuration and Support for User-Defined LabTalk Script Functions
The Custom Menu Organizer tool can be used to customize existing menu items by turning selected items off, or to add your own additional main menu items for tailoring the software to meet the specific needs of your end user. Multiple menu configuration files can be created and saved, and shared with other users. Sharing such menu configuration files is supported with the group folder. This feature can be utilized in organizations to provide a custom, consistent interface for all users, or to customize the interface for including the software with instrumentation.
Support for user-defined functions with multiple parameters has been added to Origin's LabTalk scripting language . Functions can be easily defined and used in script such as from the function plotting interface.