Lists

Lists can be used to define a set number of options available to users during value entry and ensure consistency across entry by different users. The system holds two types of lists:

• System lists – these lists come as standard and are used in various areas of the system to define the options available to users. System lists include:
  • Reasons for change – defines the reason for change options available when reason for change is enabled under Application settings and the reason for change is set to use a list rather than free-text.
  • Result units – defines the units available to assign to test method inputs and outputs.
  • Test conclusions – includes Pass and Fail options for tests that must meet a given set of criteria.
• Custom lists – these lists are created by users in addition to the standard system lists provided with LabHQ LIMS.

Both system lists and custom lists can be assigned to test method inputs to aid with consistency of data entry at Enter results. For more information on how to use lists with test method inputs, see Assigning Lists to Test Method Inputs.

Contents

Creating Custom Lists

Editing System/Custom Lists

Sorting Entries

Cloning Lists

Assigning Lists to Test Method Inputs

Creating Custom Lists

To create a new custom list:

1. Select the Setup menu from the sidebar.
2. Select the options menu in the top right and select [ Create New ].
3. Enter a name for the new list in the List Name field.
4. Enter the name of your first entry in the Entry Name field. There is also an optional Description field underneath if you wish to record more information about the entry option.
5. To add subsequent entries, select the [ New Entry ] button and enter the entry name and description, if required.
6. Repeat step 6 until you have added all the required list entries.
7. Once finished, select the [ Create ] button.

Editing System/Custom Lists

Although system lists cannot be removed, you may still modify the entry values to suit your business needs, including adding to or removing values from the system list. You can also modify entries saved to a custom list.

To modify entries for an existing system or custom list:

1. Select Setup from the sidebar.
2. From the Select a list field, select the name of the list you wish to modify.
   1. Standard system lists provided with LabHQ LIMS can be found under the System Lists section, and custom lists created by users can be found under the Custom Lists section.

The configuration screen for the list you have selected will be displayed with the existing entry options.

4. Locate the name of the entry you wish to modify, clear the existing name and then type in the new entry name.
5. Once finished, select the [ Update ] button.

To remove an entry for an existing system or custom list:

1. Select the Setup menu from the sidebar.
2. From the Select a list field, select the name of the list you wish to modify.
3. Locate the name of the entry you wish to remove, select the options menu to the right of the name and then select the [ Delete ] option.
4. Once finished, select the [ Update ] button.

Sorting Entries

Lists can be sorted in two different ways; either in the order that the entry names were set up or alphabetically by entry name, with the default sorting set to sort by order of setup. If you wish to change this so that entries are sorted alphabetically when the list is in use:

1. Select Setup from the sidebar.
2. From the Select a list field, select the name of the list you wish to modify.
3. Click on the options menu underneath the list name and select Sort entries > Alphabetically by Entry Name. The entries will be automatically re-sorted into alphabetical order.
4. Once finished, select the [ Update ] button.

Cloning Lists

If you wish to create a new list using some of the same entries from an existing list, you can clone the entries from one list to carry over to the new one. To clone an existing list:

1. Select Setup from the sidebar.
2. From the Select a list field, select the name of the list you wish to clone.
3. Click on the options menu in the top right and select [ Clone ].
4. Enter a new list name in the List name field.
5. Modify the existing entries as required. See Editing System/Custom Lists for more information on editing entry names and removing entries.
6. Once finished, select the [ Create ] button.

Assigning Lists to Test Method Inputs

Lists can be assigned to test method inputs so that users can select one of a number of options when recording test results in LIMS. To use a list for a test method input:

1. Select Setup > Test Methods menu from the sidebar.

   Click on the name of the test method you wish to modify. The Edit Test Method screen will be displayed.

   Under the Inputs section, click on the name of the input you wish to modify, or create a new one by selecting the [ Create Input ] button.

   From the Field type drop down, select the List option. A List field will appear to the right of the field type.

   From the List field, select the name of the list you wish to apply to the test method input.

   To apply a default value when the list is in use, select a value from the Default value field.

   1. If a default value is applied, this value will be automatically selected at result entry but users will have the option to modify the value.
   2. If no default value is applied, there will be no automatic selection at result entry, forcing the user to select an option from the dropdown.
2. Select the [ OK ] button to confirm changes.
3. Select the [ Save ] button to save changes in draft, or [ Save and Publish ] to save and publish the new version.