Rules for Propagation of Master Step Properties
In Clarity LIMS, all steps are derived from a master step and inherit any properties configured on the master step.
The rules for how properties set on the master step propagate down to the step level apply to all properties. Those configured on the Master Step Settings configuration form and those configured on the step milestones.
| • | By default, master step properties are not set (values are null). Therefore, by default, the property settings do not propagate down to the derived steps. This means that you can set, or not set, the property freely at the step level. |
| • | If you set a property on the master step, that property is locked (a  Locked icon displays) at the step level, and cannot be modified. |
In some situations, you can add to or reorder a locked property at the step level, but you can never remove the property. For example, on the Step Settings form:
| • | You can add and reorder the column headers that display in the Sample table, even if some of those column headers are set on the master step. |
| • | You cannot remove column headers that are set on the master step. |
Master Step Property Propagation Rules
When you add a master step property setting, the setting is also added to all steps derived from that master step.
When you update a master step property setting, the setting is also updated on all steps derived from that master step. This overrides any previous values that had been applied at the Protocol Step level.
When you remove a master step property setting, the setting is also removed from all steps derived from that master step. There are a few exceptions to this rule where appropriate defaults must be applied to keep the step in a valid, workable state.
The following table summarizes what happens at the step level when a property setting is removed from the master step.
|
Property |
Configured on Form |
What Happens at Step Level |
|
Reagent kits |
Master Step/Step Settings |
Removed. No defaults set. |
|
Instrument types |
Master Step/Step Settings |
Removed. No defaults set. |
|
Automation trigger |
Master Step/Step Settings |
Reverts to default - Button (manually triggered) |
|
Sample grouping |
Queue, Ice Bucket, Placement milestones |
Reverts to default - Group by Containers |
|
Well sort order |
Queue, Ice Bucket, Record Details milestones |
Reverts to default - Row |
|
Sample fields display |
Queue, Ice Bucket, Placement, Record Details milestones |
No action - the last fields that were configured to display remain there. |
|
Destination containers |
Placement milestone |
Reverts to default - uses the Container Type specified in the 'OutputContainerType' Process Type Attribute if set, and Tube otherwise. (If Tube has been deleted from the system, then the first single-well Container Type in the system is used.) Removing the last destination container also removes the ability to set placement on the Master Step (you only have the option to turn on the placement screen if there is at least one multi-well container). |
|
Destination containers on a QC Step |
Placement milestone |
Reverts to default - No placement |
|
Placement pattern |
Placement milestone |
Reverts to default - Row |
|
Skip alternating rows, Skip alternating columns. |
Placement milestone |
Reverts to default - No |
|
Label groups |
Add Labels milestone |
Reverts to default - First group configured in LIMS (first by creation date, not by name) |
|
Step data heading |
Record Details milestone |
Reverts to default - Step Data |
|
Default group of defaults |
Record Details milestone |
Removed. No defaults set. |
|
Step fields display |
Record Details milestone |
Removed. No defaults set. |
|
Step field order |
Record Details milestone |
Reverts to default - Vertical |
|
File attachment method |
Record Details milestone |
Reverts to default - Manual |
|
eSignature |
Record Details milestone |
Reverts to default - Off |
|
Sample details heading |
Record Details milestone |
Reverts to default - Sample Table |
|
Sample display default |
Record Details milestone |
Reverts to default - Collapse |
|
Enable QC flags |
Record Details milestone |
Reverts to default - No |
|
File Column Display |
Record Details milestone on QC Steps |
Reverts to default - Show |
|
File Attachment Method |
Record Details milestone on QC Steps |
Reverts to default - Manual |
For details on configuring step and master step property settings, refer to Configure Master Steps and Steps.
To configure each milestone, milestone, refer to Configure Step Milestones.
