Keys, import modes, ESTD/ISTD, doses, area thresholds, and calibration mode — the method tables you edit before Analyze.

Keys

Key Meaning
AcqKey Acquisition / method set. Append import creates a new AcqKey so several instruments or acquisition methods share one Quanto method.
QntKey Quant ion / transition identity within an analyte.
SmpKey Sample key for grouping injections (Key Review winners).

Multi-instrument pick: Key Review.

Replace vs Append (method import)

Method → Load / Import:

Mode Effect
Replace Swaps the current method; sample results are cleared
Append Adds the import under a new AcqKey; keeps existing analytes

You can append only selected AcqKey + name keys when the dialog offers a candidate list. Details: Reports, import, and export.

ESTD vs ISTD

Setting Meaning
ESTD Quant has no ISTD link — external standard curve
ISTD Quant points at an ISTD Quant — ratio / internal standard

You can mix ESTD and ISTD Quants in one method. Guides: ESTD, ISTD. Curve Origin can be Ignore, Include, Force, or Blank offset (blank response as intercept). Blank concentration correction is a separate Quant checkbox that subtracts blank concentration toward NativeConc.

Doses

Shared dose names on the method:

Dose Typical use
C1, C2, … Calibration levels
IS Reserved ISTD spike amount

Calibration bottles need a dose that exists on the analyte. ISTD bottles still use IS. Partial update of stored levels: Multi-batch dose responses.

Area thresholds

When importing integrator peaks, insignificant peaks are also filtered by a method/channel area (or height) threshold:

Setting Default
Area threshold percent (method default) 30
Dose reference Lowest calibration concentration (or a named dose)

Threshold = calibration response × percent / 100. Channels can override with an absolute threshold instead of the general percent. See Manual integration.

CalGroup

CalGroup is a text label on bottles that share one calibration story. Unlabeled bottles share the default group.

Mode on the group Meaning
Calibration Normal external/internal standard curve for that group
StdAdd Standard-addition line for that group

Details: CalGroup & standard addition. Blank offset / blank concentration Average (CalGroup) modes stay inside the group — see Blank offset and Blank concentration.

Curve origin and blank corrections

Setting What it does
Origin = Blank offset Blank response becomes the curve intercept (b)
Blank corr (blank concentration) Subtracts blank concentration toward NativeConc after the curve is read

If both are set, Blank offset wins for the curve — blank concentration still applies to NativeConc afterward. Guides: Blank offset, Blank concentration.

Calibration mode

Mode Behavior
Initial One curve from the calibration set (default for new work)
Bracket A curve per calibration bracket around samples

Vendor method import does not set Calibration mode — you choose it in Quanto. Guide: Bracket calibration. CalGroup is separate from Initial vs Bracket: groups split which bottles share a curve; Initial/Bracket decide how cal sets are cut in time.

Method Validation view

After Analyze, the Method Validation pane summarizes curve quality, recovery, and limit flags for the current method/batch. Use it when you are checking whether the method (not only one sample) is fit for purpose. Guide: Method Validation.

Recovery and result limits

Known-dose bottles (Calibration, QC, and any bottle with a dose you treat as known) get:

Field Meaning
RecPct Recovery % = 100 × calculated concentration / dose
DevPct RecPct − 100
RecFlag Pass/fail against recovery limits

Other limits you can set on the method / Quant include TooLow (usually LOD or Trace), Low (usually LOQ), High, MinCurveR2, MinRsp / MaxRsp, MinQValue, qualifier counts, MinCoElution, and AboveCurveMaximum / PassFailFlag. Plain-language guide: Result limits & flags.

Checklist before Analyze

  1. Analytes / Quants / Qualifiers and extraction windows.
  2. AcqKeys after any Append.
  3. Doses C1… and IS; Quant doses on the curve.
  4. Sample types mapping.
  5. ESTD/ISTD links, and height instead of area if you quantitate by height.
  6. Area threshold percent / dose.
  7. Calibration mode Initial vs Bracket; CalGroup labels / StdAdd where needed.
  8. Origin / Blank corr / Blank use if you use blanks.
  9. Result limits (R², response, Q-value, recovery) you care about.

Then load bottles and Analyze (Set up an analysis).