> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/more/software/create-and-open-measurement-groups.md).

# Create and open measurement groups

Keep the measurements from one experiment together, with plots and a report.

A measurement group keeps the measurements from one experiment, batch or process run together. Open a group to see its measurements in one table, with plots that fit the group type.

## Create a measurement group

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Open the *Measurement group* page

Click *Measurement group* in the side bar. The page lists your measurement groups.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FMP6Znaa5D10OSIs8aHsM%2F04-measurement-group-list.png?alt=media&amp;token=2e72daf5-a386-4b13-9fab-c68b9267f18d" alt="The Measurement group page in Access."><figcaption><p>The <em>Measurement group</em> page lists your measurement groups.</p></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Fill in the dialog

Click *Create measurement group...* and fill in the dialog:

* *Measurement group title*, for example the name of your experiment or batch.
* *Measurement group type*. See [Choose a group type](#choose-a-group-type).
* *Company name* and *Author*. Both are optional.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2Fqpwjzv3FAh50b4Rg2u9t%2F06-create-measurement-group-dialog.png?alt=media&amp;token=8d18e7be-c6e7-4236-8962-ecff829ead70" alt="The Create measurement group dialog." width="430"><figcaption><p>The <em>Create measurement group</em> dialog.</p></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Click *Create and open*

Access creates the group and opens it. Each new measurement goes into the group.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Choose a group type

The group type decides which plots Access draws. Access shows each type with a version number, for example *basic--v2025-11*.

| Group type     | What you get                                                     | Use it for                                                                                               |
| -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| *Basic*        | A table of your measurements. No plots.                          | Any set of measurements you want to keep together.                                                       |
| *Growth curve* | Plots of cell concentration and cell size (CIZE) over time.      | Following the growth of your cultures. See [Plot a growth curve](/more/software/plot-a-growth-curve.md). |
| *Correlation*  | Plots of your BactoBox® results against your plate counts (CFU). | Comparing cell counts with plate counts.                                                                 |
| *QC test*      | A record of your QC tests. Access adds each QC test here.        | Following your QC results over time.                                                                     |

You can change the type of a group later. Pick a new type in the *Group type* column and click *Save*.

## Open a measurement group

Right-click the row number of the group, then click *Open*.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2F13sKFX3RHFKwdDcBmJUG%2F05-group-right-click-open-delete.png?alt=media&amp;token=9215e8de-3e89-4e86-89e9-0cb774d64754" alt="The right-click menu on a measurement group, with Open and Delete." width="600"><figcaption><p>Right-click the row number to open or delete a measurement group.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

The group opens with its table on the left and its plots on the right. While the group is open, the *Measurement group* field in the bottom bar points to it. Each new measurement goes into the group.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FPqLxfFP2LmkYwOtNVqeI%2F07-group-open-table-and-plot.png?alt=media&amp;token=929e4fc2-d61b-4562-a49f-77ab548cd751" alt="An open measurement group of the type Growth curve."><figcaption><p>An open measurement group of the type <em>Growth curve</em>.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

## Delete a measurement group

Right-click the row number of the group, then click *Delete*. Access only deletes the group when you click *Save*. Click *Discard* to undo.


---

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