Compusense has a wide variety of pre-set experimental plans (designs) that can be added to a test to present samples in a specific order. These same designs can be used for presenting sections in a specific order.

However, sometimes a need may arise for a design that does not already exist in the Designs library. It is possible to create a custom design in Excel and then either import it into the library (useful for reusing the same design in multiple tests), or import directly into a test (useful for one time needs).

The workflow on this page outlines steps necessary to create a simple custom design. More advanced example is explained in our Advanced Design Creating Workflow .

Before You Begin

• The design must start in the cell A1 in Excel.   
  
  
• Only numbers can be used.  
  
  
• The numbers represent samples, the rows represent the sample sets, while the columns represent the sample positions.  
    
• Blank cells, rows or columns in the middle of the design are not allowed.  
  
  
• In our example image above, we have created a custom design for five samples. The first four samples are to be randomized in a balanced way while the sample #5 is to be used as a warm-up sample, always in the first position.    Four sample sets (four rows of data) are created. This is the minimum number of sample sets required to accomplish positional and pairwise balance for the first four samples (using a William's Design approach).   
  
  
• The first row defines the presentation order for sample set 1 (for panelist 1), the second row for sample set 2 (for panelist 2), etc... with the total of four sample sets in the Base Block. This is enough for four panelists to take the test.    
  
  
• When the design is added in a test, the software will increase (multiply the Base Block) or decrease (divide the Base Block) the number of sample sets to match the total number of sample sets that you specify in the test.
  

Creating a Design

1. In a blank Excel file, begin the design creation by starting in the cell A1.
   
   
2. Save the file as a Comma Delimited (.csv) file type. Please see the image below.
   
   
   
3. If prompted with a dialog box containing the 'Yes', 'No' and 'Help' buttons (a message referring to the file format), click "Yes".
   
   
4. Close the file.
   
   
5. If prompted with a dialog box containing the 'Save', 'Don't Save' and 'Cancel' buttons (a message prompting you to save), click "Don't Save". The file is already saved in the required format (.csv), so it is not necessary to save it again.
   
   
6. Follow the steps below to import the design into the Designs library, or to import it directly into a test.
   

1. From the "Dashboard", click "Libraries > Designs".
   
   
2. In the top right-hand corner, click "Create new design".
   
   
3. Specify the "Design name" . Be descriptive and specific when choosing the name so that it is easy for everyone to tell what the design consists of.
   
   
4. Specify the "Design type".
   
   
5. Click "Import design", browse to your .csv file and click it to import. You will be presented with a validation message either confirming that the import was successful, or informing you of any errors and their details.
   
   
   Notice that the "Samples", "Presented", and "Orders in base design" automatically populate.
   
   
6. Add a "Description " about the design with any additional important details.
   
   
7. Click "Next > Next > Next " .
   
   
8. Specify who can have access to the design (the group) and click "Save design " to save the changes.
   

In addition to Excel, you can create designs in other 3rd party design creation software packages that provide .csv format, such as Design Express. 

Importing Designs Directly into a Test