Options - Layout Tab
Control Charts for Variables vs. Charts for Attributes
Select the Layout tab of the Options dialog box to access the options described here.
Include short and long variable names in titles
Select this check box to include the long variable name (if one exists) in the title of the chart.
Include project header in line in titles
Select this check box to include the project header in the title of the chart; you can specify a title in Project header box above this option. This header will be used to label the main graphs.
Note that the project header will not be saved, even when you request to save the specified Layout tab options as the default (by selecting the Set as default on OK check box). This ensures that all new project files will not have the same Project Header.
Include histograms
When you select this check box the program will include histograms of the sample statistics (X-bar and R/S for variability charts; P, C, Np, or U for attribute charts) in the chart.
From: To
Use the down arrows to specify the subset of cases to plot; note that the numbers entered in the From and To boxes refer to the consecutive numbers of the samples, not to the actual codes (or dates) that were used in the grouping variable to identify to which sample each observation belongs.
Plot last N samples only
This option allows you to plot the last n samples only. It is particularly useful when you auto-update the chart by adding new samples (via some external data collection device). By setting this button, you can display a constant number of samples that will always include the newest (added) sample, and the N-1 preceding samples.
Show process specifications and specification limits in chart
This check box allows you to include the process specifications and specification limits (USL, LSL) in the X-bar chart. This option is not available if the Options dialog box was called from an attribute chart results dialog box. After setting this option, the chart will be updated using the specifications which have been defined on the X-specs tab or the R/S-specs tab.
Compute runs tests (identify out-of-control samples)
If this check box is set, the samples in the graph that violate at least one of the selected runs tests will be highlighted in the graph. The runs tests are explained in the Introductory Overview - Out-Of-Control Process: Runs Tests. In short, these tests are designed to detect patterns that may indicate that the process is out of control. To customize the specific runs tests that are to be performed, click on the Runs tests button on the X-specs tab or the R/S-specs tab.
Add space in chart for N extra samples
This check box will affect the horizontal X-axis scaling of the chart, to make room for additional samples. This is particularly useful if one wants to print a chart with room for additional samples to be added later by hand. Use the microscrolls or type the number into the box.
Show breaks between non-consecutive samples
This check box allows you to show breaks in the line denoting the successive samples. For example, suppose you were unable to collect sample 6 due to machine error. There is a break in consecutive samples at sample number 5 (sample 6 is missing). If you set the Show breaks... option, then the X-bar & R (S) charts will show a break in the line at sample 5 (the points denoting samples 5 and 7 will not be connected by a line).
Raw data points in X-bar chart
This check box allows you to plot the raw data points (for all samples) in the X-bar Chart. To include raw data points for a selected number of samples (e.g., out-of-control points) use the Show or Hide individual observations check box on the Brushing tab of the results dialog box. Note that this option is only available when an X-bar chart (or Moving Average chart) has been created; it is not available for X and Moving Range charts or for Attribute Charts.
Show moving average line on X-bar chart
This check box allows you to plot a moving average line on the X-bar or attribute chart. A moving average line can be used to detect small trends across successive sample means. After selecting this option, click the Specify button to open the Specify Type of Moving Average dialog box. Note that this option is called Show moving average on Chart if selected from an attributes chart results dialog. If you choose to turn the moving average line on from the X-Specs tab on the results dialog, this option will be automatically selected.
Include time-stamp in charts
This check box allows you to include the time-stamp from the most recent chart update in the title of the graph. Note this time is not taken from the data file but rather from the system, and it represents the last time the graph was updated (or created). To label the sample values with the time-stamp associated with each sample, use the Labeling of Samples and X-axis options available on the Labeling tab of the Options dialog box.
Include date-stamp in charts
This check box allows you to include the date-stamp from the most recent chart update in the title of the graph. Note this date is not taken from the data file but rather from the system, and it represents the last time the graph was updated (or created). To label the sample values with the date-stamp associated with each sample, use the Labeling of Samples and X-axis options available on the Labeling tab of the Options dialog box.
Identify sets of samples (with separate specs) in the chart
This check box allows you to label sets of samples in the chart. If separate specifications have been established for each set of samples (see the Sets tab on the respective results dialog), the specifications used for that set will be shown (plotted) in the chart. For example, if the first set uses a pre-specified process mean of 10, and the second set uses the computed process mean, the center lines for the two sets will be different (one will be set at 10, the other will be set at the process mean).