Curve fitting software makes sense of test data

XLfit 4 is a novel software addon for Microsoft Excel that enables automated curve fitting, statistical analysis and results presentation.

XLfit 4 is a novel software addon for Microsoft Excel that enables automated curve fitting, statistical analysis and results presentation.

Developed by ID Business Solutions (IDBS) - leading provider of integrated data management, analysis and decision-making software - XLfit extends the functionality of Excel to provide a straight-forward and efficient way for researchers to carry out all their curve fitting and statistical analysis within the familiar Excel environment.

XLfit 4 offers more than 70 predefined linear and nonlinear mathematical models and equations, as well as allowing researchers to apply custom equations and fitting models to data sets.

According to Thomas Harding, Data Analysis Software Specialist at Adept: "Many scientists use Excel for their data manipulation and storage.

They don't need the time-consuming steps involved in moving data between applications for curve fitting or statistical analysis.

Unlike stand-alone proprietary packages, XLfit extends the functionality of Excel with research-strength curve fitting and high quality statistics, combined with the required charting capabilities.

This really will change the way many scientists work".

Neil Kipling, IDBS' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer added: "IDBS' goal is to help maximise the research productivity of our customers.

Sometimes that means keeping it simple.

XLfit 4 does exactly that - without compromising on functional sophistication - by empowering researchers in any quantitative discipline to carry out advanced statistical and curve fitting work with ease within the industry-standard spreadsheet environment".

XLfit 4 comprises three designer tools.

The "Fit Designer" helps users choose the right curve-fit model and equation.

Users are aided in their selection by a preview pane that visualises the data even before the model is applied and with descriptions of the extensive range of mathematical models available.

Researchers choose the best-fit model for a particular data set using statistical criteria such as the T-test and F-test of statistical significance.

Fit and parameter statistics can be edited, and custom models and parameters added as required.

The application includes a full set of discovery research curve fitting models, including exponential, power series, sigmoidal, hyperbolic, yield density, linear, polynomial, dose response, inhibition curves, equilibrium binding (single and multiple site analysis) and slow binding.

XLfit 4 comes with an extended range of models and features such as 3D fitting and charting, PA2, global fitting and automatic outlier rejection.

These models allow researchers to entirely automate the fitting processes without leaving Excel and to generate the required results fast.

The "Chart Designer" offers extended style and display options, allowing users to tailor every aspect of an XLfit chart's appearance, including curve style, colour, data point symbols, fonts, titles, axis labels, and grid and intersect lines.

Any number of curves can be overlaid in a worksheet and annotations may be displayed anywhere on the graph.

Design settings can be saved as chart templates and reapplied to other XLfit 4 charts.

XLfit 4 also offers full, high quality printing facilities.

The seamless integration of XLfit 4 with the Microsoft Office suite ensures that when an XLfit chart is copied and pasted into other applications such as Word or PowerPoint, there is full access to the chart and display details, which may then be edited and saved within the new application - users simply double click a chart to activate it and amend any aspect they choose.

The "Statistics Designer" enables users to apply predefined and customised statistical equations and fitting models to an Excel worksheet - users can edit the formulas directly to build their own functions with VBA (Visual Basic for Applications).

XLfit provides a host of statistical equations for different statistics categories including linear correlation coefficients, Spearman's rank correlation, analysis of variances, student T-test and linear regression analysis.

XLfit is available to buy from Adept Scientific.

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