How do I make more than 2 subgroups?

This page assumes you are familiar with making 2 subgroups. If you are not, please see 'How do I make subgroups'.

To make more than 2 sample subgroups, enter multiple search terms, such as 'C:>15' into the search box. Separate each search term with a ';'.

This can be used for a number of situations:

• To divide a single numerical column into more than 2 subgroups (e.g. geneA high, geneA mid, and geneA low)

• To make subgroups over the expression of two genes such that you get 4 subgroups (e.g. geneA high + geneB high, geneA low + geneB high, geneA high + geneB low, geneA low + geneB low)

• To make subgroups over the expression of a gene and a categorical column (e.g. geneA high + Estrogen Receptor positive, geneA low + Estrogen Receptor positive, geneA high + Estrogen Receptor negative, geneA low + Estrogen Receptor negative)

• To make subgroups over two categorical columns (e.g. Estrogen Receptor positive + HER2 positive, Estrogen Receptor negative + HER2 positive, Estrogen Receptor positive + HER2 negative, Estrogen Receptor negative + HER2 negative)

See below for an example of each.

Examples

Dividing a single numerical column into more than 2 subgroups (e.g. geneA high, geneA mid, and geneA low)

In the screenshot below you can see that column D that ranges from 7.3 to 12. If you wanted to have 3 groups: 7.3 - 9, 9 - 10, and 10 - 12, you would enter:

C:>9 ; C:>10

into the search bar and then choose 'New subgroup column' from the filter/subgroup drop down menu.

Ending Screenshot

See our help on renaming the subgroup labels from 'true' and 'false' to something more biologically meaningful.

Making subgroups over the expression of two genes such that you get 4 subgroups (e.g. geneA high + geneB high, geneA low + geneB high, geneA high + geneB low, geneA low + geneB low)

Click here to see our separate help page for this scenario

Making subgroups over the expression of a gene and a categorical column (e.g. geneA high + Estrogen Receptor positive, geneA low + Estrogen Receptor positive, geneA high + Estrogen Receptor negative, geneA low + Estrogen Receptor negative)

In the screenshot below you can see that column E (ERBB2 gene expression) that ranges from 10 to 16. If you wanted to have 4 groups: ERBB2 > 13 + Estrogen Receptor positive, ERBB2 <= 13 + Estrogen Receptor positive, ERBB2 > 13 + Estrogen Receptor negative, ERBB2 <= 13 + Estrogen Receptor negative), you would enter:

E:>13 ; C:Negative

into the search bar and then choose 'New subgroup column' from the filter/subgroup drop down menu.

Ending screenshot

See our help on renaming the subgroup labels from 'true' and 'false' to something more biologically meaningful.

Making subgroups over two categorical columns (e.g. Estrogen Receptor positive + HER2 positive, Estrogen Receptor negative + HER2 positive, Estrogen Receptor positive + HER2 negative, Estrogen Receptor negative + HER2 negative)

In the screenshot below, if you wanted to have 4 groups: Estrogen Receptor positive + HER2 positive, Estrogen Receptor negative + HER2 positive, Estrogen Receptor positive + HER2 negative, Estrogen Receptor negative + HER2 negative you would enter:

C:Negative ; D:Negative

into the search bar and then choose 'New subgroup column' from the filter/subgroup drop down menu.

Ending bookmark

See our help on renaming the subgroup labels from 'true' and 'false' to something more biologically meaningful.