# How do I make more than 2 subgroups?

{% hint style="warning" %}
This page assumes you are familiar with making 2 subgroups. If you are not, please see ['How do I make subgroups'](https://ucsc-xena.gitbook.io/project/how-do-i/how-do-i-make-subgroups).
{% endhint %}

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**](https://xenabrowser.net/heatmap/?bookmark=325cfbf706d253e29253ea430a4fabd1)

![](https://3676322134-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LAsF1Wuj3-Bs3YBFd7f%2F-MUjZYHm9jaLjNfnZ66f%2F-MUjehrIRMXJsn6P6zOl%2FScreen%20Shot%202021-03-01%20at%201.21.09%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=23724012-35b6-40fe-855c-494b559cbf03)

{% hint style="info" %}
[See our help on renaming the subgroup labels](https://ucsc-xena.gitbook.io/project/overview-of-features/filter-and-subgrouping#changing-subgroup-labels) from 'true' and 'false' to something more biologically meaningful.
{% endhint %}

### 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](https://ucsc-xena.gitbook.io/project/how-do-i/how-do-i-make-subgroups-with-4-groups)

### 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**](https://xenabrowser.net/heatmap/?bookmark=ce392a796505576a74715f6ac94efdb3)

![](https://3676322134-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LAsF1Wuj3-Bs3YBFd7f%2Fuploads%2FMCtswFi2NJdxNkSB0Lov%2F4subgroupsERstatusAndERBB2expression.png?alt=media\&token=1db9160b-7d32-402a-99a8-3b79c616e6de)

{% hint style="info" %}
[See our help on renaming the subgroup labels](https://ucsc-xena.gitbook.io/project/overview-of-features/filter-and-subgrouping#changing-subgroup-labels) from 'true' and 'false' to something more biologically meaningful.
{% endhint %}

### 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**](https://xenabrowser.net/heatmap/?bookmark=9a9f5ef512650adf702bd3b374ced7ba)

![](https://3676322134-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LAsF1Wuj3-Bs3YBFd7f%2Fuploads%2FqfSfkyKckX00cVlPVXLZ%2F4subgroupsERstatusAndHER2status.png?alt=media\&token=2ae9cdd4-3656-4e83-a57e-93e45e8c5df0)

{% hint style="info" %}
[See our help on renaming the subgroup labels](https://ucsc-xena.gitbook.io/project/overview-of-features/filter-and-subgrouping#changing-subgroup-labels) from 'true' and 'false' to something more biologically meaningful.
{% endhint %}