User Message

Description

The User Message task ():

•	Displays reminder messages. For example, the message can remind the operator to change pipette heads, empty the waste container, empty a reservoir, or replace labware.

•	Prompts operators for variable values.

The protocol run is paused until the operator clicks Continue, or supplies the requested variable value and clicks Continue.

Note: Except for those that request variable input, user messages do not appear when running a protocol in simulation mode.

IMPORTANT Remove all user messages from protocols that will run unattended.

 

Task is available for...	Task is available in...
Any device	Startup Protocol Main Protocol Cleanup Protocol

Requirements

If you want the User Message task to request variable input, add the variable in the desired tasks. For information, see Using simple variables.

Task parameters

After adding the User Message task at the desired point in the protocol, set the following parameters in the Task Parameters area:

 

 

Parameter	Description
User Message Properties
Title	The text that appears in the titlebar of the message dialog box.
Body	The text that displays in the message dialog box. To enter the message using the Input Text dialog box: 1 Click the Body field in the Task Parameters area, and then click the button that appears. The Input Text dialog box opens. 2 Type the message that you want to display, and then click OK.
Notify First Time Only	The option to display the message the first time it appears in the protocol if you are running the protocol multiple times, or if the User Message task is in the loop.
Display Dialog Box	The option to display the message dialog box when the User Message task runs.
Pause Process	The option to pause the run when the User Message task runs. This option is only available when the Display Dialog Box option is selected.
Email	The option to send an email when the User Message task runs. The email subject is the message title and the email body is the text displayed in the message dialog box. To receive email, you must set up email notification. See Setting up email notification for instructions on how to set up email notification. Note: If the email setup is incorrect, an error will be recorded in the main log but will not cause the run to pause.
Twitter Message	The option to send a message to a Twitter account when the User Message task run. The message contains the text displayed in the message dialog box. To receive a Twitter message, you must set up a Twitter account. See Setting up automatic online notification for instructions on setting up online notification.
Scripting Variable Data Entry
User Data Entry into Variable	The option to prompt the operator for a variable value.
Variable name	The name of the variable.
Task Description
Task Number	The number that indicates the position of the task in the protocol.
Task Description	The description of the task.
Use Default Task Description	The option to use the default task description or provide your own description for the task. Select the check box to use the default description. Clear the check box to provide your own description.

Example

Goal

Display messages at the beginning of the protocol run to remind the operator to check fluid levels and to set the aspirate volume.

Implementation

In the Startup Protocol, add two User Message tasks. The first task asks the operator to check fluid levels. The second message asks the operator for the aspirate volume. AspVol is the variable defined for the aspirate volume.

 

The task parameters for both User Message tasks are as follows:

 

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
Adding tasks in a protocol	Adding and deleting tasks
Using simple variables	Using simple variables
Adding user message prompts	Adding user message prompts
Defining variables	Define Variables
Microplate-handling tasks	Setting parameters for scheduling tasks
Microplate-storage tasks	Setting parameters for scheduling tasks
Liquid-handling tasks	Setting parameters for liquid-handling tasks
I/O-handling tasks	Setting parameters for I/O-handling tasks