Why do we use Row and Column filters instead of the Position field?

We use Row and Column filters instead of the Position field because the Position (like A1, B2) is stored as text. Text fields only show dropdown filters and do not support filtering by range (min/max). Row and Column are number fields, so OpenSpecimen lets you filter by range, which makes it much easier to select many specimens at once.

Please refer to the list view page for the configuration.

How to use Row and Column filters:

1. Go to the Container → Specimens tab.

2. Use the filters:

   1. Row: enter a range (for example, 1 to 3)

   2. Column: enter a range (for example, 1 to 5)

3. This will show specimens in positions like:

   1. A1 (Row 1, Column 1)

   2. A2 (Row 1, Column 2)

   3. B1 (Row 2, Column 1)

   4. …

   5. C5 (Row 3, Column 5)

4. Select all the specimens shown, then use bulk Edit to update any field in bulk.

Example:

To update all specimens in the first two rows of a 9×9 box:

• Set Row: 1 to 2

• Set Column: 1 to 9

This will show specimens from A1 to B9. You can then bulk update their arrival dates together.