Simulation Data

Figure 1 - Simulation Data Window

The Data window (Figure 1, right) contains all of the sample values for the entire simulation run. Each element is a column; if multiple simulations were executed during the simulation run, each element will be included for every simulation in its own column. Every iteration in the simulation run is a row.

Figure 1, right, demonstrates the Data window for a simulation run that included two simulations - every element is listed twice.

To select an element, click its column header, or click to select any cell in its column.

To select an iteration, click the row number, or click to select any cell in its row.

Drag-and-drop an element's thumbnail graph off the Data window to open that element in a new Browse Results window!

The Data window includes several collapsible sections:

  • General - A thumbnail graph of the element and the element category.
  • Data - Iteration values.

Data Window Command Buttons

The options available only in the Data window are:

  • Settings/Actions - Window-specific setting options and commands. The Data window Settings/Actions are:
    • Sort Data - Sort the Data window. See below for more information.
  • Step Through - Update the model with the selected iteration's values. See below for more information.
  • Export - Copy or export the window's table data.

Sorting the Data Window

Figure 2 - Data Sort Window

By default, the Data window is sorted ascending by iteration number. However, the data can be sorted by any element by using the Sort Data command; selecting this option from the Settings/Actions button will open the Data Sort window (Figure 3, right). The Data Sort window comtains the following configurations:

  • Iteration Number - Sort by Iteration number. Selecting this option enables further configuration for which iterations to display.
    • All Iterations - Every iteration in the simulation run will be displayed.
    • Only Iterations Where an Error Occurred - Only display iterations where an element returned an Excel error code will be displayed.
    • Iterations Remaining After Iteration Filters - Only display iterations that remain after an iteration filter has been applied. See Filtering Results for more information on Iteration Filters.
  • Specific Results - Sort by any element in the Data window (inputs or outputs).
    • Name - The element by which the Data window will be sorted.
    • Show - The method of sorting - either ascending, descending, or only iterations of the selected element that returned an error.
    • Hide Filtered Values for this Result - Any iterations that are filtered (either directly or indirectly) will be hidden.
    • Hide Error for this Result - Any iterations that returned an error will be hidden.

Stepping Through Data

Figure 3 - Step Through Tool

One of the tools available through the Data window is the "step through" tool that enables viewing the sample values for a specific iteration in the model worksheet. This can be a very useful tool for analysis of iterations that contain outlier values for their distributions or those that encountered an error. "Stepping through" the data will load the iteration into the model so that every input and output can be checked and verified.

The Step Through tool is toggled on and off; when it is enabled, selecting any cell in the Data window will load that iteration into the model.