Sublists in Agilent ICP-MS MassHunter can be used in a Sample List (or sample sequence) to reduce the measured elements from the acquisition method. This means a single method can be created with all analytes and the sublist defines the measured elements for each sample. This approach offers two key advantages:

  • It simplifies data assessment and reprocessing by acquiring data only for the selected elements per sample.
  • It reduces acquisition times for samples when a sublist is applied.

Figure 1 shows the total number of elements within the method and sublists of analytes for different samples.

Table with columns: Method Elements, Samples 1-20, 21-40, and 41. Elements Be, Cr, As, Cd, Pb; colored cells show their presence or absence for measurement.

Figure 1. Example of a method containing five elements with three sublists selected for different samples.

Display the sublist column

If the sublist column is not displayed in the ICP-MS MassHunter Sample List, it will need to be added. Right-click on the header column and select Add/Remove Columns…, as shown in Figure 2.

Screenshot of a software interface showing a dropdown menu, accessed by right-clicking. An arrow labeled

Figure 2. Right-click the dropdown option to display the “Add/Remove Columns…” dialogue.

The Add/Remove Columns dialogue is displayed; the available columns are shown on the left-hand side of the dialogue, and the displayed columns are on the right. Any item can be shown or hidden by moving it between the two sections using the arrow keys or by double-clicking on the item. Figure 3 shows the dialogue with available and displayed items. The order of the columns can also be changed by selecting the item and clicking Move Up or Move Down. Select the sublist item and add it to the list of displayed column headers and click OK.

A computer screen displays the sample list interface titled

Figure 3. Add/Remove Columns dialogue showing the available and displayed columns for the Sample List.

The sublist column will now be present (and should remain in subsequent batches even after exiting ICP-MS MassHunter).

Create and edit a sublist

To create a sublist; double click on the empty cell in the sublist column next to any sample. This will bring up the sublist editor periodic table (Figure 4.).

A periodic table interface with selected elements highlighted in orange. A checklist to the right shows elements like Lithium and Iron marked for acquisition.

Figure 4. Element selection/deselection dialogue that is displayed after double-clicking the sublist cell.

To name, create a new, or delete a sublist, click on the Edit button. A new dialogue (Figure 5) is displayed that will allow you to rename the sublists associated with the sample sequence (or create/delete a sublist).

Dialog box titled

Figure 5. Dialogue allows create/delete as well as the renaming of sublists

After clicking OK, the altered sublists are available for customizing the element lists. Any element displayed in orange is active and will be analyzed, elements displayed in blue are excluded and will not be analyzed. The example in Figure 6 shows a sublist named Element List 2 with Ag, Cd, In, and Sn selected; all other elements in that sublist will not be measured. Remember to include the relevant internal standards in the sublist.

Interactive periodic table interface showing elements in blue, orange, and gray. Selected elements are shown in orange. Selection boxes on the right, with mass details below. Cursor on 'OK'.

Figure 6. Example of a sublist with Ag, Cd, In, and Sn selected for measurement. Any internal standards (In in the example) must also be included in the sublist.

Using sublists in a sample sequence

The sublists will now be available in the sample sequence as a dropdown selection. Edits to any sublist can be easily performed by double-clicking the cell again and following the aforementioned procedure. Any changes made will be reflected across all samples using that sublist.

A sample list in ICP-MS MassHunter displays water samples for analysis with columns for Sample Name and Vial#. A dropdown is highlighted in the

Figure 7. Sequence table showing samples with different sublists assigned including the drop-down selection dialogue.

The configured sublists are saved to the batch folder, and any new batches created using the batch will include the sublists. If the batch is saved as a template, all sublists will also be stored and will be ready for use in future analyses.

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