QuickPLS documentation

Projects and sample copies

A project stores its data reference, model, calculation recipes, completed results, diagrams, and provenance. Save your own work before starting an analysis.

Open a supplied sample

1. On Home, choose a sample and select Open Sample.
2. QuickPLS opens an isolated temporary copy; the packaged source remains unchanged.
3. Calculate normally. When closing, choose whether to keep the working copy.
4. If you choose Yes, select a destination for the editable .qpls copy.

Create your own project

1. Choose New Project, enter a meaningful project name, and choose a writable location.
2. Import the data, specify the model or variable roles, and resolve readiness messages.
3. Save before calculation. QuickPLS retains the calculation snapshot inside the project.

Prepare and import data

1. Open Data and choose Import Data.
2. Select CSV or XLSX and confirm whether rows contain observations, correlations, or covariance data.
3. Review column names, types, missing values, and the generated preview.
4. Use Advanced import settings only when delimiters, decimals, encodings, or matrix metadata need correction.
5. Choose Import. Confirm observations and variables before modelling.

Specify the model

1. Create constructs and name them with researcher-facing labels.
2. Assign indicators and confirm reflective, formative, or common-factor measurement as required.
3. Use Connect to draw directional structural paths.
4. Resolve every blocking issue. Use each issue’s Go to action when available.
5. Use Arrange once, refine positions if needed, and save the layout before screenshots or calculation.

Prepared tutorial projects already contain saved, fitted coordinates. Do not arrange them again unless you intentionally edit the model.

Run a calculation

1. Choose Calculate from the model workspace.
2. Search for the method or choose it from its family.
3. Review the visible essential inputs. Open Advanced settings only when the research design requires them.
4. Resolve blockers; review warnings for applicability or interpretation.
5. Leave Open Results when finished selected and choose Start calculation.

Read results

1. Use the left output navigator or search to open a named result.
2. Start with model estimates, then quality criteria, inference, diagnostics, and model/data outputs.
3. Use Decimals, Rows, and Columns to adjust the table view without changing stored values.
4. Sort by a column heading. Right-click or use Copy for a formatted table.
5. Enable technical columns only when you need immutable IDs, receipts, or provenance.

Blank, not-applicable, unavailable, and not-run outputs are different states. Follow the explanation shown with the output rather than treating every blank cell as zero.

Save reports and export tables

1. Choose Save Report for a project-resident report assembled from the completed result.
2. Choose Export for a registered external format, destination, and filename.
3. Use table-level Copy or Export for one output.
4. Keep technical columns excluded for ordinary reporting; include them for audit or reconciliation work.
5. Close and reopen the project to confirm that the required result and report remain available.