Bugs that can lead to results becoming orphaned

A results sheet is said to be orphaned when the data table used as input to the analysis has been deleted. Here are two bugs where Prism thinks the results are orphaned even though the data still exist. 

Deleting data with chained analyses

This bug is in Prism 4, 5 and 6. We'll fix in a future release.

The bug happens when you follow these steps. 

1. Create an XY data table and enter data. 
2. Run an analysis (linear or nonlinear regression or spline/LOWESS) with options selected so it creates a results table with green grid lines. Examples include nonlinear regression set to report residuals, outliers, or interpolated results. 
3. Analyze one of the green results sheet with some other analysis (often Transform).
4. Go back to the data table, and erase all the data (or all the Y values). 
5. View the results (or graph).
6. Go back to the data table, and enter or import new data.
7. Now go look at the results of the second analysis.

What you'll see: The results created in step 3 have become orphaned. They are no longer coupled to any input table, so the results don't change when you enter new data. 

To avoid the problem: Skip step 5. After you delete all the data, there is no reason to look at the results or graphs. 

To fix the problem: From the orphaned results sheet, click Change... Data analyzed and select the appropriate results sheet that will serve as the input to this analysis.

Saving a file created in Prism 6 with Prism 5 then reopening in Prism 6

These steps will lead to an orphaned results page:

1. Create a file in Prism 6 or later using an analysis not in Prism 5. 
2. Open in Prism 5. That analysis is correctly labeled as coming from a newer version. You can see the results but not change the choices. But the analysis at this point is also orphaned. That means it doesn't know what data table it analyzed. 
3. Save in Prism 5. 
4. Open in Prism 6 or later. That results page is still orphaned (but shouldn't be). Since it is orphaned, the results won't update if you change the data, and you can't change the analysis parameters.  Fix using Change... Data analyzed and choose the appropriate data or results table that the analysis is supposed to analyze.