# 15.3.8.3 Comparing Datasets (OriginPro Only)

This tool is used to compare two fitting results from the same fitting function for two different fitting datasets. F-test is used to determine whether the two datasets are significantly different from each other.

To use this tool,

1. Perform fitting on two different datasets, using the same fitting function, and create two fitting reports.
2. Select Analysis: Fitting: Compare Datasets from Origin menu.

Dialog settings are listed in the following sections.

 Note: When perform the fitting on multiple datasets simultaneously, please make sure the fitting results reports of each dataset are output to different worksheets, or Origin can not recognize the fitting results. To ensure that, while you perform the fitting, set Multi-Data Fit Mode as Independent Fit - Separate Reports. For nonlinear curve fitting, go to the Settings tab of the NLFit dialog, select Data Selection on the left panel, you can find this setting on the right panel.
 Example Suppose we have 2 datasets and would like to see whether they are different for same model, $y=y_0+Ae^{-x/t_1}$ Operation Import Exponential Decay.dat on \Samples\Curve Fitting folder. Highlight Col(B), select Analysis: Fitting: Nonlinear Curve Fit to open dialog. Set Function as ExpDec1. Click OK to get result sheet. Highlight Col(C) and select Analysis: Fitting: Nonlinear Curve fit: 1 to quick fit Col(C) with same model. Select Analysis: Fitting: Compare Datasets to open dialog. Click browse button to open Report Tree Browser and select 1 item for Fit Result1. Repeat same operation to select another item for Fit Result2. Select Fit Parameters and Fit Statistics and click OK. From F-test table, we can roughly draw conclusion that Col(B) and Col(C) are different when fit with expDec1 model.

## Dialog Controls

### Recalculate

Specify the way to recalculate and update the result if there is any change in the input data.
See:

Recalculating Analysis Results

### Fit Result1

Specify the first fitting result. Click Report Tree Browser button on the right of Fit Result1 box, all fitting reports are shown in the Report Tree Browser dialog. You can choose a fitting report as Fit Result1 in the Report Tree Browser dialog.

Note that Origin doesn't support to compare fitting datasets for fitting results using an ODR algorithm. For example, fitting results using the same implicit function will not be shown in Fit Result1's Report Tree Browser dialog.

### Fit Result2

Specify the second fitting result. Click Report Tree Browser button on the right of Fit Result2 box, only fitting reports whose fitting function is the same as Fit Result1's are shown in the Report Tree Browser dialog. You can choose a fitting report as Fit Result2 in the Report Tree Browser dialog.