Discover the LabArchives Widget Manager & Library: A New Era of ELN Customization

The LabArchives Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) for Research includes a suite of powerful and customizable built-in widgets to support your workflows. Users with a Professional subscription or who are part of an Enterprise License can create custom widgets, which can be simple templates, advanced forms, calculators, and applications, that help tailor your notebook to your specific needs. We’re taking this customization to the next level by introducing the Widget Library, a centralized space for sharing widgets and optimizing workflows.

The Widget Manager is your all-in-one tool for creating and managing widgets, with three dynamic sections:

1. Available Widgets: A dropdown menu gives you access to all your widgets. Easily manage them by copying, deleting, or creating new ones with just a few clicks.
2. Widget Editor: Personalize your widgets by giving them unique names and detailed descriptions to keep everything organized.
3. Widget Canvas: A workspace where you can design, preview, and edit your widgets.

How the Widget Library Benefits You

The Widget Library is designed to foster collaboration and innovation among our community of researchers. Here’s how it’s growing:

1. Share and Be Recognized: Users who have developed custom widgets will be able to showcase their work with the broader LabArchives community.  Authors of shared widgets will be given credit. If interested, email us with a description of your custom widget.
2. Quarterly Releases Based on Your Needs: LabArchives will introduce curated widgets each quarter, driven by feedback from our upcoming Q1 2025 survey. This ensures new widgets are aligned with your workflows and challenges.

The Widget Library launches with several powerful widgets are already available to kickstart your collection, with more on the way:

Core Facility Request Form

Simplify and organize sample processing with the Core Facility Request Form widget. This form allows core facilities to seamlessly document submissions, generate quotes, and record when results are shared. 

Mouse Colony Genotyping Report

Streamline your mouse colony management with the Mouse Colony Genotyping Report widget. This form is designed to easily document genotyping results, ensuring accurate tracking of your colony.

Project Overview

Keep your team aligned and up-to-date with the Project Overview widget, which allows groups to summarize a project's current status. It's a simple yet powerful way to keep your projects on track.

Research Data Management Plan 

This widget helps teams summarize projects into clear, concise research data management and sharing plans—an essential step for meeting requirements from funding agencies like the NIH. 

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Create clear, consistent, and professional SOPs effortlessly with the Standard Operating Procedure widget. Whether you're drafting safety documentation or operational guidelines, this tool ensures every page follows a standardized format.

To Do List

Easily jot down your next steps or must-do items, and enjoy checking them off as each task or step is completed.

Who Can Access the Widget Library?

Access to the Widget Manager and Widget Library is exclusive to Professional and Enterprise Edition users of ELN for Research. (Please note: Free Edition users will not have access.)

Whether you’re looking to streamline your lab processes, improve productivity or amplify your impact by contributing to the innovation and efficiency of your colleagues, the Widget Manager and Widget Library are here to support your journey.