- New: opens a new input window
- Open: opens a file
- Close: closes window (without saving)
- Save: saves with current name
- Save as: saves with new name
- Run: runs OxCal
- Insert: inserts a Prior or Curve command
- Manager: opens file manager window

- Undo: undoes last edit function
- Redo: undoes undo
- Cut: removes selected commands to OxCal clipboard
- Copy: copies selected commands
- Paste: pastes commands from OxCal clipboard
- Delete: deletes selected commands
- Edit: puts text of commands into an edit window - this can be copied to the usual clipboard if required;

Note that double clicking on a command also allows you to edit it

- Chronological model: shows a box model with the oldest events shown first (at the top)
- Stratigraphic model: is reversed so that the oldest events are shown at the bottom
- List: shows a heirarchical list of commands
- Code: shows the actual code in an editable form - no other editing methods work in this mode

Note in all cases except code groups can be expanded and contracted to make the model easier to work with

- Pick command to be inserted (eg R_Date)
- Use short-cuts from below
- Enter data for parameters
- Parameters needed are shown by the prompts

- Resolution: bin size for probability distributions
- Curve options
  - Cubic: interpolation between curve points (otherwise linear)
  - Include raw data: required if you want this in your plots
  - Use F14C space: calibration comparisons are made in F14C rather than BP
- Whole (foruits): gives only one range (floruit if using probability method)
- Intercept method: for 14C calibrations (otherwise probability method)
- Convergence data: include if you wish to plot
- Uniform span prior: special prior factors for use with multiple phases
- MCMC iterations: select higher number to ensure conversion

Specific atmospheric curves can be selected. See help on calibration curves.

An exponential reservoir time constant can be enetered where turnover is slow relative to the resolution.

Marine components can be entered in any proportion (select 100% for fully marine). You will need to set a ΔR offset for local effects. See help on calibration curves for links to database of values.

Select required type of model

- Phases: groups of events that have do not have their relative order defined
- Sequences: groups of events where the relative order is known
- 14C date combination: combine several 14C dates
- Dendro wiggle match: groups of events where the exact age gap between events is known (eg tree rings)
- Deposition model: events from a context where linear or Poisson deposition rate can be assumed
- Exponential distribution: events exponentially distributed in time (exponential rise or fall)
- Ramped distribution: events ramping linearly up or down in probability over a period
- Normal distribution: events with an expected Normal or Gaussian distribution
- Outlier model: model to use with outlier analysis

- Number of phases: number of distinct unordered groups
- Contiguous: implies that one phase starts as the previous one finishes
- Sequential: implies that the phases may have intervals between them
- Overlapping: implies that the phases may overlap one another

- Number of sequences: number of distinct unordered groups
- Contiguous: implies that one sequence starts as the previous one finishes
- Sequential: implies that the sequences may have intervals between them
- Overlapping: implies that the sequences may overlap one another

- Enter data for dates from a spreadsheet or by hand
- Three columns needed (Name, Date, Uncertainty)
- Specify any extra systematic uncertainty
- Separator: defines how the lines are split

- Enter data for dates and gaps from a spreadsheet or by hand
- Four columns needed (Name, Date, Uncertainty, Gap)
- Data should be oldest first
- Separator: defines how the lines are split

- Enter data for dates and gaps from a spreadsheet or by hand
- Four columns needed (Name, Date, Uncertainty, Depth)
- Data should be entered top down
- Choose a linear (rigid) or Poisson model
- k is a rigidity parameter for Poisson models corresponding to the number of events per unit depth
- Separator: defines how the lines are split

- Rise/Fall: defines whether the events are rising or falling in probability over the period
- Ordered: defines whether the events within the group are in a particular sequence
- Tau_Baoundary which is evaluated, is one exponential time constant away from the end point of the exponential- the events in the group will normally straddle this value

- Rise/Fall: defines whether the events are rising or falling in probability over the period
- Ordered: defines whether the events within the group are in a particular sequence
- Zero_Baoundary which is evaluated, is the point at which the rise/fall terminates

- Ordered: defines whether the events within the group are in a particular sequence
- The Sigma_Boundaries which are evaluated, are +/- 1σ for the normal distribution - the events will usually spill outside these 'boundaries'

- The name can be used to refer to a specific model in Outlier() statements.
- The distribution function defines the distribution of the outliers.
- The overall scale of the outliers must be defined - this can be left wide from between 100 to 104 which should cover most eventualities. The distribution is in powers of 10.
- The types of outlier allowed are "t" for time, "r" for radiocarbon and "s" for possibly underestimated standard deviations.

- Pick command to be duplicated (eg R_Date)
- Enter data from a spreadsheet or by hand
- Columns needed are shown at top of the entry box
- Separator: defines how the lines are split

Context Sensitive Tips ON

- Edit command parameters etc
- Press Ok to replace current selection with edited code
- Press Cancel to abandon edit