Generate Poisson random counts

Example: surface defects per panel

Simulate separate surface defects on 200 independent panels, each with area 1 m². One panel may have several defects.

Download the generator parameters (reference CSV)

This is the same example used in Help. The CSV lists the generator parameters for reference. Enter them manually on Inputs; importing the CSV does not configure the generator or provide measured observations.

1. Create the generator

In the sidebar, choose Data utilities, then Create Random Data. Name the analysis, select New blank worksheet and choose Create analysis. This worksheet receives the generated columns.

2. Set the generated variable

On Inputs, under Generated variables, enter surface_defects_per_panel in Column name and 200 in Number of observations. Choose Poisson in Distribution.

Enter 2.5 in Mean (λ). This is the model’s average number of separate defects per 1 m² panel.

3. Set the seed and destination

Open Reproducibility and enter 42 in Random seed.

Check Worksheet output: the destination should be your analysis worksheet, with one new column. Generate once to reproduce this example. Each successful run appends new columns.

Create Random Data: Inputs with the example’s assignments and settings — The Poisson definition and seed 42 on Inputs. The worksheet receives one new column. View full-size image (opens in a new tab)

4. Generate data

Choose Generate data, then open Results. Open Worksheet to see the new columns.

5. Interpret results

Check the generated output
There is one new column, surface_defects_per_panel, with 200 values. These are simulated observations for practice, not measured production data.
Read the model
The model averages 2.5 separate defects per equal-area panel. That does not mean 2.5% of panels are defective. The generated sample’s average count need not be exactly 2.5.
Read a generated row
The first generated panel has 4 defects; the fifth has 0. Read each row as a nonnegative whole-number defect count for one panel. Several defects can belong to the same panel.
Use the sample deliberately
Use the generated columns to practise an analysis or explore the supplied model. Seed 42 repeats this sample with the same ordered definitions and calculation version. A blank seed requests a fresh sample. Running Generate data again appends columns; it does not replace the earlier output.

More details: read each result section

Complete result tables use six significant digits, as in Help.

Generation summary

The summary lists surface_defects_per_panel, its 200 valid values, the distribution and seed 42.

Calculated example output. Running a practice copy writes new columns to its independent worksheet.

Generation summary · 1 row
Definition	Output column	Distribution	Valid values	Seed
surface_defects_per_panel	surface_defects_per_panel	poisson	200	42

Captured generator parameters

The model averages 2.5 separate defects per equal-area panel. That does not mean 2.5% of panels are defective. The generated sample’s average count need not be exactly 2.5.

Captured generator parameters · 1 row
Definition	Parameter	Value
surface_defects_per_panel	mean	2.5

Generated values

All 200 generated rows are retained in generation order. The first generated panel has 4 defects; the fifth has 0. Read each row as a nonnegative whole-number defect count for one panel. Several defects can belong to the same panel.

Captured values in original row order. Exports retain full precision.

Generated values · 200 rows
Row	surface_defects_per_panel
1	4
2	3
3	4
4	2
5	0
6	7
7	1
8	2
9	3
10	1
11	2
12	3
13	3
14	2
15	0
16	5
17	1
18	5
19	2
20	2
21	2
22	2
23	5
24	0
25	1
26	1
27	1
28	3
29	2
30	3
31	4
32	1
33	3
34	3
35	4
36	1
37	0
38	2
39	1
40	3
41	1
42	3
43	4
44	2
45	1
46	3
47	1
48	4
49	2
50	4
51	3
52	2
53	7
54	3
55	3
56	2
57	3
58	4
59	0
60	1
61	2
62	2
63	3
64	2
65	4
66	1
67	2
68	1
69	6
70	2
71	2
72	3
73	4
74	3
75	0
76	2
77	1
78	2
79	1
80	0
81	0
82	1
83	3
84	3
85	1
86	2
87	0
88	2
89	1
90	2
91	6
92	4
93	2
94	2
95	2
96	2
97	4
98	5
99	4
100	1
101	1
102	4
103	5
104	2
105	5
106	2
107	1
108	4
109	3
110	1
111	2
112	5
113	4
114	2
115	2
116	3
117	4
118	4
119	3
120	1
121	1
122	4
123	0
124	0
125	4
126	5
127	1
128	4
129	2
130	3
131	1
132	3
133	3
134	2
135	4
136	2
137	2
138	1
139	2
140	3
141	2
142	2
143	5
144	4
145	5
146	4
147	0
148	1
149	2
150	2
151	3
152	1
153	5
154	3
155	2
156	3
157	3
158	1
159	3
160	2
161	1
162	3
163	4
164	1
165	2
166	6
167	3
168	1
169	3
170	1
171	3
172	0
173	4
174	7
175	6
176	3
177	0
178	5
179	1
180	4
181	1
182	1
183	5
184	3
185	2
186	3
187	3
188	2
189	2
190	4
191	1
192	6
193	1
194	0
195	1
196	3
197	5
198	4
199	2
200	1

6. Create a report

Keep Generation summary, Captured generator parameters and Generated values. Record the seed, the model and its units. Label the output as simulated practice data.

Choose Add to report from the completed run. Open Choose individual items and advanced options to select tables and charts, then choose Add to draft. Hidden items stay in the saved analysis.

Name the report and add the purpose of the study and your interpretation. Choose Save, review Preview, then use Export → Download HTML. The example below contains the full selected content, including results beyond one screen.

Complete native output for this Help example, including applicable tables, charts and run notes. Report numbers use the app’s displayed precision. Exported charts are static. On narrow screens, scroll wide charts and tables sideways.

Open full report Download HTML report

View example report

Row	surface_defects_per_panel
1	4
2	3
3	4
4	2
5	0
6	7
7	1
8	2
9	3
10	1
11	2
12	3
13	3
14	2
15	0
16	5
17	1
18	5
19	2
20	2
21	2
22	2
23	5
24	0
25	1
26	1
27	1
28	3
29	2
30	3
31	4
32	1
33	3
34	3
35	4
36	1
37	0
38	2
39	1
40	3
41	1
42	3
43	4
44	2
45	1
46	3
47	1
48	4
49	2
50	4
51	3
52	2
53	7
54	3
55	3
56	2
57	3
58	4
59	0
60	1
61	2
62	2
63	3
64	2
65	4
66	1
67	2
68	1
69	6
70	2
71	2
72	3
73	4
74	3
75	0
76	2
77	1
78	2
79	1
80	0
81	0
82	1
83	3
84	3
85	1
86	2
87	0
88	2
89	1
90	2
91	6
92	4
93	2
94	2
95	2
96	2
97	4
98	5
99	4
100	1
101	1
102	4
103	5
104	2
105	5
106	2
107	1
108	4
109	3
110	1
111	2
112	5
113	4
114	2
115	2
116	3
117	4
118	4
119	3
120	1
121	1
122	4
123	0
124	0
125	4
126	5
127	1
128	4
129	2
130	3
131	1
132	3
133	3
134	2
135	4
136	2
137	2
138	1
139	2
140	3
141	2
142	2
143	5
144	4
145	5
146	4
147	0
148	1
149	2
150	2
151	3
152	1
153	5
154	3
155	2
156	3
157	3
158	1
159	3
160	2
161	1
162	3
163	4
164	1
165	2
166	6
167	3
168	1
169	3
170	1
171	3
172	0
173	4
174	7
175	6
176	3
177	0
178	5
179	1
180	4
181	1
182	1
183	5
184	3
185	2
186	3
187	3
188	2
189	2
190	4
191	1
192	6
193	1
194	0
195	1
196	3
197	5
198	4
199	2
200	1

Row	surface_defects_per_panel
1	4
2	3
3	4
4	2
5	0
6	7
7	1
8	2
9	3
10	1
11	2
12	3
13	3
14	2
15	0
16	5
17	1
18	5
19	2
20	2
21	2
22	2
23	5
24	0
25	1
26	1
27	1
28	3
29	2
30	3
31	4
32	1
33	3
34	3
35	4
36	1
37	0
38	2
39	1
40	3
41	1
42	3
43	4
44	2
45	1
46	3
47	1
48	4
49	2
50	4
51	3
52	2
53	7
54	3
55	3
56	2
57	3
58	4
59	0
60	1
61	2
62	2
63	3
64	2
65	4
66	1
67	2
68	1
69	6
70	2
71	2
72	3
73	4
74	3
75	0
76	2
77	1
78	2
79	1
80	0
81	0
82	1
83	3
84	3
85	1
86	2
87	0
88	2
89	1
90	2
91	6
92	4
93	2
94	2
95	2
96	2
97	4
98	5
99	4
100	1
101	1
102	4
103	5
104	2
105	5
106	2
107	1
108	4
109	3
110	1
111	2
112	5
113	4
114	2
115	2
116	3
117	4
118	4
119	3
120	1
121	1
122	4
123	0
124	0
125	4
126	5
127	1
128	4
129	2
130	3
131	1
132	3
133	3
134	2
135	4
136	2
137	2
138	1
139	2
140	3
141	2
142	2
143	5
144	4
145	5
146	4
147	0
148	1
149	2
150	2
151	3
152	1
153	5
154	3
155	2
156	3
157	3
158	1
159	3
160	2
161	1
162	3
163	4
164	1
165	2
166	6
167	3
168	1
169	3
170	1
171	3
172	0
173	4
174	7
175	6
176	3
177	0
178	5
179	1
180	4
181	1
182	1
183	5
184	3
185	2
186	3
187	3
188	2
189	2
190	4
191	1
192	6
193	1
194	0
195	1
196	3
197	5
198	4
199	2
200	1