Katalyst: Changing plate type (e.g., 96-well to 384-well) mid-experiment leads to errors or misaligned wells

Description

• Users initially configure a plate as 96‑well, then later realize they need 384‑well (or vice versa).
• Attempting to change plate type:
  • Causes errors, or
  • Leaves well mappings inconsistent with previously attached data or materials.

Solution

• Understand plate type constraints:
  • Plate type defines the number and naming of wells; changing it mid‑experiment may invalidate existing mappings.
• Safer approach:
  • If significant data or materials already exist:
    • Create a new plate with the correct type.
    • Migrate materials and data, where possible, to the new plate.
  • Leave the original plate in place (possibly marked as unused) to avoid breaking references.
• If no data has been attached yet:
  • You may be able to safely change plate type, depending on version; test this in a lower environment first.