# How to use the 'OverrideCycles' setting in the Run Planning User Interface

**Background**

The OverrideCycles setting is used to change the way a read or part of read is treated by BCL Convert. The BCL Convert app for onboard DRAGEN or BaseSpace requires a v2 sample sheet, which can be made using Run Planning on select platforms or in BaseSpace. See [Sample Sheet page](https://help.connected.illumina.com/run-set-up/overview) for links to additional details on required and optional field inputs for v2 Sample Sheets.

*Key arguments for Override Settings*

* **Y** - Use data in Read cycles
* **U** - Use data as UMI cycles
* **I** - Use data as Index cycles
* **N** - Do not use data in either Read or Index

*Setting Override Cycles in Run Planning*

* The Run Planning UI is available in the Control Software on the MiSeq i100 Series and NovaSeq X Series instruments.
* BaseSpace allows for 'OverrideCycles' designation during the Run Planning sample sheet setup.

Run Planning with Onboard DRAGEN

![](/files/JalWhEzB1qK8K2vibi3k)

Run Planning with BaseSpace

![](/files/SNdCA6bzL3XY3RY8Hf48)

* The 'OverrideCycles' defaults in Run Planning will match the run setup as applicable: Y(Read 1); I(Index 1); I(Index 2): Y(Read 2).

  ![](/files/e87OBwwv0y5CKdNMVQC4)

To skip cycles in either the Read or Index:

* Designate the appropriate cycles with the mask flag "N."

  * For example, mask the first cycle of each Read for Illumina Stranded RNA libraries using N1Y150 for Reads 1 and 2.

  ![](/files/2axNdBWs16g3UR9OILK9)

If the Index read includes a UMI portion:

* Designate the appropriate cycles with the UMI flag "U."

  * For example, a run may have Index 1 with a UMI of 8 bases in a run setup of Read 1 150, Index 1 16, Index 2 8, Read 2 150. The Override Cycles would register as Y150;U8I8;I8;Y150.

  ![](/files/E2Q2zGamWbBQ0gPneuo2)

To ignore an entire index while demultiplexing:

* Use case includes demultiplexing runs that contain both single-indexed and dual-indexed samples
* Remove the "I" from the 'OverrideCycles' setting for the index read that is to be ignored in the **\[BCLConvert\_Settings]** section.
* Remove the column (including the column header) for the index read that is to be ignored in the **\[BCLConvert\_Data]** section.

  ![](/files/ai89a5Aqgl9orzQ9GKLK)

  ![](/files/evAJzk6rRjakePgVzgYq)

*Notes for Manual Sample Sheet Modification*

* **\[Reads]** section: This must contain the cycle numbers designated in the RunInfo.xml file (including the cycles to be ignored or treated differently).

  ![](/files/PZ8xMtIPjVoZiZmkorAF)
* **\[BCLConvert\_Settings]** section: This must contain the appropriate 'OverrideCycles' setting.

  * In this example, a sequencing run was completed with 16 cycles for the i5 index, but the actual index for a subset of samples is only 8 bp.

  ![](/files/deopv2hZMGUlSc38FDe8)
* * For some instruments that specify the i5 index in the Reverse Complement orientation, the 'N' is at the beginning of the i5 index (example: Y150;I8;N8I8;Y150). For more information, see [Guidelines for reverse complementing i5 sequences for demultiplexing](/software/general/software-general-reference_material-list/000001800.md).
* **\[BCLConvert\_Data]** section: This section contains the correct indexes.

  * If some index cycles are ignored/treated differently, then this section should contain the correct, shortened indexes.
  * Ns are not recognized as wildcard characters.

  ![](/files/kz1FGMLlSs79tKDVE9GH)

More information about this setting can be found in the BCL Convert online help [page](https://support-docs.illumina.com/SW/BCL_Convert/Content/SW/BCLConvert/SampleSheets_swBCL.htm).

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| *For any feedback or questions regarding this article (Illumina Knowledge Article #5671), contact Illumina Technical Support* [*techsupport@illumina.com*](mailto:techsupport@illumina.com?subject=Question%2FFeedback%20Regarding%20Illumina%20Knowledge%20Article%20#000001800%20-%20Software%20\&body=Dear%20Illumina%20Technical%20Support,%0D%0A%0D%0A)*.* |


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