From a PDF lookup to a search box

A proposal, built as a working page, that replaced manual look-ups of gas parameters with search and auto-fill. The manufacturer agreed to implement gas selection and automatic response-factor entry without a firmware change.

The proposal's interactive demo. A search for "THF" returns two gases, each with the matching alternative name highlighted, beside the User Gas Configuration table. — THE INTERACTIVE PROPOSAL — SEARCH, SELECT, AUTO-FILL

DATE: JAN 2026
CONTEXT: First weeks using the software as a new hire at the distributor
ROLE: Found the problem as a user · Designed the solution · Built the interactive proposal · Made the case to the manufacturer
STACK: HTML · CSS · JavaScript

THE 45-SECOND READ

PROBLEM

To configure a custom gas, users had to look up molecular weight and response factor in a PDF table and type them in. The detector then showed only "USER GAS1", so the operator in the field could not tell which gas was configured.

DECISION

Build the proposal as a page the founder and the manufacturer could click through, instead of describing it in an email.

PRODUCT

A current-vs-proposed comparison, a working search with auto-fill, a simulation of the device's LCD, and the reasoning behind each choice.

STATUS

The manufacturer agreed to implement gas selection and automatic response-factor entry without modifying firmware; other parts are still under discussion.

THE PRACTICE / 01

Search, not a dropdown

Hundreds of gases in a dropdown is unusable. Search matches English name, alternative name, formula, Chinese name and CAS number, and shows why each result matched. The built-in database covers 840+ gases.

SEARCH → SELECT → MW AND RF FILL IN → DISPLAY NAME WITH A CHARACTER COUNTER → THE LCD, CURRENT VS PROPOSED.

THE PRACTICE / 02

A name that fits the screen

A 12-character display name with a counter, so the device shows “2-MeTHF” instead of “USER GAS1”; the response factor appears on the measurement screen.

Simulated current measurement screen. It reads 0.0 ppm with "USER GAS1" and "x1.00" at the bottom; the note below says the operator has no idea which gas is configured. — MEASUREMENT SCREEN — CURRENT VS PROPOSED, AS SIMULATED ON THE PROPOSAL PAGE.

Simulated proposed measurement screen. It reads 2.8 ppm with the display name "2-MeTHF" and the response factor "x2.00" at the bottom. — MEASUREMENT SCREEN — CURRENT VS PROPOSED, AS SIMULATED ON THE PROPOSAL PAGE.

THE PRACTICE / 03

Keep the old way

Manual mode stays for gases that are not in the database, so nothing existing breaks. Switching to it disables search and makes every field editable, mirroring how the software already worked.

The proposal in Manual Mode. The Gas Search panel shows "Manual Mode Active — search disabled, enter values directly in the table", and the User Gas Configuration table has editable fields for gas name, display name, MW and RF in all four slots. — MANUAL MODE — SEARCH OFF, EVERY FIELD EDITABLE.

TRY IT

THE PROPOSAL PAGE AS SENT. ITS DEMO SEARCHES A 20-GAS SAMPLE, NOT THE FULL DATABASE. — OPEN FULL SCREEN ↗

THE PRACTICE / 04

Frame it as customer experience

The proposal was positioned as improving the user’s experience, not as criticism of the manufacturer’s design.

READING NOTE / OPEN

Click through the proposal yourself.

The page runs in your browser. Search by name, formula, Chinese name or CAS number, then add a gas to a slot.

↗ OPEN THE PROPOSAL