> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.connected.illumina.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.connected.illumina.com/run-set-up/overview/resources/bcl-convert-parameter-usage.md).

# BCL Convert Parameter Usage

In this section, we highlight various desired outcomes and provide examples to show how they can be achieved.

{% hint style="info" %}
For more information on how to use each parameter, see the [Instrument Settings](/run-set-up/overview/instrument-settings.md) guide.
{% endhint %}

<table data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th>Desired Outcome</th><th>Example</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Adapter Matching Algorithm</td><td>FindAdaptersWithIndels,true <em>(default off, false = Sliding Window)</em></td></tr><tr><td>Adapter Read 1, 2 Masking</td><td>AdapterRead1,A/T/C/G AdapterRead2,A/T/C/G AdapterBehavior,mask <em>(default trim)</em></td></tr><tr><td>Adapter Read 1, 2 Trimming</td><td>AdapterRead1,A/T/C/G AdapterRead2,A/T/C/G AdapterBehavior,trim <em>(default trim)</em></td></tr><tr><td>Adapter Stringency</td><td>AdapterStringency,# <em>(default 0.9, 0.5-1.0 allowed)</em></td></tr><tr><td>Barcode Collision Checks</td><td><p>Depending on version, index collision checks are relaxed, strict, or configurable:</p><ul><li>3.9.x: Relaxed by default, no option to change. A collision in one index can be rescued by having enough diversity in the combined dual index sequence.</li><li>v3.10 and 4.0: Strict by default, no option to change. For a dual index run, requires only 1 index (index1 or index2) to have a collision in order to error out based on a barcode collision. Identical indexes within index1 or index2 (combinatorial dual indexes) still supported.</li><li>4.1.5: Strict by default but configurable to relaxed mode using sample sheet option:</li></ul><p>CombinedIndexCollisionCheck,value Where value corresponds to the number of the lane or lanes to use this behavior; multiple lane values should be semicolon-separated.</p><ul><li>4.1.7 and 4.2.x: Relaxed mode by default. CombinedIndexCollisionCheck removed. Mode now configured by using sample sheet option:</li></ul><p>IndependentIndexCollisionCheck,value to allow optional strict checking, where value corresponds to the number of the lane or lanes to use this behavior; multiple lane values should be semicolon-separated.</p></td></tr><tr><td>Barcode Mismatches</td><td>BarcodeMismatchIndex1,# <em>(default 1)</em> BarcodeMismatchIndex2,# <em>(default 1)</em></td></tr><tr><td>Combine multiple FASTQ files</td><td>NoLaneSplitting,true or false <em>(default false)</em></td></tr><tr><td>Ignore beginning or end of read</td><td>OverrideCycles,Y#;N# <em>(default all cycles used)</em><br><br>Note: OverrideCycles can be specified in the BCL Convert Settings section to be applied globally or in the BCL Convert Data section to be applied uniquely per-sample.</td></tr><tr><td>Index FASTQs</td><td>CreateFastqForIndexReads, 0 or 1 <em>(default 0)</em></td></tr><tr><td>Minimum Number of ATCG Bases per Read</td><td>MaskShortReads,# <em>(default 22)</em></td></tr><tr><td>Minimum Read Length</td><td>MinimumTrimmedReadLength,# <em>(default 35)</em></td></tr><tr><td>Trimming last bases when they match the adapter</td><td>MinimumAdapterOverlap,# <em>(default 1, 1-3 allowed)</em> Never trims or masks less than X bases when they overlap with the adapter provided regardless of stringency settings, where X is the MinimumAdapterOverlap provided.</td></tr><tr><td>UMI Settings</td><td>OverrideCycles,U# TrimUMI,0 or 1 <em>(default 1)</em></td></tr><tr><td>Use a subset of bases for i7/i5 indexes</td><td>Use subset of index cycles for demultiplexing by providing shortened sequence in index or index2 column and providing desired length in OverrideCycles setting <em>(default use all index cycles defined in RunInfo.xml)</em></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.connected.illumina.com/run-set-up/overview/resources/bcl-convert-parameter-usage.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
