# Compare data

If you would like to compare data across different datasets, or across different segments within the same database, you can visualize multiple datasets simultaneously.

## Enable multiple layers

Click on the multiple layers icon in the datasets dialog (at the bottom left of your tab) to display all datasets loaded in the project.

<figure><img src="https://3590686807-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwEBNWlmdcxXBXd7oyqyR%2Fuploads%2FUSygj1Gq92QuiNK33B5W%2FScreenshot%202025-01-28%20at%2021.13.09.png?alt=media&#x26;token=73ef35e2-32e6-43bb-b158-3c9691279cfb" alt="" width="229"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

In the datasets dialog, you will now see that each dataset is assigned a particular colour.

<figure><img src="https://3590686807-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwEBNWlmdcxXBXd7oyqyR%2Fuploads%2FbdaEz7CWdxDVTeBDqnrb%2FScreenshot%202025-01-28%20at%2021.34.16.png?alt=media&#x26;token=3c422754-251e-4178-8b8f-0a7cc9302f90" alt="" width="260"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Given the above configuration, data of the first dataset will now be displayed in <mark style="color:blue;">**blue**</mark>, data of the second dataset will be <mark style="color:green;">**green**</mark> and data of the third dataset will be <mark style="color:purple;">**purple**</mark>.

<figure><img src="https://3590686807-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwEBNWlmdcxXBXd7oyqyR%2Fuploads%2FUaEp3UAfggI6H8EbUAFg%2FScreenshot%202025-01-28%20at%2022.04.26.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6ed210db-d981-4be6-9f60-e3b4e636b57e" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Configure overlay

Clicking the settings wheel in the Datasets dialog opens options to configure how your datasets align. Here, you can:

* **Adjust dataset alignment** to ensure data points match up correctly across multiple datasets.
* **Compare a specific lap** by selecting a reference dataset to analyze performance differences.
* **Set an offset** between two datasets to align time or event markers for more precise comparisons. You can also use the Second Cursor to create this offset (see [#placing-a-secondary-cursor](https://docs.marpledata.com/docs/marple-insight/user-manuals/plot-types/time-series/cursors#placing-a-secondary-cursor "mention"))

These settings help fine-tune your data visualization, making it easier to spot trends and differences across datasets.

<figure><img src="https://3590686807-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwEBNWlmdcxXBXd7oyqyR%2Fuploads%2FYYfON4y9UGMvEY7kFjLx%2FScreenshot%202026-04-03%20at%2010.21.20.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b2ad29e9-25eb-4f86-a9f6-afb27e4725f2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Compare laps within same dataset

If you have data that is organised by different laps (see [motorsport-package](https://docs.marpledata.com/docs/marple-insight/user-manuals/motorsport-package "mention")), you can also compare laps within the same dataset. To do so, simply use Ctrl + click and selecting multiple laps.

<figure><img src="https://3590686807-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwEBNWlmdcxXBXd7oyqyR%2Fuploads%2F0Jbp3MGL483Ul0J7ssB0%2Fmarple-gif-014.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=8cc48739-3d6f-44e1-b02f-2250c1ef36f0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Manage Datasets dialog

The Manage Datasets dialog allows you to customize the appearance of your datasets or layers for better visualization. You can access this dialog by clicking the **Manage Datasets** button in the **Datasets** dialog in the bottom left of your window.

Within this dialog, you can assign different colors to datasets or layers, making it easier to distinguish between multiple data sources in your plots. Simply click on one of the empty color boxes next to a dataset or layer to select a new color.

<figure><img src="https://3590686807-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwEBNWlmdcxXBXd7oyqyR%2Fuploads%2FUS4HONiGYJ7AYvXAkxrH%2FScreenshot%202025-01-28%20at%2021.14.05.png?alt=media&#x26;token=649cd0bb-5936-422e-a2c4-3dc216bfdf3e" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can also change the order of the dataset by clicking on the arrows at the right of the dataset.

## Discover Compare & Overlay in 1 minute

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?index=31&list=PLtVuqpI9QpJAFtUEvuS23Z47XGHrRc_P9&v=C4WqUzjZQQ0>" %}

Want to discover more Marple features in 1 minute? Check out other [1-minute-marple-videos](https://docs.marpledata.com/docs/other-resources/1-minute-marple-videos "mention")