.. _setup_ref_tool-label:

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 How to set-up the Reference Approach Tool
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To ease the use of the Reference Approach Tool, the Python environment should be set up in a specific way:

Step 1 - Upgrade to Python 3.9.13
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Because the Reference Approach Tool uses the 3rd party module Streamlit, a recent version of Python 3.9
(higher than 3.9.7) is needed to run the Tool. Upgrade your installation of python 3.9 to version 3.9.13 through
`this link <https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-3913/>`__ .
Run the setup script again in a new folder to install all the required packages.

Step 2 - Set up default system browser
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The standard system browser is Microsoft Edge, which does not yield the best performance when combined with a
Streamlit dashboard. You can change the default system browser (to for example Chrome or Firefox),
in Settings -> Apps -> Default apps.

Step 3 - Run the Reference Approach Tool
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A template file to run the tool can be downloaded here
:download:`Template Reference Approach Tool<../viiapackage/templates/template_RA.py>`. The template doesn't have to be
changed with any object specific data.