Add Data Points

Next, at least one Data Point must be added to the graph.

1. Right-click the Trend Graph and select "Add New Data Point."

   

2. A blank Data Point will appear, and the "Data Point" section below will open to the Appearance tab.

   

Data Point Details - Appearance Tab

• Label: This required field, limited to 50 characters, represents this Data Point in the Trend Graphs List.

• Line Options: This section defines the characteristics of the line used to connect this Data Point’s separate readings on the graph.

  • Color: Click the ellipsis () to choose a color for this data point’s line (see Choose colors).

  • Type: Select either a broken or solid line from the provided drop-down list.

  • Width: Choose a width from the available selections in the drop-down list.

Tip: Keep in mind the display resolution of the mobile application when selecting line width for points. Most mobile applications display at 320x240, and the largest width (6 pixels) could make a Trend Graph unreadable.

• Symbol Options: This section defines the characteristics of the markings representing the Data Point’s separate readings on the graph.

  • Color: Click the ellipsis () to choose a color for this data point’s symbol (see Choose colors).

  • Type: Select a symbol shape from the provided list of solid or hollow circle, square, diamond, or triangle.

  • Size: Choose a symbol size from the available selections in the drop-down list.

3. Click on the "Data" tab to specify from where this Data Point’s readings will be retrieved.

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Data Point Details - Data Tab

• External Server: Select a server from the list of configured External Servers (see External Servers module) from which to retrieve the Tag representing this Data Point’s information. The drop-down list will display the External Servers available at both the Plant and the Tenant level.

• Remote Tag Name: Click the ellipsis () to choose the Tag from the Tag Browser (shown below).

  

  4. Browse to the appropriate location in the "Available Tags" tree, select a Tag, and click OK. Clicking "Cancel" will abort changes and dismiss the Tag Browser, while clicking "Help" will display this help file.

  Note: The "Current Filter" option allows the user to specify a filter to aid in Tag location. As the precise function of this filter depends on the OPC vendor, refer to the appropriate documentation for information regarding its usage.

• DataRetrievalOptions: This settings within this section govern how often, and in what manner, data for this Data Point is retrieved from the External Server.

  Pull Data Unprocessed: Select this radio button if you do not wish the retrieved data to be aggregated by the system.

  • Retrieve the last: Specifies the period of time the system will look backwards in time for inputs to this Tag. Enter the desired number in the text box, then select seconds, minutes, hours, or days from the provided drop-down list.

  • Return a maximum of: Configures the maximum number of data points retrieved from this Tag. For example, if the "Retrieve the last" setting would retrieve 25 data points, and this setting is 10, only the 10 most recent data points will be retrieved.

    Aggregate the data during retrieval: Select this radio button to aggregate the data points per the selected method.

  • Aggregation Method: Specifies the method by which the data are aggregated by the OPC server. Refer to the OPC documentation for information regarding available options and their meanings.

  • Sample Frequency: Specifies the frequency at which the data are sampled. Enter the desired number in the text box, then select seconds, minutes, hours, or days from the provided drop-down list.

  • Retrieve the last: Specifies the period of time the system will look backwards in time for inputs to this Tag. Enter the desired number in the text box, then select seconds, minutes, hours, or days from the provided drop-down list.

    Number of points to return: This read-only field calculates the number of points returned based on the information specified in the DataRetrievalOptions section.

With the completion of the "Appearance" and "Data" tabs, configuration of the Data Point is done. The "Preview" button for the Trend Graph is now available (see Trend Graph Preview).

Data Point Details - Audit Tab

The "Audit" tab gives the following read-only information regarding the Data Point.

• Created By: The first, last, and username of the user who created this item.

• Created On: The date and time that this item was first saved to the database.

• Updated By: The first, last, and username of the user who last saved this item to the database.

• Updated On: The date and time that this item was last saved to the database.

• Created From External System: Indicates the mechanism responsible for the creation of this item, and will read "Procedure Builder" unless imported by an external system.