Attribute indicators for updates of PI point data references
- Last UpdatedJan 07, 2025
- 4 minute read
- PI System
- PI Server 2024 R2
- PI Server
PI System Explorer employs distinctive visual indicators for attributes that support the Create or Update Data Reference option. A visual indicator is also displayed when an attribute no longer appears to be configured correctly, such as after a server or a tag name has been changed.
The following visual indicators for the Create or Update Data Reference option are available:
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Icon |
Description |
Column |
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The attribute is associated with a template that contains point creation rules. Use the Create or Update PI Point option to create the tag configuration based on the template. Additionally, the point name and ID is resolved. |
Configuration Item Indicator column ( |
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Specifies if an attribute's data reference configuration differs from what is stored in the specified data server. This can occur when a point is renamed, when an attribute's data reference is tied to a PI point without a value (floating) or when the underlying PI Data Archive is replaced. Use the Create or Update PI Point option to update the configuration. |
Configuration Item Indicator column ( |
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The data reference has returned a system digital state rather than a typical value from the source. An example is when a PI point has been created, but doesn't have any data. |
Quality Indicator column ( |
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The value returned from the data reference has a bad quality. An example is when a PI point has been created, but it does not yet have any data. |
Quality Indicator column ( |
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The attribute is a configuration item. See Use the Configuration Item attribute property for more information. Note: The Create or Update Data Reference option is not applicable for configuration item attributes. |
Configuration Item Indicator column ( |
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)
When you review element attributes on the Attributes tab, the first entry in the column at left of a data reference attribute's name indicates whether you can run the Create or Update Data Reference option. You initiate the Create or Update Data Reference option by right-clicking an element or an attribute and clicking Create or Update PI Point.
The Create or Update Data Reference operation updates a PI point data reference with any changes that have occurred to the PI point; substitution parameters are resolved, and server and point IDs are updated. If the PI point does not yet exist, and the configuration contains a point creation option, it is created.
Attribute update example
When you see the 
indicator displayed for an attribute, you can update its configuration by right-clicking
and clicking Create or Update PI Point.
Note: The icon does not determine beforehand if any changes to the tag or its configuration will occur.
Attribute indicator with tooltip
As the tooltip shown above indicates, when you update the configuration, point name substitution rules are resolved and the point ID is stored into the attribute's metadata. This results in faster subsequent initialization.
Note: You can use the Column List 
button to add columns to or remove columns from the Attributes window.