Create multiple elements

You can use PI Builder to create quantities of similar elements in Microsoft Excel. For step-by-step examples, see Create multiple elements linked to existing PI points and Create multiple elements linked to new PI points.

Note: Alternatively, you can use the import and export features in PI System Explorer to create and edit multiple objects. The PI System Explorer feature imports and exports a representation of a database in XML. See the PI AF user documentation for more information (in PI System Explorer, choose Help > Help Topics).

1. In PI System Explorer, create an element that is similar to the elements you want to create.

   Ideally, base the element on an element template. With a template, you can:

   • Automatically generate the PI point names in your data references, using substitution parameters (see Create multiple elements that reference PI points automatically)

   • Automatically create the PI points on your Data Archive

   • Get all the other benefits of template-based elements

2. In Excel, retrieve the element on which you want to base other elements:

   1. On the PI Builder tab, click Elements > Find Elements.

   2. In the Element Search window, find the element that you just created.

      If you based the element on a template, you can search for elements that use that template. See Retrieve elements by searching for more information on search options.

   3. In the Search results table, select the element and click OK.

      You will use the selected element to create similar elements in bulk.

3. In the Select Object Types and Column Headers window, select the worksheet column headers.

   Select the columns that store values that you want to copy or change when you create the other elements.

   1. If the element is based on a template, then select the Template check box in the Element group.

   2. Choose whether to show attributes in columns, in rows, or both.

      It might be helpful not to show attributes initially. After you configure and publish the new elements, you can then retrieve them again with the attributes. See Understand how to view attributes for information on displaying attributes.

   3. Click OK.

   PI Builder inserts the selected column headers into the worksheet and retrieves the data for the selected element.

4. In the worksheet, set the worksheet values to define the elements you want to create:

   1. Fill in the Name column for as many elements as you need.

      Use Excel's copy and paste features to create the names that you need. For example, you can:

      • Name the elements sequentially by pasting names with Excel's fill series option (select the AutoFill option on the Series window).

      • Copy and paste the names from a column in another worksheet.

   2. In the Parent column, enter the element path.

      This determines the element's place in the element hierarchy (see Learn about child elements). If the elements are all at the same level, then you can just copy and paste directly from the first element. Some guidelines:

      • List the parent objects before the child objects in the worksheet. PI Builder cannot create a child object before its parent object exists. PI Builder creates the objects in the order they appear in the worksheet.

      • When adding child objects to an existing parent object, you do not need to include the parent objects in the worksheet.

   3. Set the ObjectType column to Element for all the elements.

   4. Set the Template column to the name of the appropriate element template.

   5. Set the Selected(x) column to X for all the elements that you want to create.

5. Publish the elements to PI AF:

   1. On the PI Builder tab, click Publish to open the Publish Options window.

   2. From the Edit Mode list, select Create Only or Create and Edit.

   3. Select the Create or update PI points check box to have PI Builder automatically create the PI point data references associated with published elements.

   4. Click OK to publish the elements in the worksheet to PI AF.

      PI Builder creates the elements in PI AF and automatically checks in the changes.