Add and delete PI variables

You can use the Configure Variables option from the PI group context menu to add variables from the PI server into the project and delete variables from the project.

Prerequisite

Add the PI data source and data connection before using the Configure Variables option.

To add and delete PI variables

1. Verify that the PI data source is running.

2. In the Project Explorer, right-click the PI group, and select Configure Variables...

   

   If this is the first time you open the PI variable configuration window, it appears without any PI point tags or variables in the Query tab view similar to the following image.

   

   If your project already includes variables, the PI variable configuration window displays the total number at the bottom of the screen and you can view those existing variables in the Review tab similar to the following image.

   

   Note: When you add a variable into the project, Production Management stores only its name. So, if you previously added a variable and open the PI variable configuration window before querying the server, the system displays the variable in the Review tab, sets the Data type property to Null, and shows dashes (–) for the other properties. These values change after you select Query and the system retrieves the variable from the server.

3. To load PI point tags, expand the PI server hierarchy tree, select a node you want to query, and then select Query. This uses the default wildcard (*) in the By name field input box and displays the tags associated to the selected node as shown in the following image.

   

   You can also query all tags without using the hierarchy tree. To do this, select the (PI archive configuration) node and select Query. The system queries all the tags using the criteria specified in the By name field input box and without any hierarchy conditions.

   The PI variable configuration window displays a static view of the PI server as it exists at the time you select Query. If the variable configuration on the PI server changes, select Query again to see the changes.

4. To add variables into the project, select their corresponding check boxes. If you have previously added variables and want to remove them from your project, clear their corresponding check boxes.

5. Select OK. This closes the PI variable configuration window. If you selected PI point tags, they are added under the PiGroup item in the Project Explorer. If you clear previously added variables, they no longer appear under the PiGroup item.

6. (Optional) Use the Filter area to limit the number of displayed tags. Drag and drop a column header into the grouping pane to group variables according to your requirements.

Related topics

• PI connector

• About the PI variable configuration window

• Add and configure a PI data source

• Add and configure a PI data connection