About the attributes page

The Attributes page divides into two or more panes when you initially open it. The number of panes the Attributes page divides in depends on whether or not attributes or graphics have been defined for the object, whether the object is an instance or a template, and if it is an instance, whether or not it is derived from a template that includes an Object Wizard.

If the object you are editing does not have any attributes defined, the Attributes page will be empty. The Attributes page will also show a pane for graphics, and depending on the type of object (template or instance) and its contents, may show additional Object Wizard configuration panes.

You can activate various features, such as I/O, History, State Alarm and Statistics. See Configure Objects for more information about attributes and features. When you add an attribute to an object, information about the attribute is shown.

When you add an attribute to an object, the Attributes page divides into three sections. The left side of the page lists attributes, the top right shows information about the currently selected attribute, and the bottom of the right side contains fields for configuring features.

You can search attributes by entering the characters you are trying to find in the Search Current Attributes text box. This will display attributes that contain the characters you enter.

Note: The search function finds attributes that contain the search term anywhere within the attribute name. For example, if you want to locate all attributes associated with Pump125, you could enter "125" in the text box. All attributes with 125 anywhere in their names will be shown.

You can also search for attributes by typing the character you are searching for when the cursor is pointed at the attribute list. The first attribute that contains the character, anywhere within its name, will be highlighted.

Note: The search begins at the attribute that is currently selected. Selection will move to the next attribute that contains the character entered.

• On the left side of the page, all attribute names for the object are listed. Pressing the Show Details button reveals additional information about the listed attributes. Check boxes are provided for Inherited and User extended.

  • Inherited: Checking this displays attributes that were added in the parent template used to create the object.

  • User extended: Checking this displays details about any features you added to the attribute, for example, for I/O.

• At the top of the right side, information for the current attribute is listed. Additional fields may be listed, depending on the data type of the attribute. However, all data types include the following properties:

Some attribute text boxes may show --- (dash dash dash). The --- is a placeholder reference that does not cause the associated object to be placed in a warning configuration status when it is validated. You may also see attribute text boxes showing a ---.--- (dash dash dash dot dash dash dash). You need to provide a valid reference in the text box. The ---.--- placeholder causes the associated object to be placed in a warning configuration status when the associated object is validated.

Important: Edit the I/O auto assignment placeholder in the Object Editor ONLY if you do NOT want to use I/O auto assignment for the object. In most cases, I/O auto assignment is the preferred method.

• At the bottom of the right side, fields for configuring activated features are displayed. Available features include:
  

  Feature	Description
  	The I/O feature is used to activate the attribute for I/O. You can select Read (input), Read/Write (input and output), or Write (output). When you select the I/O feature for application objects and system objects, such as areas, the "Read from / Write to attribute text box contains the placeholder reference <IODevice>. [HierarchicalName].[AttributeName].InputSource or <IODevice>.[HierarchicalName].[AttributeName]. OutputDest. You should not edit these placeholders in the Object Editor, but instead use the IO Devices view to assign the object to a scan group. This will allow the placeholder to automatically resolve to the correct I/O reference. See I/O auto assignment for additional information.
  	The History feature enables historization to the Historian. Note: The AppEngine hosting the object must be configured for historization.
  	The State Alarm feature is available for Boolean data types. You can set alarm priorities, the alarm state, an alarm message, and time deadband.
  	The Limit Alarms feature is available for integer, float, and double data types. With it, you can set value alarms (Hi, HiHi, Lo, LoLo), and the limits, priority, and messages to apply to each alarm limit.
  	The Rate of Change (ROC) Alarm feature is available for integer, float, and double data types. With it, you can set alarms if changes within the specified time period exceed set values. Configurable parameters include change limits, change direction, alarm priority, the alarm message, how often to evaluate changes to the value, and time period.
  	The Deviation Alarm feature is available for integer, float, and double data types. With it, you can set deviation alarms (major and minor), and the tolerance, priority, messages, target value, deadband, and settling period.
  	The Bad Value Alarm feature adds an alarm if the value returned from the attribute is determined to be bad quality.
  	The Statistics feature monitors statistics associated with the object.
  	The Log Change feature will cause the attribute to generate an event each time the attribute value changes.