Add attributes to an object

There are two ways to add attributes to an object. These are:

1. Select the Add Attribute button. The first attribute you add to an object has the default name "Attribute001" and the default data type "Boolean.

   Subsequent attributes added with the Add Attribute button use the previous attribute's name and increments the number at the end of the name, or appends "1" at the end of the name if the previous name did not end in a number. It also retains the previous attribute's description, Data type, and Writeability.

2. To duplicate an existing attribute, select the Duplicate Attribute button. Selecting Duplicate Attribute retains any features that were configured for the selected attribute, in addition to name, description, Data type and Writeability.

   Note: When you add an attribute to a derived template, the attribute, its data type, and writeability are automatically locked in derived objects.

   

If attribute parameters such as initial values and security classifications are locked in the template, they cannot be changed in child instances. If these parameters are unlocked in the template, the initial value and security are editable and lockable in derived templates. When unlocked in either the base or derived template, the value is editable in instances.

After you add an attribute to an instance, it appears in the Attribute Browser list for use with the scripting and attribute configuration functions. For more information about using the Attribute Browser, see Use the galaxy browser to reference objects .

In the Attributes page, you can define the following initial information and parameters for the attribute:

• Add a new attribute to an object.

• Name the attribute and provide a description.

• Configure its data type.

  For a Boolean data type, you can specify different text strings for the ’False’ label and ’True’ label. For example, if a Boolean attribute is associated with the status of a motor, you can specify the states as "Stopped" and "Running". Text boxes appear for you to enter these strings when you select a Boolean data type.

  These labels are also shown in the Value and Limit columns of the Alarm and Event database and InTouch AlarmView control.

• Specify the attribute writeability.

• Set initial values if the attribute is user writeable.

• Enable and set locks and security on the new attribute.

• Set whether the new attribute is an array and how many elements are in the array.

You can then add Features to the attribute. For more information, see Add features to attributes.