Attribute name conventions

Attribute names can use alphanumeric characters and the following special characters: . (period), _ (underscore), $, and #. The attribute name can be up to 329 characters, The 329 character limit includes extensions to an attribute that result from the addition of features, such as historization, alarms, and I/O that can be associated with an attribute. These additions are categorized as "User extended" attributes. Note that separator periods in the attribute string also count against the 329 character limit. See Add features to attributes for more information about user extended attributes.

• An attribute name that starts with an underscore (_) as the first character of the name is a hidden attribute. By default, hidden attributes are not shown in the Attribute Editor, the Properties>Attributes dialog box, or the Object Viewer.

  • To view hidden attributes in the Attribute Editor, select the Hidden filter option.

    

  • To view hidden attributes in the Properties dialog box, select Include Hidden.

  • To view hidden attributes in the Object Viewer, select Include Hidden.

    

    Note: We recommend that you do not use hidden attributes in scripts.

• Using the word "quality" as an attribute name is not supported. "Quality" is used by InTouch HMI in a set of dotfields to show the reliability of data values assigned to an I/O tag. An attribute named "Quality" cannot be accessed through FS Gateway or InTouch due to a naming conflict.

  Important: After creating an attribute, it is available for adding Features or additional attributes. If you extend an attribute you have added to an object or another attribute, and then delete or rename that attribute, all associated Features and additional attributes added to the object are lost.

To create and associate a attribute with an object

1. On the Attributes page of the Object Editor, select the Add (+) button. An attribute is added to the Attributes list.

2. Type the new attribute name and add an optional description.

3. In the Data type list, select the Data type for the new attribute. The available features and basic options change depending on your selection in the Data type list.

4. Set the remaining parameters as needed.

   Note: For detailed information about each item on the Attributes page, see About the attributes page.

5. Lock the values, if needed. The lock is available only when you are working with a template. If you are working with an instance, it shows the lock status for the value in the parent object.

6. Set any security you need. For more information about setting security, see Set object security.

7. Save and close the Object Editor when you are done.