This CSV File import wizard simplifies the process of importing tags from a CSV file into your solution.
The core of the import process involves selecting a source file that contains the information to be imported. During the import process, the system automatically creates tags or other necessary solution components based on the source file data.
It's important to note that the system remembers your import settings. When you use the import tool for the first time, it saves the settings, transforming the import button into a "Sync" button. This feature ensures that subsequent import operations are even more efficient, as the system can automatically check previously imported addresses against new ones. Ultimately, the import procedure is designed to increase your productivity and make the setup of your solution as seamless as possible.
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Importing procedure
CSV Columns
The CSV allow tags, points, alarms and historian to be imported everything in the same CSV. The columns available to import are:
Tags properties
Tag Property | Description |
|---|---|
TagName | Specifies the unique identifier or name of the tag used within the system. |
Type | Defines the data type of the tag, such as integer, float, string, or boolean. |
Member | Represents the specific member of a structured data type or object that the tag refers to. |
Array | Indicates whether the tag is an array and specifies its dimensions if applicable. |
Parameters | Specifies additional parameters or settings associated with the tag. |
StartValue | Sets the initial value of the tag when the system starts or the tag is initialized. |
Min | Defines the minimum allowable value for the tag, often used for validation or scaling. |
Max | Defines the maximum allowable value for the tag, often used for validation or scaling. |
Units | Specifies the engineering units associated with the tag's value, such as "kg", "m", or "°C". |
DisplayText | Shows the text or label displayed to users for the tag in interfaces. |
Format | Defines the display format for the tag's value, such as number of decimal places or date format. |
Retentive | Indicates whether the tag's value is retained through system restarts or power cycles. |
Category | Categorizes the tag into a group or class for organizational purposes. |
Domain | Specifies the scope or area within which the tag is valid or used. |
ReadSecurity | Assigns the security level required to read the tag's value. |
WriteSecurity | Assigns the security level required to write or modify the tag's value. |
Visibility | Defines the visibility of the tag in the system or to certain users. |
Description | Provides a detailed explanation of the tag's purpose or usage. |
Nodes properties
Node Property | Description |
|---|---|
Node | Identifies the device within the network hierarchy, specifying its role and position for communication purposes. |
Address | Specifies the specific location or path used to communicate with the device, such as an IP address or a physical address in a protocol. |
AccessType | Defines the level of access or permissions for interacting with the device's data, determining whether it is readable, writable, or both. |
Modifiers | Applies additional settings or parameters that modify how the device operates or communicates, customizing its behavior for specific requirements. |
DataType | Indicates the type of data that the device sends or receives, such as integer, float, string, or boolean, ensuring proper data handling and storage. |
Scaling | Adjusts the raw data values from the device to meaningful engineering units, converting measurements for accurate representation and analysis. |
About the Node column, if the name configured in the Node column not exist the system will search a Protocol with the same name configured in this column, if found a channel and a node will be created with this name, and the PrimaryStation will not be configured. If the node string already exist the system will use this node in the configuration.
Historian properties
Alarm Property | Description |
Limit | Specifies the threshold value that triggers the alarm when a monitored variable exceeds or falls below it. |
Group | Categorizes similar alarms together for organizational and management purposes. |
Area | Identifies the specific physical or logical area within a facility or system that the alarm is associated with, aiding in localization and response efforts. |
Message | Displays the text to operators when the alarm is triggered, providing details about the alarm condition and recommended actions. |
Priority | Assigns the level of importance or urgency to the alarm, used to determine the order in which alarms are addressed or displayed to operators. |
Setpoint | Specifies the exact value at which the alarm should trigger. |
SetpointDeadband | Defines a range around the setpoint that prevents the alarm from repeatedly triggering due to minor fluctuations, ensuring stability in alarm notifications. |
Deadband (string) | Represents a deadband value specified as a string, potentially indicating a qualitative setting or referencing a predefined deadband configuration. |
AuxValue | Provides an auxiliary value offering additional data or parameters relevant to the alarm condition, enhancing diagnostic capabilities. |
DisplayText | Shows the message or information displayed on interfaces or panels when the alarm is active, possibly including dynamic data or formatting. |
AuxValue2 | Supplies a second auxiliary value offering further details or context related to the alarm, such as supplementary sensor data or calculations. |
AuxValue3 | Delivers a third auxiliary value providing additional information to support troubleshooting or analysis of the alarm condition. |
Disable | Indicates whether the alarm is currently disabled (inactive) or enabled (active), allowing control over alarm monitoring. |
Historian properties
Historian Property | Description |
|---|---|
HistorianTable | Specifies the name or identifier of the table within the Historian database where the collected data for a particular tag or measurement is stored. |
DeadBand | Defines a range around a value within which changes are ignored (not stored), helping to reduce data storage by filtering out insignificant fluctuations. |
Deviation | Represents the difference between the current data point and the last recorded value; if this difference exceeds a set threshold, the new data point is recorded. |
DeviationDeadBandType | Indicates the method used for calculating the deviation deadband, such as Absolute or Percentage, determining how deviations are assessed against limits. |
DeviationDeadBandLimit | The threshold value for the deviation deadband; when the deviation surpasses this limit, it triggers the storage of the new data point in the Historian. |
RateOfChange | Measures how quickly a data value changes over time; if the rate exceeds a predefined limit, the data point is recorded to capture significant trends or spikes. |
Importing Tag and PLC Addresses
You can copy and paste the contents of an Excel table. As long you include the title of the columns when you copy and paste the contents of the table, the tables in your solution can have different columns or can be ordered differently. The system will put the data in the expected columns, even if the order is different in the source.
To create and import Tags:
- In Excel, make a table with the columns that are shown below.
To successfully import the tags, you need the TagName, Type, and Address columns.
- After you chose the device protocol and create a new node, click the Import button. Then, choose the .CSV file that contains the tag's information and click the Ok button.
The Tags and Points will be created automatically in UnifiedNamespace / Tags.
Devices / Points
After you use the Import tool for the first time, the system will save whatever settings you used. The import button switches to now be called the "Sync" button. This make the button execute a synchronization that verifies the previously imported addresses and the new ones.
Import from CSV Files
Individual CSV File
In this scenario, we are importing items for each individual table that is available throughout the Solution Designer.
In your Solution Designer, you should find a toolbar located on the top of the display with green arrow in it.
In Tabs that do not contain a table, the import icon is unfocused and is unable to be selected.
For Tabs that do contain grids, the import button is available when the grid is on focus (selected). When the import button is clicked, a dialog window will open.
Browse for the csv file and click Open.
Examples
To better understand how to use this feature, we are going to add Alarm Items into our sample solution.
Assuming we have two Tags, Tag1 and Tag2, in our solution. Each tag must have an alarm configured to it.
1. Tag1 - Belongs to ’Critical’ Alarm Group and triggers an alarm when its value is lower than 20.
2. Tag2 - Belongs to ’Warning’ Alarm Group and triggers an alarm when its value is higher than 80.
The import steps are:
- Go to Alarms / Items, create a dummy row, and copy it (Ctrl + C).
- On your external Table Editor (e.g. Excel, Google Docs, Notepad, etc), paste the copied content.
3. Fill your table with the required information.
4. Save the file as a ‘.csv’.
5. Go back to the Alarms / Items page and click the Import CSV File Button.
If you used a text editor (Notepad, Notepad++, etc), you need to add the comma separator (‘ , ’) between each column.
Extended CSV Files
In this scenario, we are using a single .csv table to import information on Tags, Devices, Alarms and historian items.
In your Solution Designer, navigate to Solution / Import Tags. You should see many supported files that can be imported into a solution.
Select the CSV file and browse for your Table File.
The table must obey a certain format. The required columns can be obtained by following the same method as in the previous section; copy from solution and paste on Sheet Editor.
The difference in this method is that the final table is a concatenation of the various grids from the solution.
Examples
To illustrate the usage of this feature, we will add a couple of items to our sample solution. The following items will be added:
Tags:
- MyTag1: Integer DataType and StartValue = 0.
- MyTag2: Digital DataType.
Alarm Items:
- MyTag1:
- HiHi alarm limit (configured for ‘Critical’ alarm group) set to 95
- Lo alarm limit (configured for ‘Warning’ alarm group) set to 10
- MyTag2:
- Hi alarm limit (configured for ‘Critical’ alarm group) set to 1 and Message ’Tag Alarm is Hi’.
- LoLo alarm limit (configured for ‘Warning’ alarm group) set to 0, Priority set to 1 and Message ’Tag Alarm is LoLo’.
Historian:
- MyTag1: Added to default Historian Table ‘Table1’.
- MyTag2: Added to default Historian Table ‘Table1’.
The table that contains all the columns and rows required to import the items described above can be found in the pictures below (with additional columns):
Following the importation procedure in Solution / Import Tags, select the CSV option, browse for the filled csv file, and click Import.
Tutorial
The tutorial in the image below shows how to import tags from extended CSV file.
In this section: