CSV Import/Export
The Advanced Tags Plug-In supports the import and export of tag data in a Comma Separated Variable (CSV) file. When using CSV import and export, tags are created quickly in the desired application. CSV functions are only available when an Advanced Tag Group is selected. Furthermore, parameters that are not defined in the CSV file are assigned appropriate default values.
Notes:• For information on specifying which character to use as the variable (comma or semicolon), refer to "Options - General" in the server help file.
• CSV files generated with an earlier version of the Advanced Tags Plug-In may contain property names and values that differ from the current version format. Although these files import without problems, it is recommended that editing for CSV import occurs using the latest CSV export format.
To jump to a specific section, select a link from the list below.
Creating a Template
The easiest way to create an import CSV file is to create a template. For more information, refer to the instructions below.
1. To start, create an Advanced Tag Group. Then, define an Advanced Tag of each type to be used in the project.
2. Next, export the tag group as a CSV file.
3. Use this template in a spreadsheet application that supports CSV files, and then modify the file as desired. Note: Users can save the CSV file to disk, and then re-import it into the server beneath the same tag group or a new tag group.
Note: Users can save the CSV file to disk, and then re-import it into the server beneath the same tag group or a new tag group. Note: Microsoft Excel is an excellent tool for editing large groups of tags outside the server. Once a template CSV file has been exported, it can be loaded directly into Excel for editing. A CSV file load in Excel would appear as shown below.Exporting an Advanced Tag Group list generates a .CSV text file that contains a section for each Advanced Tag type, in addition to a section for Complex Tag elements. Each section contains a heading record followed by a record for each tag defined under the selected tag group. The heading records contain the following column names: AverageTag, OracleCumulativeTag, ComplexTag, DerivedTag, LinkTag, MaximumTag, MinimumTag, and ComplexTagElement. Column names must be exactly the same as those listed; however, columns may be in any order and all columns (except for "Name," "Tag Name," and "Complex Tag Reference") are optional.
Important: The Advanced Tag type sections may be in any order, with the exception of the Complex Tag Elements section. That section must be placed after the Complex Tags section. A Complex Tag Element must reference the Complex Tag to which it belongs. If the parent Complex Tag is not added during import (due to omission from the CSV file or another error), the Complex Tag Element is not added.AverageTag Fields
Column Name | Values |
|---|---|
Record Type | "Average Tag" |
Name | The tag name (with path relative to the tag group being imported / exported) |
Description | The tag description (which may be up to 64 characters) |
Enabled | 1 to enable, and 0 to disable |
Source | The tag from the server for which an average is calculated |
Data Type | The Average Tag's data type |
Run Tag | The tag to be monitored to determine if it is appropriate to calculate the average value of the Average Tag |
OracleCumulativeTag Fields
Column Name | Values |
|---|---|
Record Type | "Oracle Cumulative Tag" |
Name | The tag name (with path relative to the tag group being imported / exported) |
Description | The tag description (which may be up to 64 characters) |
Enabled | 1 to enable, and 0 to disable |
Source | The tag from the server for which the cumulative value is calculated |
Data Type | The Oracle Cumulative Tag's data type |
Maximum Value | The maximum value of the tag being used |
ComplexTag Fields
Column Name | Values |
|---|---|
Record Type | "Complex Tag" |
Name | The tag name (with path relative to the tag group being imported / exported) |
Description | The tag description (which may be up to 64 characters) |
Enabled | 1 to enable, and 0 to disable |
Update By | Options include Rate or Trigger |
Rate | The value for the update rate |
Rate Units | Options include milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, or days |
Trigger Tag | The tag from the server that triggers the Complex Tag update |
Complete Tag | The tag from the server that is set once a Complex Tag update has been sent to all subscribing clients |
DerivedTag Fields
Column Name | Values |
|---|---|
Record Type | "Derived Tag" |
Name | The tag name (with path relative to the tag group being imported / exported) |
Description | The tag description (which may be up to 64 characters) |
Enabled | 1 to enable, and 0 to disable |
Data Type | The Derived Tag's data type |
Expression | The expression to be executed by the tag |
Run By | Options include Rate or Trigger |
Rate | The value for the update rate |
Rate Units | Options include milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, or days. |
Trigger Tag | The tag from the server that triggers the expression to be evaluated / run |
Complete Tag | The tag from the server that is set once the expression has been evaluated / run |
LinkTag Fields
Column Name | Values |
|---|---|
Record Type | "Link Tag" |
Name | The tag name (with path relative to the tag group being imported/exported) |
Description | The tag description (which may be up to 64 characters) |
Enabled | 1 to enable, and 0 to disable |
Input Tag | The server tag used as the source of the link |
Output Tag | The server tag used as the destination of the link |
Dead Value | The value written to the Output if the Input is of bad quality |
Link Mode | Options include On Data Change of Input Tag, On Data Change of Input Tag (Ignore Initial Update), and On Interval |
Link Rate | The link rate is in milliseconds |
Trigger Tag | The tag value compared to the Value parameter using the Comparison parameter |
Comparison | Options include the following:Trigger Tag == ValueTrigger Tag != ValueTrigger Tag > ValueTrigger Tag >= ValueTrigger Tag < ValueTrigger Tag <= Value |
Value | The Value compared to the Trigger Tag |
Trigger Link Mode | Options include Always, While Trigger Comparison True, and On Trigger Comparison True |
Trigger Scan Rate | The trigger scan rate in milliseconds |
MaximumTag Fields
Column Name | Values |
|---|---|
Record Type | "Maximum Tag" |
Name | The tag name (with path relative to the tag group being imported / exported) |
Description | The tag description (which may be up to 64 characters) |
Enabled | 1 to enable, and 0 to disable |
Input Tag | The tag from the server for which a maximum value is calculated |
Data Type | The Maximum Tag's data type |
Run Tag | The tag to be monitored to determine if it is appropriate to calculate the maximum value of the Maximum Tag |
MinimumTag Fields
Column Name | Values |
|---|---|
Record Type | "Minimum Tag" |
Name | The tag name (with path relative to the tag group being imported / exported) |
Description | The tag description (which may be up to 64 characters) |
Enabled | 1 to enable, and 0 to disable |
Input Tag | The tag from the server for which a minimum value is calculated |
Data Type | The Minimum Tag's data type |
Run Tag | The tag to be monitored to determine if it is appropriate to calculate the minimum value of the Minimum Tag |
ComplexTagElement Fields
Column Name | Values |
|---|---|
Complex Tag Reference | The Complex Tag to which the element belongs |
Tag Name | The server tag that is inserted into the Complex Tag |
Insert By | Options include Rate or Trigger |
Rate | The value for the update rate |
Rate Units | Options include milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, or days |
Trigger Tag | The tag from the server that triggers the element insertion |
Complete Tag | The tag from the server that is set once the element insertion is complete |
Importing a CSV Tag List into the Server
Once the tag list has been edited, it can be re-imported into the server by clicking File | Import CSV.
Note: This option is only available when an Advanced Tag Group is selected.Using Other Characters as the Delimiter
When utilizing a CSV file that does not use a comma or semi-colon delimiter, do one of the following:
1. Save the project in XML. Then, perform mass configuration on the XML file instead of using CSV.
2. Perform a search-and-replace on the delimiter in the CSV file and then replace the delimiter with a comma or semicolon. The delimiter being used by the server (either comma or semi-colon) must be set to the replacement character.
For more information, refer to Options - General in the server help file.