Data Entry Expert

Lets you select a data source and associate a data entry method for your object.

Data Source

Allows you to enter the data source that the new value will be written to. Click the browse button (...) to view all of data sources available in your system. Click the down button to view the last data sources you used. Click the modify database block button to modify the configuration of the selected data source. You can add a database block by entering a new tag name and tabbing off this field. The Quick Add dialog box appears and allows you to enter the appropriate values for the new block.

NOTE: If the tag requires electronic signatures, the data source will not update until the action is successfully signed for.

Choose Data Entry Method

Item

Description

Numeric/Alphanumeric Entry

Allows the operator to set a tag's value by entering it directly at run time. You can configure the following options for the Numeric/Alphanumeric Entry Method:

  • Numeric Entry Option – Allows the operator to change a tag's value by entering it in a field in the picture. This allows the operator to enter numeric values only.
  • Alphanumeric Entry Option – Allows the operator to change a tag's value by entering it in a field in the picture. This allows the operator to enter both numeric and alphanumeric values.
  • Low Limit – Allows you to enter a value (up to seven decimal places long) that represents the lowest value the operator can enter. The valid range is dependent on the valid range of the data source. The default value is 0.
  • High Limit – Allows you to enter a value (up to seven decimal places long) that represents the highest value the operator can enter. The valid range is dependent on the valid range of the data source. The default value is 1 for digital blocks, and 100 for analog blocks.
  • Fetch Limits Check Box – Fetches the Low and High EGU limits from the data source automatically at runtime. This disables the high and low limit text boxes.

Slider Entry

Allows the operator to change a tag's value by moving a slider control or entering an integer value at run time. You can configure the following options for the Slider Entry Method:

  • Low Limit – Allows you to enter a value that represents the lowest value the operator can enter. The valid range is dependent on the valid range of the data source. The default value is 0.
  • High Limit – Allows you to enter a value that represents the highest value the operator can enter. The valid range is dependent on the valid range of the data source. The default value is 1 for digital blocks, and 100 for analog blocks.

NOTE: The slider allows the operator to enter an integer value or to move the slider to an integer value. If you would like the operator to be able to enter a decimal value, use the Numeric/Alphanumeric entry method.

  • Fetch Limits Check Box – Fetches the Low and High EGU limits from the data source automatically at runtime. This disables the high and low limit textboxes.
  • Write Continuously – Allows the operator to change the value of the tag continuously in real time. As the operator moves the slider control, the value of the tag updates both in the slider control dialog box and at the data source.

NOTE: If the tag requires electronic signatures, the data source will not update until the action is successfully signed for, even if you select Write Continuously.

Pushbutton Entry

Allows the operator to set a tag's value to 0 or 1. This is mainly used for Digital Output blocks. At run time, the operator is given two pushbuttons. One button, when clicked, sets the value to 0, the other sets the value to 1.

You can configure the following options for the Pushbutton Entry Method:

  • Open Button Title – Allows you to enter a title (up to 12 characters long) for the pushbutton that sets the value to 0.
  • Close Button Title – Allows you to enter a title (up to 12 characters long) for the pushbutton that sets the value to 1.

Ramp Entry

Allows the operator to ramp a tag's value up or down by two different percentages at run time. You can configure the following options for the Ramp Entry Method:

  • Low Limit – Allows you to enter a value (up to seven decimal places long) that represents the lowest value the operator can enter. The valid range is dependent on the valid range of the data source. The default value is 0.
  • High Limit – Allows you to enter a value (up to seven decimal places long) that represents the highest value the operator can enter. The valid range is dependent on the valid range of the data source. The default value is 1 for digital blocks and 100 for analog blocks.
  • Fetch Limits Check Box – Fetches the Low and High EGU limits from the data source automatically at runtime. This disables the high and low limit textboxes.
  • Ramp Percentage 1 – Allows you to enter a percentage that defines how much to ramp a value. The operator can ramp the tag's value up or down.
  • Ramp Percentage 2 – Allows you to enter a percentage that defines how much to ramp a value. The operator can ramp the tag's value up or down.