Visualizing PI System Data

November 2020
Visualizing PI System Data

OSIsoft, LLC
1600 Alvarado Street
San Leandro, CA 94577

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Table of Contents

1. PI System Basics ..................................................................................................... 5

What is a PI System?............................................................................................... 5
Building Blocks of the PI System .......................................................................... 8

2. PI Time ....................................................................................................................10
2.1 PI Time Expressions ....................................................................................10
2.2 Rules to Remember .....................................................................................14

3. Course Simulator ...................................................................................................17

4. Applying Concepts ................................................................................................19

4.1 PI Vision - Browser based displays ...........................................................19
4.2 Explore PI Points, AF Attributes, and Related Assets in PI Vision .........22

5. PI Vision ..................................................................................................................25
5.1 Recap of PI Vision ........................................................................................25
5.2 Introducing displays ....................................................................................26
5.3 Searching for Data .......................................................................................33
5.4 Features of PI Vision Displays ....................................................................39
5.5 PI Vision Additional Features .....................................................................53
5.6 Managing PI Vision Displays ......................................................................69
5.7 Analysing and Comparing Related Events ..............................................74

6. PI DataLink: Building Reports ..............................................................................83

6.1 PI DataLink Introduction .............................................................................83
6.2 Finding Data .................................................................................................85
6.3 Functions Returning Data. ..........................................................................89
6.4 Single Value Queries ...................................................................................90
6.5 Multiple Value Queries ..............................................................................100
6.6 Element Relative PI DataLink Reports .....................................................108
6.7 Excel Arrays in PI DataLink ......................................................................114
6.8 Units of Measure and Descriptions as Context in Reports ...................116
6.9 More PI DataLink Functions ......................................................................117
6.10 Using Time Filtered Data in a Preventative Maintenance Example ......126
6.11 Filtered Data Using Custom Expressions ...............................................131
6.12 Event-related Features of PI DataLink .....................................................136
6.13 Functions using an Expression................................................................141

7. Final Exercise ......................................................................................................147

8. OSIsoft Supporting YOU .....................................................................................149

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Learning Platform @ learning.osisoft.com .......................................................149

OSIsoft Learning YouTube Channel @ youtube.com/OSIsoftLearning .........150
myosisoft.com and the Customer Portal @ customers.osisoft.com .............153
PI Square – The online PI System Community @ pisquare.osisoft.com .......154
Further Questions? .............................................................................................155

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1. PI SYSTEM BASICS

What is a PI System?
Learning Outcomes
After completing this topic, you should be able to:
• Define the components of a PI System.
• Draw a diagram of the architecture of a PI System.

The PI System

The PI System was originally developed by OSIsoft to collect Plant Information from PLC,
DCS and SCADA systems. The PI System collects, stores, and manages time stamped
data. This data may have timestamps in the past, current or future.
Components of a PI System are:
• Computers with a PI Interface collect data (known as points or tags) from a data
source. These interface nodes get data from your data sources and send it to the
Data Archive. This data may be collected from a variety of places, such as:
o the plant, weather stations,
o IT networks,
o location data for trucks,
o Telemetry from monitoring systems.
• Data is stored in the Data Archive in such a way as to make user retrieval as
efficient as possible. The data is accessible to users in different ways: directly or via
tools providing context.
• Accessing the data in context is provided by linking the data points to assets defined
in an Asset Framework (AF) system.
• To visualize the data collected and stored, users use tools in the Visualization Suite:
o PI Vision (browser-based graphs and symbols),
o PI Datalink (a Windows based Excel add in),

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This diagram shows the 3 main categories and components of a typical PI System:

Architecture of a PI System

The architecture varies from simple to complex; some customers may have only a single
interface sending data to a single Data Archive. There are many more combinations and
configurations of the PI software components, so make sure to ask your PI System
administrator about how your infrastructure is laid out.

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Here is a conceptual diagram as an example:



 Quick Check
Having completed this topic, are you able to:
• Define the components of a PI System?
• Draw a diagram of the architecture of a PI System?

If you answered NO to any of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

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Building Blocks of the PI System

LEARNING OUTCOMES
• Define the terms of Asset Framework (AF) and its components: elements and
attributes.
• Define AF attribute types: static (none), PI Point, point array, formula, string builder,
table lookup and Analysis.

What is an AF Element/Asset?
In Asset Framework, company locations, sites,
processes and each piece of equipment is represented
by an Element. Company Assets may be defined with
an AF Element. The AF encourages organization of
assets into a structure that makes it easier to find
information.
A self-explanatory element structure for assets goes a
long way to help users find the data they are seeking.
With well-defined elements showing context for the
assets, data can be located without the user needing to
understand the technical details of each piece of
equipment. The AF element structure assists in
promoting a hierarchical and logical organization of
assets.

What is an AF Attribute?

Attributes represent a single property associated with an

asset element. Attributes hold values that can represent:
• static information, such as the diameter of a tank
• a PI point stored in the Data Archive, such as the
current temperature of the tank contents
• formulas
• values linked to tables in relational databases
• values held in internal AF tables
• values derived from AF analytics

Note: All relevant data about an asset is grouped together with AF Attributes on AF
Elements. This allows users to build displays and reports that maintain a complete view of
the company’s assets.

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What is a PI Point?

A PI Point (sometimes referred to as a tag) is a unique storage point for data in the Data
Archive. It is a single point of measurement and has a value with a timestamp, such as a
temperature of 31.2 oC on 2019-Dec-24 23:59.
Point name
Points stored in the Data Archive each have a unique name. It is a common practice to
name the PI Points based on Control Systems point names. Since the point is the name that
identifies the point to users, a consistent point-naming convention should be used that is
meaningful to people in your organization. Knowing the naming convention can be helpful in
searching for points.
Try to determine what the following point may refer to:
M03_E1P1_MOTDRV1202_RUNSTAT
It refers to - Machine3 Enclosure 1 Panel 1 Motor Drive 1202
Run Status.
Is this intuitive? Probably not, unless you have spent time
memorizing the equipment’s naming conventions.
Most of the time, the PI Points themselves are not going to be
easy enough for users to work with; therefore, OSIsoft
recommends developing your Asset Framework hierarchy to
leverage the very “human friendly” nature of AF Attributes on
AF Assets. Building an intuitive AF structure will make end
users’ work much easier to accomplish.

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2. PI TIME
LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Understand PI time expressions

• Explain the differences between fixed and reference times
• Use time offsets
• Understand the effect of DST on the retrieval of PI point data.

When searching for data in PI you will use a timestamp since most PI data is time series
data and this data has a timestamp associated with it. We can use a special syntax, called
PI time, to specify inputs for timestamps and time intervals in the PI client applications, for
example PI Vision. PI time uses specific abbreviations and rules in building valid time
expressions.

2.1 PI Time Expressions

In PI there are two ways to specify time:
Fixed Time: An expression that signifies a specific date and time. Used when you want
to save a view of your PI System data for a specific time in history.
Example: A user is creating a report that investigates an equipment failure event which
occurred on the 15th of April 2020 at 11 am, so the date expression may be written as15-
Apr-2020 11:00:00 AM
Reference Time: An expression that signifies a date and time relative to the current date
and time. This may be used when you want to create a dynamic view of your data, which
can be used to view data in real-time, or re-used on a periodic basis to create periodic
reports.
Example: A user creates a report that summarizes weekly production totals. By using
relative time expressions, the user will be able to re-use this report every week, so define
a start date of “Monday”, meaning start the report from last Monday.

Both Fixed Time and Reference Time can be used with Time Offsets. Time Offsets may be
used alone.

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Fixed Time Syntax

A fixed time expression is an expression which includes a date, and optionally a time.
When the time component is omitted, Midnight is assumed and it occurs at the beginning of
the day, not the end.

Expression Meaning
26-jan-88 12:34 12:34 p.m. on January 26, 1988
25-sep-19 00:00:00 (midnight) on September 25, 2019

The PI System interprets many different formats for fixed time. In the event of an ambiguous
input, the Windows Region and Language settings of the computer where the PI client tool is
installed take precedence.

Note the following:

Region and Language
Expression Meaning
Format
1/5/2020 English (United States) 00:00:00 (midnight) on January 5th 2020
1/5/2020 Rest of the world 00:00:00 (midnight) on May 1st 2020

Reference Time Syntax

A reference-time abbreviation represents a time relative to the current time.

Abbreviation Meaning Reference time

Now Current time
*
t today 00:00:00 (midnight) of the current day
y yesterday 00:00:00 (midnight) of the previous day
fri friday 00:00:00 (midnight) on the most recent Friday
may may 00:00:00 (midnight) on the current day in May
of the current year
apr-15 april-15 00:00:00 (midnight) on the 15th day of April in
the current year
YYYY Year 00:00:00 (midnight) on the current day and
month in year YYYY
M-D or M/D USA 00:00:00 (midnight) on the Dth day of month M
or in the current year
D-M, D/M Rest of the world

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Abbreviation Meaning Reference time

15 00:00:00 (midnight) on the 15th day of the
current month

Use the first three letters as an abbreviation for any day of the week and any month of the
year.
For example:

Expression Meaning
thu 00:00:00 (midnight) on the most recent Thursday
apr 00:00:00 (midnight) on the current day in April of the
current year

Time Offset
When specifying PI time use specific abbreviations that represent time units. These are used
in constructing Time Offsets as in the table.
Abbreviation Time Unit
s second
m minute
h hour
d day
mo month
y year
w week
Specify the abbreviation, the full-time unit or the plural version of the time unit, such as s,
second, or seconds. Time offset is any of the time units with a valid value and a + or – sign
included, e.g. +8h.
Time offsets can be used alone in a time field or come with a fixed time or reference-time
abbreviation.

Time Offset Syntax

Reference Time or Fixed Time and Offset Expression

When included with a reference-time abbreviation or with a fixed time, a time offset adds or
subtracts from the specified time (indicated by either + or -) and a time unit with a value
Expression Meaning
*-1h One hour ago

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Expression Meaning
t+8h 08:00:00 (8:00 a.m.) today
y-8h 16:00:00 (4:00 p.m.) the day before yesterday
mon+14.5h 14:30:00 (2:30 p.m.) last Monday
sat-1m 23:59:00 (11:59 p.m.) last Friday
1-jan-20 – 1d Midnight 31 December 2019

Time Offsets Used Alone

Entered alone in a time field, time offsets specify a time relative to an implied reference time.
The implied reference time depends on the field where you enter the expression:
• For a start time, the reference time is the current clock time.
• For an end time, the reference time is the start time.
• For a single time stamp, the reference time is the current clock time.
Time field Expression Meaning
Start time -1d One day (24 hours) before the
current clock time
End time +6h Six hours after the start time
End time -30m 30 minutes before the start time
Time stamp -15s 15 seconds before the current
clock time

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2.2 Rules to Remember

Rule 1: You can only include a single time offset in an expression. Including multiple
offsets can lead to unpredictable results. For example, the following time expressions
are not valid:
*+1d+4h
t-1d+12h
Rule 2: To define a time offset you must include a valid value with any time unit. Only
for seconds, minutes, or hours, you can specify a fractional value. You cannot specify
fractional values for other time units.

Rule 3: A fixed timestamp consists of the fields of Year, Month, Day and Time
(hours, minutes and seconds). If any of these fields are not specified in the PI time
expression, the following values will be assumed by default:

• If Time is not specified, then the default value would be Midnight.

• If Day is not specified, then the default value would be Current Day.
• If Month is not specified, then the default value would be Current Month.
• If Year is not specified, then the default value would be Current Year.

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2.1.1 Exercise – PI Time

This solo or group exercise is designed to maximize learning in a specific topic

area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you need
assistance during the activity.

Activity Description
Part 1 – Determine the “real” dates and times indicated by the PI Times in the table below:
Timestamp Input Meaning
* - 30m
y + 8h
T
Thu
Tuesday – 2d
18
y-2y

Part 2 – Express the following times in valid PI time expression:

Timestamp Input Meaning
Today at 6:00 AM
Monday at 6:30 am
12 hours ago
The first day this month
The end of the week (Friday morning)
7:00 am yesterday
15 minutes ago
First of March
25th of September 2014

Part 3 – List at least 4 ways you can “PI Abbreviate” 8 am today.

 Quick Check
Having completed this topic, are you able to:

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• Understand PI time expressions?

• Explain the differences between fixed and reference times?
• Use time offsets?

If you answered NO to any of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

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3. COURSE SIMULATOR
Ideally this course uses data from your own site for the exercises. As this is not always possible
this manual uses a fictitious manufacturing plant, OSIsoft Plant, for its exercise data. Initially
this simple plant has two production lines; each line has one mixing tank and one storage tank.

The ‘It’s Not Real’ OSIsoft Plant

Each tank has different analogue process variables such as Internal and External
Temperatures, Flow Rate, Pressure and Level; values continuously collected from devices in
the Plant.
Other data associated with these tanks such as the manufacturer, model and installation date
are stored in the maintenance sheets available on tables in an SQL Server. The information
related to the material flowing in these tanks is also kept in tables on the plant’s SQL Servers.
Despite the fact that these tables may be available in a relation database, this information
cannot be easily integrated with the historical data stored in the Data Archive. To integrate
the time series data with SQL based data, the Asset Framework with an asset hierarchy is
utilised, bringing all the data and information into one place - the PI System.
A collection of PI Points has been built in the PI Data Archive for storing the process variable
values along with their timestamps. The plant hierarchy in the PI Asset Framework brings all
the important information and data into one place, as shown below.

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Note: All tank points that have colon ":" belong to the "OSIsoft Plant" AF database; for example -
"...MXTK2:Flow Rate".. All tank points that use dot "." belong to the "OSI Production Facility" AF
database - which is only used for the Final Project; for example "...MXTK2.Flow Rate".

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4. APPLYING CONCEPTS
LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Look at live data using PI Vision

• Build a basic display in PI Vision

Now that you understand the terminology and concepts associated with the PI System, it’s
time to start driving value from our client tools. Let’s demonstrate some of the concepts we
discussed and create a display of live data in PI Vision.

4.1 PI Vision - Browser based displays

PI Vision is a web browser-based application that lets you retrieve, monitor, and analyze
process information.

PI Vision allows users to:

• Search for and visualize time-series and other PI System data.
• Save displays for later use and further analysis.
• Reuse displays for multiple assets.
• Share displays with other members of a group or anyone with access to PI Vision.

PI Vision is supported by most modern browsers on a wide variety of computers, including

tablets and phones running iOS or Android operating systems.

Learning Outcomes:
• Create a PI Vision display.
• Use PI Vision symbols
• Demo future data
• Explain the search mechanism.
• Explain how to change the time range of a display.

To start using PI Vision, navigate to the PI Vision application server set up by your
administrator. In a default installation, the address is: https://webServer/PIVision where
webServer is the name of the PI Vision web server, for example https://pisrv01/pivision.

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Drill Down Through the Assets in Your Plant

Ok, you need to quickly and easily get insight into the operational data stored in your PI
System. The 1st page displayed on the web server is the PI Vision homepage. Here you are
able to view the thumbnails of ‘All Displays’ that you can access; displays that you create as
well as those displays your colleagues create and share with others.

In this section the focus is on working with the native PI Vision displays. Below is a typical
home page for PI Vision.

To create a new display, click on and then start exploring the hierarchy
of the OSIsoft Plant, which is already set up as an AF database for you.

Click on the chevron (arrow) to the right

of ‘OSIsoft Plant’ to start inspecting.

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Drill through your AF Asset

hierarchy by clicking on the black
arrows to find assets in the plant.
Notice the hierarchy of assets
displayed on the left.

Once you click on an asset of

interest, say Storage Tank1, the
Attributes list populates below the
Assets’ list…

Click a symbol, then drag and drop

an asset or attribute to the display
area to create a display. You are
then able to add other attributes or
assets to this symbol.

Change the start time Change duration of display Change the end
time

Shift backward in time Set the display to end now

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4.2 Explore PI Points, AF Attributes, and Related Assets in PI

Vision

4.2.1 Directed Activity – Up close and personal with PI System Data through PI
Vision

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section. Use your own data if you have access to such data

Objectives
• Create components of a PI Vision display

Activity Description
You want to see the following critical measurements of Mixing Tank1 from your home
computer!

Measurement Display Symbol

Pressure Radial Gauge

Mixing Tank1

Level
Trend
Level_Forecast
External Temperature Value

Product
Table
Density

Approach
Step 1 : Open your web browser to the PI Vision homepage
Step 2 : Create a new display with
Step 3 : Drill down through the hierarchy in AF Server PISRV1 and database OSIsoft
Plant to determine the assets and their attributes.
Step 4 : Drill down to Mixing Tank1. Select the Radial Gauge icon and drag the
Pressure attribute to the display area to create the radial gauge.
Step 5 : Select the Trend icon and drag the Level and Level_Forecast to create a trend.
Right click and choose Format Trend, change the colours of the trend cursors.
Step 6 : Change the end time of the display to ten minutes in the future from now. Change
the start time of the display to the start of the work week (Monday at 8 am).
Step 7 : Select the value icon and drag the External Temperature to create the value.
Step 8 : Select the table icon and drag the Product and Density to the display area.

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Step 9 : Change the start time of the display to start yesterday at 8 in the morning.
Step 10 : For fun - Add the Installation Date to the table; then remove it via the
Configure Table… pop up.

4.2.2 Alternative Approach (PI Points ONLY)

Objectives
• Create the same PI Vision display using only PI Points (not with AF Attributes)

Activity Description
Your company has not set up an Asset Framework hierarchy (yet!). Create the same display
you made before, but only use PI Points instead of the AF attributes. Thankfully, your
colleague has identified the PI Points that you need to use in the dashboard and has filled in
the below table for you:

Measurement PI Point Display

Symbol

Pressure VPSD.OSIsoftPlant.PL1.MXTK1.Pressure Radial

Mixing Tank1

Gauge
Level VPSD.OSIsoftPlant.PL1.MXTK1.Level
Trend
Level_Forecast VPSD.OSIsoftPlant.PL1.MXTK1.Level_Forecast
External VPSD.OSIsoftPlant.PL1.MXTK1.External Value
Temperature Temperature
Product BCS1717
Table
Density 4321 g/L

Approach
Step 1 : Open your web browser to the PI Vision homepage
Step 2 : Create a new display with
Step 3 : Find the PI Points by drilling into the Data Archive and
search for the names listed in the table above.
Step 4 : Select the Display Symbol, then drag and drop the PI Point onto your display.
Step 5 : Repeat steps 3 and 4 for all measurements/symbols required.
Step 6 : Product and Density are not from PI Points. Use text fields for these items.

Discussion Questions:
1. How likely is it that you will know (or be given) every PI Point name you need to work
with?

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2. Your boss sees your great work and says that MixingTank2 should have the same
display, how do you build out another display for the second mixing tank?
3. Next week, you know that the products in your mixing tanks will change. How would
you get this new information onto your display without the use of Asset Framework?

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5. PI VISION

5.1 Recap of PI Vision

PI Vision is a web browser-based application that lets you retrieve, monitor, and analyse
process information.

PI Vision allows:
• Searching for, and visualising time-series data and other PI System data.
• Saving displays for later use and further analysis.
• Reusing displays across multiple assets.
• Sharing displays with other members of a group, or anyone with access to PI Vision.

PI Vision is supported by most modern browsers on a wide variety of computers, including

tablets and phones running iOS or Android operating systems.

Learning Outcomes:
• Create a PI Vision display.
• Use of PI Vision symbols
• Future data displays
• Explain PI Vision components
• Explain the search mechanism.
• List the dynamic and static symbols available.
• Configure symbols.
• Configure multi-state symbols.
• Explain how to change the time range of a display.
• Explain the options in the Design Mode toolbar.

To start using PI Vision, navigate to the PI Vision application server set up by your
administrator. In a default installation, the address is: https://webServer/PIVision where
webServer is the name of the PI Vision web server, for example https://pisrv01/pivision.

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Keyboard shortcuts

PI Vision lets you use several keyboard shortcuts to accomplish your tasks faster.

Some useful shortcuts:

Press Action
CTRL + C Copy an object
CTRL + V Paste an object
CTRL + X Cut an object
DELETE or BACKSPACE Delete an object
Arrow keys Move an object
CTRL + Click Select multiple objects
CTRL + A Select all objects
SHIFT + Drag Resize an object while maintaining its
proportions
CTRL + Z Undo an action
CTRL + Y Redo an action
CTRL + S Save a display

5.2 Introducing displays

The PI Vision home page lists thumbnails of displays that you can access. You can set the
page to show groups of displays, such as favourite or recently used displays; you can also
view displays stored in particular folders and you can search for displays with particular
names or owners, or filter by keywords.
In addition to viewing displays from the home page, you can share, delete, and mark
displays as favourites. And you can also create new displays.

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5.2.1 Exercise – Exploring the Home Page

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time.

Let’s start by exploring the home page.

Connect the bulleted items with the appropriate area of the home page.

• 1. New display button

• 2. A display thumbnail
• 3. Search box
• 4. Filter displays by keywords
• 5. Predefined groups
• 6. Folders
• 7. Shared display icon
• 8. Settings
• 9. Favourites
• 10. Display owner

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PI Vision Symbols

The table below gives an explanation of PI Vision symbols. You can view your data as a
trend, a value, a table, a vertical, horizontal, or radial gauge, an XY plot, or an asset
comparison table.

Number of
Symbol Functionality Data Items
Allowed

Trends show the value of one or more data items over a time
period. Trends are typically used to display time series data,
though they may also include non-time series data. When
Trend exiting Design mode, you can view trend cursors, pan across Multiple
the time range, zoom in and out and hide traces.
Right click to configure the value scale or remove traces.

Used to the show data item value, at the end time of the
display. It is shown as a number, time stamp, string, or digital
Value state. Single
Right click to format how the value is displayed or to add Multi-
State.

The table symbol contains columns that include the name,

value, description, and other summary data about a data item.
Table These summary data values take their intervals from the Multiple
display's time range as defined in the time bar.
Right click to configure table columns.

Vertical
Gauge
These three symbols are identical in every way, except their
orientation. The zero and span of the symbol are from the PI
Horizontal
point attributes. If the data item is an AF attribute of formula Single
Gauge
type, the minimum and maximum traits on the attribute are
used. Right click to format the gauge or to add Multi-state.
Radial
Gauge

An XY Plot shows a correlation between one or more paired

sets of data. On an XY Plot (also called a scatter plot), the X
XY Plot Multiple
scale shows possible values for one of the items in the pair
and the Y scale shows the value of the other item in the pair.

The asset comparison table symbol allows you to compare

Asset
measurements from similar types of equipment by organizing
Comparison Multiple
your data by assets. Each asset is assigned its own row while
Table
columns contain the asset's selected attributes.

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Arranging and adding to the PI Vision Display

The editing toolbar allows you to add shapes, text, or images, as well as arrange objects on
the display. The table below describes some of the options available in the tool bar.

Static Static shapes add rectangles, circles, lines, arcs or polygons to

Shapes the display. Right click to format the shape or add Multi-state.

Add a line of text to the display. Add a hyperlink to the text and
Text search for an existing display to link to. Right click to format the
text or add Multi-state.

Add an image to the display. Supports most file formats

Image including JPG, TIF, GIF (Static and animated), BMP, and SVG.
The maximum image size is 2 MB.

To arrange multiple objects by aligning them or bringing one of

them backward or forward, click the Arrange button on the
editing toolbar.
Arrange
There are many options for arranging or aligning display objects,
including sending an object forward or back, aligning multiple
objects and distributing objects on the display.

Future data in PI Vision

Dynamic symbols support future data and do not require any special configuration. When a
display range is set into the future, a trace for future data continues to show new values in a
staircase pattern.

Trends that have a time range including time into the future show a “now” line. This line
helps track where you are in time when panning into the future to see forecasted data.

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5.2.2 Exercise – Exploring the Components of PI Vision Display Design

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific topic

area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you need
assistance during the activity.

Objectives
• Identify the location of the tools required to build a PI Vision display

Activity Description
Match the components of PI Vision, shown in the following screenshots, to their appropriate
task. Do this by trial and error or with the help of the PI Vision User Guide which is
accessible by clicking on at the top right corner.

Part 1 – In a Display I want to…

a. Draw a line _____
b. Copy selected symbol(s) _____
c. Add text to link to another display _____
d. Save the display _____
e. Arrange selected symbol(s) _____
f. Toggle Design mode _____
g. Insert a picture _____
h. Undo or redo last action _____
i. Paste a previously copied symbol _____
j. Delete selected symbol(s) _____

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Part 2 – In a Display I want to…

a. View the list of Attributes on an Element
_____
b. Search for a Data Item (AF Element, AF
Attribute, or PI Point) _____
c. Create a Trend with time series data
_____
d. See Event Frames associated with the
data _____
e. Insert an Asset Comparison Table _____
f. Insert a Table _____
g. Navigate through the AF hierarchy _____
h. Insert a gauge _____
i. Find a Graphic to add to the display
_____
j. Insert the current value of a Data Item
_____

Part 3 – In a Display I want to…

a. Change the duration of the display _____
b. Set the end time of the display manually _____
c. Change the start time of the display _____
d. Set the display to end now _____
e. Shift backward in time _____

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 Quick Check
Having completed this topic, are you able to:

• Create a PI Vision display?

• Use of PI Vision symbols?
• Explain PI Vision components?
• List the dynamic and static symbols available?
• Configure symbols?
• Explain how to change the time range of a display?
• Explain the options in the Design Mode toolbar?

If you answered NO to any of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

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5.3 Searching for Data

Learning Outcomes
• Search for data in PI Vision.
• Add symbols to a display in bulk.

In PI Vision you can use the Search pane to locate data items in the PI System, such as PI
Points and AF elements and attributes. You can also search for previously saved PI Vision
displays. Ensure the search is being performed at the PI System level. The filter search query
will attempt to find:

• PI points - Example: VPSD*Flow

• AF elements - Example: Mixing
• AF attributes - Example: temp
• Description of a PI Point
• Description of an AF Attribute
Limit the scope of your search by drilling down to a specific Data Archive or into a specific AF
Database and its subsequent element tree structure.

Keyword Search versus Phrase Search

PI Vision leverages the PI Indexed Search Crawler in order to improve the performance and
scalability of searching and navigation. This is different to the search and navigation mechanism
used in other Client tools such as PI System Explorer and PI DataLink. With the indexed search,
results are returned by keywords rather than by phrases; this is similar to looking up something
with Google or other modern search engines. Consequently, different results may be returned
for the same query in PI Vision as compared to the other PI Client tools. This is particularly true
of PI search queries which make use of wildcard characters such as ‘*’.

Note: The keywords search does NOT apply to the display title searches. The indexed search is
only applied when searching for Data Items, which includes PI points, AF attributes, AF
elements and their associated metadata. Display title search relies on phrase search and use of
wildcards.

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In order to better understand the difference between the phrase search and indexed keyword
search in PI Vision, consider the following three examples of a data item (can be a PI point
name or an AF element name). For ease of referral in the search results scenarios assign an
imaginary data item ID number to each of these three data items:

Data Item ID#

Mixing Tank1 1
Storage Tank1 2
Tank Volume 3

Based on these three data items, the following Indexed Keyword table will be considered for
later search results:

Keyword Associated ID#

mixing 1
tank1 1, 2
storage 2
volume 3

Below are a few examples of the search query and what their search results would be:

Search Query Associated Keywords Search Results (ID#)

Tank Tank1, Volume 1, 2, 3
Mix*Tank - -
Mix* *Tank Mixing, tank1 1
tank1 Mixing, storage, tank1 1,2

Note: PI Vision adds a * to the end of all searches so the first two rows of the table above would
not really need a * at the end.

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5.3.1 Directed Activity – Search in PI Vision

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time.

Objectives
• Search for PI Points and AF Attributes in PI Vision

Activity Description
Building a display in PI Vision starts with finding the data items in PI System. We want to build a
display to include the Flow Rates of all tanks. We also want to see what other displays are built
for the Mixing Tanks (assuming Mixing Tank1 or Mixing Tank2 is in the title of the display.

Approach
Step 1 : Open PI Vision homepage and create a new display.
Step 2 : Select the AF database named OSIsoft Plant.
Step 3 : Try the following combinations of search queries (for Flow Rate) and see how it
changes the search results
a. Flow
b. F*Rate
c. F* Rate
Step 4 : Try the following combinations of search queries (for Mixing Tank) and see how it
changes the search results
a. Mixing Tank
b. *Mixing tank
c. *mix*tank

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5.6.1 Exercise – Monitoring All Vital Measurements

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific topic

area. Your instructor will coach you if you need assistance during the activity.
Use your own data if you have access to such data

Objectives
• Search for data in PI Vision.
• Add symbols to a display in bulk.
Activity Description
You are interested in building a PI Vision display that shows all the vital measurements of the
four tanks of OSIsoft plant in one place, for the past 4 hours until the next 15 minutes.
Approach
Step 1 : Build a PI Vision display including the following symbols for the key measurements
of each of the four tanks:

Measurement Display Symbol

Internal and external

A single Trend
For both temperatures
Mixing Tank1
and Levels and Level_Forecasts A single Trend
Storage Tank1
Products Table

Asset Names Values

Production Area Asset Name Values

Production Lines Asset Names Values

Step 2 : Repeat the procedure for Production Line2

Step 3 : Add shapes and images to complete the display (perform a quick Google search to
find some images if needed)
Step 4 : Change the start and end time of the display to the desired values mentioned above.
Step 5 : Save your display as <your initials>_Production Area Dashboard
An example of what the display might look like is shown below. There are many possible
solutions – yours does not have to mirror it!

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 Quick Check
Having completed this topic, are you able to:

• Search for data in PI Vision?

• Add symbols to a display?

If you answered NO to any of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

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5.4 Features of PI Vision Displays

Learning Outcomes:
• Add Graphics to the PI Vision display
• Add Multi-State behaviour in PI Vision
• Create a Collection
• Create an Asset Comparison Table

Reusing Displays for Multiple Assets

PI Vision automatically finds and shows all the assets that are related to the existing assets in a
display. You can switch to these related assets to reuse displays. These related assets are
assets that are built upon a common template.

Swapping the related assets is achieved by

choosing the Switch Asset drop-down list

and choosing a related

asset from the list.

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To configure which assets appear in the asset list and other

context settings, click Configure asset context
switching. This will be examined in a later exercise .

Multi-State Behaviour

Multi-states behaviour allows objects on the display to alter their colour based on dynamic data
values. Specific colours are assigned to ranges of values, corresponding to process states. When
the value of a multi-state object enters the assigned range, its colour will alter to indicate a change
of state. Many display objects can be configured as multi-state symbols - text, graphics, values,
gauges.

To add Multi-state behaviour to a Value or Gauge symbol, right-

click the symbol and select Add Multi-State. The attribute
inside your symbol will now act as a trigger that will be
associated with the multi-state behaviour. If desired, the
active attribute can be removed and replaced with a different
attribute (example, your level gauge can have a multi-state
based on whether a valve is open or closed).
To configure multi-state behaviour, right-click on the object
and select Configure Multi-State. To trigger the multi-state

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with an alternate data item, find the item in the search results and drag it inside the top area of
the Multi-State pane.

By default, the Multi-State pane contains five regular states, each

assigned a different colour. The Bad data state indicates when your
value is either out of range or contains no data. The Bad data state can
only be configured by a PI administrator, but any user can change its
colour. To modify the colour of any state, click on it to open the colour
palette. In the colour palette, you can also select Blink to call attention
to the symbol. You can change the maximum value for any state in the
value field. To add a new state, enter a maximum value in the empty top
field and click Add. To remove a state, click X next to it.
To uncouple the attribute from the multi-state, click on the trash can icon
at the top of the Multi-State pane .

Notice that you cannot change the Multi-State limits for

Mixing Tank 1|Pressure

If the AF attribute has assigned Limits, then multi-state will use the limits
defined in AF and the user will not be able to change them. The user will
only be able to change the colours associated with each state. Pressure
has been configured with AF Limits which are child attributes with the
corresponding limits property:

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Graphics Library

A large selection of graphics is available in the Graphic Library

pane. The graphics are organized inside stencils belonging to a
wide range of categories and industries. Many of the graphics
have characteristics such as colour, fill type, orientation, or
background, which can be modified.
To open the Graphic Library pane, click on the Graphic Library
tab, located below the Events tab.

Open the folder with the desired graphic, then drag it across to
your display. Formatting the graphic depends on the nature of the graphic. Be creative, have a
go yourself!

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5.4.1 Directed Activity – Graphics and Multi-State Behaviour in PI Vision

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time.

Objectives
• Add Graphics to the PI Vision display
• Add Multi-State behaviour

Activity Description
You want a dashboard that displays information about a tank and have symbols change colour
depending on the value.

Approach
Step 1 : Click New Display
Step 2 : Open the Graphics Library view on the left-hand side and find a meter
graphic from the Flow Meters group. Click on a meter then right click on
the drawing area and drag a rectangle on the display to create the symbol. Resize at
will.
Step 3 : Click on the Value symbol at the top of the Assets pane.
Step 4 : In the Assets pane navigate to OSIsoft Plant – Production Area.
Step 5 : In the search box type ‘flow’ and click on the search
icon
Step 6 : Select the Flow Rate for Mixing Tank1 and drag near the flow meter.
Step 7 : Right-click on the flow meter and choose Add Multi-State…Drag the Flow Rate from
the Assets pane to the Multi State pane. You can alter the different state values or
just click back in the drawing area; the value will now be Multi-state.
Step 8 : Right click the value symbol and select Format Value. Click Visibility and change
Label to ‘Flow Rate’ in the drop down. Change Text Alignment to Center.
Step 9 : Add a Radial Gauge for Flow Rate overlaid on the meter graphic, resize as
appropriate and make Multi-State.
Step 10 : Add a Tank graphic and open Multi-State… Find the External Temperature and
drag and drop it onto the Multi-State Attribute pane

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Step 11 : Change the state maximum values, Set the top state to blink by opening the
colour palette and selecting Blink
Step 12 : Add a Value symbol at the top of the display for the Asset Name of tank you are
working on. In Format Value / Visibility untick the Label, Units, Timestamp.
Step 13 : Save the display as <your initials>_Tank Display

You might finish up with something like this:

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Collections

Collections allow you to find and see all assets of the same type on the current display. With
collections, you can choose one or more data symbols and automatically find and view their
related assets and attributes on the same display, without having to search for each asset
separately.
If, for example, there are ten tanks in one plant based on the same PI AF template. You can
view the attributes of tank 1 and then convert them into a collection that shows those attributes
for all ten tanks at the same time.
By changing the collection search criteria, you can then customize your collection to see only
those assets whose parameters fall within a desired range or which are in a specific state. The
collection will update automatically as the parameters or state of the assets changes.

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5.4.2 Directed Activity – PI Vision Collections

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time.

Objectives
• Create a Collection

Activity Description
Step 1 : Using the display from your last exercise, select all the symbols, right click, and
select Convert to Collection.
Step 2 : Resize the collection canvas so the collection covers as much area as possible.
Step 3 : Right click on the new collection and choose Edit Collection Criteria…
a. Expand Search Root and enter Production Area; select the Return All
Descendants checkbox

b. Expand the Asset Type and add an Asset Attribute. Set the Flow Rate > 100

This has the effect of showing only those tanks where the Flow Rate > 100.

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5.4.3 Directed Activity – Create a Collection of Asset Tables

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or have a go yourself.

Objectives
• Use an asset comparison table to compare measurements and other process
information by organizing data by asset.

Activity Description
Step 1 : Click New Display
Step 2 : Select the Asset Table symbol.
Step 3 : Select an asset (e.g. Mixing Tank2) and drag onto the work area.
Step 4 : Use the slider bar on the right to examine the data.
Step 5 : Convert to a collection as was done in the previous exercise.
Step 6 : Modify the Collection to change the appearance of the table. Click on Configure
Table. Untick Description, Maximum and Minimum. Click on the door symbol on the
upper right-hand side to exit.
Step 7 : Right Click on the collection and select Edit Collection Criteria, changing Search
Root to Production Area, and tick Return All Descendants.

Step 8 : Change the time of the display and see the entire display update dynamically.

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5.4.4 Exercise – Create a Dynamic Dashboard to Monitor Your Tanks

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific topic

area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you need
assistance during the activity. Use your own data if you have access to such
data

Objectives
• Create a PI Vision dashboard using dynamic symbols.
• Use the collection feature
Activity Description
You need a dashboard that shows the key pieces of information for our tanks. The operator
would like to see only tanks that are overheated at any given time. They also need a summary
table that lists the installation dates and asset locations for all their tanks.

Approach
Step 1 : Build a PI Vision display including the following symbols, utilizing the Collection
symbol:

Measurement Display Symbol

Asset Name Value

Collection

Tank Graphic
Value (Multi-State Use default
External Temperature
values but change colours)
Internal Temperature Gauge
Internal Temperature
Trend
External Temperature
Installation Date
Asset Comparison Table
Asset Location

Step 2 : Edit Collection Criteria to only show overheated tanks (Internal Temperature >
150°C), add an Asset Attribute to the Asset Type.
a. How many tanks were overheated at 8am today? _____________
b. How many tanks were overheated at noon yesterday? _____________
Step 3 : Save your display as <your initials>_Tank Temperature Dashboard
Bonus: Modify the collection to include more graphics and a multi-state symbol such as a
gauge for the pressure.

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An example is shown on the next page.

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5.4.5 Exercise – Monitoring the Mixing Tanks’ Key Performance Indicators

This activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific topic area. Your

instructor will help you if you need assistance during the activity. Use your
own data if you have access to such data

Objectives
• Create a PI Vision dashboard using dynamic symbols.
• Add Multi-State behaviour to symbols
• Reuse the PI Vision dashboard for multiple Assets
Activity Description
You would like to view details of each tank in your Production Area. With your large knowledge
in PI Vision, you know that we don’t need to create a new display for each Tank. We can easily
use the Asset Swap functionality so that we only need to build one display and then re-use it for
each tank.

Approach
Step 1 : Build a PI Vision display including the following symbols:

Measurement Display Symbol

Asset Name Value

Asset Location Value
Internal Temperature Value (Multi-State)
External Temperature Value (Multi-State)
Installation Date Value
Mixing Tank1

Internal Temperature
Table
External Temperature
Level • Trend
Level_Forecast • XY Plot (10 minute interval)
Percentage Full Vertical Gauge (Multi-State)
Pressure Radial Gauge (Multi-State)
Product
Diameter
Table
Height
Density

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a. What is the Maximum External Temperature for Mixing Tank1 over the last 12
hours? _____________
b. What is the Minimum Internal Temperature for Mixing Tank1 over the last 12
hours? _____________
(Hint: Tables in PI Vision have columns for the maximum and minimum values).
Step 2 : Add shapes and images to the display

Step 3 : Go to Configure asset context switching in the asset drop-down list and select
Show search results. Set the Search Root to Production Area\Production Line2.
Step 4 : Reuse the same display to monitor the other mixing tank
a. What is the Maximum External Temperature for Mixing Tank2 over the last 12
hours? _____________
b. What is the Minimum Internal Temperature for Storage Tank2 over the last 12
hours? _____________
Step 5 : Update the asset context switching to Show assets of the same type.
Step 6 : Save the display as <your initials>_Tank Details
Bonus: Create navigation links from the previous exercise (Dashboard with Collections) to this
display. Ensure each collection member and each row of the table navigates to this display with
the proper context. We will cover navigation in more detail after this exercise.
An example solution is below. This is only an example, there are many possible solutions!

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


 Quick Check
Having completed this topic, are you able to:
• add Graphics to the PI Vision display?
• add Multi-State behaviour in PI Vision?
• create a Collection?
• create an Asset Comparison Table?
• configure a multi-state symbol?

If you answered NO to any of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

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5.5 PI Vision Additional Features

Learning Outcomes:
• Adding Navigation links
• Display URL parameters
• Ad hoc displays

Add Navigation Links to PI Vision Symbols

You can assign a hyperlink to any symbol, shape,

or image on your display. The hyperlink can point to
another PI Vision display or to an external website.
Once you add a hyperlink, you can navigate from
that hyperlink to your linked display or website.
There is the option to have the linked display
automatically match the asset and time context of
the original display containing the hyperlink.
You may also add a hyperlink directly to the display
by choosing the Text icon and then clicking
anywhere in the display. The text menu opens.
Select ‘Sync text to navigation’ link to enter a URL.

PI Vision URL Parameters

You can use a URL to open PI Vision displays programmatically from other applications.
You can use the URL to:
• Create a temporary display that shows a single trend populated with specified data
items; the URL can also specify a time range for the display. This is called an Ad Hoc
display.
• Specify a display time range.
• Specify kiosk mode to open a display with limited interactivity.
• Configure an existing display to use other assets that share the same AF template.

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• Set the time zone for a display so that users see data in the time zone you specify,
rather than in the time zone of their client machine.
• Hide the toolbar or time bar, or both, in a display.
• Prevent automatic redirection for users of PI Vision on mobile devices

Rules for adding a URL Parameter:

Rule 1: Separate query string parameters from the preceding base URL with a question
mark (?).
Rule 2: Separate each query string parameter with an ampersand (&).
Below are some commonly used URL parameters:

StartTime=<PI Time> and EndTime=<PI Time>

Specify the start and end time of the display. Any valid PI Time format is acceptable.
Example:
http://PISRV01/PIVision/#/Displays/339/MyDisplay?StartTime=*-1h&EndTime=*

Mode=Kiosk
Specify kiosk mode to open a display with limited interactivity.
Example:
http://PISRV01PIVision/#/Displays/339/MyDisplay?mode=kiosk

HideToolbar and HideTimebar

Hide the toolbar or toolbar from the display
Example:
http://PISRV01/PIVision/#/Displays/339/MyDisplay?HideToolbar
http://PISRV01/PIVision/#/Displays/339/MyDisplay?HideTimebar
You can combine these parameters with other URL parameters. Example:
http://PISRV01/PIVision/#/Displays/339/MyDisplay?mode=kiosk&HideToolbar&HideTimeb
ar

For more information, see “URL parameters for controlling the presentation of
displays” in PI Vision Installation and Administration Guide.

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5.5.1 Directed Activity – Using URL Parameters and Hyperlinks

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section

Objectives
• Use URL Parameters to create links to PI Vision displays
Activity Description
Early this morning the operations team reported that there was an issue from noon yesterday
until midnight today with Mixing Tank1. They need to look at the data for this time period.

Approach
Step 7 : Open your <your initials>_Tank Temperature Dashboard display.
Step 8 : Enter Design mode and right-click and choose Modify Collection.
Step 9 : Right click on the Tank Graphic and choose Add Navigation Link…
Step 10 : Leave the Action as Open hyperlink to another page and click the Search for
displays… link. Search for your <your initials>_Tank Details display
Step 11 : Save your display.
Step 12 : Test the link.
Step 13 : Make the display read only by placing it in Kiosk mode. Append ?mode=Kiosk to
the end of the URL.

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5.5.2 Exercise – Navigating Between PI Vision Displays

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific topic

area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you need
assistance during the activity.

Objectives
• Create a link from your overview dashboard to a more detailed display.
Activity Description
You would like to quickly link from your Production Area Dashboard display to your Tank
Dashboard display.

Approach
Step 1 : Add Navigation Links to the Asset Name values on the Production Area Dashboard
to the Tank Details
Step 2 : Save your display then test your links.
Step 3 : Add Text symbols to the Tank Details display that navigate back to the Production
Area Dashboard and the Tank Temperature Dashboard.

Bonus
Step 4 : Create an Asset Comparison Table on the Tank Details page that can change the
context of the current display
Step 5 : Save your display and test each link

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Ad hoc Displays

You have created your dashboard, but your team would like to select a few different items from
the displays and do some additional analysis when they investigate specific issues. If they
identity something of interest, they would like to be able to share their findings by saving the
display. Let’s use the ad hoc display functionality!

5.5.3 Directed Activity – Demonstrating Ad Hoc Analysis

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section

Objectives
• Create an ad hoc display
Activity Description
• You want to compare the external temperatures of all the tanks in the plant.

Approach:
1. Open any of your displays with multiple tank variables or use the Plant Process
Variables display.
2. Select the external temperature of Mixing tank 1 and click Replace Ad Hoc trend.

This will start a new ad Hoc display.

3. Toggle off the Summary Table.

4. Close the Ad Hoc Workspace by clicking the Hide button

5. Back on the original display change the asset to Mixing Tank 2 and click on the external
temperature. Notice the Ad Hoc icon has a ‘+’ sign. Click it and you are back to the Ad
Hoc display with the added temperature. Alternatively, you can go to the Attributes pane,
right click any attribute and select ‘Add Data Item to Ad Hoc’.
6. Add the other 2 external temperatures. Your Ad Hoc display now has all the data items
you selected.
7. Click anywhere in the trend, then click again somewhere else to demonstrate multiple
trend cursors.

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8. Click on the Convert button to place the Ad Hoc Workspace contents into an Editor
Display that can be permanently saved and shared:

9. Click Save As icon and give your display a name starting with your initials. You can now
share.

 Quick Check
Having completed this topic, are you able to:
• Add a Navigation links?
• Use display URL parameters?
• Create ad hoc displays?

If you answered NO to any of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

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Using Calculations in a Display

Learning Outcomes:
• Understanding PI Vision Calculations
• Using the Calculation Editor

Displays in PI Vision can utilize simple calculations on the fly and use the results to analyze
data in real time. This includes the use of summary calculations like Min, Max, and Avg and
simple calculations that use basic mathematical operators such as +, -, *, and / on data within
the display. Use calculations on PI Vision symbols and configurations that support data items.
These calculations use Performance Equation syntax.

5.5.4 Directed Activity – Create a calculation

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section

Objectives
• Create and use a calculation
Activity Description
• Add the mixing tank flows to get a resultant flow

Approach:

Find the points:

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To define your calculation…

a. On the left side of the screen, click Calculations and then click Add Calculation .

The Calculation Editor window opens.

b. Give the new calculation a Name and a Description.

Note:Your calculation Name needs to be unique for the current display. You may reuse
a Calculation Name on different displays.

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c. Define the calculation by dragging PI points from here:

onto the editor panel.

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Note: You can only use PI Points from one Data Archive in a single Calculation.
d. Configure your Expression to calculate the data. You can create your own function or
expression. These expressions can include point variables with mathematical and logical
operations. See Built-in performance equation functions for additional information.

Examples

o ‘VPSD.OSIsoftPlant.PL1.STTK1.Flow Rate’ * 2
o (‘cdt158’+‘sinusoid’)/2
o log(‘cdt158’)
o (‘sinusoid’)/tagspan(‘sinusoid’)

e. Test your expression for the data available at the current time by clicking Preview.

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f. Click Advanced Options to further configure the calculation.

g. Configure the Time Interval for the calculation. By default, this is set to Auto, but you can
choose a Custom Time Interval if needed.

When setting the Time Interval to Auto:

o Set the Total Conversion Factor for the calculation; this only applies to
the Total summary Column.
o Click Stepped Plot if you would like this calculation to display with stepped data.
o Click Save to finish configuring your calculation.

When setting the Time Interval to Custom:

o Set the Calc Interval for the calculation. The Calc Interval is the time
range for which the data calculation is performed.
o Set the Sync Time for the calculation. The Sync Time is the time of day
(in 24-hour format) from which Calc Intervals are counted.

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o Set the Total Conversion Factor for the calculation. The Total
Conversion Factor is used as a time basis for time-weighted totals and
only applies to the Total summary Column.
o Click Stepped Plot if you would like this calculation to display with
stepped data.
o Click Save to finish configuring your calculation.

Example of Calc Intervals and Sync Time defined for a calculation:

o Calc Interval: 10m
o Sync Time: 00:00:00 (default)

The calculated value for each interval is plotted at the start of the interval. Since
the Sync Time is set as 00:00:00, the start of the interval begins at the top of the hour.
Since the Calc Interval is 10m, every 10 minutes, a new value is plotted. In this example,
there world be a new plotted value at the following time stamps (among many more):
o 1:00:00
o 1:10:00
o 1:20:00
o 1:30:00
o 1:40:00
o 1:50:00

Save and give your display a name starting with your initials.
After adding the original points to the trend and some dial gauges your display may look like
this:

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See Using Calculations for more information.

 Quick Check
• Do you understand PI Vision Calculations?
• Can you use the Calculation Editor?
If you answered NO to any of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

Multiple Time Contexts for Trends

It is possible for trends in a display to have different time ranges that are not tied to the default
display time bar.

5.5.5 Exercise – Displaying trends with different times

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This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific topic

area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you need
assistance during the activity.

Objectives
• Create trends with different time ranges
Activity Description
You would like to display an 8 hour trend, a 24 hour trend and a 7 day trend on the same
display.

Approach
Step 1 : Select the trend symbol, then a data point and drag on to the display area. If the time
range down the bottom of the display is 8h this will be your 8-hour trend. If not, then
set the time range to 8h.
Step 2 : Drag the same point on the display in another trend. Right click the trend and select
Configure Trend option.
Step 3 : Open up Time Range and select Duration and Offset. Make the Duration 24 hour
and offset 0. This will give a trend with the same end time as the previous trend but
with a start time 24 hours previously.
Step 4 : Create another trend, this time with the start 7 days previous.
You should have a display like this:

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Step 5 : Create another display with 3 trends. This time make the end times all different.

Save and give your display a name starting with your initials.
While you are right clicking on symbols use your display to investigate the following:

Symbol Enhancements
• Outside Scales on Trend: Display the Y-axis value scale outside of the trend plot area to
improve data visibility.
• Configurable Grid Style on Trend: Use two additional grid styles for blank grid and
horizontal/vertical gridlines.
• Data Markers on Trend: Use newly added trace styles to see data markers for recorded
values on your trend and configure the marker visibility and shape for each trace.
• Plot Title on Trend: Specify custom plot titles for each trend symbol on a display.

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• Labelling: Add element name, attribute name, description, or custom text as labels for
trend, value, vertical gauge, horizontal gauge, and radial gauge symbols.
• Additional Multi-State Capabilities: Use new multi-state capabilities to hide symbol
visibility and change value symbol text color using gauges.
See the information in the Live Library on configuring trends.

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5.6 Managing PI Vision Displays

Learning Outcomes:
• Organise displays
• Change who can see a display

Manage Role-Based User Access Level

Your PI Vision Administrator can give users different level of

access by assigning and managing user roles on the PI Vision
Administration website. PI Vision provides two access roles
based on PI AF identities:
• Publisher: users have full access to the application and
can save displays.
• Explorer: users have access to the application but cannot save or share displays. An
Explorer can still export data from a display.

For more information, see “Manage role-based user access level” in PI Vision
Installation and Administration Guide.

PI Vision Homepage

In the homepage of PI Vision, you can View and Search All Displays that you have access to,
Filter displays by Labels, or navigate logical groups to find displays. These groups are listed
below:
• ALL DISPLAYS: lists all public and private displays
• FAVORITES: filters the thumbnails to show only favourites (starred displays)
• MY DISPLAYS: shows all displays that you have created.
• RECENT: PI Vision automatically remembers displays that you used within the last
seven days.
• FOLDER HOME: shows the folders that your administrator has configured for you to
access PI ProcessBook displays. Below this option, the list of folders for accessing PI
ProcessBook displays will be listed. In the example shown in the screenshot, on the
right, this folder is named “PI ProcessBook Displays”.

You can navigate to PI Vision Homepage from any display by clicking on the
upper left corner.

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Organizing PI Vision Displays

PI Vision offers new options for organization of displays to provide a quicker way of finding
displays of interest.
• Search All Displays: Displays are
searchable by name or owner.
• Favourites: You can mark displays as
"favourites" by clicking the star icon .
Favourites are a user-specific property.
• Keywords: You can apply keywords to
displays to categorize them. The
keywords can be viewed in a keyword cloud by selecting "Filter by Keywords." Within the
keyword cloud, the keywords are sorted alphabetically, and their size is determined by
their relative frequency. Keywords applied by one user are visible to the rest of the
users.
• You can add a keyword by clicking the Display Settings icon and typing in the
keyword in the Keywords box. Once you start typing the keyword, the matching available
keywords become available in a list, as shown in the following screenshot.

Editing PI Vision Displays

Some of the editing options are available from the PI Vision homepage and some from the PI
Vision display itself.

From the homepage, clicking on the Display Settings icon you will see the following options:
• Keyword: You can enter text in the Keywords field and use a semicolon (;) to separate
multiple keywords.
• Display Owner: You can make anyone else in your organization the owner of any
display. (Only visible to the Administrators)
• Delete Display: Currently, you can only delete displays that you created in PI Vision,
and not the PI ProcessBook displays.
• Share with: As the creator of a display you can keep these displays private, or to share
them with other users in your organization.

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The groups displayed in the Shared with section are AF Identities, only the AF Identities
that a user is a part of will display except for Administrators which is a share option for
any user.
As a user you can create a display that you use
to home in on a set of data and then quickly
and easily share that display with others across
your organization. You can also send the URL
for a shared display in an email or instant
message to someone else in your organization
for them to see as a public display. By default,
all PI ProcessBook displays are automatically
shared with World. You can also give
team members WRITE permission for a
display, allowing collaboration on the creation
and maintenance of displays with your team, in
case you want the day off.

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5.6.1 Exercise – Manage and share your PI Vision Displays

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific topic

area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you need
assistance during the activity.

Objectives
• Work with different options available in managing PI Vision displays
Activity Description
Your corporate PI Vision homepage has a long list of displays shared by others. You also have
a lot of wonderful displays that you would like to share with your team members. You want to
make the management of your displays and displays of your interest easy and label your
displays in a way that your team members can find them easily.
Approach
Earlier, you built a PI Vision display, <your initials>_ Tank Details. Find it from the homepage by
searching for it.
Step 1 : Share your display with everyone (World), so that everyone else can view it. If your
user ID ends in an odd number (ex. Student05) then also share your display with
Operators. If your user ID ends in an even number (ex. Student08) then also share
your display with Engineers.
Step 2 : Add the keyword of VPSD to it (stands for Visualizing PI System Data)
Step 3 : Choose 2 or 3 colours (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, or Purple) and add
those as keywords. Be sure to separate keywords with a semicolon (;).
Step 4 : Find all the displays that have the label of VPSD or that match one of the colours
you chose. Pick your favourites and add them to your favourites list.

 Quick Check
Can you:

• organise displays?
• change who can see a display?

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If you answered NO to either of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

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5.7 Analysing and Comparing Related Events

Learning Outcomes
• Retrieving Events
• Finding Related Events
• Comparing Events
• ‘Pinning’ Events

Find Related Events

PI Vision enables you to view and analyse PI data during the time range of an event. For
example, you may want to examine the performance of an asset during an operator shift or
compare the data for several assets during a downtime period.

To view events, open the

Events tab on the left side.
Here you will find events
related to your process, the
colour to the left of each
event indicates its severity.
By default, the time range of
the display and the context
of the symbols in the display
determine which events are
shown in the Events list. To
discover additional events,
modify the time range or
choose Edit Search Criteria.
When editing the search
criteria, there are a number of filtering options to find the Event Frames
you are looking for, as shown at left.

Select an event to find its Data Items (event attributes) and its start
and end time.

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By right clicking on an event, you can choose Apply Time

Range apply the event’s time range to the display.

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5.7.1 Directed Activity – Find Events

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section

Objectives
• Display Events based on Search criteria.
Activity Description
• The process engineer has set up Downtime tracking using AF Event Frames. An Event
is created when the tank level drops below 10% full. You have been asked to provide
details on how much production was lost in the last event.

Approach:
Step 1 : Select New Display
Step 2 : Select Events

Step 3 : Select Edit search Criteria

Step 4 : Set Database dropdown to OSIsoft Plant
Step 5 : Under Asset Name select ANY, then click APPLY

What is the last value for Lost Production? (Hint: the event highest in the list is the last one)
____________
When did it occur? _____________
What was the Reason Code? ______________
How many minutes did the Event last for? ___________

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Get Event Details

Choosing Event Details will create a trend and table with

information about the event, click an item to add it to the
trend. On the right, will also see the Actions and
Comments associated with an event. If you have
access to do so, you can add a new comment to the
Event Frame and ‘Acknowledge’ it. The access is
controlled in PI System Explorer with the Annotate
permission.

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5.7.2 Exercise – Event Details

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific topic

area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you need
assistance during the activity.

Objectives
• Display the Event details
Task Description
• You have been asked to provide more details about the event including:

% Full for the beginning and end of the event

Event duration

Reason Code at the start of the event

Tank status at the beginning and end of the Event.

Approach:
Step 1 : Right click the Event and select Event
Details.

You might have a display like this:

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Step 2 : Acknowledge the event with the Green Acknowledge button in the top right-hand
corner. Why might you do this?
Step 3 : Click the top two graph symbols. What happened?

Step 4 : Slide down to the bottom of the details and click the graph icon next to Pressure.
Step 5 : Overlay the Flow Rate trend in this graph.
Step 6 : Fill in the table:

% Full for the beginning and end of the event

Event duration

Reason Code at the start of the event

Tank status at the beginning and end of the event.

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Compare Similar Events by Name or Type

Choosing Compare Similar Events will open a list of similar events with overlaid trends and a
Gantt chart. You can hide events or highlight an event in the overlay trends. Additionally, you
can drag more attributes to the display area to create more overlay trends.
Delete the trends displayed.

Click on Mixing Tank chevron > and drag flow rate and pressure attributes to graph area. Click
on any of the events in the Gantt chart. What does the length of bar in the Gantt chart
represent? ___________
Save your display to <your initials>_tank events

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Pinning Events

Once you created an event comparison screen, you can pin events from the search results as
your reference event. Pinned events are your benchmark events that remain at the top of the
Events pane even after you perform new event searches. Once you no longer want an event to
be pinned at the top of the pane, you can remove it from the Pinned events list.

5.7.3 Exercise – Pinning an Event

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific topic

area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you need
assistance during the activity.

Objectives
• Pin an Event
Task Description
While investigating these tank events you noticed that the shortest event is the event against
which you can compare all other events. You want to highlight so you can easily compare this
event against others.

Approach:
In your display from the previous exercise right-click the event in the Events pane
corresponding to the shortest event on the Gantt chart and click Pin Event. The pinned
event appears at the top of the pane in the Pinned section and have yellow legend marker
next to them.
After you pin an event, you can perform the following operations:
• To highlight the pinned event on the Overlay Trend, select the event in the Events pane.
• To add another pinned event, right-click that event and click Pin Event.
• To save the pinned event, save the event comparison display by clicking the Save
button.
To unpin your pinned event, right-click it and click Unpin Event.
The next page has an example.

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

 Quick Check
Having completed this topic, are you able to:

• Retrieve Events?
• Finding Related Events?
• Compare Events?
• ‘Pin’ Events?

If you answered NO to either of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

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6. PI DATALINK: BUILDING
REPORTS

6.1 PI DataLink Introduction

Learning Outcomes:
• Why use PI DataLink?
• Common terms.

PI DataLink is an OSIsoft add-in for Microsoft Excel. It lets you retrieve information from your PI
System directly onto a worksheet. Combined with the computational, graphic, and formatting
capabilities of Microsoft Excel, PI DataLink is a powerful tool for gathering, monitoring,
analysing, and reporting PI System data.

For more information see "Introduction" in PI DataLink User Guide

PI DataLink has different functions for extracting PI System data into Excel. It is important to
understand the following nomenclature when working with PI DataLink and its data retrieval
functions.

Term Meaning
Data item
A PI Point name or AF attribute name, for which the PI DataLink function
returns property values.
Root path
The common path to specified data items within PI System. It is optional for PI
DataLink functions. Valid entries include:
• Data Archive name if the data item is a PI Point.
• AF server and database if the data item is an AF attribute. For a data item
of AF Attribute, root path can also include the name of parent elements.
• Blank if the data item is on the default Data Archive or the default AF
Server and default database.
Output cell
The worksheet cell where the function writes the result.

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If you select a cell before you open the function task pane, PI DataLink inserts
the selected cell into the output cell field.


 Quick Check
• Why would you want to use DataLink?
• What is a Root path?

If you are unsure of the answer to these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

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6.2 Finding Data

Learning Outcomes
• Demonstrate searching for PI Points
• Demonstrate the different ways of finding element and element attributes within the PI
Asset Framework (AF) hierarchy.

PI DataLink offers two ways to search for data items:

1. Search tool
2. Asset Filter Search function (this will be covered in a later section)

Search for Data Items

On first use, the tool starts at the Home

node, which shows all the Data Archives
and AF servers listed in Connection
Manager. You must limit the search to a
single Data Archive or single AF server,
and can limit the search further to a single
database on an AF server, and then to
specific elements and parent attributes.

When your search scope

is a Data Archive, the top
search field is applied to
the PI Point Name, only.
Set the fields under Filters
to specify any additional
criteria the retrieved PI
Points must match. You
can use wildcard
characters to augment
your search.

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When your scope is an AF Server or Database, the top search field is applied to AF Attribute
name as well as the name, description and categories of the parent element.

You can change columns displayed in the results pane by right clicking
a column name in the results pane and selecting which column you
would like to be displayed.

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6.2.1 Directed Activity – Searching in PI DataLink

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section. Use your own data if you have access to such data

Objectives
• Perform a search for PI Points and AF Attributes in PI DataLink

Activity Description
We will need to demonstrate how to use the search functionalities.

Approach
Step 1 : Open Microsoft Excel.
Step 2 : On the PI DataLink ribbon, select Search.

Step 3 : Select a Data Archive

a. Search for *temper*
b. Select an item and then OK.

Step 4 : Select the AF Server >

a. Search for flow*.
b. Choose all items in the list.
Step 5 : Select OK

 Quick Check
• Can you demonstrate searching for PI Points?
• Can you demonstrate the different ways of finding element and element attributes within
the PI Asset Framework (AF) hierarchy?

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If you answered NO to either of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.
.

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6.3 Functions Returning Data.

With PI DataLink functions, you can query any Data Archive or AF server, apply calculations to
retrieved results and return values to worksheet cells. These functions return results in function
arrays, which you can recalculate to update values as needed.

Query Function
What It Returns
Category Name
Current Value The current or most recent value of a Data Item
Value of a Data Item at a specified time stamp
Single value
Archive Value Computed value of a performance equation at a specified
time stamp
All the values of a Data Item for a specified time period
Compressed
Data A specific number of Data Item values beginning at a
certain time
Evenly spaced, interpolated values for a Data Item over a
regular interval
Sampled Data
Multiple value Evenly spaced, interpolated values of a performance
equation over a regular interval.
Actual or interpolated sample values for a Data Item at
specified time stamps
Timed Data
Values of a performance equation computed at specified
time stamps
One or more evenly spaced, calculated values based on a
Data Item’s values and specified calculation preferences
Calculated
Data One or more evenly spaced, calculated values based on
Calculation an evaluated performance equation and specified
calculation preferences
The amount of time that a performance equation evaluates
Time Filtered
to true during a specified time period

For more information see “PI DataLink Functions” in PI DataLink User Guide

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6.4 Single Value Queries

Learning Outcomes
• Retrieve a current value for a data item
• Retrieve an archived value for a data item
• Describe the different retrieval modes
• Retrieve data item attributes

Quick Steps to Get Started

Most of the functions in PI DataLink can be done using these simple steps

Step 1 : Select the Target cell

Data/Information will be inserted below and to the right of the target
cell
Step 2 : Choose the Function
Search/Snapshot Value or any other function
Step 3 : Fill out the required parameters, or use cell references to make later
editing easier

Obtain a Current Value

For the Current Value function no timestamp is required, as it is always assumed to be NOW (*
in PI time or =NOW() in Excel time).

You can retrieve PI data from any PI System currently connected to your client machine. You
must specify:
• Data item(s)
o Can specify 1 or more, explicitly or via a cell reference

• Output cell
o Any data currently in this cell will be replaced.

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The result of this query will be the most current value and timestamp of the data item specified.

Note: Current Value is a volatile function: the function recalculates and updates values
whenever Excel calculates or recalculates any cell in the worksheet. To force an immediate
recalculation, press F9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98vxolhsR_M

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Obtain an Archive Value

The other PI DataLink function that returns a single value is the Archive Value. This function
retrieves an archived value at a specific timestamp.

You specify:
• Data item(s)
o 1 or more
• Time stamp
o Excel Time Format or
o PI Time Format

The result being:

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6.4.1 Directed Activity – Single Value Query

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section. Use your own data if you have access to such data.

Objectives
• Perform Single Value Queries in PI DataLink

Activity Description
We would like to prepare a report that shows the current value of External Temperature,
Pressure and Flow Rate of Mixing Tank2. You are also interested in knowing the value of these
measurements at 7 am yesterday.
If you have access to your own data

Approach
Part 1 – Get Current Values
Step 1 : Open Excel and in cell A1 type Current Values as a heading.
Step 2 : Click on cell A2. Select Current Value function.
Step 3 : Click on the magnifying glass next to Data Item(s) box.
Step 4 : Search for the External Temperature of Mixing Tank2.
Step 5 : Select Time at Left and click OK.
Step 6 : Repeat these steps for Pressure and Flow Rate in cells A3 and A4, respectively.
Part 2 – Add Archive Values
Step 1 : In cell C1 type Archive Values as a heading.
Step 2 : Click on cell C2. Select Archive Value function.
Step 3 : Click on the magnifying glass next to Data Item(s) box.
Step 4 : Search for the External Temperature of Mixing Tank2.
Step 5 : Type Y+7h in the Time stamp box. What time stamp will be retrieved? ___________
Step 6 : Select Time at Left and click OK.

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Step 7 : Repeat these steps for Pressure and Flow Rate in cells C3 and C4, respectively.
Part 3 – Do you think this is an efficient way to search for the data item every time a value is
retrieved?

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6.4.2 Directed Activity – Single Value Query Using Cell Reference

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section. Use your own data if you have access to such data.

Objectives
• Perform Single Value Queries in PI DataLink

Activity Description
You would like to include the current value of External Temperature of Mixing Tank1 in your
daily report. You are also interested in the value of this tank’s Internal Temperature at 7 am
today.

Approach
Part 1 – Build a Template
Step 1 : Open Excel and click on cell A2. Click on Search.
Step 2 : Select the AF Database of OSIsoft Plant. Type Ext*Temp* in the search box and
click ‘Enter’. The External Temperature of all four tanks should show up on the
search results list.
Step 3 : Select the external temperature of Mixing Tank1 and click OK.
Step 4 : In cell B1 type Current Value. In cell D1 type Archive Value as headings.
Step 5 : In cell A4 type Timestamp, in B4 type t+7h. What time do you expect to see?
___________
Step 6 : Your report template will look similar to this:

Part 2 – Query PI Data

Step 1 : Select cell B2 (this will be your Output cell). Click on Current Value function.
Step 2 : Refer to cell A2 in the Data Item field and select Time at left. Click OK.
Step 3 : Select cell D2 (this will be your Output cell). Click on Archive Value function.
Step 4 : Refer to cell A2 in the Data Item field. In the Time stamp field refer to cell B4. Do
not change any of the other options. Select Time at left and click OK.

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6.4.3 Exercise –Temperature at a Glance

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific

topic area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you
need assistance during the activity. Use your own data if you have access
to suitable data.

Objectives
• Extract values and attributes from the PI System using the following functions:
o Current value.
o Archive value.

Activity Description
You would like to include the current value of the External Temperature of all Tanks in your daily
report. You are also interested in knowing the value of the tanks’ Internal Temperature at
midnight.

Approach
Step 1 : Open the file PI_DataLink-Exercises.xlsx.
Step 2 : Save it as<your initials>_ PI_DataLink-Exercises.xlsx then work on sheet
Temperature at a Glance and fill in data into all of the fields.
Step 3 : Use the Current Value and Archive Value queries to fill in the template. We should
base our PI DataLink queries on cell references whenever possible.

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Retrieval Mode

When bringing the archive value to our report, we saw that a timestamp needs to be specified
and the archived value will be retrieved for that timestamp. There may or may not be a value
archived at the specified timestamp; how does PI DataLink decide just what data is retrieved?
You can decide the data retrieval behaviour by selecting different options from the Retrieval
Mode drop down list. The default option is Auto. Different modes will retrieve the value differently,
as listed in the following table:

Retrieval Mode Data retrieval behaviour

Auto (Default) Interpolates at the exact timestamp provided, unless
the data item is a step point, which would retrieve the previous
value.
Interpolated Always interpolates at the exact timestamp provided.
Previous, Next Retrieves the previous or next compressed event from the
timestamp specified. If a compressed event does exist at the
exact timestamp, it is retrieved.
Previous Only, Next Only Same as Previous, Next, except it will ignore any event at the
exact timestamp specified.
Exact Time Retrieves the value if and only if an archived value exists at that
exact timestamp (down to the second).

The graph and table below exemplify the different retrieval modes.

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Retrieval Mode Timestamp Value

Interpolated 13:00:00 1.8

Previous 12:30:00 2.5

Next 13:30:00 1

Exact No events found. No events found.

The next graph shows the difference between Auto and Interpolated for a step point and an
analogue point.

Auto Interpolated

Step OFF (Rate point) 13:00:00 - 2 13:00:00 - 2

Step ON 12:30:00 – 2.8 13:00:00 – 2.8

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6.4.4 Exercise – Activity Report

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific

topic area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you
need assistance during the activity. Use your own data if you have access
to such data.

Objective
• Extract values and attributes from the PI System using the following functions:
o Current value.
o Archive value.

Activity Description
Your manager needs a report they can open each afternoon to see the current values of KPI’s
for Mixing Tank2, which are:
• External Temperature
• Internal Temperature
• Level
• Flow Rate
Your manager needs to see the KPIs values at midnight today. Not trusting this new “PI Thing”
your manager wants to see archive values around midnight as well as be able to type in a
timestamp and see if there is an archive value at an exact time.

Approach
Step 1 : Open <your initials>_PI_DataLink-Exercises.xlsx then work on sheet Activity Report
and fill in the data in all fields.
Step 2 : Use the Current Value and Archive Value queries to fill in a template.

 Quick Check
Can you:
• retrieve a current value?
• retrieve an archived value?
• describe the different retrieval modes?
• retrieve data item attributes?

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If you answered NO to any of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

6.5 Multiple Value Queries

Learning Outcomes
• Retrieve compressed data for a point.
• Retrieve sampled data for a point.
• Retrieve timed data for a point.

There are three types of queries that return multiple values.

Compressed Data Actual archived data and is more properly

termed Archived data, as not all data may be
compressed.

Sampled Data Evenly spaced interpolated data

Timed Data Interpolates events to match existing

timestamps

Below is a graph of Compressed Data compared to Sampled Data. The Compressed Data
function returns all the data that had been archived for the data item of interest. Time intervals
between the compressed data values are uneven and depends on when the data was received
and archived by the PI System.

You may need to know the value of a data item at specific timestamps, for example at the
beginning of every shift. Or you may need to compare the values of two different data items and
having unevenly spaced time intervals would not be that helpful. In these cases, using the
Sampled Data function is helpful in creating a PI DataLink report.

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Retrieving Compressed Data

The Compressed Data function retrieves the actual archived data from the Data Archive.
You must specify:
• Data item(s)
o Can specify 1 or more
• Output cell
o Any data currently in this cell will be replaced
• Start Time and End Time.

Note: If you switch the timestamps for Start and End Times, the data will be returned in
reverse order.

There are several optional checkboxes that will affect what is displayed, none of which are
selected by default:
• Hide count: When this box is unchecked, the top line of your results will return the number
of events found within that time range. When this box is checked, this count is not
displayed and only the results are shown.
• Show time stamps: This checkbox determines if only the point values are returned, or if
the corresponding timestamp is also retrieved.

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• Show Value Attributes and Show Annotations: will return additional fields if there are
any annotations or quality bits associated with the compressed events within the time
range specified.
• Column and Row: This pair of radio buttons determine if the results are returned in
columns or rows.
• The Number of Values option for this query behaves
similarly, but rather than a specific time range, you will specify
a Start Time and the Number of Values that you would like
to retrieve. You can also check the box to have this go
backwards, rather than forwards in time.

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Obtaining Sampled Data

Sampled Data retrieves evenly spaced interpolated values from the archive. You specify:
• Data item(s)
o Can specify 1 or more
• Output cell
o Any data currently in this cell will be replaced
• Start Time and End Time.
• Time Interval
o Used to divide the time range into discreet intervals.

Timed Data

The Timed Data function retrieves interpolated events to match existing timestamps. These time
stamps are already in your spreadsheet and may be as a result of a related data item query.
The Data item, Retrieval mode, and Output cell need to be specified. In this case, the times
used to retrieve events will be a range of cells containing timestamps. This is typically done by
querying one point for events, and then using those timestamps to find the values for other,
related points. The graph below shows an example of the External Temperature for Mixing
Tank1 queried for Compressed data, then going to Mixing Tank2 and getting the Compressed
Data then the Timed Data matched to Mixing Tank1 External temperature timestamps.

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6.5.1 Directed Activity – Archived, Sampled and Timed Data Functions

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section.

Objectives
• Retrieve archive data with the different multiple value functions

Activity Description
You would like to analyse the archived values of the External Temperature of Mixing Tank1 in
your daily report for the first two hours of every day. You would also like to see this temperature
value every 10 minutes during these two hours.
You are also interested in doing a comparison between Mixing Tank1 and Mixing Tank2 at the
timestamps where there is a value archived for external temperature of Mixing Tank1.

Approach
Part 1 – Build a Template
Step 1 : In Excel, create a Template for your report by typing Data Item, Start Time, End
Time and Time Interval in cells A1, A3, A4 and B5, respectively.
Step 2 : Using Search, find the attribute External Temperature for Mixing Tank1 and Mixing
Tank2 and place them in cells B1 and B2, respectively.
Step 3 : Type the Start Time of T (in cell B3), End Time of T+2h (in cell B4) and time interval
of 10m (in cell B5).

Part 2 – Query PI Data

Step 1 : Obtain the compressed data for Mixing Tank1 External Temperature and list it in cell
C3.
Step 2 : Do the same for Mixing Tank2 in cell G3.
Step 3 : Obtain the sampled data for Mixing Tank1 External Temperature in cell E3.

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Step 4 : Comparing the timestamps of the compressed data for the two mixing tanks you
notice they are not the same so the comparison can’t be accurately done. To have a
better comparison, use Timed Data function and get the External Temperature of
Mixing Tank2 at the timestamps in Column C.

6.5.2 Exercise – Tank Analysis Report

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific

topic area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you
need assistance during the activity. Use your own data if you have access
to suitable data.

Objective
• Extract values and attributes from the PI System using the following functions:
o Compressed Data.
o Sampled Data.

Activity Description
Show the archived values of the Pressure of the two Mixing Tanks listed in your daily report for
the past 24 hours. When retrieving the raw archived data for this process variable, you prefer
to see one value each hour for the past 24 hrs.
You will use this report to do some analysis on this critical process variable of the mixing tanks.

Approach
Step 1 : Spend a few minutes and fill out the following table:

Data Item

Start Time

End Time

Time Interval

Step 2 : Open <your initials>_PI_DataLink-Exercises.xlsx then work on sheet Tank Analysis

Report and fill in data for all of the fields.
Step 3 : We will use the Compressed Data and Sampled Data queries to fill in a template.

Bonus 1

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Using Excel functions, modify your report such that you get one value at the top of each hour for
the past 24 hours.

Bonus 2

The Excel Insert tab in the Sparklines section has several options to show lines and columns
as well as additional options to format the axes and colors.
To use this functionality, first select the cell where you want to place the Sparkline. Then choose
the Sparkline type. For Data Range, select the cells with the data (just select the values, not the
timestamps). Verify your output cell and choose OK. The result is a small trend of your data,
with an assumption of evenly spaced values over time.

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6.5.3 Directed Activity – Multiple Value Queries

Instructor led class discussion

Objectives
• Determine the best multiple value query for the job
Activity Description
You have just built a report to analyse the values of external and internal temperatures of all
mixing tanks in your plant for the past 24 hours.

Approach
Part 1
Do you think the report you built is efficient? Since the same analysis would be done on the
values retrieved for the internal and external temperatures of each of the mixing tanks, do you
think your report can be built in a better way?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Part 2
What would you do if there were 50 mixing tanks in your plant and you needed to repeat the
same process for each of them?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

 Quick Check
Can you:
• Retrieve compressed data for a point?

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• Retrieve sampled data for a point?

• Retrieve timed data for a point?

If you answer no to any question, ask your instructor for assistance.

6.6 Element Relative PI DataLink Reports

Learning Outcomes
• Create Asset reports based on AF element templates
• Use Filters to search for Assets.

PI DataLink promotes the reusability of PI DataLink reports and the creation of Element Relative
PI DataLink Reports.
This functionality is provided via Search.
You will need to:
• Set the Root path length to the mark before Name Only
• Insert root paths in: Drop-down list

resulting in:

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Search for Assets by Filtering

The Element Relative search functionality is provided in PI DataLink through the Asset Filter
search option. The Asset Filter is helpful for searching the AF database for elements and
filtering the returned elements by the attribute values. Note that you must select an element
template to filter elements if using attribute values.
The Asset Filter Search function returns assets that meet specified filter criteria. The returned
assets can be used in the worksheet as a function array which can update automatically, or as
static values.
The filter criteria include:
• Element name
• Element template
• Element category
• Element description
• Value of attributes

Using the Asset Filter, you will have the option of returning the search
results in a Drop-down list which would be used in building reusable reports.

Note: The Asset Filter option provides more options in filtering different assets and attributes
when creating an Element Relative Report. However, it requires a template for filtering the
related assets. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUOW1yVBLnk

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6.6.1 Directed Activity – Element Relative PI DataLink Reports

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section. Use your own data if you have access to suitable data.

Objectives
• Create an element relative PI DataLink report

Activity Description
You want to create a report to review the internal and external temperatures for all of the tanks.

Approach
We will follow two approaches in creating this report. The first approach is to use the Search
functionality while the second approach is to use the Asset Filter functionality.
Method 1: Using Search
Step 1 : Choose cell A1 in Excel

Step 2 : Select the AF Server > OSIsoft Plant > Production Area in Search.
Step 3 : Search for *TEMP*
You will notice that the results include all the attributes because their parent
elements are based on the template named “Generic Tank Template”.
Step 4 : Repeat the search for *TEMPER*
Step 5 : Select all eight (8) results using the <Shift> Click (or individually with Ctrl Click).
Step 6 : Use the Root path length slider set to the mark before Name Only.
Step 7 : Set ‘Insert root paths in:’ to Drop-down list.
Step 8 : Choose cell B2 and select the Current Value function.
Step 9 : Select the cells for Data item(s) and Root Path.
Step 10 : Now the Tank path can be modified with the drop-down list.

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Method 2: Using Asset Filter

Step 1 : Add a new sheet.
a. Choose cell A2.

When working with Asset Filter and selecting the Drop-down

Important list, the drop-down list will appear in the cell above your
Output cell. The selected Output cell is where the selected
attributes will start being listed.

Step 2 : Click on Asset Filter from the Search section.

Step 3 : Under the Root path specify the path to the Production Area Element in the form of
\\PISRV01\OSIsoft Plant.
Step 4 : Under the Element template, select “Generic Tank Template”.
Step 5 : Under the Attributes to display, select External Temperature and Internal
Temperature.
Step 6 : Select Drop-down list.
Step 7 : Click Apply.

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6.6.2 Exercise – Operational Start Up

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific

topic area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you
need assistance during the activity. Use your own data if you have access
to suitable data.

Objective
• Retrieve data using the Compressed Data and Sampled Data functions.

Activity Description
You want to determine if there is any deviation between start-up of operations for today
compared to yesterday, during the same period of time. Four tanks exist on your plant and you
want to be able to build and reuse a single report for both tanks.
• Your daily shift starts at 6:30 am and the critical start up time is the first 2 hours after the
start up.
• Gather the values for the external temperature for this period of time for today and
yesterday
• Compare the two by calculating the ratio of the two days’ values (ideally, the ratio should
stay as close as possible to 1).

Approach
Step 1 : Spend a few minutes to fill out the following table:

Root Path

Data Item
Yesterday’s Start Yesterday’s End
Time Time
Today’s Start Time Today’s End Time
Time Interval 4 Minutes
Excel function for
Comparison (ratio)

Step 2 : You will use the template provided in sheet Operational Start Up of the file <your
initials>_PI_DataLink-Exercises.xlsx.
Step 3 : Use both PI DataLink functions of Compressed and Sampled data in retrieving the
values and doing the comparison.
Step 4 : Which PI DataLink function, do you think, would be more suitable for the purpose of
comparison of yesterday’s and today’s values?

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 Quick Check
• Can you create Asset based reports?
• Can you use Filters to search for Assets?

If you answered NO to either of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

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6.7 Excel Arrays in PI DataLink

Learning outcomes
• Identify when it is necessary to resize an array.
• List the ways to resize and edit an array.

Resizing an Excel Array

When using the PI DataLink product, end users

may see this message below:

The Multiple Value functions just discussed actually return an array of values and timestamps.
This array cannot be modified cell by cell, but the entire array can be modified. These values
can change in size based on the point used, the time range specified, and exception and
compression settings. Therefore, it can be necessary to resize the array.
If too many values are returned, you will receive the message “Resize to show all values” at
the bottom of the array.
The easiest way to resize an array is to right click anywhere in the array, and choose
Recalculate (Resize) Function

For more information see "Array Management" in PI DataLink User Guide

 Quick Check

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Understand? If not consult your friendly instructor.

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6.8 Units of Measure and Descriptions as Context in Reports

It is possible to add Units of Measure (UOM) and Descriptions to reports. Doing so will add
more context to consumers. It is possible to retrieve these attributes, and any other attributes,
for a data item using the Properties function.

Different Properties will be shown depending on the Data Item listed. For both PI Points and AF
Attributes, the Units of Measure are shown as UOM in PI DataLink Properties list.

Data Archive AF Server

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6.9 More PI DataLink Functions

Learning Outcomes
• Obtain calculated values.
• Obtain filtered values.
• Understand Conversion factors.

In the previous chapters, we used different PI DataLink functions to access the raw data stored
in PI Server. However, you may not be interested in bringing all the raw data but instead apply
calculations on these raw values as they are retrieved from PI Server.
PI DataLink offers two ways to bring in calculated values:
1. Use different predefined calculation modes in PI DataLink as part of the Calculated Data
function.
2. Use custom expressions in defining your desired calculation. The syntax used in these
calculations is the same as Performance Equations syntax which is explained later.

Calculated Data

The Calculated Data function returns a single calculated value or evenly spaced calculated
values for a PI Point or an AF Attribute. Calculation modes are:
• Total
• Minimum
• Maximum
• Standard deviation
• Range
• Average
• Count
• Mean
These summary calculations provide statistical information for data over a specified time
period.
Selecting the Data Item radio button of the Calculated Data Function, you will see most of the
fields are similar to the other PI DataLink functions you have already worked with.
Some of the fields specific to this function are:
• Time interval: An optional field. If used, it allows the behaviour to be similar to the Sampled
Data function and the calculations will be done for the evenly spaced time intervals.
• Calculation mode: The available modes are the ones listed above.
• Show percent good: Checking this option displays the percentage of good data for the
calculation time range. You can use this to determine if you want use data that may not be
100% ‘good’.

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Note: A Bad value for PI System is defined as any of the digital states from the System Digital
State Set in the Data Archive. Examples are I/O Timeout, No Data, Shutdown, No Sample, Intf
Shut and Arc Off-line. It makes no inferences about the Quality of the data in the plant.

• Conversion Factor: If the calculation mode is set to Total, the conversion factor may need
to be changed to a number other than 1.
For time-weighted total calculations, use the Conversion Factor calculator. From the
dropdown make a selection based on the units of measure of the process variable. The
required conversion factor number will then be calculated and placed in the Conversion
factor field.
When you click on the calculator icon next to the Conversion factor entry field you will get a
popup that lets you select the appropriate conversion factor:

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6.9.1 Directed Activity – Calculated Data

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section.

Objectives
• Use the calculated data function in PI DataLink
Activity Description
We want to practice how to use Calculated Data and obtain the Average, Maximum and
Minimum of Flow Rate for Mixing Tank1 for the period of past two hours and for the past one
day.
Approach

Step 1 : In Excel create a template with

a. Root Path: \\PISRV01\OSIsoft Plant\Production Area\Production Line1\Mixing
Tank1
b. Data Item: Flow Rate
c. Start Time: *
d. End Time: *-2h
Step 2 : Obtain the Average, Maximum and Minimum of Flow Rate for this tank and for the
past one day.
Step 3 : Change the End Time to *-1d to see the PI Server recalculate these values.

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Calculating Total and the Conversion Factor

The conversion factor is a multiplier used to change a number from one unit of measure to
another.
Ex: 1000 g per kg, 2.54 cm per inch, 24 hours per day, 1440 minutes per day
Since the Data Archive is not aware of engineering units, it assumes that rate points are in
terms of units per day. Typically, this assumption is inaccurate as many points are measured in
terms of units per second, units per minute, or units per hour. When using the Total function in
Calculated Data, a conversion factor must be used to correct PI's assumption that the data is in
units per day. The conversion factor is equal to 1.0 when the source data are in units per day.

Engineering Unit
Actual Engineering Unit of Conversion
Assumed by Data
the Rate Point Factor
Archive

units / day units / day 1

units / hour units / day 24

units / minute units / day 1440

units / second units / day 86400

Example: Flow rate is measure in litres per minute (l/m) and stored in the Data Archive. We are
interested in calculating total litres for an 8 hour period. Shown in the following illustration, flow
rate is:
• 3 l/m for 3 minutes
• 5 l/m for 2 minutes
• 1 l/m for 3 minutes

Total flow, is the area below the flow rate line (the area of the three rectangles added up).

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The expected total flow would, therefore, be:

(3 l/m x 3 min) + (5 l/m x 2 min) + (1 l/m x 3 min) = 22 litres

Data Archive, however, assumes the unit of measure of the flow rate is gallons per day. Without
applying the conversion factor, the total flow calculated by Data Archive is returned as:
(3 litres per day x 3 min x 1 day/1440 min) + (5 litres per day x 2 min x 1 day/1440 min) + (1 litre
per day x 3 min x 1 day/1440 min) = 0.01528 litres

The total computed by the Data Archive must be multiplied by the conversion factor of 1440 to
get 22 litres:
0.01528 litres x 1440 = 22 litres
When the calculation mode is Total and part of the archived data within the range is bad, the
reported value is equal to the calculated total value divided by the fraction of the time period
with good archived data. This data normalization is equivalent to the assumption that for the bad
data time range, the point value takes on the average value of the entire range. However, this
assumption may not be valid when a large fraction of the time range contains bad data.
Therefore, we recommend that you always look at the percent good value before using the
calculation result.

For more information see "Calculated Data" in PI DataLink User Guide

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6.9.2 Directed Activity – Calculating the Total

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section.

Objectives
• Calculate the Total value using the Calculated Data function
Activity Description
We want to calculate the total Flow and the Average Flow Rate of Mixing Tank1 for yesterday.
To know what conversion factor to use, we need to bring the UOM of Flow Rate for Mixing
Tank1.
Approach
Step 1 : In Excel create a template with
a. Root Path: \\PISRV01\OSIsoft Plant\Production Area\Production Line1\Mixing
Tank1
b. Data Item: Flow Rate
c. Start Time: Y
d. End Time: T
Step 2 : Add a cell to your report template titled UOM and get this value for Flow Rate using
Properties.
Step 3 : Add a cell to your report template titled Conversion Factor and write the appropriate
value there.
Step 4 : Calculate the Average
Step 5 : Calculate the Total of Flow for the time range (don’t forget the Conversion Factor!)
Step 6 : Add the percent good.

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6.9.3 Exercise – Production Summaries

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific

topic area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you
need assistance during the activity.

Objective
• Extract calculated values using the Calculated Data function.

Activity Description
As the production manager, you want to create a report showing last week’s production
statistics. You want to display the following for the production from each day of the past week:
• Total
• Average
• Maximum
You also want to do the same calculations for the entire week.

Approach
Step 1 : On the PI Server, the production is the sum of the productions from the two
production lines and is stored as an attribute named Production under the element
of Production Area. It is defined as the sum of the flows of the two Mixing Tanks in
litres per minute.
Step 2 : Spend a few minutes and fill out the following table:

Root Path

Data item

Start time:

End time:

Time
interval:

UOM

Step 3 : You will use the template provided in sheet Production Summaries of the file <your
initials>_PI_DataLink-Exercises.xlsx. Use the values of your table in the provided
template.

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Note:

When working with the weekly total, do not use the time interval. Only use it for the daily total
(hint).

Be sure to show the Start Time for the daily Calculations.

The percent good field is located to the right of an aggregate calculation, so use
with the Maximum.

 Quick Check
Can you:
• Obtain calculated values?
• Obtain filtered values?
• Understand Conversion factors?

If you answered NO to any of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

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6.10 Using Time Filtered Data in a Preventative Maintenance

Example
Learning Outcomes
• Using the Time Filtered Function

Time Filtered Data

You have a Pump and would like to implement a Preventative Maintenance program. Firstly, you
need to determine the period that the pump was running. These total hours can then be checked
against the replacement period as indicated in the pump manufacturer’s datasheet; every 10,000
hours, for example.
If you have a PI Point recording the status of the pump (when it is ON or OFF) you can report
your Preventative Maintenance program by using the Time Filtered function. This function returns
the amount of time that a performance equation evaluates to true during a specified time period.
You need to specify the following fields for this function:
• Expression(s)
o Can specify 1 or more and it would follow the Performance Equation format. Data
items permitted in expressions are:
PI points
AF attributes that store data references to PI points
AF attributes that store constant values
• Start Time and End Time.
• Time Unit
o i.e. The pump was running for 5 seconds/minutes/hours/days

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6.10.1 Directed Activity – Controller State

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section.

Objectives
• Extract Time Filtered data in PI DataLink

Activity Description
We want to determine the amount of time a controller has been in the CASCADE state. The
controller is a digital point, named CDM158, and has five (5) discrete states. We are only
concerned with the CASCADE state at this time.

Approach
Step 1 : In Excel create a label for the output cell Time in Cascade mode (hours).
Step 2 : Choose an empty output cell.
a. Select the Time Filtered function.
Step 3 : Use the following values for different fields:
a. Expression(s): ‘CDM158’ = “CASCADE”
b. Start Time: T-3d
c. End Time: T
d. Time Units: Hours

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6.10.2 Directed Activity – Mixing Tank Level Control

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section.

Objectives
• Use an expression in the Time Filtered function

Activity Description
Mixing tank1 level going above 7 is an indication of malfunctioning of the pump. In our analysis
report, we want to find out for how many hours the pump was malfunctioning during yesterday.

Approach
Step 1 : In Excel create a report template similar to the screenshot at the end of the activity.
Step 2 : Select cell B1 and search for the Mixing Tank1 Level attribute.
Step 3 : Modify the expression and apply the PE syntax rules to ‘level’>7

Important Note: The first ‘ in an Excel cell is used to signify that the cell content is text and that
no Excel formulas should be interpreted. To include an expression in a cell, you need to put a ‘
at the beginning of the expression.

Step 4 : Complete the report template with these values:

a. Start Time: T
b. End Time: Y
c. Time Units: Hours
Step 5 : Select the Time Filtered function and use the output cell as B6.

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6.10.3 Exercise – Condition Based Inspection

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific

topic area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you
need assistance during the activity.

Objective
• Calculate the operating time with the Time Filtered function.

Activity Description
The pumps on our mixing and storage tanks need to be visually inspected every 4 months only
if they have been running for over 2,000 hours. As the person in charge of the Preventative
Maintenance program, you want to know the operating time for the pumps on the tanks.
A PI Point does not exist to determine if the pump is ON or OFF, but the pump only runs when
the tank Level is greater than 1.2. Find the amount of time the pumps on each of the tanks have
been running for the past 4 months and find out if any of the pumps need to be inspected.

Approach
You will use the template provided in sheet Condition Based Inspection of the file <your
initials>_PI_DataLink-Exercises.xlsx. Get the total Operating Time of the pumps associated with
tanks.
Step 1 : Use Asset Filter Search to bring the list of Assets without any attribute.
a. Specify the appropriate Root Path and Element Template in the search dialogue
box and without selecting any attributes, click Ok.
Step 2 : Use Time Filtered function to calculate the number of hours each pump was
running.

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 Quick Check
• Can you use the Time Filtered function?
If NO, then ask your instructor for assistance.

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6.11 Filtered Data Using Custom Expressions

Learning Outcomes
• Using Filtered expressions

When using different PI DataLink functions, we noticed an optional field of Filter Expression.

This option is available for the functions of:

• Compressed Data
• Sampled Data
• Calculated data
PI DataLink applies the filter expression to the raw data retrieved and only the values that make
the specified expression True, would be included. Therefore, for the two functions of
Compressed Data and Sampled Data, only the values that make the specified filter expression
True would be listed in the output cell. For the Calculated Data function, only the raw values that
make the filter expression True, would be considered in the calculations. With the use of Filter
Expression, an option of Mark as filtered becomes available for the Compressed and Sampled
Data functions; if the Mark as filtered option is selected, a Filtered status is returned for each
group of values that does not satisfy the filter expression.
The Filter Expression is a performance equation and follows the formatting rules discussed in
the previous section.

Note: When using a cell reference for your Filter Expression, be sure that if the Filter Expression
begins with a timestamp or point name that you use two single quotes. The first single quote is
used in Excel to identify a text string, rather than a value, and will not be seen by the filter
expression. Another option is to enclose the entire filter expression in parenthesis, in which case
the extra single quote is not needed.

For more information see the “Expressions” section in the PI DataLink User
Guide.

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Excel Conditional Formatting

This topic is not specific to PI DataLink, but the Conditional Formatting found in Microsoft
Excel can give your PI DataLink reports a great perspective. It is useful for visually comparing
values extracted from PI. Conditional Formatting is found in the Home Ribbon in the Styles
section. You can use this functionality to provide highlighted maxima or minima, bar graph
backgrounds, and many other visual cues about the data being displayed.
To use this functionality, first highlight the group of cells you wish to format. Then click on the
Conditional Formatting button and choose a group and rule. For the Highlight Cells Rules
and Top/Bottom Rules, you will see a preview of the formatting once you configure the
appropriate limits. For Data Bars, Colour Scales and Icon Sets, simply hover the mouse over
each preconfigured option to preview its effect on the cells you selected. Click the desired rule
to select it.
If none of the preconfigured rules suit your needs, you can configure additional rules using
Conditional Formatting > New Rule. Multiple rules can be applied in configurable order using
Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules.

Note: The MS Excel TODAY() function returns the serial number of the current date. The serial
number is the date-time code used by Microsoft Excel for date and time calculations. Microsoft
Excel stores dates as whole number of days starting at 1900. Dates and times are values and
therefore can be added, subtracted, and included in other calculations.

Syntax: =TODAY()

Example: =(TODAY() - 10 + 16/24) is today minus 10 days at 4 PM

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6.11.1 Directed Activity – Filtered Data Value Queries

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section.

Objectives
• Apply a filter expression to the values retrieved using Compressed Data function

Activity Description
Retrieve data using the Compressed Data function and filter out all values below 150 because
they are irrelevant to our report.

Approach
Part 1
Step 1 : In Excel create a sheet with
o Data Item: CDT158
o Start Time: T
o End Time: T-1d
o Filter Expression: ‘‘CDT158’ > 150
Step 2 : Retrieve the Compressed Data and verify there are no values less than 150.
Step 3 : Values below 150 are unnecessary and we would not need to include them on our
report.
Part 2
Step 1 : On a new sheet, create a sheet with
o Tank: \\PISRV01\OSIsoft Plant\Production Area\Production Line1\Mixing Tank1
o Process Variable: External Temperature
o Start Time: T
o End Time: T-1d
o Filter Expression: ‘‘External Temperature’ > 200

Step 2 : Retrieve the Compressed Data and verify there are no values less than 200; the filter
expression removed them.

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6.11.2 Exercise – Production Level Report

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific

topic area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you
need assistance during the activity.

Objectives
• Use the Filter Expression option of the Sampled Data function to constrain the values
that are extracted.

Activity Description
As a quality control manager, you want to examine the level of product in Mixing Tank1. Since
this is an analogue point, it is better to perform a Sampled Data query rather than a
Compressed Data query.
You want to build a report for the level yesterday over 10-minute intervals. The report filters
out mean tank levels, which is defined as a level between 4 and 6.

Approach
Step 1 : Spend a few minutes and fill out the following table:

Root Path

Data Item

Start Time

End Time

Interval

Upper Limit

Lower Limit

Filter Expression

Step 2 : You will use the template provided in sheet Production Level Report of the file <your
initials>_PI_DataLink-Exercises.xlsx.

Note: Are you familiar with the Excel function of CONCATENATE? 

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

 Quick Check
Having completed this topic:

• Do you understand the use of Filtered Expressions?

If you answered NO, ask your instructor for assistance.

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6.12 Event-related Features of PI DataLink

Learning Outcomes
• Understanding the Event Explore and Compare

Explore and Compare PI Events

PI DataLink allows browsing and comparing PI Events within Microsoft Excel.

These two Events functions return events that meet specified criteria in an AF database.
• Explore Events: this function returns one event per row and nests children events under
parent events. This function is useful to show child events under a parent event while
preserving the hierarchy structure.
• Compare Events: this function returns one event per row but can return attributes from
related events in that same row. Specifically, to facilitate event comparison, the function
can return attributes from child events or parent events in the same row as the returned
event. This function is useful to flatten the hierarchy to show a particular child event that
is common for each parent event.

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6.12.1 Directed Activity – Monitoring downtime events

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section.

Objectives
• Retrieve Event Frames in PI DataLink
Activity Description
Operations manager needs a report that lists the amount of time that the tanks at your site had
been down due to mechanical issues (and not due to scheduled maintenance). Learn how to
use event frames data in excel reports.
Approach
Step 1 : In Excel select an Output cell
Step 2 : Select Explore from the Events tab
Step 3 : Make the following selections:
a. Database:
\\PISRV01\OSIsoft Plant
b. Event name: *
c. Search start: *-1d
d. Search end: *
e. Event template: Downtime
f. Element name: *
Step 4 : Expand the More search options section. On the Attribute value filters select the
“Reason Code” for the Attribute:
a. Reason Code = mechanical

Step 5 : From Columns to display select Event name, Start time, End time, Duration, Primary
element, Maximum External Temperature, Maximum Internal Temperature, Reason
Code and Temperature Difference.

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Step 6 : Click Ok.

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6.12.2 Directed Exercise – Analysing downtime events

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing. If you know Pivot
Charts, have a go yourself.

Objectives
• Analyse Event Frames retrieved from PI DataLink using PivotChart and PivotTable

Activity Description
The operations manager now needs a report that shows which downtime reason is most
prevalent and a comparison showing which tanks are the most problematic. He also would like
to see information about the total production loss from the tanks.
Approach
Step 1 : Use the template provided in sheets Downtime Raw Data and Evaluating Tank
Downtime of the file <your initials>_PI_DataLink-Exercises.xlsx.
Step 2 : Open the Downtime Raw Data Tab Select cell A7 as your Output cell
Step 3 : Select the Compare from the Events tab
Step 4 : Make the following selections:
Step 5 : Database:
\\PISRV01\OSIsoft Plant
a. Event name: *
b. Search start: *-1d
c. Search end: *
d. Event template: Downtime
e. Element name: *
Step 6 : From Columns to display select:
Event name, Start time, End time, Duration, Event Template,
Primary element, Event Duration, Maximum External Temperature,
Maximum Internal Temperature, Reason Code, Lost Production, and
Temperature Difference.

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Step 7 : Click Ok.

Step 8 : Open the Evaluating Tank Downtime sheet.
Step 9 : Select the PivotTable under Comparing Reason Codes, then, from the Analyse tab,
select Refresh

Step 10 : Select the PivotTable under Comparing Tanks, then, from the Analyse tab, select
Refresh
Step 11 : Which Reason Code caused the most production loss overall?
__________________
Step 12 : Which Reason Code caused the most production loss for the Storage tanks?
__________________
Step 13 : Which Tank has caused the most production loss? __________________


 Quick Check
• Do you now understand the Event Explore & Compare functions?

If you answered NO ask your instructor for assistance.

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6.13 Functions using an Expression

Learning Outcomes
• Use an Expression instead of a Data Item
• Understand why Expressions are provided.

As we saw earlier, some PI DataLink functions accept either a data item or an expression as
input. These functions have Data item and Expression options at the top of the task pane. So
far, we only worked with the Data Item option. In PI DataLink, expressions are performance
equations that you can use to incorporate mathematical operations and calculations based on
PI System data items.
PI DataLink functions that can use Expressions (as well as Data Item) include:
• Archive Value function
• Sampled Data function
• Timed Data function
PI Expressions behave much the same way that PI PE do. They follow the same expression
syntax and can use one or many of the following Data items:
PI points
AF attributes that store data references to PI points
AF attributes that store constant values
The benefit to PI Expressions is that they only calculate on demand. However, the downside is
that, unlike PI PE, there is no history of these calculations stored on the PI Server, so it is more
difficult to see historical trends.

How is Calculated Data Function Different from PI Expressions?

One difference between PI Calculated Data and PI Expressions is shown in an example below.
The PI Calculated Data computes the maximum of the point over each 1-day period for the last
7 days. The PI Expression shown computes the maximum of the Sampled Data of point for the
most recent 8 hours of every 1-day period, for the last 7 days.

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The format for the PI Expression is: TagMax('TagName','*-8h','*')

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Just like the PI Calculated Data, it would be configured with a start time of *-7d, an end time of *,
and an interval of 1 day (1d). Keep in mind that the ‘*’ in the expression does not always go to
the current time of the machine, the ‘*’ in this case is represented by the right side of the 8-hour
bar below. If the PI expression was changed to TagMax('tag','*-1d','*'), the results of
the PI Calculated Data and the PI Expression would be identical. However, the PI Expression will
contain an extra interval at the start time of the expression when compared directly with PI
Calculated Data.

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6.13.1 Directed Activity – Expression Queries

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section.

Objectives
• Use Performance Equations in PI DataLink
Activity Description
We showed how we would be able to see the values of the Flow Rate of Mixing Tank2 for the
past one day at the top of each hour, using Sampled Data function.
Here, instead of bringing the raw values of the flow rate, we are interested in getting the
difference between the flow rate value and its average for the past day, and have it included in
our Excel report.
Note: For simplicity, we will use PI Points in this example. You would be able to do this exercise
using the AF Attribute and the Concatenate function in Excel for building the expression.
Approach
Step 1 : Open Microsoft Excel.
Step 2 : Create a Template with:
a. Start Time: y
b. End Time: t
c. Time Interval: 1h
d. Expression: TagVal(‘VPSD.OSIsoftPlant.PL2.MXTK2:Flow Rate’)-
TagAvg(‘VPSD.OSIsoftPlant.PL2.MXTK2:Flow Rate’, ‘*-24h’,’*’)
Step 3 : Use Sampled Data function and use Expression in retrieving the data
Step 4 :

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6.13.2 Exercise – Material Balance Report

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific

topic area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you
need assistance during the activity.

Objectives
• Use Performance Equations in PI DataLink

Activity Description
Two products, named Product A and
Product B are being mixed in a tank, as
shown in the following schematic.
The flow of Product A is stored in a PI Point
named VPSD.OSIsoftPlant.PL1.MXTK1:Flow
Rate

and the flow of Product B is stored in a PI

Point named
VPSD.OSIsoftPlant.PL1.MXTK2:Flow Rate.

You are interested in including the Percentage of Product A in the mix, as it is a critical indicator.
There is no PI Point storing this value and you need to calculate it.
You are building this report for the past 7 days and would like to list this percentage for the
period of every 2 hours.

Approach
Step 1 : Develop the expression for calculating the Percentage of Product A in the resulting
mix.
Step 2 : Spend a few minutes and fill out the following table:

Expression

Start Time

End Time

Time Interval

Step 3 : You will use the template provided in sheet Material Balance Report of the file <your
initials>_PI_DataLink-Exercises.xlsx.

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Step 4 : How would you change the expression if one of the two Products was not flowing
and the associated point was showing a bad value of “Shutdown”? (Hint: If Then
Else)

 Quick Check
• Can you use an Expression?
• Do you understand why Expressions are provided?

If you answered NO to either of these questions, ask your instructor for assistance.

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7. FINAL EXERCISE
Now that you have the Visualization tools in your toolkit, it is time to put them to work. Your plant
is so successful it has expanded and has a new database. It is now called the OSI Production
Facility, or you may be using your own company assets if you have access to them. Your task
is to create new displays and reports for the production engineers.

Learning Outcomes
• Demonstrate Familiarity of the OSIsoft Visualization tools

7.1 Global Recap Exercise

This solo activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific topic area.

Your instructor is available to assist if you need assistance during the
activity

Objectives
• Demonstrate understanding of the fundamentals of the PI System technology
• Access data in the PI System
• Demonstrate the use of PI Vision and PI DataLink client applications
Activity Description
The production facility has grown beyond company’s wildest expectations resulting in an
upgrade to a bigger plant. The old displays and reports are no longer acceptable. You have
been asked to completely redesign the displays and reports from the previous environment.
Design a set of dashboards, displays and reports using the skills learned in this class. Creativity
is highly encouraged. This is intended as a fun, open-ended exercise, and a friendly competition
to wrap up the class. Feel free to work in small teams or alone. At the end of the session, all
groups will give a brief presentation of their displays.
Work will be graded on:
1. Conveying your understanding of as many skills/concepts as possible.
2. Use of all the products, including PI DataLink and PI Vision.
3. Creativity in your design.
4. Your presentation to the class.
You may use any aspects of PI DataLink, and PI Vision discussed in class. This is open book,
so feel free to consult the workbook as well as relevant documentation (all the relevant user
guides are available in your learning environment). You are encouraged, but not required, to
use all three products in your final design.

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Approach
Step 1 : In the PI client tools - PI Vision and PI Datalink - set the database to OSI Production
Facility.
Step 2 : Explore the AF Structure to see the data available. If you are using your own PI
System, take note of the data surrounding your job role or your ideal business use
case.
Step 3 : Build displays using the tools studied in this course to show potential solutions for
the business case you chose. Below are some of the things you need to implement.
PI Vision
a. Build a display with Tables, Trends, Values and Gauges
b. The use of collections is a must, incorporating all production lines.
c. Re-use displays for similar assets and add text, images, links, and multi-state
behaviour to enrich your PI Vision Display.
d. Create a pinned Event Frame representing an ideal run. Remember - pinned
events are benchmark events that remain at the top of the Events panel.
e. Share the display, add keywords to sort displays and find your favourite displays.
f. Display your knowledge of multiple time contexts within a display.
g. Demonstrate the use of PI Vision calculations.
PI DataLink
a. Display Current Values and archived data for PI Points and AF Attributes
b. Calculate totals, averages, and other statistical values for your data
c. Report on Event Frames, particularly regarding Downtime & Lost Production
d. Re-use reports for multiple assets using drop-down lists
Share your displays and reports with the class, explaining how each fulfils the business case (or
your own use case).
Additionally show how what you have learned, will help you when you return to your normal role.

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8. OSISOFT SUPPORTING YOU

Learning Outcomes

• Show the OSIsoft Learning Platform

• Explore the OSIsoft Learning YouTube Channel
• Introduce PI Square and the Customer Portal

Learning Platform @ learning.osisoft.com

The best place to learn more about the PI System is through the OSIsoft Learning platform. We
have curated our online courses, instructor-led training, and hands-on labs in an easy to browse
website, so you can keep learning about the PI System long after PI World concludes.
The platform is separated into learning paths, and for beginners, we suggest the User path.

Online Courses

Take a few minutes to click into the different learning paths and see the types of online courses
offered for:
• Users – who need to see the data in real time or build reports with PI System data.
• Administrators – who keep the data flowing and support end users. These courses dive
into the backend components of the PI System.
• Developers – who write code to interact with the PI System programmatically.

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• Power Users – who are adept with the basics of the PI System and can boost their
organization’s efforts through building an enhanced Asset Framework structure.
Our online courses cover a wide range of topics and are on-demand. When you sign up for an
online course, you will immediately gain access to the course material for 30 days along with a
Training Cloud Environment for you to practice the concepts discussed in the course.
You can also purchase a Training Cloud Environment separately from the courses if you want a
place to explore the PI System outside of your company’s production environment; however, we
recommend using your own development system whenever possible to create meaningful
results with your company’s data as you learn from our online materials.

Classroom Courses
If you prefer a classroom setting, you will want to check out our instructor-led Classroom
Courses. We have several training centers around the world for you to visit, so pick a location
that is convenient for you (or combine some PI education with a vacation)!
To browse the available training centers and courses, follow these steps:
1. Click on “All Content”
2. Use the filter on the left to select “Classroom” under “Content Type”
3. Expand the “Location” category to browse our training centers
4. View the available courses offered at your selected location
a. Some training locations offer course taught in languages other than English, feel
free to use the “Language” filter to further refine your course options.
5. Click on the course that matches your interest and follow through registration

If you want to view the course calendar, you can click on the calendar icon
in the All Content page.

OSIsoft Learning YouTube Channel @ youtube.com/OSIsoftLearning

Visit our YouTube Channel to Learn about the PI System by watching any of our 1000+ free
videos on You Tube!
Playlists for various topics are available to help guide you through your training topic of choice
from start to finish.

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8.1 Exercise – Search the OSIsoft Learning Channel

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific

topic area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you
need assistance during the activity.

Objectives
• Find a video on the OSIsoft YouTube Learning Channel to learn about a topic not
covered in the Visualizing PI System Data Course
• Demo accessibility features and playback settings in YouTube
Activity Description
You want to learn how to navigate a PI Vision display and make use of Ad-Hoc trending
functionality.
Approach
Step 1 : Use a web browser to navigate to YouTube.com
Step 2 : Search for the OSIsoft Learning Channel
Step 3 : Run a search to find a video about migrating PI ProcessBook displays to PI Vision,
sample search: “PI Vision” or “ad hoc trending” or search for any other topic of
interest to you.
Step 4 : A video covering the utility is “PI ProcessBook to PI Vision Migration Utility”
Step 5 : Turn on the Subtitles by clicking on the button
Step 6 : Change the quality of the video by clicking on the Settings icon
Step 7 : While in Settings, choose Subtitles and notice
that you can have Google auto-translate to the
language of your choice AND you can submit
subtitles in other languages for the OSIsoft
YouTube team to review
Step 8 : To get notified when OSIsoft releases new
videos, make sure to and click on
the bell icon for updates

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8.2 Directed Exercise – Find a playlist on YouTube

You are invited to watch what the instructor is doing or perform the same
steps at the same time to explore the different concepts presented in this
chapter or section.

Objectives
• Search the OSIsoft YouTube Learning Channel for a playlist that interests you
• Use the playlist links to share structured content with your colleagues
Activity Description
You want to learn as much about a product as possible, or you want to audit an online course
for free.
Approach
Step 1 : Use a web browser to navigate to YouTube.com
Step 2 : Search for the OSIsoft Learning Channel.
Step 3 : Identify several playlists on the channel’s “Home” tab.
Step 4 : Click on the PI Vision Playlist.
Note the playlist sidebar on the right side of
the page. Now you can click into several
related videos.

Step 5 : Share the URL for the video with a colleague by selecting the entire URL on your
page. If you use the share button on the video, it does not share the entire playlist.
Step 6 : Go back to the OSIsoft Learning channel homepage by clicking on the channel icon
below the video player.

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Step 7 : Scroll down until you see the section titled “Audit our Online Courses” and click on
the title.
Step 8 : Take note of all the free online course videos that you can view and share after PI
World with your team!
Follow up: What are 2 ways you can find playlists on the OSIsoft Learning YouTube Channel?

myosisoft.com and the Customer Portal @ customers.osisoft.com

The myosisoft.com website has many tutorials on how to support related activities as well as
quick links to take you to commonly used support pages:

OSIsoft Customer Portal Hints

• How to Get an OSIsoft Customer Portal Login
• How to Create a New Case
• How to Download Products and Generate Licenses
• How to Search for Articles
• How to Manage Users

From the Customer Portal, you can also:

• Download any PI product your company is licensed for using.
• View the PI System Roadmap to get information about the most current releases and
what new features and products are on the horizon.
• Login and view your open and previously closed Support Cases or create a new one.
• Search through our Knowledge Base to try and troubleshoot any issues you may be
having by referring to the rich collection of available KB Articles.

Here are the general phone number and email address for the OSIsoft Technical Support:
Phone: +1 510 297-5828 in North America
E-mail: [email protected]

Support may be provided in languages other than English in certain centres based on
availability of attendants. If you select a local language option, we will make best efforts to
connect you with an available Technical Support Engineer with that language skill. If no local
language tech support engineer is available to assist you, you will be routed to the first available
attendant.
Before you contact Technical Support, it is helpful to have certain information readily available.
OSIsoft technical support engineers will ask:
• name of the product

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• version number
• the time that the difficulty started
• the computer platform (CPU type, operating system, and version number)

PI Square – The online PI System Community @ pisquare.osisoft.com

PI Square is OSIsoft’s community where you can get Technical Support for your questions,
access the PI Developers Club (PI DevClub) for your coding projects, and connect to PI
Systems users worldwide to get more value out of your PI System.
The PI Square community has places you go to collaborate, called Spaces. These spaces are
generally named for a specific topic or purpose. Each space can contain multiple types of
content, including discussions, documents, blog posts, polls, and more. Currently, PI Square
has the following four spaces:
• All Things PI - A general forum where OSIsoft Technical Support will keep watch to help
answer questions and contribute to discussions. Use the product-specific spaces like PI
Server or PI Visualization to find relevant content for whatever your needs may be.
• PI Developers Club - Here we have tools and support for developers to create applications
for the PI System.
• Learn PI - Our hub for students to interact and learn from each other while they pursue
certificates in our on-demand online courses.
• PI Square Groups – Join a group that speaks to your specific industry’s needs and learn
from others in your field of their recommended best practices for projects on your horizon.

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8.3 Exercise – Navigating PI Square

This solo or group activity is designed to maximize learning in a specific

topic area. Your instructor will have instructions and will coach you if you
need assistance during the activity.

Objectives
• Create a PI Square SSO Account and find answers about Visualization topics
• Discover the online course forums
Approach – Part 1
Step 1 : Using a web browser, navigate to the PI Square website:
https://pisquare.osisoft.com
Step 2 : Log in to the PI Square community
a. If you don’t have an OSIsoft SSO account, create one now. You’ll use the same
account for PI Square, the OSIsoft Learning platform, and the Customer Portal.
Step 3 : Search for a post for each of the topics:
a. Future Data in PI DataLink | URL Parameters in PI Vision
Step 4 : Read through past posts, comment, or ask your own question.
Approach – Part 2
Step 5 : Navigate to the “Learn PI” space either by clicking on Spaces>Learn PI in the page
header, or by clicking on “Online Courses” from the homepage.
Step 6 : Click on “Visualizing PI System Data with PI Vision” under the “User” learning path,
and explore the questions posed and the answers given by the community for our
on-demand Online Courses.

Further Questions?
For questions about Licensing you can find your account manager listed at
http://www.osisoft.com/ > Contact Us
For questions about existing Support Issues, contact technical support or visit my.osisoft.com
For questions about unresolved training issues, contact your instructor or email
[email protected].
For all other questions, please contact our Customer Service group via email at
[email protected].

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