PI ProcessBook User Guide v3.1

PI ProcessBook User Guide
Version 3.1
© 1994-2008 OSIsoft, Inc. All rights reserved

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Published: 9/25/2008
Table of Contents
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................1
What Can You View with PI ProcessBook? .......................................................................1
System Requirements ........................................................................................................4
Installation ..........................................................................................................................4
PI ProcessBook Essentials ...........................................................................................................7

Starting PI ProcessBook ....................................................................................................7
Workspace .........................................................................................................................7
ProcessBook (PIW) ............................................................................................................8
Display................................................................................................................................8
Run Mode and Build Mode.................................................................................................8
Servers and Connections...................................................................................................8
Time Concepts .................................................................................................................10
Menus and Toolbars.........................................................................................................16
Preference Settings..........................................................................................................18
Add-Ins .............................................................................................................................25
Keyboard Shortcuts..........................................................................................................28
Print ..................................................................................................................................29
About PI ProcessBook .....................................................................................................31
Using Online Help ............................................................................................................32
Work with a ProcessBook ...........................................................................................................33

Basic Steps to Build a ProcessBook ................................................................................33
Create a New ProcessBook .............................................................................................33
Open an Existing ProcessBook........................................................................................34
Run Mode Pointer ............................................................................................................35
Build Mode Pointer ...........................................................................................................35
Add ProcessBook Entries ................................................................................................35
Arrange ProcessBook Entries ..........................................................................................41
Properties .........................................................................................................................47
Import Files to a ProcessBook .........................................................................................50
File Sharing Capability .....................................................................................................51
Move a ProcessBook to Another PC................................................................................51
Work with a Display......................................................................................................................53

Overview of Display Elements .........................................................................................53
Manage Displays and Independent Display Files ............................................................55
Drawing Area....................................................................................................................60
Tags .................................................................................................................................60
PI ProcessBook User Guide iii

Table of Contents
Display Point Attributes ....................................................................................................61

Drawing Tools ..................................................................................................................62
Formatting ........................................................................................................................63
ToolTip Statistics ..............................................................................................................68
Layers within Displays......................................................................................................68
Module-relative Displays ..................................................................................................72
Migrate Displays to Another PI Server .............................................................................76
Trends............................................................................................................................................77
Create a Trend .................................................................................................................77
Define Trend Dialog .........................................................................................................80
Configure Trend Scale .....................................................................................................84
Trend Analysis Tools........................................................................................................85
Change Time Range ........................................................................................................88
How Trends Refresh ........................................................................................................88
Trend Appearance............................................................................................................88
Ad Hoc Trends .................................................................................................................94
OpenVMS Trends and Graphics ......................................................................................95
XYPlots ..........................................................................................................................................97
Draw an XYPlot ................................................................................................................99
Linear Regression by Least Squares .............................................................................109
Correlation Coefficient....................................................................................................109
Interpreting an XYPlot ....................................................................................................110
Zoom/Revert Functions ..................................................................................................110
Change Time Range Feature.........................................................................................112
XYPlot Cursors...............................................................................................................112
Bad Status Indicators .....................................................................................................113
Out of Range Indicators .................................................................................................114
Too Many Points ............................................................................................................114
Examples of XYPlots......................................................................................................114
Additional Symbols ....................................................................................................................117

Dynamic Symbols...........................................................................................................117
Static Symbols................................................................................................................125
Work with Symbols.....................................................................................................................135

Details and Annotations .................................................................................................135
Select and Move a Symbol ............................................................................................138
Select Multiple Symbols .................................................................................................138
Rotate a Symbol.............................................................................................................139
Flip a Symbol..................................................................................................................139
Delete a Symbol .............................................................................................................139
Stacking Order ...............................................................................................................140
Align Multiple Symbols ...................................................................................................141
Group, Ungroup, or Regroup symbols ...........................................................................141
Connect Symbols ...........................................................................................................142
iv
Item Definition ................................................................................................................151
Status Report for Dynamic Symbols ..............................................................................152
Status Flags for Unusual Data .......................................................................................153
Data Sets .....................................................................................................................................155
PI Calculation Data Sets ................................................................................................156
Custom Data Sets ..........................................................................................................159
ODBC Data Sets ............................................................................................................160
Placeholders...................................................................................................................162
Is a Data Set in Use? .....................................................................................................164
Data Set Details .............................................................................................................164
Add a Data Set to a Trend .............................................................................................165
Time Intervals for Plotting Tags and Data Sets .............................................................166
Refresh a Trend Containing a Data Set .........................................................................166
Add Data Sets to Bars or Values in a Display................................................................166
Run PI ProcessBook When Data Sets Are Included .....................................................167
Edit a Data Set ...............................................................................................................167
Delete a Data Set ...........................................................................................................168
Copy a Data Set to Another ProcessBook .....................................................................168
Loading Custom Data Sets ............................................................................................169
Embedding and Linking.............................................................................................................171
Overview of PI ProcessBook OLE Compound Documents ...........................................171
OLE Automation in PI ProcessBook ..............................................................................171
Object Linking and Embedding ......................................................................................172
ActiveX Controls.............................................................................................................173
Example of Embedded and Linked Objects in a ProcessBook Display.........................174
Icons vs. Graphics..........................................................................................................174
Embedding in ProcessBook ...........................................................................................175
Windows Drag and Drop ................................................................................................176
Link a File to a ProcessBook Display.............................................................................176
Dynamic and Manual Updates of a Linked Object.........................................................177
Edit, Update, or Break Links ..........................................................................................177
How Links Are Stored.....................................................................................................177
Select a New Source Link ..............................................................................................178
Edit the Appearance of an OLE Object ..........................................................................178
Commands That Ignore OLE objects.............................................................................178
Placement of OLE objects..............................................................................................178
OLE Object Colors .........................................................................................................179
Edit the Contents of OLE objects ...................................................................................179
Edit the Contents of an Embedded Object.....................................................................179
Edit the Contents of a Linked Object..............................................................................179
Delete an OLE Object from a Display ............................................................................180
Display an OLE Object with an Icon...............................................................................180
Convert Objects to Icons................................................................................................180
Share ProcessBook Displays with Other Applications...................................................181
Link a ProcessBook to Another Application ...................................................................182
OLE Container/Server ....................................................................................................182
PI ProcessBook User Guide v

Table of Contents
Visual Basic for Applications in PI ProcessBook ...................................................................183

VBA Commands.............................................................................................................183
ActiveX Automation ........................................................................................................183
What You Can Do with ActiveX Automation in PI ProcessBook....................................183
Automation Vocabulary ..................................................................................................184
ODBC ...........................................................................................................................................185
ODBC Driver Manager ...................................................................................................185
ODBC Drivers.................................................................................................................185
ODBC Data Sources ......................................................................................................185
ODBC Data Access........................................................................................................185
ODBC Data Source Administrator..................................................................................186
Prepare for ODBC ..........................................................................................................187
Configure the ODBC Data Source .................................................................................187
Use MSQuery to Build Data Sets...................................................................................188
Assumptions about Timestamps and Data Sets ............................................................188
Stored Procedures in Queries........................................................................................188
Troubleshoot ODBC Data Sets ......................................................................................189
Trace ODBC Calls..........................................................................................................189
Delete an ODBC Driver ..................................................................................................190
Delete an ODBC Data Source .......................................................................................190
Edit an ODBC Data Source............................................................................................190
Troubleshooting Tips .................................................................................................................191

Display Can't Find Data..................................................................................................191
Trend Cursor Does Not Appear .....................................................................................191
Trend Legend Does Not Appear ....................................................................................191
Can’t Change or Save a Display ....................................................................................191
Is an XYPlot Updating? ..................................................................................................191
Is an OLE Object in a Display Linked or Embedded?....................................................192
Linked Object Data Isn't Updating..................................................................................192
ODBC Problems.............................................................................................................193
System Administrator Notes .....................................................................................................195

PI ProcessBook Connection to Windows NT or UNIX Servers .....................................195
PI ProcessBook Connection to OpenVMS Servers .......................................................195
Read/Write Data Access for Users ................................................................................195
Machine Address............................................................................................................196
PROCBOOK.INI .............................................................................................................196
IMPPIGP.INI...................................................................................................................206
SETUPProcessBook.LOG .............................................................................................209
Technical Support and Resources ...........................................................................................211

Before You Call or Write for Help...................................................................................212
Index ............................................................................................................................................215
vi
Chapter 1
Introduction
PI ProcessBook is a PC application for displaying plant information stored in the PI Data
Archive (page 2) or in relational databases.
The PI ProcessBook application displays one or more ProcessBooks (page 8), which are
collections of display (page 8) entries. These display entries show your process data from one
or more PI Systems as well as other static and dynamic information from outside sources
such as schematic drawings, laboratory data, or specifications. Displays can also be saved as
independent files.
ProcessBook displays may be linked to other displays within the same ProcessBook or to
displays in a separate ProcessBook or independent file. You can also include buttons that
launch other applications.
You can share ProcessBooks among users, thereby eliminating the need to build duplicate
displays, however, only one user at a time can open individual display files. On networks, an
unlimited number of users may access the same ProcessBook at the same time. Furthermore,
you can have up to six simultaneous sessions of the application active on a computer.
The PI ProcessBook application incorporates Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA),
so that you can automate special activities or routine chores.
OSIsoft produces several add-in products for PI ProcessBook, including PI BatchView and PI
Statistical Quality Control (SQC).
What Can You View with PI ProcessBook?

A PI ProcessBook display entry may contain data from any or all of the following sources:
PI Servers, including both point data (actual instrument readings) and calculated data
Calculations from PI data
Data obtained through the PI Data Archive by COM connectors and stored in non-PI data
sources
Other databases with ODBC connectivity
Other databases with custom interfaces to PI ProcessBook
Spreadsheets, documents, schematics, graphics, photos, and other Windows applications
through OLE linking and embedding.
VBA code
PI ProcessBook User Guide 1

Introduction
ProcessBook displays may be linked to other displays within the same ProcessBook, or to
displays in a separate ProcessBook. You can also include buttons that launch other
applications.
Data from a PI System
Most displays include a number of tags from one or more PI Systems. The connection to a PI
Server allows you to view process data at the current time or at other, discrete points in time.
Displays update dynamically whenever values on the PI Server change.
PI Data Archive
The PI Archive is a time-series database that collects, stores, and retrieves numerical and
string data. The PI Archive resides on a host computer and is connected to your PC via the PI
Server and your network.
When you open a display (page 8) containing dynamic symbols, PI ProcessBook retrieves
data from the PI Archive.
PI ProcessBook also notifies the PI Server that it would like to receive data whenever the
readings for the dynamic symbols change. Each time a reading changes for points in the
display, the information is recorded in the PI Server. This new information is sent to your
displays and all the new values are added to trend traces. This is true even if you reduce the
display to an icon (page 58).
If you open a display but are not connected to a PI Server, PI ProcessBook automatically tries
to connect to the servers in the display. If multiple servers are accessed, the application tries
to connect to each disconnected server used in the display and the message Attempting
to Connect displays on the Status Bar. If security is enabled on the server, you may be
prompted to log in to the server.
Updates to PI Data
When a display is opened, current values of PI tags are used for dynamic elements other than
trends and XY plots. For trends and XY plots, the time scale is configurable on a plot-by-plot
basis. See Changing the Time Range (page 14) for information on viewing historical values.
Displays are updated whenever values change. Every five seconds, PI ProcessBook displays
any new values for tags in open displays from each PI Server. You can modify the update
rate. See Procbook.ini (page 196) for more details.
For trends, new values are added to the trend traces. This update by exception algorithm has
two benefits:
Values that do not change are not sent over the network at every update. This can be a
significant efficiency improvement over traditional scanning.
Values that change more than once within five seconds are shown accurately on trends
because all of the changes are delivered to PI ProcessBook.
Values from PI calculations and custom data sets are also updated dynamically.
2
What Can You View with PI ProcessBook?
PI ProcessBook Datasets
PI ProcessBook can plot data from relational databases through Open Database Connectivity
(ODBC), which means that you can retrieve and display dynamic data from other ODBC-
compliant databases based on fixed or variable criteria.
You can also view data from data sets based on PI Performance Equations or standard
functions, such as minimum or maximum value. These are called PI Calculation data sets.
If you have custom data sets, these may be available to PI ProcessBook using a VBA add-in
and will update dynamically.
PI ProcessBook OLE
PI ProcessBook provides the capability to use OLE linking and embedding (page 172). You
can embed or link OLE objects from other Windows applications into a ProcessBook display.
The data might be derived from a wide variety of OLE-compliant applications, such as
spreadsheets, documents, graphics objects, etc.
PI ProcessBook is an OLE Automation server. Programmers can write scripts that manipulate
and retrieve PI data.
Visual Basic for Applications
OSIsoft licenses Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) from Microsoft in order to provide an
integrated development environment. This is the same VBA that is used in Microsoft Office,
Visio, AutoCAD, Great Plains Dynamics, and many other applications.
In PI ProcessBook, each display has a VBA project associated with it. You can write scripts
that execute in response to events in PI ProcessBook, either from user actions or data updates.
Also use VBA to automate routine tasks or to cause changes in a display when data changes.
The Visual Basic toolbar includes three buttons: Visual Basic Editor, Run Macro, and
Design Mode.
Use of VBA in PI ProcessBook is documented in the VBA language reference. Choose Help
> PI ProcessBook VBA Language Reference to open this reference guide.
You can find existing custom VBA scripts available for free download at the OSIsoft
Developer Network (http://osidn.osisoft.com/) Web site. Many of the files available there
were contributed by PI System users, but are not fully supported by OSIsoft, Inc.
Data from Multiple Servers
You can connect to more than one PI Server, and build displays to show data from multiple
servers at the same time.

Introduction
System Requirements
You can use PI ProcessBook with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 2003 Server, 2000 Server, and
on Intel platforms. The 3.1 release of PI ProcessBook is shipped in a 32-bit version.
As more advanced PI ProcessBook features are added, your system may require more
memory.
Windows Operating System Configurations
Physical Memory: Minimum 128 MB, Recommended 256 MB

Processor Speed: Minimum Pentium II, Recommended: Pentium III or greater
Hard Drive Space: 250 MB, Application: 140 MB
You should have at least 250 MB of additional empty space on the system drive.
Installation
Upgrade from Previous Version of PI ProcessBook
If you have a previous version of PI ProcessBook installed on your computer, you should
upgrade that version, rather than uninstall it. During the installation of PI ProcessBook 3.1,
your previous version of PI ProcessBookis removed; however, .ini files settings are
retained.
If you have created or edited displays and ProcessBooks with other versions of PI
ProcessBook, those files will work with PI ProcessBook 3.1.
Other PI System Client Products
If you have other client products, such as PI DataLink, PI ODBC-PC, PI SDK, or PI API, the
same root path is used for installation, often C:\Program Files\PIPC. Otherwise,
incompatibilities in the .dll files shared by the applications could occur.
If you have PI BatchView or PI SQC installed on your system, Setup installs a PI
ProcessBook Batch group and/or PI ProcessBook SQC symbol that is compatible with the
current version of PI ProcessBook. You can also install PI BatchView 3.x after installing PI
ProcessBook 3.x, and the correct Batch Trend symbol is loaded.
If you install PI SQC 1.1 before installing PI ProcessBook 3.x, you have to rerun the PI SQC
1.1 setup program after installing PI ProcessBook 3.x.
4
Installation
Installation Test
You can view the results of the installation process by examining the setup log:
PIPC\DAT\SetupProcessBook.log
This log also contains information pertaining to the directory structure, node, .dlls, user
name, and installation of various PI ProcessBook files. If the log file is not found in the
\PIPC\Dat folder, look in the root directory of your system drive (e.g., C:\).
Once you install PI ProcessBook, you can see the words PI System on the Windows
Start menu under Programs. At this point, you are ready to use PI ProcessBook.
Call OSI Technical Support (page 211) if you experience problems with your software.
Installed Files
Upon completion, Setup installs PI ProcessBook under the root directory PIPC.
Setup also installs online help files and Release Notes.
See the Release Notes (readme.htm) for a complete list of files. The Release Notes are
normally installed at:
C:\Program Files\PIPC\procbook\readme.htm
You can look at SetupProcessBook.log in the Dat directory of your PI ProcessBook
installation to see a list of files installed by PI ProcessBook's Setup on your computer.
SetupProcessBook.log does not show the files installed by VBA.

Chapter 2
PI ProcessBook Essentials
Process data is stored in the PI Server Archive, part of the foundation of the PI System. The
Archive handles the collection, storage, and retrieval of numerical and string data.
PI ProcessBook provides access to these data. When you log in to PI ProcessBook, you
obtain values from the Archive via the PI Server or servers to which you are connected.
Starting PI ProcessBook
To use PI ProcessBook you need to start the application, log in to the PI Server, open a
specific ProcessBook file, and open a display.
1. Either double-click on the PI ProcessBook icon on the desktop, or select the Start button
> Programs > PI System > PI ProcessBook. If security is not configured at your site,
you automatically log into PI ProcessBook. If security is configured, the PI Server
Login dialog appears.
2. Enter your PI user name or host user name and password (if prompted).
3. If the PI Server to which you want to connect is not shown, enter the desired PI Server
name (sometimes called the node).
4. Click OK to begin the login process. This may take a few seconds while the application
connects to the specified server. The status bar displays the message, Attempting to
Connect. When the application connects to the server, the status bar displays the
message, Connection Was Successful.
Note: If you click Cancel, PI ProcessBook starts, but is not connected to the server.
Whenever you open a display containing tags from a PI Server, the application
attempts to connect again and you may see the login dialog.
Workspace
When you start PI ProcessBook, it appears as an open window or workspace on the desktop.
Depending on your settings, you may initially see an empty workspace, or an open
ProcessBook (page 8) in either Book or Outline view.
Within the PI ProcessBook workspace you can open a ProcessBook or independent display.

ProcessBook (PIW)
In PI ProcessBook we refer to a ProcessBook as the container for the information and
analysis of the process you are monitoring. A ProcessBook may appear as either a tabbed
book - Book view (page 41), or an outline - Outline view (page 44), and is saved as a separate
file with a PIW extension.
A ProcessBook is a collection of individual displays of data and analysis. Use a ProcessBook
to organize data from the PI System and other sources so that you can analyze the processes
you monitor or the tasks you perform.
A ProcessBook and its displays are stored in a single file.
Display
The main unit for creating presentations of data in PI ProcessBook is the display. A display
may stand on its own (.pdi or.svg), or it may be part of a ProcessBook (.piw). A display
contains all the symbols used to represent an operational environment using real-time,
production data from PI as well as data from other sources. In addition to containing this
collection of data elements, the display has its own set of features and properties that affect
the collection of data elements.
Displays can show a variety of elements, such as a schematic representation of a production
line, a plot of readings taken from a production line, or a comparison of lab data and batch
specifications. Displays can also be linked to other ProcessBooks, displays in other
ProcessBooks, or other applications.
Run Mode and Build Mode

When you work with a ProcessBook or an independent display, you work in one of two
operating modes, Run mode or Build mode.
Build mode is used to edit a ProcessBook and symbols within a display.
Run mode is used to open entries and execute commands once the ProcessBook is
built. Working in Run mode also keeps you from accidentally changing items in a
display.
You switch between modes by clicking the Run mode pointer (an arrow) or the Build mode
pointer (a hammer), which are located on the Tools menu and the Drawing toolbar. Your
preferred mode of operation is set as a default in your Preference settings.
Servers and Connections

See the PI-SDK Controls and Dialogs User Help to find comprehensive and up-to-date
information on connecting PI ProcessBook to a PI Server.
8
Servers and Connections
Connect to a Server
1. Choose File > Connections. The PI Connection Manager dialog appears. The dialog
lists the configured servers to which you can connect and the PI Version used by each
server. It also shows the server you have chosen as the default server.
2. Select the check box next to a server name. You may select more than one, or
Choose Server > Connect to <server name>.
3. Click Close.
Note: If you select more than one server, the application tries to connect to each
server using the same user ID and password. If it fails, a new PI Server Login
dialog appears. If you already are logged in to the server from a different PI
application, such as DataLink or Control Monitor, the application uses the user
ID and password with which you logged in. See the PI-SDK Controls and
Dialogs User Help for more detail.
Disconnect from a Server
1. Choose File > Connections. The PI Connection Manager dialog appears.

2. Clear the checkbox next to the server name you want to disconnect from, or
Choose Server > Disconnect from <server name>.
3. Click Close. You are automatically disconnected from all servers when you exit PI
ProcessBook.
Note: You automatically disconnect from all servers when you exit PI ProcessBook
unless you have other PI client software running.
Network Errors
Network Errors update the Status Report dialog, rather than displaying error messages on
your monitor. When a display is opened but the server is not found, only one Select New
Node dialog appears. The dialog appears once for each server that is not in the Known
Servers table.
Displays and Connection Failure
If the connection to your data is not successful, the display is still drawn, but data in dynamic
elements are replaced with indicators signifying that no data is available.
Trends are labeled Invalid and no information is plotted.
Values are replaced with pound signs (###) and the message Disconnected appears.
Bar graphs are drawn using hash marks (//////).

Multi-State symbols show the configured color for bad data.

If a server has been disconnected and cannot be found, a Select New Node dialog appears.
You can choose a new server from the drop-down list of connected servers or you can choose
File > Connections to launch the PI Connection Manager dialog.
Display PI Server Information
1. Choose File > Connections. The PI Connection Manager dialog appears.

2. Click a server name. Connection information for the server appears on the right side of
the dialog.
Note: See the PI-SDK Controls and Dialogs User Help for more detail.
Node Identifiers for Multiple PI Servers
A Node Identifier is stored with each tag name used in a display to point to the correct server.
If you define PI Server nodes in the PI Connection Manager dialog, the identifiers will be
the same on each PC on the network as long as the node names for the PI System are the
same.
Time Concepts
PI Time
PI Time abbreviations and PI time expressions allow you to specify times and time ranges for
PI data using constants, variables, and short expressions.
PI Time Abbreviations
An interval is a unit of time that can be used in time entries. Intervals that support fractional
values are listed below. For intervals where the Fractions column indicates No, fractional
amounts cannot be used in time strings.
Name Short name Plural name Member names Fractions
second s seconds no yes
minute m minutes no yes
hour h hours no yes
day d days no no
month mo months yes (for example, no
December)
year y years no no
week w weeks no no
10
Time Concepts
Name Short name Plural name Member names Fractions

weekday wd weekdays yes (for example, Tuesday) no
yearday yd yeardays no no
You can spell out month and weekday names, or enter the first three letters (for example,
Dec, Tue).
PI Times can also be expressed using certain constants:
Constant Result
* The current time.
Today or t 12:00 am of the current day.
Yesterday or y 12:00 am of the previous day.
Sunday or sun 00:00:00 (midnight) on the most recent past Sunday (in
reference to the PI Server).
PI Time Expressions
PI allows three types of time expressions: relative time, combined time, and absolute time.
These time expression types are defined in the following table.
Expression Description Examples
Relative Time Relative time expressions specify a number of days, +1d
hours, minutes, or seconds with either a leading plus -24h
sign or a leading minus sign. -3m
The reference time, or starting time, for the relative time +24s
expression is the current time if both start and end times
are relative.
Combined A combined time expression is a specific reference time *+8h
Time followed by a relative time expression. 18-dec-02 -
3m
t+32s
Absolute Time An absolute time expression is any time expression that *
is neither a relative nor a combined time expression. 14-Dec-97
11-Nov-96
2:00:00.0001
t
y
When using PI times, follow these guidelines:

Use absolute or combined time expressions, rather than relative time expressions.
Otherwise you may get an error message or a starting time that is not what you expect,
depending on the context of the expression.
Relative and combined time expressions contain only a single operator: either a single
plus sign (+) or a single minus sign (-). Additional operators can lead to unpredictable
results. For example, the following are not valid time expressions:
*+1d+4h
T-1d+12h
The name or short name for an interval used to denote PI time is not case-sensitive.

PI Time String Examples
Time Syntax Examples

PI Time String Meaning
06-dec-91 15:00:00 3:00:00 pm on December 6, 1991
* Current time (now)
25 00:00:00 (midnight) on the 25th of the current
month
25-aug-92 00:00:00 (midnight) on August 25th, 1992
8: 08:00:00 on the current date
25 8: 08:00:00 on the 25th of the current month
t 00:00:00 on the current date (today)
y 00:00:00 on the previous date (yesterday)
sun, mon, tue, wed, thu, fri, sat 00:00:00 on the most recent Sunday, Monday, ...
Saturday
*-1h One hour ago
t+8h 8:00:00 am today
y-8h 4:00:00 pm on the day before yesterday
mon+14.5h 2:30:00 pm last Monday
sat-1m 11:59:00 pm last Friday
Time Interval Examples

In interval expressions, a positive or unmarked interval anchors off the starttime, and a
negative interval anchors off the endtime of a time expression.
For example, if starttime is y, endtime is t, and interval is +5h for a Sampled Data function,
then interpolated values are generated at y, y+5h, y+10h, y+15h, and y+20h. If the interval is
-5h, the interpolated values are generated at y+4h, y+9h, y+14h, y+19h and t.
PI Time String Meaning
1.5h One and one-half hours
32m Thirty-two minutes
49s Forty-nine seconds
+5h Five hours anchoring off starttime
-5h Five hours anchoring off endtime
Time Range Toolbar
The Time Range toolbar is used for working with dynamic symbols. In general, the
commands on this toolbar affect only the symbols selected on the display. If no symbols are
12
Time Concepts
selected, all symbols are affected. This toolbar, which must be used in Run mode, contains
three buttons:

Revert (page 13)—returns the trend or other dynamic symbol to its original setting.

Change Time Range (page 14)—opens a dialog to set new, temporary start and end
times. For Bars, Values, and Multi-State symbols, there is no start time, only an end time.

Scroll Bar (page 15)—scrolls through time values.
Revert Time Range
To discard any of the changes you have made to the time range of a trend or the effective
time of a Bar, Value, or Multi-State symbol and return it to its original or saved setting:
In Run mode, choose View > Revert, or
Click the Revert button.
New Dialog
In order to create a new ProcessBook, an entry within the ProcessBook that is currently open,
or an independent display, choose File > New to launch the New dialog.

New ProcessBook
When you create and save a new ProcessBook, the application initially gives it the title
Untitledn where n represents the number of ProcessBooks created during the current
session.
You may specify a better title, including up to 43 characters and spaces, such as
Filtration Plant Number 5. This title is displayed in the title bar of the window
listing the contents of your ProcessBook.
PI ProcessBook also creates a file name for the new ProcessBook. It suggests the first word
or first eight characters from your title and an extension of .piw. For example, PI
ProcessBook may suggest Filtrati.piw. If you plan to build a whole set of
ProcessBooks, you might choose to modify the title to something that sorts your set of
ProcessBooks within the Windows Explorer in some meaningful order, such as
05FiltrP.piw. Using Windows Explorer, you may also change the file name after the file
is closed.
New ProcessBook Entry

The name of the current ProcessBook is shown in the ProcessBook Name text box. Click
OK to launch the Define ProcessBook Entry dialog where you can add a ProcessBook
entry.
Once created, you can change either the name or the location of your entry while in Book
View (page 41) or Outline View (page 44).
New Display File (.pdi)

If you want to create a separate file for a display, rather than one within a ProcessBook,
choose this option and enter the name for the display. This name will be used at the top of the
display window. When you save the display, you can specify where it should be stored.
Changing the Time Range
The Time Range command lets you enter new starting and ending times for dynamic
symbols. When you specify a time range for a single-time dynamic element, such as a Multi-
State symbol, bar or value, only the end time is used.
Note: The time represented on your display is the time relative to the PI Server, unless
you have selected the client time zone setting for your display. If the PI Server to
which you are connected is in a different time zone, time on your display
represents the distant time zone, not the local one.
1. In Run mode, select the dynamic symbol or symbols for which you want to change the
time range. If no symbols are selected, the time range change affects all dynamic symbols
on the display.
2. Click the Time Range button on the Time Range toolbar, or
14
Time Concepts
Choose View > Time Range.

The Change Time Range dialog opens, allowing you to change the time span for a trend
or plot, or the effective time for a bar, value, or Multi-State symbol.
3. Select new starting and ending times from the drop-down lists or define your own starting
and ending times. Time ranges can be relative, absolute, or combined.
4. Click OK. The selected elements change to reflect the new time range.
Using the Scrolling Time Range
1. In Run mode, select the dynamic symbol or symbols for which you want to change the
time range. If no symbols are selected, the time range change affects all dynamic symbols
in the display.
2. On the Time Range toolbar, click the forward or backward Scroll Time button, or
Click and drag the Scroll Time slider, or
Click the space on either side of the Scroll Time slider to increment or decrement by a
time span.
If the slider is dragged, a ToolTip is updated with the end time that is applied when you
release the mouse button.
3. Release the mouse button. Selected symbols are refreshed with the new time range.
Note: You can scroll the time for all items in a display or selected items. If no trend is
included in the selected items, the scroll buttons are disabled.
Time Forward and Back
Use the time backward and forward buttons to scroll the time range forward or backward. To
do this:
1. Click on the desired symbols with the Run Mode pointer.
2. Click the Time Forward or Time Backward button.

Trends scroll by the time range specified in the trend definition. When you select multiple
trends, each trend maintains its time range as it is scrolled. If you select a trend and a
dynamic element such as a value, the non-trend symbol scrolls by the time range specified in
the trend definition.
For example, if the trend displays data from 1:00 to 4:00 (three hours) and the value has a
timestamp of 5:00, scrolling backward shows trend data from 10:00 to 1:00. The value's
timestamp also changes by three hours (2:00).
Future Trends
It is possible to set trends with an end date in the future by choosing an end time of the
present (*) plus an amount of time, such as 4 hours or 8 days. These trends update if they are
less than the update time limit. The default update time limit is 24 hours, but that duration
limit can be changed.
You can set the time range for a trend into the future by using * + an amount of time no more
than 7 days greater than the start time. A trend can also be scrolled into the future using the
time range buttons, but then it does not update.
Menus and Toolbars
Command Menus
The active components of menu bars change depending on the active window and current
selections. There are now five different collections of menu commands.
Menu Bar Function
Default Displays when no documents are active
Book Displays when a PI ProcessBook workbook is active
Display Displays when a PI ProcessBook display document is

active
View-Only Book Displays when PI ProcessBook is running in no-edit mode
and a PI ProcessBook workbook is active.
View-Only Display Displays when PI ProcessBook is running in no-edit mode
and a display or workbook document is active.
Toolbars
Standard—contains standard Windows and ProcessBook commands, including buttons

for new, open, save, print, copy, paste, undo, tag search, trend cursor, trend display,
zoom, layers, and help
VBA—provides access to the VBA automation environment
16
Menus and Toolbars
Drawing—for drawing symbols. Also includes Build/Run mode selectors

Context Display Menu—contains commands that appear in the context menu for display
windows
Context Book Menu—appear in the context menu for Table of Contents windows
Full Screen—allows you to view your workspace in full screen mode
Time Range—for manipulating time in Run mode
Symbol Formatting—new in version 3.1, this toolbar contains buttons for formatting
fonts, colors, and line styles. PI ProcessBook also includes the now deprecated
Formatting toolbar to support backwards compatibility
Layout—provides controls to affect the layout of selected symbols on a display
Customize Toolbars
Toolbars may be displayed or omitted as follows:
1. Choose View > Toolbars. The Toolbars tab of the Customize dialog opens.
2. Check the toolbars you wish to display, and click OK.
3. To move a toolbar, click on the double vertical bar at the left end and drag to the new
location. If the toolbar has no move handle, click on the title bar instead.
4. To reshape a floating toolbar (one without move handles), grab one of its edges and drag
to a new shape.
Toolbar Buttons
Many of the menu commands in PI ProcessBook can be selected by clicking a button on a

toolbar. To determine the use of a button on a toolbar, hover the mouse pointer over the
button. A small text window appears.
You can configure toolbars to display as view-only to omit unnecessary buttons. View-only
toolbars and others can be specified in procbook.ini (page 196).
Add Buttons to Toolbars

You can change the icons that appear on the toolbars or create your own custom toolbar.
1. Choose View > Toolbars.
2. From the Commands tab of the Toolbars dialog, you can select a particular toolbar in
the dialog and drag buttons to existing toolbars in your PI ProcessBook window.
3. While the Commands tab is open, you can also drag buttons off of a toolbar to remove
them from your window.

Preference Settings
You can reach the ProcessBook Preferences dialog by choosing Tools > Preferences.
Preference settings determine how the ProcessBook entries look, what colors are available
when you draw, and whether your ProcessBook opens in Book View or Outline View.
Note: Preference settings are stored in the file procbook.ini. Before you change the
Preference settings, consider creating a back-up copy of procbook.ini so that
you can restore PI ProcessBook to the original settings.
General Preferences
Choose Tools > Preferences > General tab to configure application-wide settings. These
settings are stored in and retrieved from the [STARTUP] section of your procbook.ini
(page 196) file.
Author—Determines the name used as the creator of new files and the person who lasted
edited the file. See Summary Information in Processbook (page 47) for more information.
This field is blank by default when PI ProcessBook is first installed on a computer.
Startup File—The file name and path in this field determine which, if any, file is open when
the application is launched. The default value when PI ProcessBook is first installed is
<installation path>\procbook\pidemo.piw.
Library File—The file name and path in this field determine which, if any, file is opened
when the original symbol library command is used. The default value when PI ProcessBook
is first installed is <installation path>\procbook\symlibry.piw.
Prefer Run Mode—Determines whether ProcessBook starts up in Run mode or Build mode
by default. By default, this option is enabled when PI ProcessBook is first installed on a
computer.
18
Preference Settings
Create Backup Files—Determines whether backup files (with a .bak extension) are
automatically created when a PI ProcessBook file is opened. By default, this option is turned
off when PI ProcessBook is first installed on a computer.
Retain snapshot values on updating plots—Determines whether the archive event pipe is
used for updating trends, discarding any snapshot values between stored, archive values. This
setting is stored as PB2TraceCompatibility in the [STARTUP] section of your
procbook.ini. By default, this option is turned on when PI ProcessBook is first installed
on a computer. Leaving this option selected results in a more jagged trace that gets smoothed
when the display is reopened or the trend is reverted.
Date and Time Format—Settings in this area determine how time is displayed in PI
ProcessBook. Previews of each format are shown to help you select the desired option.
The Use local Windows format option uses the current Regional Options settings in the
Windows Control Panel on the client machine to determine how dates and times are
displayed. Dates are shown using the currently configured Short Date format and Times
are shown using the current time format settings.
The Use PI Time Format option displays timestamps in the default PI format of dd-
mmm-yy HH:mm:ss.ssss, where dd is the day of the month, mmm is a the short text
abbreviation of the month name (e.g., Jan for January), yy is the two digit year, HH is the
hour in 24-hour format, mm is the minute and ss.sss is the second, including sub-
seconds, if present.
Default Time Zone—Determines whether timestamps reflect the time zone of the PI Server
used to retrieve data (PI Server time zone), or the time zone of the local computer (Client
machine time zone), when a new display is created. By default, the PI Server option is
selected when PI ProcessBook is first installed on a computer. This setting can also be
changed and is stored with each display.
Table of Contents Preferences
Choose Tools > Preferences > Table of Contents tab to configure the default view of Table
of Contents windows for ProcessBook(PIW) files, as well as the font applied to each level of
entry in those files. These settings are stored in and retrieved from your procbook.ini
(page 196) file.

Default View—Settings in this area determine how ProcessBook entries are displayed by
default. The default is Book view.
Font Settings—The controls in this area determine the font settings applied to each entry
level in a ProcessBook. The font settings control the display of entry names in Table of
Contents windows.
The Entry level field allows you to select the level to configure. You can only select one
level at a time.
The Font field lists all the fonts installed on the computer running PI ProcesBook.
The Size field determines the size of the text. The first time ProcessBook is installed, the
current Windows system font determines the default font settings to use.
The Font style group determines whether text is shown in bold or italic.
Preview—This read-only field displays font settings for each level in a ProcessBook. Each of
the 10 possible entry levels is listed and displayed with its current font name, and style
settings.
20
Preference Settings
Display Window
Choose Tools > Preferences > Display Window tab to set options that apply to display
windows. These settings are stored in and retrieved from your procbook.ini (page 196)
file.
Preserve Aspect Ratio on resize—Determines whether display element sizes change in

proportion to the window size when a window is resized. When the check box contains a
check mark (is selected), the aspect ratio is preserved and the display element sizes change in
proportion to the window size.
Show Symbol ToolTips—Determines whether ToolTips are displayed on display symbols.
ToolTips appear for toolbar buttons regardless of this setting's value. By default, this option is
turned on when PI ProcessBook is first installed on a computer.
Show Value Attributes—Determines whether icons are displayed for Value Attribute flags
on PI data. This option is turned on when PI ProcessBook is first installed on a computer.
Run mode scrolling—Determines the scroll bar behavior of display windows in Run mode.
Build mode scrolling—Determines the scroll bar behavior of display windows in Build
mode.
On Display contains scroll bars all the time.
Off Scroll bars never appear.
Automatic Scroll bars appear when needed (this is the default setting for new displays).
Color Palette—These fields present the 16 colors selected for use throughout the application
as the basic colors for the color well control.
Use the Modify button to launch the Color dialog, where you can select additional
colors.
Use the Reset button to return the Color Palette to system default values.

Default Display Background Color—Determines the default color used for new displays.
The color well control is used to select a color. This color is also set when the Background
color of the current display is changed.
Symbol Defaults—contains fields to set the default formatting values for new symbols.
These defaults are also changed when the Formatting controls are used and no symbols are
selected.
Trend Preferences
Choose Tools > Preferences > Trend tab to set default settings for trend symbol display
options.
Display—Check or uncheck these options to configure what information a trend displays by

default.
AutoScale—Select this check box if you want trends to be scaled as tag values change
over time. If you do not select this check box, then trends use the Database scale for each
tag.
Plot Title—Select this check box if you want a title to display.
Vert. Scale Ins. Axis(Vertical Scale Inside Axis)—Select this check box to display the
numeric scale inside the axis. If you do not select this check box the scale displays
outside the axis. Note that the value scale is drawn horizontally when the trend
orientation is vertical.
Grids—Select to display grid lines.
22
Preference Settings
Multiple Scales—Add a value scale for each data point when selected. When the check
box is cleared, only a single value scale appears.
Markers—Select the Markers check box if you want markers to indicate data points on
the trend. If you do not select the Markers check box three markers display on each line.
These markers help you match a line to a tag.
Legend—Select or clear these options to configure what information appears in the trend
legends. The information that can fit in the legend is determined by the size of the trend.
Consequently, not all of the information in the legend may be visible:
If the width of the legend is more than the width of the trend the legend does not appear.
If the height of the text in the legend is longer than the total height of the trend, items are
removed in this order: engineering units, tag name, then value.
Options include:
Tag Name
Server Name
Value
Description
Eng Units
Sample—Use this display area to view a preview of selected trend preferences.

Trend Elements Preferences
Choose Tools > Preferences > Trend Elements tab to set what colors, LineStyles, etc., are
used in individual traces.
Plot Elements—Use the drop down list to select from pens, text, grids, and backgrounds,
Multi-State on Ad Hoc—Select this check box to draw an ad hoc (instant) trend of a
Multi-State symbol. When this option is cleared, data from a multi-state configruation is
not included on instant trends.
Traces per Ad Hoc Trend—Select the number of traces to have per plot on an ad hoc
(instant) trend. The default is 3, the maximum is 8. Once this number is reached,
additional plots are created to show the remaining tags selected for the instant trend.
For each plot element, select a Marker Type, Line Style, Line Weight, and Color.
Note: You may select one of several line styles for each trace. You can also specify the
line thickness. Select none to omit a grid line.
Sample—See your changes previewed in the Sample area at the bottom of the dialog.
24
Add-Ins
Add-Ins
By default, PI ProcessBook installs with the following add-in components:
Details (page 135)—Enables a docking window that displays data from dynamic symbols
in a tabular format.
Module Context (page 72)—Gives you access to the Module Database, allowing you to
use aliases as a data source for dynamic symbols.
ProcessBook SVG File Converter—Enables you to save displays as SVG files, which can
then be used by RtWebParts.
ToolTip Statistics (page 68)—Allows you to see ToolTip statistics directly in dynamic
symbols.
Data Favorites (page 26)—Provides a way to configure symbols in ProcessBook by
dropping a PI tag name (or other data reference) from a list onto the symbol.
Other add-ins are installed with PI ProcessBook, however, don't become available until you
add additional applications:
PI Notifications (page 26)—Enables a docking window that contains the notification
viewer control.
Add-In Manager
The Add-In Manager lists the Add-Ins (page 25) available in your PI ProcessBook
installation. Use this dialog to control whether the add-ins are loaded whenever you use PI
ProcessBook.
1. Choose Tools > Add-in Manager. The Add-In Manager dialog appears.
2. Click an available add-in from the Available Add-Ins list.

3. A description of what the add-in does appears in the Description box.

4. Under Load Behavior, select the appropriate check boxes:

• Loaded/Unloaded—Loads or unloads the selected add-in. The add-in's current status
appears in the Load Behavior column at the top.
• Load on Startup—Loads selected add-in on startup of development environment.
The add-in's current status appears in the Load Behavior column at the top.
• Command Line—Loads the selected add-in when the development environment is
started from the command prompt or from a script.
5. Click OK to complete the action and close the dialog.
Note: If the add-in is unloaded and then reloaded, you must click the Revert toolbar
button to re-synchronize any symbols using the add-in.
PI Notifications in ProcessBook
The PI Notifications add-in to PI ProcessBook is a docking window that contains the

notification viewer control. ProcessBook automatically loads the PI Notifications add-in at
startup. The notification viewer control itself first opens to show all the active notifications to
which the current user is subscribed. A notification rule is shown as a parent node and its
notifications are shown indented below it. The criteria for which notifications to show can be
changed and the columns can be sorted by clicking on the heading.
When you click on a notification, the time range context (start and end time) is automatically
passed to the current active display. Additionally, a button above the notification viewer
control allows you to open content in the AF database associated with the currently selected
notification rule (which is the parent of the selected notification). If no content has been
associated with the notification rule, then a new display is created and a trend of the inputs
and outputs is created.
In PI System explorer, you can select an existing ProcessBook display and attach it in an
email.
The PI Notifications Help file is included with your PI ProcessBook installation. You can
find it in the PIPC\HELP directory on your hard drive, typically located here:
C:\Program Files\PIPC\HELP\
Data Favorites Add-In
The Data Favorites add-in is delivered with PI ProcessBook version 3.1 or higher. It provides
a way to configure symbols in PI ProcessBook by dropping a PI tag name (or other data
reference) from a list onto the symbol.
The add-in can be unloaded or set not to load at startup by changing the options in the Add-in
Manager dialog box. When the Data Favorites add-in is first loaded, its window appears in
the upper left corner of the PI ProcessBook application window. The window is only
accessible in Build mode. If the window is closed, it can be re-opened by selecting Data
Favorites from the View menu.
26
Add-Ins
There are a few panels within the Data Favorites window:

Search—Provides controls for searching for PI Tags or other data references.
Favorites—Provides controls for manipulating the list of favorite data references.
Note: The Favorites list is saved per user, so when a different user opens PI
ProcessBook on the same machine, their list may be different.
Set Default Symbols

The symbol button controls which symbol is created when data references are dropped on an
empty area of the display. To set the default symbol, click the Default Symbol button and
select an option from the drop-down list.
The symbols are:
Bar—When Bar symbols are created, the formatting selected the last time the Define
Bar dialog was used is applied.
Trend—Trend symbols have defaults defined in the procbook.ini file.
Value—When Value symbols are created, the formatting selected the last time the
Define Value dialog was used is applied.
XYPlot—XYPlot symbols have defaults defined in the procbook.ini file. For
XYPlot symbols, the first selected tag/data reference is used for the X tag.
If the selected symbol type does not support the data type of the dropped PI Tag, a value
symbol is drawn instead.
Drag List Items onto a Trend

When search results or favorites are dropped on an existing Trend or XYPlot symbol in Build
mode, traces are added the same way they would be if they were added via script. The add-in
also supports dropping traces onto trend type symbols that are part of a composite symbol.
Drag List Items onto a Display

When search results or favorites are dropped on a blank area of a display in Build mode,
symbols of the selected type are added the same way they would be if they were added via
script. If the dropped selection contains multiple data references (for example, multiple tags)
and the Bar or Value symbol is selected, a symbol is created for each one, slightly offset
from each other, in cascading windows.
Process Drags Between PI ProcessBook and Outside Applications

The Data Favorites add-in supports tag list drags in the following formats:
One row of tags separated by either a semi-colon or tab delimiter
Multiple rows (row delimited by a new line) of at least two columns which are delimited
by either a tab or a semi-colon. Only one delimiter is used, and while there can be more
than two columns in the dragged rows, only the first two columns are used. The first
column must be the tag name, the second column may be an optional tag descriptor.
Drags can come from any application that supports the text clipboard format.

Import or Export Data Favorites

You can import or export data favorites.
To import favorites:
Right-click in the Datasource list in the Search panel, and click Import Favorites. Then
select an text file to import.
To export favorites:
Right-click in the Datasource list in the Search panel, and click Export Favorites. Then
name the export file to save.
Keyboard Shortcuts
A keyboard shortcut is a combination of keystrokes to use for frequent actions. Several of
these are already assigned in PI ProcessBook. They appear to the right of the corresponding
menu command on the drop-down menus.
PI ProcessBook lets you assign new combinations of keystrokes or change existing ones.
For example you can:
Assign a keyboard shortcut for inserting symbols without needing multiple mouse clicks.
Assign more than one keyboard shortcut to a specific action.
Change an existing shortcut, such as Ctrl+S, to another sequence you prefer.
Assign a Keyboard Shortcut
1. Choose View > Assign Shortcuts.

The Shortcut Keys dialog appears.
28
Print
2. Under Select a macro, click the appropriate macro (menu item). The description for that
item and its assigned shortcuts, if any, appears.
3. Click the Create Shortcut button.
The Assign Shortcut dialog appears.

4. In the Press new shortcut key box, type the key you wish to use for the shortcut.
Note: If you choose a combination already in use, the current assignment appears
in the dialog. If you click OK, the previous assignment is voided.
5. Click OK.
The new shortcut appears in the Assigned shortcuts box.
Note: If you want to reset all the keyboard shortcuts to their original positions when
PI ProcessBook was installed, click the Reset All button, and then the OK
button.
Remove a Keyboard Shortcut
1. In the Shortcut Keys dialog, under the Select a macro list, select the appropriate macro
(menu item). The description for that item and its assigned shortcuts, if any, appears.
2. Under Assigned shortcuts, select the shortcut you want to remove, and then click the
Remove button.
3. Click OK.
Print
When you print from a ProcessBook, you can:

In Outline view, print a list of the ProcessBook contents or selected displays.
In Book view, print a list of the entire book or a selected tab section.

Print the entire contents of a display or selected items from that window.
You can also set various printing options, such as the number of copies.
Each topic in the help file may be printed separately or you can print them all at once.
The Print command is accessible from the File menu, CTRL+P, or the print button. You can
print the contents of the active window or if you select items within a display before you open
the Print dialog, then you can choose to print only those items.
Note: On a non-color printer, symbols are printed in shades of gray, but trends revert to
black and white.
On some printers, when you print a trend with cursors, the value and time stamp
boxes of the cursor does not hide the information beneath them. However, other
trend cursors and the trend time scale may show through the trend cursor boxes,
making the values hard to read.
Page Setup for Printing
You can select the particular printer, the orientation of the paper, the paper size, and the
source within the printer of the paper. Use the Properties button to fine-tune the quality of
output or the performance of the printer.
The settings you choose in Page Setup become the defaults for all your printing.
Note: PI ProcessBook supports dot matrix, HP PCL (LaserJet), Postscript, and color
printers. However, all Windows print drivers may not be compatible. If you are not
sure if your printer is supported or you observe any printing problems, contact
OSIsoft Technical Support (http://techsupport.osisoft.com).
Preview Before Printing
Print Preview displays your selection as it will look when it is printed. Note that the Print
Preview shows colors even though you may be using a black and white printer.
Once you select the item you want to preview, choose File > Print Preview. Zoom in or out
of the selection by clicking on the selection with the magnifier cursor or by clicking the
Zoom buttons. To print the selection, click the Print button.
Printer Setup
Select Print Setup to choose a printer, page orientation, and paper size. In addition, you can
fine-tune the quality of output or the performance of your printer. The settings you choose in
Print Setup become the defaults for all your printing.
1. Choose File > Page Setup. The Print Setup dialog appears.
30
About PI ProcessBook
2. Select the printer, orientation, and paper size and source.
Note: PI ProcessBook supports dot matrix, HP PCL (LaserJet), Postscript, and color
printers. However, all Windows print drivers may not be compatible. If you are
not sure if your printer is supported or you observe any printing problems,
contact OSIsoft Technical Support.
3. Click the Properties button to select printer-specific options. Refer to your printer
documentation for additional information about these options.
About PI ProcessBook
You can launch the About PI ProcessBook dialog by clicking Help > About PI
ProcessBook.
The dialog provides version and build information, as well as a link to the OSIsoft tech
support site.
Click Copy Info to copy the contents of the grid control to your Windows clipboard where it
can be pasted into a spreadsheet or text editor.
Click System Info to launch the Microsoft System Information dialog.

Using Online Help

Click F1 or go to the Help menu and select PI ProcessBook help. The Help file appears in a
separate window. Across the top of the Help window are several buttons:
Click Hide to remove the Table of Contents.
Click Show button to display the Table of Contents.
Click Print to print a topic.
Click the Index tab to view an alphabetical list of items. Begin typing the word you want to
reach it quickly in the list.
When you select a term and click Display, you see either a topic or a list of topics.
Click the Search tab to look for particular words or topics.
Click green text that has a solid underline to jump to a related topic.
Click green text that has a dotted underline to open a small window that contains a definition
of the underlined text.
Click the Back button to return.
32
Chapter 3
Work with a ProcessBook
Basic Steps to Build a ProcessBook

There are five basic steps to creating a ProcessBook:
1. Create and save a ProcessBook.
2. Add, organize, and edit entry titles.
3. Design a detailed display for each display entry title, using the drawing tools to create
schematics or other drawings with trends, bars, and values. To import outside data, add
OLE objects and values from data set queries.
4. Format trends and make other adjustments to each display to present your data in the
most useful manner.
5. Save the completed ProcessBook and install it wherever it is needed.
Note: In some installations, the System Administrator may set your PI ProcessBook to
View Only (page 205) mode. If so, you cannot create and save new
ProcessBooks.
Create a New ProcessBook

Before you create a ProcessBook, you should consider planning an organizational structure
and a naming convention for the ProcessBook and the entries within it.
When you create and save a new ProcessBook, the application initially gives it the title
Book1, where 1 represents the number of ProcessBooks created during the current session.
PI ProcessBook also creates a file name for the new ProcessBook. It suggests the first word
from your title and an extension of .piw. For example, PI ProcessBook may suggest
Filtrat1.PIW. If you plan to build an entire set of ProcessBooks, you might choose to
modify it in Windows Explorer to sort your set of ProcessBooks in some meaningful order,
such as 05FiltrP.PIW.
1. In Build mode, choose File > New. The New dialog appears.
2. Select ProcessBook (.piw) File.
3. In the ProcessBook Name box, type a name for the new book.
4. Click OK.

5. A new ProcessBook appears.
Note: If you typed a name in ProcessBook Name box, then the name appears on the
ProcessBook title bar. If you did not type a name, then Book1 appears on the title
bar.
Open an Existing ProcessBook

1. Choose File > Open, or
On the standard toolbar, click the Open button.
The Open dialog appears.
2. Click the specific ProcessBook file (.piw) you want to open.
3. Click OK.
Note: Depending on the settings in the ProcessBook Preferences dialog, a default

ProcessBook may open automatically when you start PI ProcessBook.
PI ProcessBook keeps track of the four most recently opened ProcessBooks or independent
display files. Instead of using File > Open, you may select a file name from the bottom of the
File menu.
Open a ProcessBook with a Button
You can place this button on a toolbar and use it to open another ProcessBook of your choice.
1. Choose View > Toolbars.
2. Select the Commands tab.
3. Under Categories, select Supplemental toolbar.
4. Drag the icon shown above to one of your toolbars.
5. Choose Tools > Preferences. The ProcessBook Preferences dialog opens.
6. Click the General (page 18) tab.
7. In the Library File box enter the location of a ProcessBook and click OK. This links the
button to that ProcessBook.
Note: By default, this button links to Symlibry.piw, which opens the original Symbol
Library (page 131) book.
34
Run Mode Pointer
Work With Multiple ProcessBooks
You can work in multiple ProcessBooks and/or independent display files at the same time.
Open additional ProcessBooks using the File menu.
Use the Windows menu to select the ProcessBook title and switch among them.
Click inside a ProcessBook window to make it active.
Switch among the open windows by pressing CTRL+F6.
Run Mode Pointer

Use the Run Mode pointer for opening and executing displays and their associated
commands.
To obtain a Run Mode pointer, on the Drawing toolbar, click the Run button , or
Choose Tools > Run.
The mouse cursor appears in the shape of a small arrow.
Build Mode Pointer

Most of the functions that you use when building a ProcessBook require the Build mode
pointer. Use Build mode for building and editing a ProcessBook and for access to symbols
and formatting tools.
On the Drawing toolbar, click the Build button , or

Choose Tools > Build.
The mouse cursor turns into the Build mode pointer.
Note: You can choose Build mode as your preferred mode of operation by setting this
preference in the General tab (page 18) of the ProcessBook Preferences dialog.
Add ProcessBook Entries

After creating a ProcessBook, the next step is to add individual entries. By arranging and
combining displays and other entry types, you can create a complete working environment
for plant personnel.
Note: You can add entry titles to a ProcessBook and then complete the detailed design
of the entries later.
There are five specific types of entries:

Text (page 36)—provides headings or static information

Display (page 36)—opens a display
Linked displays (page 37)—links to an independent display file
Linked ProcessBook (page 38)—links to another entry in any ProcessBook
Operating system command (page 39)—opens another application.
When you add entries to a ProcessBook in either Outline or Book View, the entries are
arranged hierarchically. Subentries are indented under main entries. The name you give each
new entry is the name that shows in the ProcessBook.
When you create a new entry, it is placed in the ProcessBook just before the selected entry. If
no entries are selected, the new entry appears at the end of the current tab section in Book
View or at the end of the Outline View. You can press the ESC key to clear all entries.
Create a Text or Display Entry
Use text entries to add labels and clarify text in a ProcessBook. Display entries represent a
display in a ProcessBook.
1. Choose File > New. The New dialog appears.
2. Under Type, select ProcessBook Entry.
3. Click OK.
4. The Define ProcessBook Entry dialog appears.
5. In the Label dialog, type a name.
Note: There is no limit to the number of characters you may use, but for headings,
you should try to be as brief and descriptive as possible.
6. For the Type, select Text or Display.

7. In the Level list, click the level at which you want to position the entry in the
ProcessBook hierarchy of entries, or
Type a number between 1 and 10.
Note: If you are creating the first entry in the ProcessBook, the level is automatically
set to 1 and cannot be changed.
36
8. Click OK. The entry is added to the ProcessBook. If the entry is at Level 1 and you are in
Book view, a tab is created using the name of the entry.
9. Click the Save button on the toolbar, or
Choose File > Save. If you are creating several entries in one session you may wait to
save until the last one is created.
Linked Display Entry
A Linked Display allows you to use a display name to link to an entry elsewhere in the
ProcessBook or in another ProcessBook or independent display file. This means that you
create and store only one copy of the display.
You can then access the same entry from several different locations in one ProcessBook. Or,
while you are in one ProcessBook, you can open an entry from another one without having to
close the first ProcessBook.
The linked entry is not a copy; it is a way of opening the original. The Book View or Outline
View shows the title of the linked entry, but the actual display window shows the title of the
original entry.
If you edit the original from any linked entry, the original is updated and automatically
appears updated from all the ProcessBooks in which it is linked.
To prevent unexpected updates, you can restrict access to an entry so that only the original
entry can be edited and all others to which it is linked are read-only. If the entry resides on a
server, you can write-protect the file on the server. If you need more information on
restricting access to files, see your System Administrator.
Before you create a link to an original entry in a different ProcessBook, the ProcessBook that
contains the original (target) entry must be open. Once the link is established, you only need
to open the ProcessBook with the Linked Entry.
If you want to link to an entry in a second ProcessBook, open the second book. If you want to
link to an entry in the current ProcessBook, create the original first and then the link.
Create a Linked Display Entry

3. Click OK.
6. For the Type, select Link/OS Command.

7. Click the Browse button, or

Click the Browse arrow to see more search options.
8. To link to an independent display file, locate and select the display file (.pdi) to which
you want to link and then click the Open button. The display name appears in the Action
box.
9. To link to another ProcessBook, locate and select the processbook file (.piw) to which
you want to link and click the Open button. The display name appears in the Action box.
10. To link to a display in a ProcessBook, select the Display Search option from the Browse
drop-down and enter criteria to locate the display you want within the open files. If the
display you want is not in a file that is open, select a different option in the Look in field.
When the display is listed in the Display Search dialog, select it and click OK. The name
appears in the Action box.
12. Clear the Options check box if you want the absolute path used first.
Note: By default, ProcessBook attempts to open a linked display from its relative
path first. If the relative path fails, then the absolute path is checked. Clearing
the Use relative path check box reverses the order in which the paths are
resolved. For new displays, this option is checked by default.
13. Click OK. A linked display entry icon is added to the outline and book view of the
ProcessBook you are developing.
14. Click the Save button. If you are creating several entries, you may wait to save until the
last one is entered.
Note: If you need to move the original entry to another directory or ProcessBook,
you must redefine the link between the ProcessBooks. If you move both the
original and the linked item and the relationship between the two file paths is
unchanged, you do not need to relink.
Linked ProcessBook Entries
Similar to a Linked Display, a Linked ProcessBook entry is a link to a different ProcessBook.

When you open a linked ProcessBook entry, another ProcessBook is opened. You may open
any of the entries in that ProcessBook. Using a Linked ProcessBook entry is the same as
opening a ProcessBook using the Open command on the File menu.
The same rules apply to Linked ProcessBook entries as to Linked entries.
38
Move Linked Entries

If you move a linked pair of displays or ProcessBooks to another location and if this move
changes the relationship of the two file paths, you need to relink the items.
Operating System Command Entry
An operating system command is used to start another application, such as Microsoft Excel,
in addition to PI ProcessBook.
For example, you can use an operating system command to link to PI DataLink reports or
calculations. You can also create links to CAD drawings, modeling packages, or statistics
packages.
When you have reports created on a different system, you can convert them to ASCII and,
using an operating system command, create a link to Notepad to read the reports.
If your company has online Help files for certain procedures, you can create a link to those
help files.
Your computer must have enough memory to run the applications you want to use in addition
to PI ProcessBook. The applications also must be installed on your system. If you do not
know whether or not your computer has enough memory, contact your System Administrator.
Create an Operating System Command Entry

3. Click OK.
6. For the Type, select Link/OS Command.

7. Click the Browse button to the right of the Action box, or
Click the Browse arrow and then click Applications.
8. Browse and locate the file to which want to link, and then click the Open button. The
application's path/name is displayed in the Action box.
Note: If you know the name of the .exe file for the application, such as
C:\excel\Excel.exe for Excel or the path and name of a data file, such as
C:\document\report.xls, then you can type the path directly in the
Action box.

9. If you need to specify the location of the executable for the application, click the Browse
button to the right of the Working folder box. The Browse for Folder dialog appears.
10. Locate and select the folder that you want to specify for this operating system command,
and click OK.
Note: If you know the name of the working folder for this application, then you can
type it directly in the Working folder box.
12. By default, ProcessBook attempts to launch an OS command from its relative path first.
If the relative path fails, then the absolute path is attempted. To reverse the order, clear
the Use relative path before absolute path check box. For new displays, this option is
checked by default.
13. If the file specified in the Action box is associated with one application and you want to
open it with another, select the Ignore the default shell command for recognized file
types check box. This option is normally only used with files such as displays saved as
SVG so that they can be opened in PI ProcessBook instead of the associated Viewer
application.
Note: If the file type is supported by ProcessBook (either natively or through an add-
in), then it is opened directly when this option is selecte for a Link or OS
command entry. For example, an .svg file is opened using the .svg File
Converter in ProcessBook, even if you have Adobe SVG Viewer installed.
Clearing this check box disables this behavior, so the default shell command
is used to open the file instead.
14. Click OK. An icon for the program you are launching is added to the outline and book
view of the ProcessBook and the application opens. Close the application.
15. Click the Save button. If you are creating several entries, you may wait to save until the
last one is entered.
Note: If you need to move the original entry to another directory or ProcessBook,
you must redefine the link between the ProcessBooks. If you move both the
original and the linked item and the relationship between the two file paths is
unchanged, you do not need to relink.
Working Directory for Operating System Commands

The Define ProcessBook Entry dialog has a text box where you can enter the working
directory. The command line recognizes file extension associations.
40
Arrange ProcessBook Entries
For example, in the past you needed to enter a command like:

C:\EXCEL\EXCEL.EXE C:\MYWORK\MINE.XLS
Now you can use a command like:
C:\MYWORK\MINE.XLS
In other words, if the string works for the Run command under the File menu of the Program
Manager, it will work in PI ProcessBook.
Some applications that you can access with an operating system command, such as MS
Excel, allow only one copy of the application to open, even if you press the command several
times.

Once you have created your entry titles, it is a good idea to consider how they are arranged in
your ProcessBook. Each ProcessBook gives two possible views of your entry titles, Book
View (page 41) and Outline View (page 44).
You can have up to 10 levels of entries in a ProcessBook, but levels 3 to 10 are displayed in
Book View as though they were at the same level.
There is no limit to the number of tabs you may have in a Book. However, as you add tabs or
reduce the size of the ProcessBook, the tabs are stacked to the right of the Book. This might
make the ProcessBook difficult to read in Book View.
Whether you are in Outline View or Book View, you can edit and rearrange entries, or delete
entries altogether. Some functions are performed the same regardless of the view in which
you are working.
Book View is a useful organizational tool when your ProcessBook has only a few dozen
displays. If your ProcessBook is large and contains many displays, Outline View is faster and
easier to use.
If no ProcessBook or independent display has been selected in your Preference settings,
choose File > Open or File > Create to open or initiate a file.
Book View
In Book View , the ProcessBook displays as a loose-leaf binder.

Tabs indicate major divisions in the ProcessBook. Each tab section has a heading, which may
be any ProcessBook entry. The entry title is used as the tab name. A tab section may contain
several pages of entries representing different types of information.
When you create a first-level entry in Book View, the name becomes the label for the section
tab. If the entry is the first entry you have added to the ProcessBook, the entry level is
automatically set at 1. Subsequent sub-entries are listed below the main entry. When you
select another first level entry, a new page is created with a new tab.
Displays within a tab section are typically arranged in a hierarchical fashion. For example, a
display that includes a boiler, a condenser, and a pump may be at the top level of a tab

section. The boiler, the condenser, and the pump may be separate displays that are arranged
underneath the summary display. Each of these displays can have several displays for their
components.
Book View
Turn Pages in Book View

1. Choose View > Book to view a ProcessBook in Book View (page 41). Notice the top
right corner of the page is divided into two small triangles .
2. Click the upper triangle to move forward one page, or
Click the lower triangle to move backward a page.
A dark gray triangle indicates there are no more pages in that direction.
3. Click the tabs along the right-hand side to move quickly between sections of a
ProcessBook.
Resize a ProcessBook
1. Click and drag on the frame of a ProcessBook until the window is the size you want.
As you make a window smaller, the ProcessBook is resized so you can still see all of the
tabs. If the window becomes too small to display all the members of a group of displays,
the displays are moved to new pages.
2. If the ProcessBook window becomes too small, all the tabs behind the first tab are
collapsed into one tab labeled More. Click the More tab to display a pop-up list of the
other tab sections.
42
Entries in Book View

When you create a first level entry in Book View, the name becomes the label for the section
tab. If the entry is the first entry you have added to the ProcessBook, the entry level is
automatically set at 1. Subsequent sub-entries are listed below the main entry. When you
select another first level entry, a new page is created with a new tab.
Change the Name of an Entry in Book View

1. Choose View > Book to view a ProcessBook in Book View (page 41).
2. In Build mode, double-click the entry you want to change. The Define ProcessBook
Entry dialog appears.
3. In the Label text box, type a new name.
4. Click OK.
Change the Level of an Entry in Book View

1. Choose View > Book to view a ProcessBook in Book View (page 41).
2. In Build mode, double-click the entry you want to change. The Define ProcessBook
Entry dialog appears.
3. In the Level list, click the level at which you want to reposition the entry in the
4. Click OK.

Outline View
In Outline view , ProcessBook displays are arranged hierarchically on a page.

Choose View > Outline to display a ProcessBook as an outline. When you are in Outline
View, a set of buttons is added to the active ProcessBook window to collapse or expand the
outline. You may need to resize the window so all the buttons are visible. Use the horizontal
and vertical scroll bars to see all entries in the outline.
Hierarchies of entries may be revised by dragging entries from one location to another, or by
promoting and demoting entries.
Outline View
Collapse or Expand Outline View

You can collapse or expand sections of the outline to view the list of displays in a meaningful
manner.
1. Choose View > Outline to view a ProcessBook in Outline View (page 44).
2. Click the black plus sign to the left of an entry to expand it. This shows additional
displays that are subordinate to the selected display.
Collapsed View:
-or-
Click the transparent plus sign to collapse the list of subordinate displays.
44
Expanded View:
Note: You can change the font for each level in Outline View in the ProcessBook
Preferences (page 18) dialog.
Rearrange Entries in Outline View

In Build mode, click and drag the entry name up or down (not sideways) to a new location. A
dotted line indicates the location of the entry you are moving.
Alternatively, you can use the four buttons at the top left of the window as follows:
Promote highlighted entry
Demote highlighted entry
Move highlighted entry up
Move highlighted entry down
Change the Name of an Entry in Outline View

1. Choose View > Outline.
2. In Build mode, click the entry you want to change.
3. Choose Edit > Selected Item. The Define ProcessBook Entry dialog appears.
4. In the Label box, type a new name.
5. Click OK.
Change the Level of an Entry in Outline View

1. Choose View > Outline.
2. In Build mode, click the entry you want to change.
3. Choose Edit > Selected Item. The Define ProcessBook Entry dialog appears.
4. In the Level list, click the level at which you want to reposition the entry in the
ProcessBook hierarchy of entries.
-or-
5. Click OK.

Copy and Paste an Entry
1. Click on the Build Mode pointer and select the entry.

2. Click the Copy button. This copies the selection to the clipboard.
3. If it is not already open, open the ProcessBook where you want to paste the entry.
4. Click the Paste button. This copies the contents of the clipboard to your ProcessBook. A
copy of the original entry is created, not a link to the original.
Note: If you highlight an entry first, the new entry is placed above the highlighted entry.
Remove an Entry
1. In Build mode, select an entry title in either Book View or Outline View.
2. Press the DELETE key. The entry is removed from the ProcessBook.
Note: If you accidentally delete the wrong entry choose Edit > Undo.
Save a View of Your Displays
If you frequently work with several specific displays in a ProcessBook, open the displays and
arrange them in the workspace as you would like them. Save the ProcessBook. When you
reopen the displays, they will be in the same position as when you closed them.
Save and Close a ProcessBook
After creating a ProcessBook, it is a good idea to name the file and save it immediately. It is
also important to save a ProcessBook periodically while you are working in it.
When you save a ProcessBook, all changes to all entries and to the organizational structure
are stored permanently. The ProcessBook remains open in your workspace so you can
continue working.
1. To save a ProcessBook for the first time, choose File > Save or Save As. The Save As
dialog appears.
2. Type a name for the ProcessBook file. A .piw extension is automatically added.
3. Select the drive and directory where you want to save it.
4. Click OK.
46
Properties
Properties
Summary Information in ProcessBook
Choose File > Properties to display the Summary Information dialog for a file. The
Summary Information dialog you see is the same for the ProcessBook as a whole or for the
individual displays.
Summary Information dialog
The following table describes the fields in the Summary Information dialog:
Field Name Description
Author Extracted from the Author field on the Start tab in the ProcessBook
Preferences dialog at the time the ProcessBook is first saved.
Note: You can change the Author field in either

the Summary Information dialog or the
ProcessBook Preferences dialog.
Title Name of the ProcessBook (extracted from the original creation of the
ProcessBook).
Subject May be used to explain the title more fully.
Keywords May be added at any time. There will soon be search capabilities
associated with keywords.
Comments May be used for any text entry. You can revise this field at any time.
Properties button Clicking the Properties button displays the PI ProcessBook Properties
(page 48) dialog, which gives information about the view currently in the
active window.

PI ProcessBook File Properties
1. Choose File > Properties to display the Summary Information (page 47) dialog.
2. Click the Properties button. The PI ProcessBook Properties dialog appears.
Note: If you click the Properties button while an display is open, you launch the Display
Properties dialog.
The following table describes the fields in the PI ProcessBook Properties dialog:
Title Extracted from the Summary Information dialog.
Created Original date and time the ProcessBook was saved.
Note: If the ProcessBook file is moved to another

machine, the original date and time will be preserved,
however Windows Explorer will show the date and
time the file arrived on the present machine.
Created By Extracted from the Author field on the Start tab in the ProcessBook
Preferences dialog box. Shows the original author, unless the author’s
name has been modified in the Summary Information dialog.
Last Saved Most recent revision date and time.
Last Saved By Name of the person who saved the ProcessBook most recently. (Extracted
from the Author field on the Start tab in the ProcessBook Preferences
dialog.) If this field is blank, the PC login name of the author is used. This is
useful for tracking who made which revisions.
Revision Number of times the ProcessBook has been revised and saved.
Displays Total number of entries in the ProcessBook.
System Commands Total number of operating system command entries in the ProcessBook.
48
Properties
Modify a ProcessBook Title

You can change the name of a ProcessBook at any time.
1. In either Build Mode or Run Mode, choose File > Properties.
2. The Summary Information (page 47) dialog appears.
3. In the Title box, type a new title.
Note: The ProcessBook title is different from the file name established in the New
dialog when you created the new ProcessBook. The title bar on the
ProcessBook window displays the file name, which ends in .piw, rather than
the title.
4. Click OK.
PI ProcessBook Display Properties
1. With a display window selected, choose File > Properties to display the Summary
Information (page 47) dialog.
2. Click the Properties button. The Display Properties dialog appears.
The following table describes the fields in the Display Properties dialog:
Title Extracted from the Summary Information dialog.
Created Original date and time the ProcessBook was saved.
Note: If the ProcessBook file is moved to another

machine, the original date and time will be preserved,
however Windows Explorer will show the date and
time the file arrived on the present machine.

Created By Extracted from the Author field on the Start tab in the ProcessBook
Preferences dialog box. Shows the original author, unless the author’s
name has been modified in the Summary Information dialog.
Last Saved Most recent revision date and time.
Last Saved By Name of the person who saved the ProcessBook most recently. (Extracted
from the Author field on the Start tab in the ProcessBook Preferences
dialog.) If this field is blank, the PC login name of the author is used. This is
useful for tracking who made which revisions.
Revision Number of times the ProcessBook has been revised and saved.
Total Symbols Total number of symbols in the display.
Tags Total number of unique PI Points used in the display.
Dynamic Symbols The number of display symbols that are dynamic symbols.
Static Symbols The number of display symbols that are static symbols.
Servers Required The number of different PI Servers referenced in the display.
Import Files to a ProcessBook

1. To import PIDisDiff or PI-Graphics files into a ProcessBook, start PI ProcessBook.
2. Open a ProcessBook (page 34) into which you want to import the files or create a new
ProcessBook.
3. In Build mode, click File > Import.
The Import Files dialog appears.
4. Select the file type.
5. Select the drive and directory where the file resides, or
Type the path and file name in the File Name box. You can select more than one file at a
time.
6. Click the Open button.
The status bar displays each file as it is imported. When completed, a message displays
the number of files successfully imported. If errors occurred during the import process, a
message box is displayed at the end of the import process showing the number of errors.
You can check the message log from the Status Report icon at the bottom of your
display.
Note: Depending on the size, some files may take several minutes to import.
50
File Sharing Capability
When a trend is successfully imported, a new Text display showing the full file name is
added to the ProcessBook. Each trend is added as a subordinate display and retains its
original trend name. For graphics, the VAX display name becomes the Display name. Once
converted, graphics and trends can be edited like any other display.
File Sharing Capability

Several users may access the same ProcessBook file at the same time. However, if one person
makes changes to a particular display entry and saves the changes, then other users are
blocked from saving changes in that display. This protects against accidental overwrites.
If a user has already changed a display, the second user who wishes to make changes to the
display receives an error message explaining that someone else has already edited and saved
the display. The second user then has two options:
Save the changes under a different ProcessBook name, thus creating two ProcessBooks,
-or-
Close the ProcessBook and reopen it so that the new version of the display is shown.
Then make changes and save again.
Open the Summary Information (page 47) dialog to view the name of the person who has
made changes and saved the file most recently.
Move a ProcessBook to Another PC

If you decide to move a ProcessBook to another PC, you may experience some differences in
display entry appearance on the new PC:
When the number of colors is different between the original PC and new PC, PI
ProcessBook uses the closest color when drawing an entry. This is true for any graphics
you may have included in an entry.
If an entry calls for a font that is not available on the new PC, PI ProcessBook substitutes
a similar font.
If a ProcessBook includes links to other entries, ProcessBooks, or applications, PI
ProcessBook may not be able to locate them if the path on the new PC is not the same as
the old one.
Node names (for PI Servers) must be identical.
Different monitors have different resolutions, which may distort the appearance of an
existing ProcessBook.
PI ProcessBook records both the absolute and relative paths for Linked displays and Linked
ProcessBooks. This means you can copy ProcessBooks to new directories without breaking
links as long as either all the linked files are placed in a similar directory tree or all the drive,
directory, and file names remain the same.

Chapter 4
Work with a Display

PI ProcessBook provides tools for manipulating and analyzing the information shown in a
display. For example, you can:
Display the point attributes of a tag
Change the time range that is used for values, bars, trends, and Multi-State symbols
Use a Trend Cursor to see the value of plotted tags at a specific point in time
Create an instant trend
Overview of Display Elements

Displays contain a variety of individual items, including static elements, buttons, OLE
objects, and dynamic elements.
Static Symbols
Static symbols are symbols that do not automatically change as time passes, such as a process
diagram or descriptive text.
Static symbols include all items in a display that do not connect to the PI Server or other
application to retrieve data, and do not start any application. Text labels and flow lines are
examples of static symbols. Other types include rectangles, circles, arcs, and images.
Dynamic Symbols
Dynamic symbols are values, bars, trends, XYPlots, and Multi-State Symbols (such as a
pump) that change over time, that are based on the value of a tag in the PI Archive. If you
wish to see how a dynamic symbol was defined, select it and click the Item Definition button
on the Drawing toolbar.
Dynamic symbols may also report data from outside databases through queries.
If you rest your mouse on a value, bar, or Multi-State Symbol, you can see a ToolTip with the
current value, tag name, and time stamp.
Icons for questionable, substituted, and annotated PI data can also appear on your displays.
Most point types can be used with any dynamic symbol. There are some restrictions on string
and timestamp data. PI ProcessBook handles a full range of PI Server data types, as shown in
this table:

Work with a Display
Point Type How It Is Used PB Support

Digital Used for points whose value can only be one of As currently supported
several discrete states, such as ON/OFF or
Red/Green/Yellow. Nearest equivalent to the PI
2.x Digital type.
Int16 PI ProcessBook supports these as integers. As Integers are currently
Used for points whose values are 15-bit supported
unsigned integers (0 to 32767). Nearest
equivalent to the PI 2.x Integer type.
Int32 Negative integer values are supported. Used Support negative Integer
for points whose values are 32-bit signed values
integers (- 2147450880 to 2147483647). PI
reserves some values.
Float16 Used for floating point values, scaled. The As Floats are currently
accuracy is one part in 32767. Nearest supported
equivalent to the PI 2.x Real type.
Float32 Used for single-precision floating- point values, As Floats are currently
not scaled. supported
Float64 Used for double-precision floating- point As Floats are currently
values, not scaled. supported
String Each string event represents an ad- hoc state Each string event
in a series. Used to store string data of up to represents an ad-hoc state
976 characters. in a series; not supported
on logarithmic traces,
multi-states, or bar
symbols.
Blob Binary large object – Used to store any type of Not supported
binary data up to 976 bytes.
Timestamp Plotted as seconds over a given range. Not Plotted as seconds over a
supported for logarithmic traces. Used to store given range. Not supported
values of type Timestamp. Any Time/Date in for logarithmic traces,
the Range 1-jan-1970 to 1-Jan-2038 multi-states, or bar
symbols.
Buttons
Buttons are elements that create a link to other applications, such as a calculator or word
processor, or other ProcessBooks or displays. You can also use buttons to execute a script.
For example, if you find you work in a particular display and frequently need to update a
report with the information you are monitoring, you can add a button that automatically opens
a spreadsheet program. You also can use a button to connect to frequently used displays,
other ProcessBooks, or Web sites.
OLE Objects
OLE objects include information from outside applications, such as text, spreadsheets, or
graphics. This information may be configured to update dynamically. OLE objects may be
either linked (page 176) or embedded (page 175) into displays.
54
Manage Displays and Independent Display Files
Open a Display
Use any of these procedures to open a display from either Book View (page 41) or Outline
View (page 44) of a ProcessBook:
Click on the display title, then on the New button to open the selected display in a new
window.
Click on the display title, then on the Open button to open the display into the last
display window you used. If none are open, a display window opens.
With the Run Mode pointer, double-click the display. The display opens and appears
within an existing window, if possible.
Click and drag the display title to an unused area in the application workspace and release
the mouse. This opens a new display in addition to already opened displays. If you drag
the display on top of an open display, it closes that display while opening the dragged
display.
To use the keyboard instead of the mouse, use CTRL+F6, to select the ProcessBook, then
use the up or down arrow keys to select the display title. Press Enter. If you have more
than one display open, it replaces the open display with the new display. Pressing
CTRL+N is the same as clicking the New button.
If the display is a Display, Linked Display, or Linked ProcessBook, the display is opened and
the contents are displayed on your workspace. If the display is an Operating System
Command, the command is executed or the application is started.
Note: If you click on an Operating System Command more than once in the same
session, it may run the application repeatedly. This depends on the application
and how it has been set up.
Displays re-open in the same position, size, and shape as when they were last saved.
Open Several Displays at One Time

In addition to the procedures for opening a display, you can also open multiple displays
simultaneously. Press SHIFT while highlighting the displays you want to open in Outline
view. Click the New button at the bottom of the list of displays. Each display or linked
display is opened in your workspace.
Manage Multiple Open Displays

Just as you can work with multiple ProcessBooks, you can have multiple displays open in the
work area.
To make a display active, click in the display window or press CTRL+F6 to toggle between
open displays.
To improve viewing when there are multiple open displays, choose:

Work with a Display
Window > Cascade—The titles of all open displays and ProcessBooks appear in a
cascaded list down the screen.
Window > Tile—All open displays and ProcessBooks appear in a tiled view.
Window > <display title>—The selected display is active.
Open Independent Display Files

Independent Display Files use a .pdi extension in the file name.
When you double-click on a display file in Windows Explorer, a copy of the PI ProcessBook
application installed on your PC opens, just as it would if you double-clicked on a .piw file.
The independent display appears inside the application.
Browse a Display from Internet Explorer
You can select a .pdi file and look at it in Internet Explorer. PI ProcessBook menus and
toolbars appear in the Internet Explorer window. This is similar to embedding a display in
Excel, except that the display becomes the entire Internet Explorer document.
The display is updated as it would be within a PI ProcessBook.
Zoom Display Size
Use the Zoom command to change the size of the drawing within a display window.
1. Choose View > Zoom . The Zoom dialog appears.

2. Click a percentage, or
Type a number in the Custom text box to enlarge or reduce the drawing. The Custom
text box displays the current Scale Factor. Typing a number greater than the current
Scale Factor enlarges the drawing; typing a number less than the current Scale Factor
reduces it.
3. Select Fit all symbols to resize all the symbols in a display to fit within the window.
If you want only specific symbols to fit within the display window, select the symbols,
and then select Fit Selected Symbols. The items in the display resize and take up the
entire window. OLE objects are not included.
4. Click OK to accept your changes.
Note: There is also a zoom level combo box on the Standard toolbar . Use
this to enter or select a scale factor, or choose Fit All.
To resize the window to fill the monitor, click the Maximize button in the upper right
hand corner of your display window. When you maximize a display, all open windows
are maximized. You can also drag the edge or corner of the window to the desired size.
To minimize the display again, click the Minimize button in the upper right hand corner
of your display window.
56
Note: If you have your Preference setting for Preserve Aspect Ratio check box
selected, the contents of the display resize as you resize the window. If this option
is not enabled, the size of each element in the display does not change as you
change the window size.
Full Screen Mode
1. Click the Full Screen button on the Full Screen toolbar . Other toolbars vanish and
the display enlarges to fit the screen.
2. Click the Full Screen button again to restore your toolbars. A default keyboard shortcut
of F11 also toggles between Full Screen and Normal presentations.
Note: You can customize the Full Screen toolbar to contain other buttons to use with a
Full Screen display.
Search for a Display
1. Open the ProcessBooks (page 34) you want to search.

2. Choose Tools > Display Search & Run. The Display Search dialog appears.
3. In the Name box, type one or more of the letters of the display name.
4. In the Look in drop-down list, click the location you want to search.
-or-
In the drop-down list, click Browse, and then locate the appropriate folder.
5. Select the Look in subfolders check box (optional).
6. Click the Search button.
7. The search results are displayed under Results.
8. Under Filename, click the display you want to open and then click OK.

Work with a Display
Reduce a Display to an Icon to Save Space
If you find your work area cluttered with many open displays, you can reduce a display to an
icon by clicking its Minimize button. Even though the display is minimized, it continues to
be updated with information from the PI Server, however the results are not shown until the
window is restored. When you want to use the display, double-click the icon.
Save a Display
A display may be saved within a ProcessBook or as an independent file (.pdi).

1. Choose File > Save or Save As.
2. From the Save as type drop-down box, select one of the following six formats. The
default is .pdi:
• .pdi—Display file. If you select this format your display becomes an independent
file that updates under certain circumstances and that can be browsed via Internet
Explorer.
• .svg—SVG file for Web use. If you select this format it becomes the default file
type when saving files later. PI ProcessBook 3.0 or higher only supports version 3.0
or higher of the SVG add-in. See the SVG add-in release notes for more information.
The last four file types are graphics formats and do not update. If you choose one of the
graphic formats, the display in focus is unchanged by the Save-As operation. The display
is left open and remains in the same mode (Run or Build).
• .jpg—JPG-JPEG-JFIF compliant
• .bmp—32-bit Bitmap
• .wmf—Windows Metafile
• .png—CompuServe Portable Network Graphics
Display Settings
Choose Edit > Display, or
58
Double-click the Time Zone setting in the Status bar. The Display Settings dialog appears.
Background Color—The color applied to the area of the display where there are no symbols.
This field uses a color well control to provide color choices. The color selected in this field
also becomes the default background color for new displays.
Time Zone—This field determines whether the local computer or PI Server time zone is used
for interpreting dates and times.
Connectors—The Enable Connector Attachments check box allows a symbol dragged and
dropped on a Connector symbol to be attached to that Connector. Clearing the check box
disables this functionality for the Display. Note that even if this feature is disabled for the
Display, the you can still use the Connectors dialog to attach Symbols to Connectors.
OK—Clicking this button accepts the changes made and closes the dialog box. These settings
are saved as part of the Display object.
Display Scrolling Properties
Run mode scrolling—Determines the scroll bar behavior of display windows in Run mode.

Work with a Display
Build mode scrolling—Determines the scroll bar behavior of display windows in Build
mode.
On Display contains scroll bars all the time.
Off Scroll bars never appear.
Automatic Scroll bars appear when needed (this is the default setting for new displays).
Drawing Area
The drawing area of a display is actually much larger than your monitor. There are scroll bars
on the display window for moving around this area.
You should plan to set a few options before you begin drawing:
Consider turning on grid snap and setting the grid size, font style, and default colors of
lines, backgrounds, and fills before you begin. It is usually easier to work with a grid
when laying out a display. Symbols in your drawing automatically align themselves with
the grid lines or the intersections of grid lines. Grid lines not only make it easier to place
objects in the drawing, but it helps keep the objects proportional. You can start with one
grid size and then modify it as your work gets more detailed.
Select a font and font size for any values, trends, or text boxes you might add to the
drawing.
Select colors for lines, fills, and backgrounds that are easy on the eyes.
While you are drawing, you can use the zoom feature to zoom in on an area that requires
more attention. Zoom out if the drawing is larger than your monitor.
Tags
A tag, which may also be called a point, is any measurement or calculation that is received or
generated periodically. It can consist of transmitter readings, manual inputs, status, or control
limits.
There are three types of tag searches you can perform: Basic, Advanced, and Alias. Searches
can be defined and then saved for future use.
Click the Tag Search button to open the Tag Search dialog (page 61).
For more information on tags click the Help button from any Tag Search dialog in PI
ProcessBook, or
open the PISDKToolsUsr.chm Help file, typically located here:
C:\Program Files\PIPC\HELP
Either action launches the PI SDK Controls and Dialogs user help.
60
Display Point Attributes
Tag Search Dialog
The Tag Search dialog is used to locate tags (page 60) (a name of a point that is a
measurement or calculation received or generated periodically). The Tag Search dialog box
contains three tabs (Basic Search, Advanced Search, and Alias Search).
On the standard toolbar, click the Tag Search button ,

-or-
Click the Tag Search button in any of the following dialog boxes:
Define Value
Define Bar
Define XYPlot
Multi-State Symbol
Define Trend
For more information on tags click the Help button from any Tag Search dialog in PI
ProcessBook to launch the PI SDK Controls and Dialogs user help.
Display Point Attributes

The configuration information for a point (page 60) is stored as a list of attributes. You can
display this list of properties for any dynamic symbol.
The Point Properties dialog displays the attributes and snapshot values of PI Points. You
may also see properties of dynamic symbols in Build mode through the right-click menu.
1. Using either the Run Mode or Build Mode pointer, click the dynamic symbol.
2. On the standard toolbar, click the Tag Properties button , or

Click the Pt. Attr. (Point Attributes) button if you are in the Tag Search dialog.
The Point Properties dialog appears.
The tag for which the properties are displayed is shown in the Point Name drop-down list at
the top of the dialog box. If a trend has several tags, select each tag from the drop-down list
or use the up and down arrows on your keyboard to scroll through the tags.
The Point Properties dialog contains the Categorized tab and the Alphabetic tab.
The Categorized tab displays the attributes categorically. The following categories are
always displayed:
• Archive
• Classic
• Display
• Overview
• Security
• System

Work with a Display
These categories include all the attributes from the Base PointClass. The Base PointClass
attributes are common to all PI Points. If the PI Point that is being displayed is not from the
Base PointClass, there is one additional category. This category is given the name of the
PointClass to which the displayed PI Point belongs. The PointClass-specific attributes are
displayed in this category.
The Alphabetic tab displays the attributes alphabetically.
Drawing Tools
PI ProcessBook includes a drawing environment with features that allow you to create
symbols and graphics within an entry.
You can use the drawing tools to:
Create ellipses, polygons, rectangles, arcs, lines, and polylines
Add dynamic elements such as values, bars, trends, buttons, and graphic files
Add ActiveX controls
The Drawing toolbar contains a set of buttons used for creating drawings and the Draw
menu contains the corresponding commands.
To use the drawing tools, click the appropriate button.
When you draw a line or other shape, the tool uses the current formatting attribute (page 63)
preferences.
Each of these objects is considered a symbol by PI ProcessBook. In Build mode, when you
select a symbol by clicking it with your mouse, you see small squares around the bounding
rectangle of the symbol. These are called selection handles and allow you to resize the
symbol. For arcs, polygons, and polylines, there are also reshaping handles at the intersection
of the line segments.
Each symbol has a name, reflecting the order in which it was added to the display, such as
Rectangle1, Rectangle2, etc.
In Build mode (or VBA Design mode), an identifying ToolTip (page 68) appears whenever
your mouse hovers over a symbol.
Note: If you are drawing multiple objects, press the CTRL key while selecting the
drawing tool. This lets you continue to work with that tool until you select a
different tool.
Organizing Symbols
PI ProcessBook provides several tools to help you organize your drawings. These tools
include a drawing grid, flip and rotate capabilities, and the ability to change the order in
which objects overlap each other. You can move and resize drawing objects. You can also
divide a display into layers so that you can segregate various elements. For example, you
might separate HVAC elements from Electrical elements in a display.
62
Formatting
Any of these functions can be performed on a single screen element or group of them. For
information on grouping objects, see Grouping Symbols (page 141).
Make sure you have selected the item or items with the Build Mode pointer.
OLE objects behave somewhat differently; their behavior is discussed under Commands that
Ignore OLE Objects (page 178).
Drawing Grid
The grid is a system of vertical and horizontal lines spaced at regular intervals on the drawing
area. Dots are placed at the intersection of the grid lines. The grid helps you align drawing
objects.
When you move an object to a location on the drawing area, the corners or edges of the object
are aligned with the closest grid intersection. This is called snap-to-grid or grid snap. When
you turn off grid snap, you can move an object to any location within the drawing area.
You determine the interval at which you want the grid lines to be spaced by setting the grid
size.
Set Grid Size and Grid Snap

1. In Build mode, open a display.
2. On the Arrange menu, click Grid Size.
3. The Grid Size dialog appears.
4. In the Lines per Screen Unit box, type or select the number of grid lines per unit of
drawing space.
Note: The size of a unit as displayed on your monitor varies according to the
monitor's resolution and driver software.
5. Select the Snap to Grid check box. Once grid snap is on, any symbols you draw are
automatically aligned to the grid.
Note: The Snap to Grid command also appears on the Arrange menu.
6. Click OK.
Formatting
Each symbol you draw and place on a display has attributes that determine how the symbol
looks. The fill and line attributes that are currently selected on the Display Window (page
21) tab of the ProcessBook Preference dialog are applied to any new drawing symbol. You
may configure these attributes for individual symbols or for all selected symbols as a group.

Work with a Display
New in version 3.1, the Symbol Formatting toolbar contains buttons for formatting fonts,
colors, and line styles. PI ProcessBook also includes the older Formatting toolbar to support
backwards compatibility
Editable Formatting Attributes

The following table shows the editable attributes for each symbol.
Colors Line Styles
Line Fill Background Style Weight Ends
Line X X X X
Rectangle X X X X
Text X X
Ellipse X X X X
Arc X X X X
Value X X
Polygon X X X X
Polyline X X X
Bar X X X X
Trend X X X X
Font
To determine what type of formatting is applicable for each symbol, refer to the table of
editable formatting attributes.
1. In Build mode, open a display, and click the symbol(s) whose font you want to change.
2. On the Symbol Formatting toolbar, click a name in the Font box.
Note: When choosing fonts, plan to use fonts that other PI ProcessBook users are
likely to have. If another user does not have the fonts you used, PI
ProcessBook attempts to match the font to an existing font. However, the
match may make it difficult for another user to read the entry.
3. Type or click a point size in the Font Size box.
64
Formatting
Line Color
1. In Build mode, open a display, and click the symbol(s) whose line color you want to
change.
2. On the Symbol Formatting toolbar, click the Line Color button .

Depending on the symbol type, the following elements change to the color displayed on
the button.
• Symbols that display text use the line color to determine the color of the text within
the symbol
• Symbols that have lines (such as ellipses) use the line color to change lines in the
symbol
3. Click the arrow on the right side of the Line Color button to display the color palette.
Choose from the 16 colors available or click on one of these two buttons:
• Custom Color—Launches the Color dialog where you can choose additional colors
from a color well of options
• None—Disables line color. Setting the line color to None for Pen elements on a trend
hides the trace and its associated markers
Fill Color
1. In Build mode, open a display, and click the symbol(s) whose fill color you want to
change.
2. On the Symbol Formatting toolbar, click the Fill Color button . The interior color
of the selected symbol(s) changes.
Note: The Fill Color button is disabled if the selected symbol has no interior.
3. Click the arrow on the right side of the Fill Color button to display the color palette.
Choose from the 16 colors available or click on one of these two buttons:
• None—Disables fill color. Setting the fill color to None shows the display
background color.

Work with a Display
Background Color
1. In Build mode, open a display, and click the symbol(s) whose background color you
want to change.
2. On the Symbol Formatting toolbar, click the Background Color button . The
background of the selected symbol changes.
Note: The Background Color button is disabled if the selected symbol has no
background.
3. Click the arrow on the right side of the Background Color button to display the color
palette. Choose from the 16 colors available or click on one of these two buttons:
• None—Disables background color. Setting the background color to None shows the
display background color.
Line Weight
1. In Build mode, open a display, and click the symbol(s) whose line weight you want to
change.
2. On the Symbol Formatting toolbar, click the Line Weight button . A list of six line
weight options appears below the button.
3. Select a line weight. The thickness of the selected symbol's line weight changes.
Line Style
1. In Build mode, open a display, and click the symbol(s) whose line style you want to
change.
2. On the Symbol Formatting toolbar, click the Line Style button . A list of six line
style options appears below the button. Options include solid, dash, dot, dash-dot, dash-
dot-dot, and none. Selecting None for a trend Pen element hides the trace line, but not the
marker.
3. Select a line option. The symbol's line pattern changes.
66
Formatting
Line Ends
1. In Build mode, open a display, and click the symbol(s) whose line ends you want to
change.
2. On the Symbol Formatting toolbar, click the Line Ends button . A list of four line
ends options appears below the button. These options determine whether arrows appear at
the end of lines.
3. Select a line ends option. The selected symbol's line pattern changes.
Formatting Paintbrush
1. In Build mode, open a display, and click the symbol(s) whose font, color, or line
formatting you want to replicate.
2. On the Symbol Formatting toolbar, click the Formatting Paintbrush button .
Note: Double clicking the Formatting Paintbrush button allows you to apply
formatting to more than one symbol. To turn off the Formatting Paintbrush
selection, click the button again or press ESC.
3. Click another symbol. The formatting of the first symbol is copied to the selected
symbol(s).

Work with a Display
ToolTip Statistics
In Run mode, hover your mouse over a point on a dynamic symbol to display a ToolTip with
summary statistics. Engineering units are shown next to the value followed by the timestamp
paired with the value. If you hover your mouse over a point where there is more than one
trace, each trace's data is shown on a separate line.
Choose Tools > ToolTip Statistics to launch the ToolTip Statistics dialog, where you can
select what type of data you want to see when viewing ToolTips.
Layers within Displays

You can divide a display into layers containing one or more symbols. This feature could be
useful in building a complex display with several systems depicted (electrical, HVAC, etc.).
If you separate systems by layer, you can view any one of the layers by making the other
layers invisible.
A layer can be Visible or Invisible in Run mode. Layers are always Visible in Build
mode.
You can move symbols between layers or remove them from a layer.
Add, make visible, restack, and lock layers while ProcessBook is in either Run mode or
Build mode. Delete layers only when ProcessBook is in Build mode.
68
Create Layers
1. Open a display.
2. Click the Layers toolbar button , or

Double-click the Layers icon in the Status Bar, or
Choose View > Layers. The Layers dialog appears.
3. Click the New Layer button to open the New Layer dialog.
A default name comprised of the word Layer prefixed to the layer number appears. The
layer number does not necessarily match the index number; it is simply the next unused
integer in the list.
A new layer is added to the end of the collection. Its index is one higher than the previous
high index number. All symbols added to this layer are displayed over symbols on lower
indexed layers.
4. Click OK to return to the Layers dialog.

Work with a Display
• Index—specifies the index number of the layer. The index is used in determining the
display order (Z Order) of overlapping symbols. A layer with a lower index number
is lower in the stack than one with a higher number. Higher layers may obscure
symbols in lower levels.
• Count—this is a read-only value that contains the number of symbols on a layer. A
composite symbol is counted once and each of its subordinate individual symbols is
also counted.
• Up/down arrows—buttons at the right side of the dialog box are used to move the
relative position of one layer to another within a display. As a layer is moved down
the list, its index number becomes larger, and vice versa. Symbols on layers with
higher index numbers may hide or cover symbols with lower-index numbers. Locked
layers cannot be reordered.
5. Select the appropriate check boxes:
• Visible—makes the elements in the layer visible in Run mode. New layers are
visible by default.
• Active—accepts all new symbols as you add them to the display. Inactive prevents
symbols from being added automatically. New layers are Active by default.
• Locked—prevents you from adding symbols to a layer. Existing symbols on locked
layers cannot be cut, copied, pasted, deleted, or moved. New layers are not locked by
default.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 as needed. Click OK to accept changes and close the Layers dialog.
Assign Symbols to Layers
If you have at least one layer in a display, you can assign symbols to it.
1. Select a symbol, right-click, and select Assign Layers.
The Assign Layers dialog appears and displays all of your existing layers.
70
2. Select or clear the checkbox next to a layer name to add or remove the selected symbol
from a layer. If a layer name is grayed out, the layer is locked and you cannot add or
remove symbols. You may add the same symbol to more than one layer.
3. Click OK.
Layers and Composite Symbols
To link symbols and create composite symbols choose Arrange > Group, or click the
Group button on the Layout toolbar. The symbols may be on different layers when they
are grouped.
Assign a composite symbol to any layer(s) regardless of its component symbols.
You can not group symbols on locked layers into a composite symbol, but the layers may
be locked after the symbols are grouped.
You can not delete a composite symbol that contains symbols on locked layers, however,
you can delete an unlocked layer.
Normally, a symbol existing only on one layer is deleted if the layer is deleted, but when
the symbol is inside a composite symbol it is not deleted. It stays in the composite
symbol.
If a composite symbol is hidden, all its parts are hidden. If the composite symbol is
visible its individual parts may still be hidden if the layers they are assigned to are
hidden.
Since you can not individually select the parts of a composite symbol you must first use
the Ungroup button to separate them in order to change their layer assignments
individually.
Active Layers Status Bar
The Layers icon on the Status Bar shows whether or not the display has more than one layer.
This icon appears in the status bar at the bottom of your application, indicating one or more
layers in the display currently in focus. Double-clicking the icon displays the Layers dialog.
If no layers have been defined, the icon appears with a slash through it.
Hovering the mouse over the icon displays a tooltip with the names of any active layers,
beginning with the top layer.
Active Layers Status Bar Area (with tool tip)

Work with a Display
Module-relative Displays
Module Context Add-in
The Module Context Display PI ProcessBook add-in is designed to give you a way to create
dynamic symbols in a display for a general structure, and then to apply data to the display
symbols using different instances of the structure. For example, you can use the same
dynamic symbol, such as a trend, and scroll through the Available Modules window to
display that trend with different data points representing the selected item in the Available
Modules window.
The add-in gives PI ProcessBook access to the PI SDK Module Database, taking advantage
of its contents as well as its structure.
The Module Context Add-in:
Allows you to use aliases as a data source for dynamic symbols so that a tag can be
changed without redefining a symbol that uses it indirectly through its alias.
Allows you to use properties in dynamic symbols to show user-defined supplementary
information.
Allows you at run-time to switch among different PI SDK Module Database Nodes using
the existing display symbols.
The PI SDK Module Database organization is similar to a file directory structure. Each node
(which is like a directory) is called a Module, and can contain:
Properties, which are variables containing any kind of data (including arrays, and
collections of more properties)
Aliases (like variables for a tag name)
Modules (sub-modules, like sub-directories in a file directory)
Properties and aliases in the Module Database are time-dependent. See the PI SDK
Online Help for more information on the Module Database.
Features
The Module Context Add-in supports the following features:
Use of Module Database Aliases in dynamic symbols.
Use of Module Database String and Numeric PI Properties in dynamic symbols.
A user option at design time (Select Available Modules dialog) to choose Contexts to
make available at run time. Contexts are saved with the display or independent display,
not with a ProcessBook or the application.
A Configuration Dialog (Select Items dialog) for assigning these Aliases and Properties
to dynamic symbols in ProcessBook.
Use of Current Context String in dynamic symbols. This provides a mechanism to show
the currently selected context in a display.
A way to change the context at run-time (Available Modules Window).
Programmatic access to the Available Context values.
72
Use Module Context Add-in
When the Module Context Add-in is loaded in ProcessBook a Module Context menu item is
added to the Tools menu. This menu item provides one submenu option, Add Module.
Available modules for the current display are also listed in a docked window at the left of the
display.
Note: When you change focus from a display to a table of contents window, there are no
available modules listed.
Module Context Selection

Before a Module Context is associated with a symbol, you must choose which Module
Database Modules will be available to select as a Context during run time. The chosen
modules should have a common structure and items so that the display can obtain symbol
data for any run-time Context you select. For example, if you have three pumps described as
Modules in the Module Database with similar Aliases and Properties, they would be good
candidates for context.
Choose Tools > Module Context > Add Module to see the Select Available Modules
dialog, which is used to establish the available contexts for the active display.
This dialog contains two parts:

The PI Module Database Tree—Use the arrow keys to select nodes to use as contexts.
All known PI 3 Servers are available; modules can be selected from multiple Module
databases.
The Selected Modules list—shows all the selected contexts. During run-time you can
select any of these to use as a context.

Work with a Display
At least one module must be selected using the Select Available Modules dialog before a
dynamic symbol can be configured to use a module alias or property. More modules may be
added later.
Unresolved contexts display as NO DATA. An unresolved context occurs when a dynamic
symbol is configured to show a property and the active context doesn't have the property. For
example, suppose you select Module1 and Module2 as the available contexts. Module1
contains PropertyA and Module2 contains PropertyB. A dynamic symbol is
configured to display PropertyB. If Module1 is the current context, NO DATA appears in
the dynamic symbol.
Add Properties and Aliases

After you have selected the modules to be available to a display you are ready to build a
dynamic symbol with specific module-related properties and aliases.
The Select Items dialog allows you to assign aliases and numeric and string properties to the
dynamic symbol (other properties are either not shown at all, or marked as unsupported types
with a different icon). These aliases and properties are attached to the specific module shown
highlighted in the Available Modules Window.
1. In the Tag Search (page 60) dialog, click the down arrow next to the Tag Search button
and select ModuleContext. The Select Items dialog appears.
74
• Items from Current Module—Only aliases and properties contained in the

currently selected module can be selected to appear in the dynamic symbol. You
cannot add modules in this dialog.
• Selected Items list—A path is shown in this list when a module has been opened in
the Items from Selected Contexts tree and a property or alias from the expanded
module has been selected.
2. Highlight each desired alias and property in the Items from Current Module tree and
click the arrow button or drag the item to the Selected Items list. You can repeat the
process for other modules if there are different aliases or properties to be included. A NO
DATA message appears if assigned aliases or properties are not present in a particular
module.
Note: Click the Add Modules button to open the Select Available Modules (page
73) dialog.
3. To display the current module context in the dynamic symbol, click the Current Context
check box above the Selected Items list.
4. Click OK.
Change the Run-time Module (context)

After you have identified modules, properties, and aliases for a display, you can switch from
one module to another by highlighting its name in the Available Modules window.
In Run mode, from the Available Modules Window, click a different module to highlight it.
The associated symbols in the display show the data from the property or alias based on the
newly selected module.
Available Modules Window

The Available Modules window appears when your display includes a dynamic symbol
(trend, value, etc.) associated with the PI Module Database. It allows you to shift from one
module or context to another as the source of the dynamic data in your display. The current
module being used is highlighted in the Available Modules window. Click another module
to change the context. Your display reflects different data in the dynamic symbols configured
to use module context.
If a dynamic symbol’s configuration contains an alias or property not supported by the
selected context, NO DATA is displayed for that symbol.
The label at the bottom of the Available Modules list provides the path in the module
database for the currently selected module.
Note: When you shift focus from a display to a table of contents window, there are no
available modules listed. If you select a different display window, the list of
available modules is likely to be different.

Work with a Display
Migrate Displays to Another PI Server

When you want to use an existing tag with a different PI Server, PI ProcessBook attempts to
locate the correct tags. Each ProcessBook saves the tag information for all of the symbols it
contains. Beginning with PI SDK 1.3.6, when you use a ProcessBook symbol with a PI
Server other than the one for which it was created, the PI Server is added automatically if it is
discoverable on the network.
If the PI Server is not discoverable, then PI ProcessBook prompts you to select a new PI
Server. Once the new PI Server is selected, PI ProcessBook searches the database for a
matching tag ID.
If a match is found, PI ProcessBook retrieves the tag name associated with the tag ID and
compares the tag name with the saved tag name.
If the tag names are the same, the value is shown in the entry.
If the tag names are different, PI ProcessBook searches the database for the tag ID of the
saved tag name. If a match is found, the value is shown in the entry.
If a match is not found, PI ProcessBook uses the tag ID saved with the ProcessBook
regardless of the different tag names.
If no tag ID or tag name is found in the database, PI ProcessBook displays a message
informing you of the missing tag.
You can change this behavior by setting the PB2TagResolution value in the procbook.ini file
[Data Manager] section to 0. When PB2TagResolution=0, the Point ID is used to match a
missing tab before the stored Point name.
76
Chapter 5
Trends
A trend is a type of dynamic element that lets you plot values against time. Use trends to
show the value of one or more tags over a time period. You may also use trends to show the
results of a data set query or to combine data from the PI Server and other sources. Generally,
trends are used to graphically display time series data, although you may also include non-
time series data.
Some components of trends include:
Traces—Lines drawn on a trend to represent a series of data points, either from a PI Tag
or a data set column.
Pens—Formatting components used to determine the presentation of trends.
Plot—The title of the trend being configured. The plot title can be blank, but a title is
supplied by default.
Grid lines—Used to mark intervals along the time and value scales.
If the Plot Time continues through the current time, the trend updates as information changes,
unless the length of the overall time period exceeds the limit set by your System
Administrator. The default limit is 24 hours.
Create a Trend
1. Open a display.
2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Trend button. , or

Choose Draw > Trend.
The mouse pointer changes to the Trend pointer.

3. Click in the display where you want to add the trend and drag the pointer to form a
rectangle into which the trend will be placed.
When you release the mouse button, the Define Trend (page 80) dialog appears.

Trends
4. In the Plot box, type a name. Click the New Plot button if you want to build a trend with
multiple plots (page 80).
5. In the Tags in Plot box, type the name of the tag, or
Click the Tag Search button to locate the tag, or
Click the Tag Search arrow to see more search options.
6. If you manually enter tag names, select the appropriate PI server from the Server drop-
down list. Normally, the default PI Server is listed.
7. You can rearrange, add to, or delete the selected tags by clicking one of the buttons above
the Tags in Plot box.
8. Under Scale, select Single Scale or, if you have more than one trace, you may select
Multiple Scales. The multiple scales option shows a value range for each trace. There is
only one time scale.
9. Consider checking the following check boxes:
• Logarithmic—to display the data in a logarithmic scale. If you have multiple scales,
you may set this option differently for each trace. This option is disabled for digital
tags.
Note: You may use logarithmic and non-logarithmic scales for traces in the same
trend when you select the Multiple Scales option. In this case, the minor grid
lines associated with a logarithmic plot may confuse the plot. You can turn off
the minor grid lines by setting the vertical minor grid color or line style to none.
• Regression Line—determines whether a regression line is drawn for a selected trace.

10. In the Max and Min drop-down lists, select Autorange or Database or enter the values
to determine the value scale.
78
Create a Trend
Min Settings:
• Autorange—The trend displays with the value scale starting at the closest available
major axis. If the minimum is Autorange and the maximum is not, the scale starts at
the lowest data value in the trace (not on a major axis) and ends on the closest major
axis.
• Database—The tag's Zero attribute is used to specify the minimum plot value. If the
Zero value is <= 0, the minimum is re-interpreted as Autorange.
• 0 (absolute value)—The value you type is used as the first value on the value scale.
Max Settings:
• Autorange—The trend displays with the value scale ending at the closest available
major axis. If the maximum is Autorange and the minimum is not, the plot starts on
the minimum value and ends on the largest trace value (neither min nor max will be
on a major axis).
• Database—The tag's Zero + Span attributes are used to specify the maximum plot
value.
• 0 (absolute value)—The value you type is used as the value scale maximum.
11. From the Format drop-down list, select the number format for the scale. Database is the
default format. This number format is also applied to legend, cursor, and ToolTip
numbers.
• Database—Database format looks at a PI Tag's display digits attribute and displays
the value scale numbers in standard format. If the length of the number exceeds the
display digits value, scientific notation is used.
• Scientific—Scientific notation is used for all values. There is no change to the
scientific format used for trends. It displays in the format: 0.00E+00.
• Standard format (do not switch to scientific format for large numbers)—The
significant digits are ignored for logarithmic plots, for example, format 0.0 does not
truncate 0.0000001 to 0.0. Because of precision issues, any number with more than
DBL_DIG (15) significant digits is rounded off at significant digit DBL_DIG. A
value of 12345678901234567890 is displayed as 12345678901234600000.
• General—The number is displayed with standard formatting with the exception of
numbers with more than DBL_DIG (15) digits. In this case, scientific notation is
used. The program logic uses 1.0e+15 and 1.0e-15 as the maximum and minimum for
standard formatting.
12. Under Plot Time, from the Start and End drop-down lists, select a time. An asterisk (*)
represents the current time.
13. In the Style drop-down list, select Full time stamp, Partial time stamp, or Relative
time stamp to indicate how time is displayed on the time axis.
14. Click OK.

Trends
Note: PI ProcessBook allows you to create custom placeholders for a symbol based on
a summary Data Set. Placeholders are not allowed for expression Data Sets. The
Custom Placeholders button in symbol definition dialog boxes allows you to
specify different PI Tags for a PI Summary Data Set. The change applies only to
the configured symbol. See Add or Edit Placeholders (page 163) for details.
Build a Trend with Multiple Plots
For new trends, you can add additional plots so that many trends are created and configured
without dragging additional symbols on the display. Once the plots are created they are no
longer associated in any way and are configured, moved, and sized individually.
1. Follow the steps to create a trend (page 77).
2. To create additional plots, click the New Plot button and select tags. Repeat as necessary.
To view the tags you have selected, you can click each plot name in the Plot box.
3. To adjust the arrangement matrix for the plots you are creating, click the Layout tab
(page 83).
Note: These matrix options are available only when you create the trend and cannot
be edited later. However, you can revise the traces on each plot individually.
Move a Plot
If you have created more than one plot in the trend, you can move each plot separately.
In Build mode simply click the plot you want to move. Selection handles appear around the
plot. Use these handles to drag the plot to its new location.
Delete a Plot within a Trend
1. In the Define Trend dialog, choose the General tab.

2. In the Plot drop-down list, select the plot you want to delete, and then click the Delete
Plot button.
Note: Once you have drawn a trend, and you want to delete a plot, you can select the
plot and then press DELETE.
Define Trend Dialog

Trends are formatted according to certain defaults. Using the Trend Preference settings (page
22), you can create your own default format for new trends. You can set options like line
colors, background, and point markers, and you can set the types of point information
included with a trend.
80
Define Trend Dialog
As you create a new trend, you can specify the desired tags, the colors and fonts for traces,
legends, and backgrounds, as well as how much tag information is displayed with the trend.
Use the Symbol Formatting (page 63) toolbar to make trend formatting changes.
The Define Trend dialog has a General tab where you create a trend (page 77), and the
following additional tabs for formatting and layout:
Display Format (page 81)—options for the elements to be included in the trend.
Trace Format (page 82)—provides an alternate way to choose colors and line styles for
each trace (plot line) as well as the axes, background, and text.
Layout (page 83)—options determine the arrangement of rows and columns for multiple
plot trends. This tab only appears when you first create a trend symbol.
Display Format Tab
1. In Build mode, open a display, and click the trend whose attributes you want to change.
2. On the Formatting toolbar, click the Trend Format button , or

Choose Edit > Format > Extended, or
Open the Define Trend (page 80) dialog and click the Display Format tab.

Trends
3. In the Legend group box, check or uncheck options for displaying the tag name, server
name, description, value, and engineering units. Your choices are reflected in the sample
trend at the bottom of the dialog.
The information that can fit in the legend is determined by the size of the trend.
Consequently, not all of the information in the legend may be visible.
• If the width of the legend is more than 50 percent of the width of the trend, the legend
does not display.
• If the length of the text in the legend is longer than the total height of the trend, the
items on the bottom are not shown.
4. In the Display box, check or uncheck the following options. The sample trend reflects the
changes you make.
• Plot Title
• Vertical Scale Inside Axis—Draws the value scale inside the plot area
• Grids—Shows grid lines on the trend
• Markers—When checked, markers indicate data points on the trend. If the Markers
box is not selected, three markers appear on each line to help you match a line to a
tag.
5. Choose a trend orientation from the three radio button options at the top of the dialog:
Now at right (horizontal), Now at top (vertical), or Now at bottom (vertical). New in PI
ProcessBook 3.1, this feature allows you to orient your trend in a horizontal or vertical
direction.
Trace Format Tab
As of PI ProcessBook 3.1, you can use the buttons on the Symbol Formatting (page 63)
toolbar to configure plot elements such as pens (traces), text, and background.
The Trace Format tab gives you an alternate way to update formatting changes.
1. In Build mode, open a display, and click the trend whose attributes you want to change.
2. Open the Define Trend (page 80) dialog and click the Trace Format tab.
82
Define Trend Dialog
3. Select a plot element from the Plot Element drop-down box.

4. Select formatting options from the Element Format group box for the selected plot
element. Your choices are reflected in the sample trend at the bottom of the dialog.
5. Repeat steps 1-2 as needed.
6. Click OK to apply the formatting changes.
Layout Tab
The plot arrangement in a multi-plot trend is established by setting up the number of rows
and columns of plots in the Layout tab.
To revise the proposed plot arrangement matrix:
1. Follow the steps to build a trend with multiple plots (page 80).
2. In the Define Trend dialog, click the Layout tab.
3. Under Plot Arrangement, select the number of rows and columns you want. The
following example shows four plots, to be arranged in 2 rows of 2 columns each. Tab
past the matrix to see the sample of your new selection display in the Preview area.

Trends
4. When you are satisfied with the matrix arrangement, click OK to draw the plots.
Note: The Layout tab only appears when you initially create a trend (page 77). Once the
layout is set, you cannot revise it because the plots are no longer associated when
the symbol is created. However, individual plots can be moved on the display in
Build mode.
Configure Trend Scale

The Trend Scale dialog provides easy access to the value scale settings for each tag in a
trend. If the trend is defined through a data set, only the Autorange and Absolute options are
available for the Maximum and Minimum scale settings.
84
Trend Analysis Tools
1. In Run mode, double-click the value scale, or

Choose View > Trend Scale. The Trend Scale dialog appears.
2. Select the Single Scale or Multiple Scales radio button.
3. If you are using Multiple Scales, then select the tag from the Tags drop-down list for
which you are setting the scale options.
4. Select Autorange, Database, or Absolute options for the Maximum and Minimum
values of the scale.
• Autorange: selects a vertical scale depending on the minimum and maximum tag
values between the trend start time and end time.
• Database: selects a vertical scale depending on the Zero (for minimum) and Span
(for maximum) tag attributes as configured in the Point Database for the selected tag.
See the PI Server Reference Guide for more information on tag attributes.
• Absolute: allows you to enter custom values for the vertical scale of a selected tag.
Enter a custom value in the adjacent box.
5. If you have selected the Absolute option, then type in the Maximum and Minimum
values of the scale in the adjacent boxes.
6. Click OK.
Modifications made to a trend through use of this dialog do not affect the stored settings of
the trend.
Note: To return the trend scale to its original settings, choose View > Revert.

PI ProcessBook provides a number of tools for analyzing or monitoring the data in a trend.
Trend Zoom—lets you use the mouse to drag a box around the data you would like to
see more detail.

Trends
Trend Expand—temporarily expands a trend symbol so that it occupies the entire

display window.
Trend Cursor—shows the value of the plotted tags at a specific point in time.
Drag Zoom
Drag Zoom lets you expand or contract the time scale of a trend.
1. With the Run Mode pointer, click an area in the trend at which you want a closer look.
2. Drag the pointer diagonally to create a rectangle.
3. When you release the mouse, the trend displays the data within the rectangle.
Trend Zoom 2x In or Out
Click the Zoom In or Out button at the bottom of a trend to reduce or expand the time range
of that trend by a factor of 2. In other words, if your time range is 8 hours, Trend Zoom 2x
In divides the time range by 2 and displays the trend for a 4 hour time period. Trend Zoom
2x Out multiplies the time range by 2 and displays the trend for a 16 hour time period.
You can remove changes to the time range by clicking the Revert button .
Note: If the trend is too small these buttons may not appear. Simply expand the trend's
size to display hidden buttons.
If there are no trend cursors, the Trend Zoom 2x command zooms in or out of the last
portion of the time period. For example, if the initial time range is 60 minutes and you select
Trend Zoom 2x In, the trend displays the last 30 minutes. Trend Zoom 2x Out displays 120
minutes adding 60 minutes to the beginning of the trend.
When a trend cursor is displayed, the command uses the trend cursor as the center of the
zoomed trend. If several cursors are used, the last one set is used as the center of the zoomed
trend. See Trend Cursor (page 87), for more information on trend cursors.
Expand a Trend
When you double-click a trend in Run Mode, the trend is redrawn so that it occupies the
entire display window. Double-click again to reduce the trend to its original size.
While the trend is expanded, the Drawing toolbar is disabled. If you switch to another
display, the Drawing toolbar will work there.
All descriptive information (title, tag descriptor, tag value) is shown on an expanded trend.
86
Trend Cursor
A trend cursor lets you read tag values for a particular time. When you select a trend cursor, a
vertical line indicates the cursor position. The box at the top of the line indicates the value
and status. The box at the bottom displays the time and date of the value.
You may display several trend cursors at one time.
Note: A trend does not update while trend cursors are visible.
If the trend is too small, the Trend Cursor command is disabled and the mouse pointer does
not change when you move over the left axis. You can expand the trend by double-clicking it.
Trend cursors may be automated.
Add a Trend Cursor

1. Notice whether the time scale appears at the bottom and the timestamp appears at the
upper right. If not, the trend rectangle may be too small to use Trend Cursor. Enlarge the
trend. If the time stamp does not appear, reformat the display format to show it.
2. With the Run mode pointer, click the Trend Cursor button . A cursor appears at the
right edge of the trend. When the mouse pointer changes to a double-headed arrow over
the trend cursor, click the vertical line and drag left to position the trend cursor, or
Choose View > Trend Cursor. An indented icon in front of the command indicates that
trend cursors are on.
3. Move the mouse pointer over the left axis of the trend. The pointer changes to a trend
cursor symbol. As you drag to the right, a new trend cursor is added to the trend
4. Move the trend cursor back and forth across the trend by dragging it. As you move it, the
time stamp, status, and value appear in a box at the top right of the trend.
5. When you release the cursor, the values appear in boxes at the top and bottom of the
cursor. You can add additional cursors by grabbing the trend cursor icon at the left axis.
Remove a Trend Cursor
Click the Trend Cursor button ,

-or-
Choose View > Trend Cursor.
Note: To remove one trend cursor but not all of them, click the trend cursor and drag it to
the left or right until it moves off of the trend.

Trends
Change Time Range

Scroll time ranges directly on a trend by using the Step Forward or Backward buttons
on the time scale. These time changes are not saved with the symbol.
Use the Revert button , located next to the time scale, to return the trend to its configured
settings.
Note: If the trend is too small these buttons may not appear. Expand the trend's size to
display hidden buttons.
You can also use buttons on the Time Range (page 12) toolbar to modify time configurations
settings.
How Trends Refresh

If the end time of the trend is current (*) and Trend Cursor is off, then the trend is updated
whenever information changes and is sent from the factory instrumentation to the PI Archive.
Note a vertical dashed line on the grid time axis of the trend. If the information has not
changed at the instrumentation sensor, the trend shows a flat line from the last update to the
current time.
You can force a refresh by clicking the Revert button.
Note: If desired, a PI System Manager can change the one-day limit to another interval
on your computer.
PI ProcessBook uses an algorithm to identify the peaks so that no information is lost when
the trend time range is large. It ensures that the plot is not under- or over-sampled and that the
correct amount of information is sent from the PI Archive.
Unlike data from a PI Archive, data from an ODBC data set refreshes according to a
stipulated refresh rate.
Trend Appearance
A trend appears according to the format established in the Preference settings (page 22). You
may override this format by selecting the Trend Formatting (page 81) button .
Typically, the title of the trend appears at the upper left, and the current timestamp appears at
the upper right. The selected tag names, current or end value, and engineering units appear in
the legend opposite the value scale.
88
Trend Appearance
Grid Lines and Labels
Trends are formatted according to certain defaults. Use the Trend Elements tab in the
ProcessBook Preferences dialog to create default formats for new trends. You can set
options like line colors and point markers, and set the types of point information included
with a trend.
Grid Lines
Horizontal and vertical grid lines align with even units (whole numbers) on the scales. Grid
lines for the value scale line up with whole numbers at intervals of 1, 2, 5, 10, or powers of
10 times those intervals. Grid lines for the time scale line up with time intervals such as
weeks, days, hours, minutes, etc. The lines then scroll as time passes on an updating trend.
Grid Line Labels

Configure the labels for the value scale using single or multiple scales. You can place these
labels on either the inside or outside of the value axis:
Single Scale The union of the ranges for all the pens appears in the label.
Multiple Scales The range for each pen in the trend appears in the label.
Configure the labels for the time axis using a full timestamp, partial timestamp, or a relative
timestamp:
Full timestamp Displays a complete timestamp for the start and end times. The time range of
the trend is in the middle of the time axis.
Partial Labels most grid lines in the units of the time range. Displays the full
timestamp timestamp for the end time of the trend at the top right edge of the plot.
Relative Displays the offset from the end time limit in weeks, days, hours, etc. and the
timestamp full timestamp for the end time of the trend at the top right edge of the plot.
Note: Labels for the grid lines appear unless the trend rectangle is too small.
Value Scale Grid Lines
Grid lines are shown in value scale intervals of 1, 2, 5, 10, or powers of 10 times those
intervals.
The value axis at the left is scaled by one of four methods:
Autorange scale
Database scale
Logarithmic scale
Manually Defined scale

Trends
Autorange Scale
The value scale is determined by a calculation based on minimum and maximum values in
the trend. As new data are received from the server, the high and low values may change, and
the scale is recalculated accordingly.
For example, if the original scale ranged from 5 to 100, but the new data has a high of 103,
then the new plot shows a range from 5 to 105 (the nearest number divisible by 5 and larger
than the high value).
If more than one tag is plotted on a single scale, the value scale is calculated from the highest
and lowest values for all the tags.
Database Scale
If the scale is set to Database, the range is the same as the limits for the point on the server.
The minimum value is termed zero, and the maximum value is the sum of the zero value plus
the span value.
For example, suppose the tag attributes for a point are Zero = 3 and Span = 6. The plot range
therefore is based on making the minimum and maximum values 3 to 9.
Logarithmic Scale
If you prefer a logarithmic scale, check this option. This option is disabled for digital, string,
timestamp, or integer tags.
Manually Defined Scale

When the scale is configured, an arbitrary minimum and maximum scale value may be
entered.
Single and Multiple Scales for the Vertical Axis
Value scales are labeled whenever there is enough room. Configured these labels with either
single or multiple scales.
For a single scale label, the union of the ranges for all the pens appears.
For multiple scale labels, the range for the first pen appears next to the value axis. Ranges
for the other pens appear in increasing distance from the axis in the order the tags are
listed in the trend legend.
Note: On a single scale trend, traces that contain only one value (a flat line) or have no
data are governed by special scaling rules. When a trend is composed of only flat
or no data traces, the default value scale range is inflated to prevent showing a flat
plot area. These default ranges are not applied if the trace in question is on a
single scale trend that contains other visible traces that do not fall into either of the
aforementioned categories.
90
Trend Appearance
A single scale trace containing one flat trace with a constant value of 0.
A single scale trend containing a flat trace and a non-flat trace. The default range for the flat trace is not
applied.

Trends
Time Scale Grid Lines
Grid lines for the time scale line up with whole units of time, such as days, hours, minutes,
etc. On a trend that receives updates, the grid lines scroll as time passes. For an updating
trend, the current time is indicated by a dotted vertical line.
Configure labels for the time axis in one of three ways:
Full Timestamp—labels the start and end time limits with the date and time. When
space permits, the elapsed time between these lines is also shown.
Partial Timestamp—labels each grid line in whole units, such as hours. For example,
the grid lines might be labeled 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00. A full timestamp showing the plot
end time is shown at the upper right.
Relative Timestamp—labels each grid line with the amount of time preceding the right
time limit in days, hours, minutes, or seconds. For example, the grid lines might be
labeled -4, -3, - 2, -1, meaning 4, 3, 2, and 1 hours previously. A Full Timestamp for the
last reading is shown at the upper right. A full timestamp showing the plot end time is
shown at the upper right.
Traces
A Trace, also referred to as a pen, is a single line on a trend. When a trace is continuous, a
line is drawn from measurement to measurement. When a trace is discrete, the value is
propagated forward until a new value is recorded in the database. This results in horizontal
and vertical lines for the tag (staircase trace).
Digital points are discrete type measurements, producing staircase traces. For digital points,
the offset from the starting digital state code is plotted. When the value is shown in a trend
cursor, ToolTip, or legend, the text translation is displayed (for example, ON or OFF).
Staircase traces are used for points from a PI Server that have a Step Flag set to TRUE.
ODBC queries may produce either curved or staircase traces, depending on the Stepped Plot
check box setting in the ODBC Data dialog.
Hide Traces
You can hide one or more traces on the trend in Run mode so that an area of concern is more
easily viewed.
1. Open a trend in Run mode.
2. Hover your mouse pointer over the trend's legend. The mouse pointer changes to a hand
cursor , and the trace in the trend is highlighted.
3. Click on the legend item to hide or show the trace on the plot. If the trace has a regression
line configured, the regression line is also hidden. When a trace is hidden:
• the trace name is dimmed in the legend and the description, value, and engineering
units are hidden (if they were shown before).
92
Trend Appearance
• the space reserved on the legend for the description, value, and engineering units
collapses so that the trace under the hidden trace is moved. This clearly shows the
visible traces on the legend, especially on a trend with many traces.
• on a multi-scale trend, the scale associated with the hidden trace is hidden.
• on a single scale trend, the minimum and maximum values shown on the scale may
be adjusted.
You can show hidden traces by clicking their names a second time in the legend, or by
clicking the Revert button. All hidden traces are shown in Build mode.
Note: You can also right click on a trend and select Show All or Hide All to make traces
visible or invisible.
Markers
Markers indicate data points and allow you to differentiate between traces on a trend. There
are three types of markers:
actual data
trace markers
bad data markers
At least three markers are shown on a trace, unless the plot is too small.
Actual Data Markers

Actual data markers plot each value stored in the database. The color of the trace and of the
marker is the same. You can select the shape of the marker, such as diamonds, circles,
squares, or triangles, which can be helpful for color- blind users and for monochrome
monitors.
Trace Markers
If there are too many values to plot based on the size of the trend, the display resolution and
the density of the plotted data, actual data markers do not appear and trace markers are used
instead. Trace markers are also used if the trend configuration does not specify Markers.
Trace markers help you identify the legend information for each trace; they do not indicate
actual plot values. Up to three trace markers are used per trace.
X Markers
When a value is outside the limits defined for the trend, it is plotted as over- or under-range.
When a value is out of range or has a bad value, it is not shown on the plot. An X marker is
placed on the trend at the beginning and end of the time when data are not plotted. When the
data are missing, (for example, not connected to a server) they are given the value No Data
and are not plotted.

Trends
Ad Hoc Trends
Create a trend on an ad hoc basis for tags represented by dynamic symbols in a display within
a ProcessBook.
Ad hoc trends are like any other trends in that you can scroll the time forward and backward,
view cursors, zoom, view point attributes, use multiple scales, or change the time range.
To create an ad hoc trend, use either the Trend tool or Trend Display tool . The
Trend tool allows you to add a trend to an existing display. The Trend Display tool creates a
separate, new display with the instant trend.
Note: You can build a trend display before you open any displays.
If you create an ad hoc Trend Display and then choose to save it for future use, it appears on
the Book or Outline View as subordinate to the original display.
Create an Ad Hoc Trend
To create an ad hoc trend for a specific tag or tags:

1. Select Run mode.
2. Select the dynamic symbol representing the tag, such as a bar, value, or Multi-State
Symbol. To select more than one dynamic symbol, hold down the Shift key while you
click them.
3. Click the Trend Display button .

A new display window opens, and the trend is created automatically for the selected
symbols using the default format and time range. It is given the unique name Trend
Display#, where # is a number. The plot title is Ad Hoc Trend.
- or -
Click the Trend button . The mouse pointer changes to a trend pointer. Click in the
display and drag to create a rectangle. It is given the name Ad Hoc Trend.
The trend appears in the rectangle, using the default format.
Note: If you select more tags than the default set in your Preference settings, usually 3,
then you will have more than one plot in your trend or trend display.
Save an Ad Hoc Trend Display
If you create an ad hoc trend display and wish to save it for future use, then you must use the
Save or Save As command before you close the instant trend. There are several options:
Save an ad hoc trend display as an independent display by clicking it and using the Save
As command with a .pdi filename extension.
94
OpenVMS Trends and Graphics
If you had a display entry from a ProcessBook open when the instant trend was created,
the instant trend can be saved as a subordinate of the display by using the Save
command.
You may save an ad hoc trend as another file type, such as a bitmap (.bmp) file, using
Save As.
Note: You cannot save an ad hoc trend from view-only mode.
OpenVMS Trends and Graphics

PI ProcessBook allows you to convert your existing OpenVMS trend and graphic files for use
within a ProcessBook. Specifically, the following types of files are supported:
PIDisDIFF files—contain trend graphs built using the PI Data Trending Package. You
can convert horizontal, vertical, composite, and overview trends.
PI-GP files—graphic files built using the PI-GP Graphics Builder.
Before you can convert your trend files (PIDisDIFF), you must convert them as ASCII text
files on the VAX and then download them to your PC.
Once the files are on the PC, you can import them to a ProcessBook. Trends are formatted
based on the settings on the Trend Elements tab in the ProcessBook Preference dialog.
Convert Trends
This process is used to convert VAX graphics for use with a PC.
1. On the VAX or Alpha at the DCL prompt, type $ Run PISysExe:PIDisDIFF
2. Select option 1 List Master Display Library from the PI Display Data Interchange File
Format Builder.
3. Direct the output to a file.
4. Enter a file name. If your file name is more than 8 characters and a 3-character extension
(xxxxxxxx.xxx), the name is truncated during the download process.
5. Accept the defaults for display mask, group numbers and unit numbers (*).
6. Select the trend display types you are importing. For optimum performance select only
options 1 (horizontal), 2 (vertical), 3 (composite), and 8 (overview).
7. Quit the PIDisDIFF application (option Q).
8. Transfer the file from the VAX or Alpha to the PC using any ASCII text file transfer
program you have available.

Trends
Convert Graphics
This process is used to convert VAX graphics for use with a PC.
On the OpenVMS computer, copy a graphic file to your working directory. Graphic files are
named PISysDat:PIGP_xxxxxxxxxx.dat, where xxxxxxxxxx is the display
name.
1. At the DCL prompt, type $ RUN PISysExe:GPAB
2. Select option 1 Convert Binary to ASCII from the PI Graphics Package ASCII/Binary
File Conversion menu.
3. Type the display name of the graphic you want to convert and press Enter. Repeat for
each file you want to convert.
4. Select option Q to quit the application.
5. Transfer the file from the VAX or Alpha to the PC using any ASCII text file transfer
program you have available.
Your PI ProcessBook Install disks include an OpenVMS command file which performs Steps
1 - 5 for all graphics. The file is named GPPBConv.com.
96
Chapter 6
XYPlots
An XYPlot shows a correlation between one or more paired sets of data. On an XYPlot (also
called a scatter plot), the X 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. A basic scatter plot looks like the
following:
Uncorrelated data
This case plotted 10-minute intervals of two points, A and B, for the last hour. Point A had 12
point values; Point B had 16 point values. The number of points plotted equals the number of
pairs. Since A had fewer point values, the plot shows only 12 point pairs. The extra data from
point B is ignored. You can configure the method by which pairing occurs.
Correlation is a measure of the strength of the relationship between two variables. Correlation
is indicated graphically by the spread of the data points around a fitted straight line (for
example, a straight line that indicates the trend of the data). In general, the closer the points
are to the fitted line, the stronger the correlation. The two PI tags shown in figure 1 are not
strongly correlated. Another plot shows perfectly correlated data:

XYPlots
Perfectly correlated
A third plot is somewhat correlated:
Somewhat correlated
In the case of the third plot, a regression line with a slope (M) of 1 and an offset (B) of 0
drawn diagonally across the plot would show all points lying close to the line, some above it,
some below it. This line formula is appropriate in this case because both scales are the same
and the points appear to have values very close to each other. In other cases, one value may
be two or three times the other value (for example) and the regression line would fall on a
different slope, depending upon how the scales are configured. If the scales are the same, the
slope of the line determines the relationship between the points. If the scales are not the same,
the slope is insignificant.
98
Draw an XYPlot
Draw an XYPlot
1. In Build mode, choose Draw > XYPlot,
-or-
On the Drawing toolbar, click the XYPlot button .
2. Drag a rectangle on the display to create the boundaries.
3. Release the mouse button.
The Define XYPlot dialog opens with the General tab open. Use the tabs to:
• General Tab (page 100)—Select tags to be plotted.
• Display Format Tab (page 104)—Choose what to show in the Legend and on the
Display.
• Plot Format Tab (page 105)—Select how to color and style the plot elements, such
as trace pens and background.
4. Click OK. The XYPlot appears.
To revise an existing XYPlot, select Build mode and double-click the XYPlot. The Define
XYPlot dialog appears. Make your changes and click OK.
Note: Click Undo to restore your original plot.

XYPlots
General Tab
Plot Title—Enter a plot title. Change it later if you wish.

Tags in Plot—Select the tags or data sets you want to plot.
Enter tag names by typing in the list or by using the Tag Search button or the Data set
arrow.
• Tag Search button: Click this button to reach the Tag Search dialog, where you may
choose the X-tag and one or more Y-tags for your plot. When you have selected tags
or data sets through this dialog, they will appear on the Tags in Plot list.
• Dataset Retrieval Arrowhead button: Click this arrowhead to choose a data set for
plotting. The data set values may be retrieved through ODBC or through a PI
Calculation.
After you complete the configuration of your data set selection, they appear as tag names
in the Tags in Plot text box. An Options radio button appears next to each tag name.
Select the Options radio button to choose the X-axis tag. Unselected tags are Y-axis
tags.
If a tag that is selected as the X-axis is deleted, the first tag in the list becomes the X-axis
tag.
Use the four toolbar buttons on the title bar to rearrange this list. They are, in order, Add,
Delete, Up Arrow, and Down Arrow.
100
Draw an XYPlot
Server—Enter or select a PI Server name. This field is only used when a PI Tag name is
typed directly into the list.
Configure Pairings
Once the tags are listed in the Tags in Plot list, configure the method for pairing values
between X and Y in the Data Retrieval Methods box.
X Tag—choose either Recorded or Interpolated for the retrieval method.
• Interpolated—an interval may be entered in the Plot Time section. Interpolated is
the default for tags and is disabled for ODBC and Custom data sets. This method
retrieves interpolated values for the specified time range in regular intervals. For
example, if the time range is *-1h to * and the Interval is 10m, then six values spaced
10 minutes apart are returned.
• Recorded—Retrieves archive values between the specified start and end time.
Y Tag(s)—the Y tag data retrieval method applies to individually selected tags in the
Tags in Plot list (unless the Use for all Y tags check box is selected). The default data
retrieval method for Y tags is Synchronize.
Y Tags, paired by position in the list—To use multiple time ranges, select Recorded or
Interpolated. In this case, data is paired by position in the point list. If Interpolated is
selected for the X tag as well, the interval value for the Y tag defaults to the one for the X
tag.
When Recorded is the retrieval mechanism, the results are not skewed by minor
timestamp differences.
Y Tags, paired by timestamps—to pair values by time, rather than by list position,
choose one of these retrieval methods: Synchronize, Match, Match or Previous, or
Match or Next.
• Synchronize—synchronizes data found for X with data for Y using the timestamps
for the X data.
• Match—find the point for Y corresponding to the exact timestamp as X.
• Match or Previous—find the point for Y corresponding to the exact timestamp as X.
If there is none, find the value that is the closest but earlier in time.
• Match or Next—find the point for Y corresponding to the exact timestamp as X. If
there is none, find the value that is the closest, but later in time.
Synchronize and Match—use different PI SDK value retrieval methods. Synchronize
uses TimedValues. Match uses RecordedValues and then uses the values where the
timestamps match.
TimedValues—Match uses RecordedValues and then uses the values where the
timestamps match.

XYPlots
Note: Synchronize is disabled for ODBC and Custom data sets.
If you select Synchronize or any of the Match options, the start and end times for that
tag are set the same as for the X tag and cannot be changed.
Note: The XYPlot supports ODBC data sets that don't contain timestamps. This type
of entry must be plotted as a Y-tag, and data values must be retrieved using
the Recorded retrieval method. If a tag is changed from a Y tag to an X tag
and has a value for Retrieval Method that is only valid for Y tags, the method
is changed to Interpolated. If the tag is a data set, the method is changed to
Recorded.
In all cases, if a pair is not made, the unmatched Y points are ignored.
Use for all Y tags—Selecting this box indicates that the Y-tags data retrieval mechanism
applies for all Y-tags. If one of the tags is a Custom or ODBC data set and the selection
mechanism is Interpolated or Synchronize, the selection mechanism will be Recorded
or Match respectively for that tag only.
Scale Box
In the Scale Box, set the scale ranges for all tags.
Single Y Scale—combines all tag values onto one scale.
Multiple Y Scales—provides a separate scale for each tag. This choice does not change
the scale min and max values, but allows them to be configured independently by
selecting each Y tag and making changes.
Regardless of your selection, you may independently configure the X scale tag.
Max—Autorange uses the maximum value plotted. You may enter an absolute value here
as well. Default is Autorange. Database uses the zero plus span value of the tag in the PI
Archive to determine the max. Database with a data set plot uses the maximum value
plotted.
Min—Autorange uses the minimum value plotted. You may enter an absolute value here
as well. Default is Autorange. Database uses the zero value of the tag in the PI Archive to
determine the min. Database with a data set plot uses the minimum value plotted.
Format—Selects the number format of the Y scale, legend entries, cursor values, and
ToolTip values.
Plot Time
You can set the time for each tag as it is highlighted in the Tags in Plot box. If a Y tag is
selected and its selection mechanism is not Recorded or Interpolated, then these boxes are
disabled.
Start—The start time of the XYPlot. The list includes *-1h (minus one hour), *-4h, *-8h,
*-1d, *-7d. The default is *-8h.
End—The end time of the XYPlot. The list includes *, *-1h, *-4h, *-8h, *-1d, *-7d.
The default is * (current time).
102
Draw an XYPlot
Interval—This field is enabled when the retrieval method is Interpolated. It provides a

sampling interval for data.
When you have completed configuring the fields on the General tab, click the Display
Format (page 104) tab.
Add a Data set to an XYPlot

1. In Build mode, choose Draw > XYPlot,
-or-
On the Drawing toolbar, click the XYPlot button .
2. Drag a rectangle on the display to create the boundaries.
3. Release the mouse button.
The Define XYPlot dialog opens with the General tab open.
4. Click the arrow next to the Tag Search button.
5. Select ODBC or PI Calculation to see the corresponding Dataset Details or PI
Calculation Data configuration dialog.
6. When you have completed the configuration, click OK to exit the configuration dialog.
The data set name appears in the Tags in Plot box.
7. In the Define XYPlot dialog, click OK to see the plot.

XYPlots
Display Format Tab
Legend
Choose the legend elements that appear in the XYPlot.
Tag Name—Lists the entries in Tags in Plot. Selected by default.
Srvr Name—Select this check box to prepend the tag name with the server name. Cleared by
default.
Description—The tag description may be displayed on the legend. Selected by default.
Value—The last value of the tag plotted may be displayed. For digital and string tags, a
string value is shown. Selected by default.
Engineering Units—Selected by default. If the tag does not report units, they are not shown
on the legend for that tag.
Correlation Coefficient—A check indicates that the correlation coefficient should be
calculated and displayed on the legend. Selected by default.
Display
Select the optional elements to be included in the XYPlot.
Plot Title—Selected by default.
104
Draw an XYPlot
Vertical Scale Inside Axis—Check this box to show the vertical scale to the right of the
Vertical Axis, inside the plot area. Selected by default.
Grids—Check this box to include vertical and horizontal grid lines. Selected by default. On
the Plot Format Page, you can configure the appearance of the major and minor grid lines.
Linear Correlation Line—Check this to show a linear regression line. The default is
cleared, which does not draw a line.
Connecting Lines—Check this box to show the paired points connected with straight lines in
the order they are plotted. Selected by default. Clear the box to configure a scatter plot with
points only, no lines.
Sample
This area displays a sample XYPlot with the options you have selected. When you have
completed the Display Format page, click the tab for the Plot Format page.
Plot Format Tab
In the Plot Format tab of the Define XYPlot dialog, you can select colors and styles for the
various elements of your plot.

XYPlots
Plot Element—drop-down list of the elements you can configure, such as major and
minor gridlines, background colors, text font, etc. Pens correspond to the X-and Y tags
listed in the order in the Tags in Plot box on the General tab.
Element Format—After you select an element in the Plot Element drop-down,
available formatting options appear. A drop-down arrow is grayed out if the option is not
configurable. For example, text has color but no line style options.
• Line Style—Determines the line style for the selected element.
• Line Weight—Determines the line weight for the selected element. If the selected
element does not have a line weight property, this field is disabled.
• Marker Shape—Determines the marker shape for pen elements.
• Color—Determines the color for the selected element. Pen elements apply the color
to the line and marker.
• Last Marker Color—Allows selection of a different color for the last marker for a
pen. If Match Trace is true (selected), this field is disabled. If the selected element
does not have a marker, this field is disabled.
• Next To Last Marker Color—Allows selection of a different color for the second-
to-last marker for a pen. If Match Trace is true (selected), this field is disabled. If the
selected element does not have a marker, this field is disabled.
• Match Trace—Determines whether all marker colors match the trace color (true) for
a pen. If set to false, the Last Marker Color and Next To Last Marker Color fields
are enabled so the marker color can be changed for those two plotted points. By
default, this field is selected (true). If the selected element does not have a marker,
this field is disabled.
Sample—Provides a preview of your formatting changes.
Ad-hoc XYPlots
You can draw an XYPlot in Run mode on an ad hoc basis. Click the XYPlot button to
begin, and follow the steps described in Drawing an XYPlot (page 99).
XYPlot Statistics
The XYPlot Statistics dialog [deprecated] allows you to view and export raw data values and
statistics, such as the mean and standard deviation of each tag’s data.
You can also view these statistics in the Details Window (page 135).
To open the XYPlot Statistics dialog:
1. In Run Mode, double-click the XYPlot symbol. Your cursor turns into a pointer.
2. Use the pointer to double-click an XYPlot on your display. The Statistics dialog appears.
3. In the Options drop-down list, select Raw Data or Statistics.
106
Draw an XYPlot

XYPlots
To save this data to a text file:

1. Click the Save Data to File button. The Save As dialog appears.
2. Enter a file name in the Save As dialog. The data is saved to the file in the following
format:
Tag, <tag name>
Start Time, <start time>
End Time, <end time>
Count, < number of points paired>
Mean, <mean>
STDEV, <standard deviation>
Data Type, <data type>
Index, Time, Value, Status
<index>, <time>, <value>, <status>
…
Tag, <tag name>
Start Time, <start time>
End Time, <end time>
Count, < number of points paired>
Mean, <mean>
STDEV, <standard deviation>
Correlation, <correlation coefficient>
Slope, <slope>
Intercept, <intercept>
Data Type, <data type>
Index, Time, Value, Status
…
Etc.
108
Linear Regression by Least Squares
Linear Regression by Least Squares

The best-fit linear regression line is a straight line that attempts to summarize the trend of the
points. This line may be shown on the XYPlot.
The best-fit line has the formula:
Where m is the slope and b is the offset. To calculate m, we use the following equation:
To calculate b, the following equation is used:
Once m and b are known, the value of y that intersects the best-fit line can be calculated.
Correlation Coefficient
The Correlation Coefficient (r) varies between -1 and +1. Positive values indicate that as X
increases, Y also increases. Negative values indicate that as X increases, Y decreases. A
value of zero indicates no correlation in the way the sets of values vary.
The Correlation Coefficient for a set of points is calculated using the following formula: (n is
the number of points, s is the standard deviation). You can display the correlation coefficient
in the plot legend.
Note: Bad data points are not included in this calculation.
Standard deviation(s) is calculated using the following formula:
The mean is the arithmetic average.

XYPlots
Interpreting an XYPlot
In PI ProcessBook the XYPlot is a dynamic symbol. It has specialized characteristics, such as
its statistical calculations, which are described in the following paragraphs.
Point Properties
Data may be retrieved from PI or from independent data sets. Use the Tag Properties button
or the right mouse menu Properties item to determine the attributes of the points in your
XYPlot .
Scroll Feature
Scrolling is available from the ProcessBook toolbar. When time scrolling is used on an
XYPlot symbol, all tags’ time ranges are changed to support the scroll duration.
Plot Values
In a typical XYPlot, the current value for X appears below the plot. The current values for the
two different Y tags appear at the upper right. Below each one is the correlation coefficient
for that XY pair. The dots and lines on the plot are colored to match the tags.
Plot values appear in a small box over the plot when the mouse cursor is hovering over an
actual plotted point pair. The following illustration shows an example.
In the figure above, if there had been more than one Y tag, each one would be displayed on a
different line. The X tag information is placed at the bottom. For digital or string tags, the text
value is displayed in the tool tip.
You can also view plot values by double-clicking the title bar and choosing the Raw Data
option, rather than the Statistics option.
Zoom/Revert Functions
You can enlarge a portion of an XYPlot by using the Zoom feature.
Enlarge the whole plot to fill the display window
1. In Run mode, double-click the plot.

2. To reduce the plot to its original size, double-click it again. It does not update while
enlarged.
110
Zoom/Revert Functions
Enlarge a small area of the plot
1. Place the mouse cursor on the upper left corner of the area to be zoomed.
2. Hold the left mouse button down while dragging a rectangle to cover the appropriate
area. When you release the mouse, this area is enlarged to the borders of the original plot.
Original plot
Drag Zoom Completed

XYPlots
Note: The zoom area must be smaller than the plot area and cannot include the
outer 20 percent of the plot. If the mouse is dragged past the plot boundary,
the zoom rectangle stops at the border until the mouse reappears within the
boundary. If the mouse is dragged off the plot symbol boundary, the zoom is
canceled.
Revert
1. Click Undo to return the plot to its state directly before the zoom occurred.
2. Click the Revert button to return the plot to its configured appearance.
Change Time Range Feature

1. Choose View > Time Range.
-or-
On the Time Range toolbar, click the Change Time Range button .
The Change Time Range dialog opens.
2. Enter new values in the Time Span box.
All tags are affected when you change the range in this dialog box.
3. Click the Revert (page 13) button on the Time Range tool bar to return the plot to
its configured appearance.
XYPlot Cursors
The cursor for an XYPlot includes both a horizontal and a vertical line. The mouse cursor is
at the cross point of both cursor lines. You must be in Run mode to use the XYPlot cursor.
To create a cursor, place the mouse very close to either the X- or Y-axis. Drag the cursor onto
the plot.
In the XYPlot below, you can see an XYPlot cursor at the Y axis that is not yet intersecting
any points on the plot.
112
Bad Status Indicators
You can also see an XYPlot cursor that was dropped on a point. The X and Y values appear
in small boxes outside the axes.
Using the mouse, you may position and release the cursor over any point on the XYPlot. If
the cursor is dropped on an area that contains no points, the cursor snaps to the nearest point.
Move the XYCursor from Point to Point
Once you have dropped an XYCursor on a point, use the arrow keys to move from point to
point in time order. For example, pressing the right arrow key moves the cursor to the point
that is plotted immediately after the current point in the same series. The left arrow moves the
cursor to the point that is plotted immediately before the current point in the same series. The
up arrow moves the cursor to the first point in the previous series. The down arrow moves the
cursor to the first point in the next series. The cursor looks the same when it is dropped.
The information on the XYCursor point pair is shown in a box on each axis. If the tags are
digital or string, the text value is shown in the box rather than a numeric value. Placing the
mouse cursor over one of the cursor boxes shows the time of the point.
Bad Status Indicators

If a single point of a pair contains a bad status, an X appears on the axis of the good point at
its value. If both points of a pair contain bad statuses, an X appears at the origin of the plot.
The XYPlot symbol supports Questionable, Annotated, and Substituted indicators.

XYPlots
Out of Range Indicators

When a point on the XYPlot falls above or below the X or Y scale range, it is not visible.
This may be because the plot is zoomed or because the scales have been set within a certain
range that does not cover the actual data.
In order to indicate there is a point outside of the visible area, an X is used. By default, a
straight line connects the points in the order that they are plotted. This line attempts to
connect hidden points as well. An X is placed at each position where this line crosses the top
or bottom of the plot area.
Too Many Points

When an X Tag has too many points to show on the plot, you receive and error message and
no points are shown. The maximum number is 10,000 points.
Examples of XYPlots
For these examples, the X-axis represents one of the values in the pair and the Y-axis
represents the other. The configuration of these axes regarding minimum and maximum
values and interval (or unit) settings is left to you.
Example 1: Create an XYPlot on a display in PI ProcessBook to compare

values for two PI tags
1. On the Drawing toolbar, click the XYPlot button and drag to form the bounding
rectangle for the plot. The Define XYPlot dialog appears.
2. Enter a title for the plot and select 2 tags to be entered in the Tags in Plot list.
3. Click an option button to select one tag to be the X tag.
4. Use the default settings for time range, scale, and retrieval method.
5. Click the Display Format tab and check the box for the regression line.
6. Select the Plot Format tab and accept the default values.
7. Click OK and the plot appears.
Example 2: Compare different tags to help optimize equipment

performance
For example, suppose an engineer has just completed some optimization work on Boiler1,
one of the four boilers in the plant. He wants to optimize the other three boilers (Boiler2,
Boiler3, and Boiler4) so that they perform at the same level. After adjusting the three boilers,
he wants to see how closely they perform to the optimized Boiler1.
114
Examples of XYPlots
Assume that all four boilers run identical processes.

1. Plot the temperature of Boiler1 (the B1Temp tag) on the X-axis of an XYPlot and the
temperatures of the other three boilers (B2Temp, B3Temp and B4Temp) on the Y-axis.
2. Use the same time range for all four tags.
3. Select a single scale so that the Boilers 2, 3 and 4 are compared directly against Boiler1.
4. Configure the plot to show the correlation co-efficient for each of the boilers.
By viewing how far from the regression line each of the boilers falls, you can determine how
closely their performance matches and which boilers you should continue to adjust. When all
three boilers have an acceptable correlation coefficient, you know the work is complete.
Example 3: Lab Comparisons
An engineer wants to compare lab results from his lab to those of another lab for the same
sample of material.
The plant's quality assurance lab has instituted some new testing procedures. In order to
gauge the validity of the new testing procedures, an engineer wants to compare results from
the new process against data from an outside lab that is known to have valid testing
procedures.
1. Put the results from the in-house lab into a data set.
2. Place the results for the same test from the other lab into another data set.
3. Selects each data set as a tag in the plot, and select which one to be the X-axis.
4. Choose Recorded as the retrieval mechanism for each data set so that the results are not
skewed by minor timestamp differences.
If the XYPlot shows the results from the new process are well correlated with the outside
lab's data, the new test procedure is validated.
Example 4: Comparing a Batch Run to a Standard
An engineer wants to compare sample measurements taken from one Batch run and compare
them to a fixed set of measurements he knows to be desirable.
1. Select the fixed set of measurements by choosing the appropriate tag or data set and
indicating it is to be used for the X-axis.
2. Select the appropriate tags for the comparison batches, entering their specific time ranges.
3. Use Recorded values for all retrieval mechanisms.
The data points are paired according to their position in the events list. The XYPlot shows
how closely the results correlated by how closely the points fall on a linear regression line.
Points that fall outside this line may indicate problems with the batch run.

XYPlots
Example 5: Comparing Two Time Ranges
An engineer wants to compare the performance of a Boiler unit over two time ranges. He
needs to determine whether a boiler's performance has degraded over time or whether there
are specific problems with the equipment. To do this, he creates an XYPlot that compares the
temperature tag data from two different time ranges.
1. Enter the tag twice and assign one instance as the X tag.
2. Enter separate time ranges for each tag. Values are paired by their position in the list.
If the points fall close to a linear regression line, you can assume the boiler's performance is
at least steady. If some points are far from the line, it may indicate that the equipment has a
specific problem.
116
Chapter 7
Additional Symbols
Dynamic Symbols
Values
A Value is the reading obtained at a particular moment in time for a tag in the PI Archive. A
value is shown as a number or a digital state string. The tag name and time stamp may also be
shown. The time stamp is the time stamp from the PI Archive.
Add a Dynamic Value

2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Value button .

-or-
Choose Draw > Value.
The mouse pointer changes to the Value pointer.
3. Click in the display where you want the value to be placed.
When you release the mouse button, the Define Value dialog is displayed.

Additional Symbols
4. In the Server drop-down list, select the PI Server to use. If a tag name is manually
entered in the Tag box, it is expected to be on the selected server. If both server and tag
name are entered in the Tag box, this field is updated with the entered server name. This
field has no effect for non-PI data.
5. In the Tag box, type the name of the tag you want to display in the value box.
-or-
Click the Tag Search button to locate the tag.
-or-
Note: The Sample area shows how the value will look.
6. In the Format drop-down list, select a number for the value, or type your own format
(page 119).
7. In the Tag drop-down list, select the location of the tag name in the value box (None,
Left, Right, Top, or Bottom).
8. In the Time stamp drop-down list, select the location of the time stamp in the value box
(None, Left, Right, Top, or Bottom).
9. Click OK to add the value to the display.
118
Dynamic Symbols
Table of Format Values

The following number formats are available in PI ProcessBook. The characters used for the
decimal and grouping are based on the Regional Settings on the computer where PI
ProcessBook is installed.
Format Value Result
General -25.434 -25.434
0 25.59 26
0.00 17.246 17.25
#,##0 -1732.87 -1,733
#,##0.00 -1732.87 -1,732.87
(#,##0) -1732.87 (1,733)
(#,##0.00) -1732.87 (1,732.87)
0% 3.25 325%
0.00% 3.25 325.00%
Scientific 3.25 3.25000E+00
Database Uses the Display Digits attribute for the tag from the
PI System.
The following table describes how to create a custom number format mask.
Symbol Explanation
# Placeholder for a digit. Leading and decimal zeros
are not displayed
0 Placeholder for a digit. Leading and decimal zeros
are displayed.
Button
You can add a button to your For example:

drawing that:
Opens an independent display (.pdi) Create a drawing that shows the first part of a general
process and add a button that opens a more detailed
process in a separate display.
Opens a ProcessBook (.piw) Create a drawing and add a button that opens a PI
DataLink spreadsheet to show a report.

Additional Symbols
You can add a button to your For example:

drawing that:
Executes an operating system Create a drawing and add a button that opens an
command independent PI ProcessBook display (.pdi file) on a web
site.
Note: You need to enter the URL (Uniform Resource
Locator) address that points to the location of the
specific .pdi file on a web server.
Executes a VBA script Create a VBA script called AddTrend that inserts a trend
on a display. Add a button to the display and configure it
to use the AddTrend script (macro) as its Action.
Add a Button
On the Drawing toolbar, click the Button button , or

Choose Draw > Button.
The mouse pointer changes to the Button pointer.
2. Click in the display where you want to add the button and drag the pointer to form a
rectangle into which the button will be placed. When you release the mouse button, the
Define Button dialog appears.
3. In the Text box, type the name of the button.
Note: The name should be no more than one or two words, and should describe the
action the button performs when clicked.
4. Click the Browse button, or

Click the Browse arrow to see more options.
5. Browse and locate the item that you want to be the button action and then click the Open
button.
Note: If you know the file or macro name, then you can type this directly in the
Action box.
The name of the selected item is displayed in the Action box.

6. Click the Browse button to the right of the Working folder box.
Note: The Working folder box allows you to specify the working folder for operating
system commands. It is ignored if the Action refers to a document type
supported by ProcessBook. If you know the name of the working folder for this
application, then you can type this directly in the Working folder box.
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Dynamic Symbols
The Browse for Folder dialog appears.

7. Browse and locate the folder that you want to specify for the operating system command,
and then click OK.
8. Leave the appropriate Options check box selected if you want to:
• Open a linked display in a new window. This option is selected by default.
• Use the relative path before the absolute path.
Note: By default, ProcessBook attempts to open a linked display from its relative
path first. If the relative path fails, then the absolute path is attempted.
Clearing this box reverses the order in which the paths are resolved. For new
displays, this option is checked by default.
• Ignore the default shell command for recognized file types (for example, SVG).
Note: If the file type is supported by ProcessBook (either natively or through an add-
in), then it is opened directly. For example, an .svg file is opened using the
.svg File Converter in ProcessBook, even if you have Adobe SVG Viewer
installed. Clearing this check box disables this behavior, so the default shell
command is always used to open a file.
9. Click OK. The button is added to your display.
Bars
A Bar shows the current value of a tag as compared to a specified range of values.
For example, a bar may be used to create the effect of a vessel filling and emptying, as the
value changes.
The range of values can be the maximum and minimum values specified in the point
attributes, or, a bar can be designed to show a specific range of values.
For example, if a tag’s specified value is between 0 and 100 but it typically falls between 0
and 30, a bar can designed to show that range. However, if the value is outside the range of
the bar, the bar will appear the same as a value right at one of the limits of the bar.
The start of the bar may be within the limits of the bar. This lets you display deviations from
a standard or target value. Bad values are shown with hash marks across the entire bar.
Create a Dynamic Bar

Creating a bar for a value allows you to see how the current value compares to the possible
range of values. Since bars are dynamic, they are updated as the information changes from
the PI Server.
Bars may also be used to display the result of a data set query. String and timestamp data is
not supported on Bar symbols.

Additional Symbols
You can draw a bar using the current line style, line color, and fill attributes.
2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Bar button , or

Choose Draw > Bar.
The mouse pointer changes to the Bar pointer.
3. Click in the display where you want to add the bar and drag the pointer to form a
rectangle into which the bar will be placed.
When you release the mouse button, the Define Bar dialog appears.
4. In the Server drop-down list, select the server to use for manually entered tags. If the
server and tag name are both entered in the Tag box, this field is updated to show the new
server name. This field is ignored for non-PI data.
5. In the Tag box, type the name of the tag you want to display on the bar.
-or-
-or-
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Dynamic Symbols
6. From the Upper and Lower drop-down lists, select the maximum and minimum values
you want to use for the bar. Select a constant, or choose Tag Zero() or
TagZero()+TagSpan() for either or both values.
Note: If you choose a maximum value that is too small, the bar will be fully colored
but there will be no warning that it has exceeded the maximum.
7. From the Start drop-down list, select the point on the bar from which you want to start
drawing the bar. Select a constant, or select TagZero()+TagSpan() or Tag Zero().
8. Under Orientation, select one of the options to display the bar either vertically or
horizontally.
Note: The Sample area shows how the bar will look.
9. Click OK to add the bar to the display.
Multi-State Symbols
A Multi-State symbol changes color to reflect changes in value for a particular tag or data set
value. Any symbol except a trend, XYPlot, graphic, button, or OLE object can be made a
Multi-State symbol by assigning a tag to it. String and timestamp data cannot be used to
configure multi-state behavior.
You determine the number of value ranges, and the colors assigned to each range. As the
value of the tag changes, the Multi-State symbol changes color to reflect the current value.
You can make a symbol seem to disappear by setting a state color to the background color or
to a color of none. For alarms or other purposes, you can set a state color to blink.
For example, you may have a symbol showing two states. State 1 has a value range from 0 to
50 and a color of blue assigned to it. State 2 may have a range from 50 to 100 and have red
assigned to it. When the reading is 50 or below, the symbol appears blue. Above 50, the
symbol appears red. A color and sometimes a blinking attribute are assigned for bad data. For
digital point types, a different color may be assigned to each state.
Create Dynamic Multi-State Symbols

You can create a Multi-State symbol after you have drawn a symbol or copied one from the
Symbol Library dialog.

Additional Symbols
2. Click the symbol that you want to use for creating a Multi-State symbol.
On the Formatting toolbar, click the Multi-State Symbol button , or

Choose Edit > Multi-State.
3. The Multi-State Symbol dialog appears.
4. In the Server drop-down list, select the server to use for entered tags. If a server and tag
are both entered in the Tag box, this field is updated with the new server name. This box
does not apply to non-PI data.
5. In the Tag box, type the name of the tag you want to assign.
-or-
-or-
6. In the Number of States box, select the number of states to usel. If the number of states
is not entered, the number defaults to 2. (For digital tags, the number of states is
automatically set to the number of defined states for that tag.)
7. From the Color for Bad Data drop-down color palette, select a color that will be used
when the information is in bad status. You may also select the Blink check box to call
attention to the symbol when data is bad (optional).
8. In the State box, select 1.
9. In the Values box, type in a new value.
Note: The Values boxes display a range of values for each state. The total range of
the tag is automatically divided by the number of states. For digital tags, the
state name is displayed in these boxes. For other tag types, an estimate is
made based on the span of values for the tag.
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Static Symbols
10. From the Color drop-down color palette, select a color that will be used for the state. You
may also select the Blink check box (optional).
11. Repeat Steps 9 and 10 for each state in the symbol. Your choices and the relative range of
values are displayed on the bar at the bottom of the dialog box.
12. Click OK.
Note: You can remove a Multi-State symbol definition by clicking the Convert to Static
button, which breaks the link between the symbol and the tag.
Static Symbols
Text Symbol
The text symbol allows you to put one line of text on a display. Multiple lines of text are not
supported. When this symbol is first added to the display, a text box with a blinking text
cursor is displayed.
You can add or edit text by double-clicking the Text symbol while in Build mode, which
provides the text cursor. Unlike most other ProcessBook symbols, this symbol is not sized by
dragging an area on the display. Instead, the symbol is sized to accommodate the text within.
When text is added, the symbol grows in size and when text is removed the symbol size
shrinks. The size of the font used also affects the size of the symbol.
You can format the text symbol for font and color. Text symbols have all the functionality of
other static symbols except rotating and flipping.
Add Text to a Display

Use the Text tool to add text to a display.
2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Text button , or

Choose Draw > Text.
The mouse pointer changes to a text pointer.
3. Click in the display where you want to add the text.
4. Type the text in the text block. (You can only type the text on one line. It will not wrap.)

Additional Symbols
Note: Text block refers to the text area associated with a shape that appears when
you click the shape with the text tool or select it with the pointer tool.
5. When you finish typing, press ESC or click outside the text block.
Edit a Text Box

1. In Build mode, open a display and double-click the text block you want to edit.
2. Click where you want to add or edit text.
3. Type to add text or edit the text.
4. When you finish typing, press ESC or click outside the text block.
Move a Text Block

2. Click the text block you want to move, drag it to the new location, and then release the
mouse button.
Line Symbol
Lines within a drawing can be diagonal, horizontal, or vertical. Attributes you can change
include line color and whether a line is dotted or dashed, thick or thin, and with or without
arrowheads.
Draw a Line
2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Line button , or

Choose Draw > Line.
3. The mouse pointer changes to the line pointer.
4. Point to where you want to start the line.
5. Drag to draw the line. Press the SHIFT key while drawing to constrain the line to a
horizontal or vertical line.
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Static Symbols
Rectangle, Square, Arc, Ellipse, and Circle Symbol
Using the drawing tools, you can create these simple shapes:
Rectangle, Square
Arc
Ellipse, Circle
Draw a Rectangle, Square, Arc, Ellipse, or Circle

2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Rectangle , Arc ,or Ellipse button , or
Click the appropriate tool.
The mouse pointer changes to a tool pointer. The appearance of the pointer indicates the
type of tool you have chosen.
3. Click the display to place the upper left corner of the shape, and drag down and to the
right to create a shape of the desired size.
Press SHIFT while drawing to constrain the object to a square, circle, or circular arc.
4. Release the mouse button to complete a Rectangle, Square, Ellipse, or Circle.
-or-
5. If you used the arc tool, one quarter of the shape is drawn. Click on it and resize it to the
desired shape. Click and drag the end of the arc to change the angle.
Press SHIFT to change the angle in 15-degree increments. When the arc is first drawn,
the handle for reshaping the angle is just inside the resize handle.
Example of an arc

Additional Symbols
Polygon Symbol
The Polygon tool draws irregular shapes. When you select the polygon tool the mouse pointer
changes to a polygon pointer. Polygons are drawn using the current color and line style
attributes.
Draw a Polygon
2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Polygon button , or

Choose Draw > Polygon.
The mouse pointer changes to the Polygon pointer.
3. Click inside the display where you want to start drawing the first point of the polygon
(point "a" in the example below).
4. Drag to create the first side (point "a" to point "b" in the example below).
5. Release the mouse button to position the second point of the polygon (point "b" in the
example below).
6. Click at each of the remaining points of the polygon (points "c" through "g" in example
below). Lines are drawn between the clicks.
7. To close and fill the polygon, double-click to place the last point in the polygon (point
"g" in the example below). This action draws a line from the last point to the first point
(point "g" to point "a" in the example below).
Example of a Polygon
128
Static Symbols
Polyline Symbol
A Polyline is a set of line segments that you can draw using the Polyline tool. It uses the
current line style attributes.
Once you add a Polyline symbol, you may edit it in the same manner as the existing Polygon
symbol. You can move or resize the entire symbol, as well as move the individual endpoints
to create any desired arrangement.
Draw a Polyline
2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Polyline button .

The mouse pointer changes to the Polyline pointer.
3. Click inside the display where you want the starting point of the first line segment.
4. Drag to the location of the second point to make the first line.
Each time you click the mouse button again, a new line is drawn from the location of the
previously plotted point to the current location of the mouse pointer.
5. To finish the Polyline drawing, double-click. Press ESC to cancel the line altogether.
Note: Press the Shift key while you draw to create Right Angle Polylines.
Similarly, pressing Shift during editing manipulates a point orthogonally in relation to the
next endpoint.
Graphic Symbol
In PI ProcessBook you can:

Include a graphic file from another application, such as Microsoft Visio or CorelDRAW.
Use a drawing or picture as the background for your display, then add symbols to it. This
can reduce the amount of time you take to create a drawing.
Rotate or flip a picture.
Add an illustration to a display, and store it within the display or link it to the original
graphic file. (Linking means that if the original graphic is edited or moved, it affects the
appearance of the display as well.)
Load an image in one file format and later save it in a different format.

Additional Symbols
Note: A drawing is display resolution dependent, which means it may look different from
one monitor to another. Test the drawing on each monitor to see how it will look.
BMP Windows Bitmap file; standard, non-compressed bit-mapped graphic

CUR A file that contains an image that defines the shape of a cursor on the screen.
EMF Enhanced Metafile Format; 32-bit Microsoft Windows Metafile vector format that also
supports raster images.
ICO A file that contains a graphic to be used as an icon.
JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group - Refers both to the standard for storing
compressed images and a graphic stored in that format.
PNG Portable Network Graphics - graphic image format that utilizes lossless compression.
SVG Scalable Vector Graphics is a vector graphics language written in XML. Using SVG,
graphics can be coded directly into an XML document.
TIFF, TIF Tag Image File Format graphic image.
WMF The Windows Metafile Format - the original 16-bit native vector file format for the
Microsoft Windows operating environment.
Add a Graphic
2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Graphic button , or

Choose Draw > Graphic.
The mouse pointer changes to a graphic pointer.
3. Click in the display where you want to add the image and drag the pointer to form a
rectangle into which the graphic will be placed.
When you release the mouse button, the Define Graphic dialog is displayed.
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Static Symbols
4. Click the Browse button to locate the graphic drawing.

-or-
In the File Name box, type the path and file name of the graphic you want to insert.
5. Under Image Location, select:
• Embed if you want to update the graphic within the display file.
• Link if you want to store the graphic separately from the display file.
6. Under Format, select the appropriate option.
Note: Stretching the image to fit the bounding rectangle may distort the appearance
of the graphic.
7. Click OK.
8. A copy of the graphic is added to the display.
Symbol Library
A large selection of symbols is available in the Symbol Library. Many of these have
characteristics such as color, fill type, orientation, or background, which you can modify.
On the installation CD, OSIsoft provides several other commonly used symbols in the
ProcessBook called SYMLIBRY.PIW. This is usually installed in C:\Program
Files\ProcessBook\ProgramFiles\pipc\Procbook\SYMLIBRY.PIW. You
can cut and paste these symbols into a display.

Additional Symbols
Add a Symbol from the Symbol Library

2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Symbol Library button .

-or-
On the Draw menu, click Symbol Library.The mouse pointer changes to the Symbol
Library pointer.
3. Click in the display where you want to add the symbol and drag the pointer to form a
rectangle into which the symbol will be placed.
When you release the mouse button, the Symbol Library dialog appears.
4. Under Categories, click the type of symbols you want to use, such as Boilers,
Controllers, Valves, etc.
5. Click Options (page 132) to modify your symbol.

6. Click OK to add the symbol to your display.
Symbol Library Options

1. In the Symbol Library (page 132) dialog, a selection of symbols is displayed in the
right-hand side of the dialog box, click the appropriate symbol, and then click the
Options button.
-or-
Right-click the symbol and click Symbol Options. The Symbol Options dialog appears.
• Equation 1: 3 Alias Search tab on Tag Search dialog
132
Static Symbols
Configure the following options:

• Fill Mode—Edits the way the image is drawn. Options include Original, Shaded,
Solid or Hollow.
• Fill Color—Click the color box to change the fill color.
• Flip—Select Horizontal, Vertical, or Both to change the orientation of the symbol.
The default setting is None. This setting returns the symbol to its original position.
• Rotation—Select 90, 180, or 270 to turn the symbol by 90 degree increments. The
default setting is 0. This setting returns the symbol to its original position.
• Transparent—Check this box if you want a transparent background.
• Background Color—If the Transparent check box is not selected, you can click the
color box to change the background color.
Note: You can also change the symbol's fill and background color directly on a trend
by using the Fill Color and Background Color buttons on the

Symbol Formatting toolbar.
2. Click the Defaults button if you want to revert to the default settings.
3. Click OK to accept the changes and return to the Symbol Library (page 132) dialog.
Change the Appearance of a Symbol

After you have created a symbol and added it to your display you can modify its appearance
by using the buttons on the Symbol Formatting (page 63) toolbar.
Symbol Properties
If you right-click a symbol in the Symbol Library, the focus box at the upper left reflects that
symbol. A small dialog appears; you can choose either Symbol Options or Properties.

Additional Symbols
If you choose Properties, you see a Symbol Properties dialog, which displays the Symbol
description, Data size, Type, and Handle information. This information could be used in VBA
automation of PI ProcessBook.
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Chapter 8
Work with Symbols

Before you can apply commands to display objects you must select them. You can select
single or multiple items on a display. The commands available to apply to selected objects
depend on whether the application state is in Build mode or Run mode.
To select an object in either Build or Run mode, click on it one time while the mouse shows
the selection arrow. You cannot select existing objects once a drawing tool is selected.
In Build mode, selected objects display their resize handles. The resize handles are used to
resize an object.
In Run mode, selected objects have selection rectangles drawn around them. The color of the
selection rectangle contrasts with the display background color and the size and shape are
determined by connecting the resize handles (which are not seen in Run mode).
Details and Annotations
Details Window
Beginning in version 3.1, a Details docking window is available to show data from dynamic
symbols. The window is only available in Run mode and initially appears along the right side
of your ProcessBook window, however, you can click and drag it anywhere.
The Details window is driven by selections in your display. Moving a plot cursor changes the
rows highlighted to show the range of data.
By default, the window remains open when a different display symbol is selected. The
Details window is cleared when you switch to Build mode. If you open the Details window
while in Build mode, the controls are all disabled.
Open Details Window

Choose View > Details to display the Details window. Alternatively, you can select the
Show Details and Annotations command from the Context Display Menu.
Details Window Components

The Details window (page 135) contains the following components:

Work with Symbols
Data Source—This field allows you to choose a data source, including datasets and PI
Tags(by default, the first trace or main data source for the selected symbol is shown). The
Show All entry shows data for all the data sources in the selected symbol.
Note: If a dataset or XY Plot symbol returns more than 3,500 values the Show All option
is not available. In addition, only the first 3,500 values are displayed. This value
can be increased by adding the registry key HKCU\Software\PISystem\PI -
ProcessBook\DetailsAddin\MaxPoints (type DWORD) and setting it to
the maximum number of points desired.
Option—This field allows you to toggle between three different types of information about
your data source.
• Data—shows all rows for a selected symbol's time range. By default the table is
sorted on the timestamp column in descending order. Click a heading to resort the
table on a different column.
• Statistics—shows a table of available summary values available, for example,
Average, Minimum, Maximum. Selecting this option disables the PI Annotation
Maintenance window. Available statistics vary for each symbol type.
• Point Attributes—shows an alphabetized list of PI point attribute values.
Each view option provides the following controls:
<Symbol Name>—The name of the symbol selected on the display is shown above the data
table.
Refresh —Refresh data in all tables. Data shown does not automatically change after a
symbol is first selected. You must use refresh to view any updates in the Details window.
Enlarge/Shrink Font —Makes the text size bigger or smaller. This may reduce the
number of visible rows.
Copy to Clipboard —Allows you to copy the data table to your clipboard. You can then
paste this data into another location such as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
136
Details and Annotations
PI Annotations Maintenance
Annotations allow you to associate related information (such as text comments and other
binary data) with any archive value. The PI Annotation Maintenance group at the bottom of
the Details window (page 135) allows you to easily annotate values on your dynamic
symbols.
The PI Annotation Maintenance group is located at the bottom of the Details window and is
enabled so that annotations can be added, edited or viewed, provided that:
The selected data source is a PI Tag
The target PI Server can read and write annotations
A row representing an event is selected in the Data table
If the target PI Server (or collective) is unavailable or cannot accept edits from the current
user, the control is disabled. If the PI Server becomes unavailable while you are entering an
annotation and you then click the Save button, you will receive an error.
Note: If you select Show All from the Data Source drop-down box on the Details (page
135) window, the Value and Value Type fields in the PI Annotation Maintenance
group are disabled.
Add Annotations
1. Open the Details (page 135) window
2. In Run mode, select a dynamic symbol on your display.
3. Click inside the Value text box and enter the information you wish displayed in your
annotation.
4. Select a value from the Value Type drop-down box.
5. Click the Save button at the top of the PI Annotations Maintenance group. An
annotation icon appears on the dynamic symbol. Hover over this icon to read your
annotation. A record of the annotation also appears on the Details window when the
Data option is selected.

Work with Symbols
Note: You need to be running a PI Server 3.4 or higher for annotations to work correctly.
Otherwise, it is possible that an annotated event will not only be marked as
annotated, but will also be marked as substituted.
Pin Details Window
You can use the pin icon to lock the Details window on your screen. Click the pin icon
again to unpin the window and minimize it along the border of your PI ProcessBook window.
When the Details window is unpinned, a Details button appears along the side of the screen.
Hover over the Details button to expand the Details window.
Select and Move a Symbol

2. Click a symbol in your display. Small squares appear around the bounding rectangle of
the symbol.
3. If you want to move the symbol, drag the symbol to the desired location within your
display.
Press the Tab key to toggle among different symbols in your display once a symbol is
selected. When you press the Tab key you deselect the current object and select the next
object in the tabbing order. The tabbing order follows the stacking order (page 140) on the
display (by default, the order in which objects were added to the display).
To cancel a selection on any one object press SHIFT while clicking the object to deselect. To
cancel selection of all objects on a display, click on the display background (in a spot where
there are no symbols).
Select Multiple Symbols

You can perform many of the editing and organizing functions on more than one symbol at a
time. For example, once selected, you can move multiple symbols to a new location, edit the
color of lines and fill for multiple symbols, or even flip and rotate multiple symbols.
2. Do one of the following:
• To select all of the symbols in a drawing area, click Choose Edit > Select All.
• To select individual symbols, press SHIFT while clicking each symbol. Selection
handles display around each selected item.
• To select several symbols at the same time, click near a symbol, and then drag to
create a rectangle that includes all the symbols you want to select.
138
Rotate a Symbol
• To select symbols that are stacked on top of each other, click the top symbol.
Selection handles appear. Continue clicking the top symbol to select symbols located
under the top symbol.
3. Click the symbols you want to change or move. The selected symbols display handles.
Rotate a Symbol
You can rotate a drawing symbol in 15° or 1° increments. You cannot rotate text, graphics, or
OLE objects. Symbol Library images can only be rotated in 90° increments.
1. Select the symbol you want to rotate.
2. Choose Arrange > Rotate. A rotation object appears in the center of the symbol.
3. Click a selection handle and drag in the direction that you want to rotate the symbol. The
symbol is rotated in 1° increments.
-or-
Press SHIFT while dragging to rotate in 15° increments.
Flip a Symbol
You can create a mirror image of a symbol by flipping it. You cannot flip text, graphics, or
OLE objects.
1. Select the symbol you want to flip.
2. Choose Arrange > Flip > Horizontal to flip the symbol from right to left or Vertical to
flip the symbol from top to bottom.
Delete a Symbol
When you want to delete a drawing symbol or group of symbols:

Work with Symbols
1. Select a symbol or multiple symbols that you want to delete.

2. Press DELETE,
-or-
Choose Edit > Clear.
Stacking Order
Each symbol you add to a drawing occupies its own space in the drawing. The layers, and
therefore the symbols, are stacked on top of each other. By default, the first symbol you draw
is at the bottom of the stacking order and the last symbol you draw is at the top of the
stacking order.
Using the stacking commands, you can move a symbol forward or backward within the stack
(page 140). Depending on the number of objects between top and bottom, you may need to
repeat a stacking command several times to move the symbol to the desired location within
the stack.
Move a Symbol Forward or Backward in a Stack
1. Select the symbol you want to move.

2. On the Arrange menu, choose the direction you want to move the symbol:
• Click Forward to move it up one level.
• Click Backward to move it down one level.
• Click Bring to Front to move it to the top of the stack.
• Click Send to Back to move it to the bottom of the stack.
140
Align Multiple Symbols
Align Multiple Symbols

You can align drawing symbols with each other. Use this feature to align symbols along their
tops, bottoms, sides, or centers (either vertically or horizontally). The first symbol you select
is the symbol to which others are aligned.
When two or more value symbols are aligned, the text justification for each matches the
alignment rule: left, center, or right.
1. Select the symbols you want to align.
2. Choose Arrange > Align.
The Align submenu is displayed.
3. Click the alignment options you want. All the selected symbols are aligned to the symbol
you first selected, along the axis you specify.
Examples of Alignment Options
Group, Ungroup, or Regroup symbols

When creating or manipulating complex shapes, it is sometimes easier to combine individual
symbols into one. You can group two or more symbols together, or you can group several
groups. Once grouped, any commands that you apply affect the composite symbol as if it
were a single symbol.
Select the symbols you want to group and from the Arrange menu choose one of the
following:

Work with Symbols
• Group—The symbols combine into one composite symbol with selection

handles around the entire group.
• Ungroup—The group is disassembled into its component symbols.
• Regroup—You do not need to re-select all the components to regroup a

previously grouped set of symbols. This command is only enabled when it applies.
Connect Symbols
Connector Symbol
You can connect two symbols to each other using the Connector symbol. The Connector
symbol remains attached to each of the connected symbols whenever one or both are moved.
The advantage of using a Connector, rather than a line, is that the Connector remains attached
to other symbols when you move the other symbols and avoids overlapping other symbols.
The Connector is intended for modeling and automation purposes.
Connection Points on each symbol define where the connection occurs. Connection Points
can be added, deleted, or moved on a symbol.
Connectors try to avoid objects as they are being connected between two symbols.
The Connector symbol is supported by automation within PI ProcessBook.
Connect Two Symbols

As Connectors are drawn, they are orthogonal to the display, meaning that they go
horizontally or vertically. There are no diagonal connectors.
Each end of a Connector attaches to a Connection Point on another symbol. If you have not
already created a Connection Point on this symbol, a Connection Point is built automatically
as you draw the Connector across a bounding line of the symbol.
Connectors and Connection Points have unique numbers to help you manipulate them in the
Connectors dialog box. You can open the Connectors dialog once you draw a Connector;
even if it is not attached to any symbols.
Do not manipulate Connectors by dragging and dropping them. Use the Connectors dialog to
rearrange them.
Follow these steps to connect two existing symbols on a display:
1. Click the Connector button .

-or-
Choose Draw > Connector.
142
Connect Symbols
2. Click on the first symbol, called the "Source," and drag the mouse into the second
symbol, called the "Destination." The Connector arrow has a flow direction from the
Source to the Destination. Connection Points appear on both symbols.
Note: If your mouse does not touch a symbol, you do not see a Connection Point. Do not
adjust the Connector manually. If you do not see Connection Points on both
symbols, delete the Connector and draw it again.
You can use Undo/Redo with Connectors.
Attach a Symbol to a Connector

You can attach a symbol, such as a text box or a meter, to a Connector. Attaching is different
from Connecting. An attached symbol moves with a connector but does not account for flow
direction.
Note: To remove an attached symbol from a connector, click the symbol and drag it
away from the connector.
Connection Points
Connection points on each symbol define where a Connector may connect. Connection Points
are visible in Build mode only and appear on symbols as small x marks. When you select one
with your cursor, it changes to an x within a bounding circle.
ProcessBook symbols are originally built without Connection Points. A Connection Point is
created automatically when a Connector is dragged into a symbol. This Point is created at the
midpoint of the nearest edge of the bounding rectangle of the symbol. The end of the
Connector is moved to the Connection Point. You may add Connection Points and move
them to specific locations.
A Connection Point can be used for either the start of the flow or the end of a flow. The same
Connection Point can be used for both. A flow can be bi-directional.
If a second Connector is dragged over a symbol, it either moves to the existing Connection
Point or creates a new one.
For irregular figures, Connection Points are placed near the midpoint of the side of the
bounding rectangle of the figure, as shown in the illustration below, rather than inside the
figure itself. You can adjust the position of the Connection Point to touch the actual figure.
Connector with Connection Point on the Bounding Rectangle

Work with Symbols
Note: If a symbol is placed in front of another, the Connection Points on the ‘hidden’
symbol cannot be selected. You can solve this problem by placing the two
symbols on different layers of the display.
Add Connection Points

If you want an additional Connection Point, you can add it as follows:
1. In Build mode, select the symbol.
2. Choose Edit > Connection Points > Add. A point appears at the upper left of the
symbol.
3. If you wish, drag the new Connection Point to a different location.
Select among Multiple Connection Points on One Symbol

After you select one Connection Point, you can press C on the keyboard to cycle through any
additional Connection Points on that symbol.
Delete Connection Points

To delete a Connection Point from a symbol:
1. Select the Connection Point.
2. Choose Edit > Connection Points > Delete.
Move Connection Points

Connection Points may be moved to a new position within a symbol. To do this, click on a
Connection Point in Build mode and drag it.
For very fine adjustments, you can move Connection Points on a symbol.
1. In Build mode, click on a connection point.
2. Choose Edit > Connection Points > Move. The Connection Point Placement dialog
appears, where you can edit the width and height ratios in comparison to the X and Y
axes of the symbol.
144
Connect Symbols
Determine the Identifying Number of a Connection Point

In Build mode, if you place your mouse over a Connection Point, a tooltip shows you the
Connection Point number. The following illustration refers to Connection Point 2 on
Rectangle 1. These Connection Point numbers are used on the Connectors Dialog Flow tab
(page 145).
Connection Point Numbering
In other words, Connection Points have identifying names that are derived from the symbol
name. For example, for a rectangle named Rectangle2, two Connection Points would be
named <Rectangle3 : 1> and <Rectangle 3 : 2>.
If you are using a symbol from the Symbol Library, the Connection Point is named
<TBSymbolx : n>, where TBSymbolx represents the specific name of the symbol.
Connectors Dialog
In Build mode, if you wish to adjust a Connector's end point, you might click and drag the
end point. Unfortunately, this action stops the auto-avoidance capability of the Connector.
Alternatively, you can use the Connectors dialog to rearrange connections. To reach this
dialog:
Click the Connectors toolbar button,
-or-
Choose Edit > Connectivity,
-or-
On the right-click menu, click Connectivity.
The Connectors dialog affects Connector symbols only. It cannot be used to attach one
symbol to another symbol without a Connector. The Connectors dialog has two tabs, Flow
and Attachments. Each Connector is identified by a unique number, which is revealed by a
tooltip in your display.

Work with Symbols
Connectors Dialog with Source and Destination Trees
Connectors Dialog, Flow Tab

The Connectors Dialog, Flow tab specifies the source and destination of each Connector
from one symbol's Connection Point to another symbol's Connection Point. The dialog is
available whenever a Connector exists on a display.
The Flow tab shows two tree diagrams, Source and Destination, where you can change the
Connection Points for the Connector shown in the Connector drop-down box. There is also a
Flow Direction drop-down box associated with the Connector that appears in the Connector
drop-down box.
Each Connector and each Connection Point are numbered.
Note: Use the tooltip on the display to identify the Connector(s) and Connection Point(s)
you wish to rearrange before you open the Connectors dialog.
The Auto Avoid option is checked as a default, so that Connectors route around other objects
in the display.
146
Connect Symbols
Configure the Flow Tab

1. In Build mode, open the Connectors dialog (page 145). The Flow tab is in focus.
2. In the Connector drop-down box, select a Connector. Connectors are numbered; you
can find a tooltip on the display to identify each one. In the Source and Destination
boxes, you will see highlights for the current Connection Points for that Connector.
3. Modify the Flow Direction if you wish.
4. Click a new Connection Point on the Source tree to change the Source Connection
Point.
5. Click a Connection Point on the Destination tree to change the Destination Connection
Point.
6. Click Apply. This changes the display.
7. Repeat these steps for all Connectors on the display that you wish to modify.
8. Click OK. If the display is satisfactory, save it.
Connectors Dialog, Attachments Tab

For very complex displays, it may be helpful to attach or arrange Connector Attachments
through the Connectors Dialog, Attachments tab. (The Attachments tab does not include
Connectors or symbols attached to other symbols.) If you do not check the Enable

Work with Symbols
Connector Attachments on the Display Properties dialog, discussed above, you can still
attach symbols to Connectors by using this dialog.
Connectors Dialog, Attachments tab
Configure the Attachments Tab

1. In Build mode, create a Connector (page 142). Notice its number in the tooltip.
2. Create the auxiliary symbol to be added to the Connector.
3. Open the Connectors dialog (page 145), and select the Attachments tab.
4. Choose a Connector from the numbered list in the drop-down box at the top.
5. After you select a Connector, unattached symbols on the display are listed in the
Symbols box. Symbols that are already attached to the Connector appear in the
Currently Attached box. Existing Source and Destination symbols that are connected to
Connectors are not listed.
6. Highlight a symbol in the Symbols box that you want to add and click Add. The symbol
now appears in the Currently Attached Box.
7. Adjust the position and placement of the attached symbol as needed.
• To move the symbol closer to one end of the Connector, double-click the specified %
and change it.
• To move the symbol from the top of the Connector to another placement, double-
click the default Top and choose Left, Right, or Bottom.
148
Connect Symbols
8. Click Apply and select another Connector to adjust.

9. If you need to remove an attachment, highlight the attachment in the Currently
Attached box and click Remove.
10. When you are finished adjusting, click OK.
Attach a Symbol as an Adjunct to a Connector
Sometimes it is desirable to attach a symbol, such as a flow meter or a text label, along a
Connector so that the symbol moves as the Connector does. This subordinate symbol is called
a symbol attachment. Note that this is different from connecting a symbol to either end of a
Connector.
To attach a symbol to a Connector, follow these steps:
1. Choose Edit > Display to open the Display Properties dialog.
2. Be sure the Enable Connector Attachments option is checked. Click OK.
3. Create the subordinate symbol and drag and drop it across the Connector. The
subordinate attachment is attached to the Connector. The placement is snapped either
left/right or top/bottom depending upon the orthogonal direction of the connector at the
position where the attachment has been placed.
4. To attach symbols to Connectors, select the Connector, then choose Edit > Symbol
Attachments.
Attach a Symbol as an Adjunct to Another Symbol
You may want to attach two or more symbols (not Connector Symbols) so that they move
together but do not become a Composite Symbol. For example, you might attach a text label
symbol to a pump symbol. The text symbol is subordinate to the pump symbol and follows
the pump symbol if the latter is moved.
The advantage of this method of attachment is that each symbol in the group retains its
identity and can be acted on individually for automation purposes.
1. Select at least two symbols. This enables the Symbol Attachments icon .
2. Click the Symbol Attachments icon, or
Choose Edit > Symbol Attachments, or
On the right-click menu, click Symbol Attachments.
The Symbol Attachments dialog appears. The symbols you selected appear in the
Attachments dialog as possible master or subordinate symbols.

Work with Symbols
3. Select the Master Symbol. As you change the Master, the title of the dialog changes
also.
4. Place a check mark for the subordinate symbol or symbols and click OK.
5. Repeat the process for each Master symbol. The Detach All bar at the top can be used to
remove all attachments from the currently selected symbol in the Master box. To detach
only one attachment, clear its check box.
6. Click OK. When you move a Master symbol, any subordinates move with it.
Note: There are two other routes to the Symbol Attachments dialog. Choose Edit >
Symbol Attachments, or, on the right-click menu, click Symbol Attachments.
Move Attached Symbols Independently

Click and drag an attached symbol that is not the Master Symbol to move the symbol
independently without affecting the position of the Master Symbol.
Detect Connections and Attachments
You can easily detect which symbols in your display are attached and/or connected to
Connectors, or which symbols are attached to symbols. To see whether Connectors or
attached symbols exist for a particular symbol:
Click the symbol or connector and hold down the mouse button for more than one half
second.
150
Item Definition
• If there are existing Connectors, all Connectors with attached symbols for this
symbol are spotlighted and display in a different color (for example, white for black
or yellow for blue).
• If there are no Connectors, nothing happens.
Reroute a Connector Path
When you move a symbol, its Connectors shift automatically to stay connected to the moved
symbol and avoid overlapping other symbols in the display. Connectors can overlap each
other.
If a drawing becomes complex, you can request that all Connectors be rerouted by clicking
the Reroute button. If you select specific Connectors and click Reroute, only those
Connectors are rerouted. Connectors crossing each other may be unavoidable but should be
minimized. Do not move Connectors manually.
The object avoidance feature in PI ProcessBook can either ignore or take Connectors into
account when looking for the shortest path from the source to a destination. This behavior is
controlled by the ConnectorsAvoidConnectors setting in the ProcBook.ini (page
196).
Note: Object avoidance does not occur after you drag and drop a Connector’s line
segment. If you modify the position of a Connector manually, the center point and
end points on the Connector change from green to red, indicating that automatic
object avoidance is turned off and you are responsible for all further updates to
that Connector.
Rerouting can consume significant system resources (CPU and Memory) to solve complex
problems. Factors that can increase complexity include:
A very large display
Large numbers of Connectors on a single display
Large numbers of symbols to be avoided
A high number of "Lines per Screen Unit" (set in "Arrange", "Grid Size…", "Lines per
Screen Unit"—1 equals the largest cell size; 30 gives the smallest cell size)
Routing multiple displays on the same PC
Item Definition
Use the Item Definition button in either Build or Run mode when you want to see what tags
and formatting options were used in any symbol that uses a dialog box for basic
configuration. It is the same as double-clicking on the item with the Build mode pointer. If
the symbol does not have a definition dialog box, the button is dimmed. You can change the
selections and save the new definition. This button does not open any of the formatting
dialogs (for example, Font or Color).

Work with Symbols
Display or Change Item Definition
1. In either Build or Run mode, open a display.

2. Double-click the dynamic symbol whose definition you would like to change (such as a
value, bar, trend, or button).
-or-
Click the symbol, then on the Formatting toolbar, click the Item Definition button. A
definition dialog box displays that corresponds to the symbol you selected:
Note: If the Item Definition button appears dimmed the symbol you selected may
not have a definition dialog box.
3. In the appropriate dialog box, make your changes to the item's definition, and then click
OK. These changes are saved with the symbol. These changes are saved with the symbol.
Status Report for Dynamic Symbols

The Status Bar at the bottom of the PI ProcessBook application shows whether dynamic
symbols in a display are updating normally. The Status icon is a green circle when there are
no errors. It is a blue circle containing a ? if the display shows questionable data or a yellow
arrow for substituted data. It contains an X if a dynamic symbol is reporting bad data (or
shutdown status). As you shift focus from one display to another, the icon may change. If you
shift back to the Table of Contents, the status icon remains from the last display in focus.
or
The Status Report dialog appears when you have a display in focus and double-click the
Status icon. This report lists all the symbols in a display that have data associated with them.
You see the tag to which the symbol is connected and, if there is an issue, the error message
appears. You can sort the list by any of the column headings.
152
Status Flags for Unusual Data
For troubleshooting purposes, the Message Log button shows you the SDK Log file.
You can save this report as a .csv file by using the Save to File button.
Note: The Status Bar can be displayed or hidden from the View Status Bar item on the
View menu.
Status Flags for Unusual Data

In addition to the Error indicator shown in the Status Bar (page 152), PI ProcessBook has
three types of flags to indicate that the data is valid but additional information is available.
Each dynamic symbol can display an icon when there is additional status information
available. When you hover the mouse over a flagged symbol, you will see a tooltip with the
status message. In trends, status messages will appear to the right of the tag values in the
legend, if the status is associated with the last value on the plot.
The icons are shown below:
Questionable—indicates that there is some reason to doubt the accuracy of the value.
Annotated—indicates that there is a comment about a value. Text annotations are

shown in symbol tool tips. Use the Details window (page 135) to view and add
annotations.
Substituted—used to indicate that the value has been changed from its original value.
This value is set only by the PI Server when an existing value is changed.
If a tag has more than one flag, the highest priority status will be shown. The priority from
high to low is: Error, Questionable, Annotated, Substituted.

Work with Symbols
If you clear the Show Value Attributes check box in your Start Preferences, you will not see
these icons. You might disable the icons to improve ProcessBook performance if you have
very high speed sub-second data.
154
Chapter 9
Data Sets
In PI ProcessBook you can build dynamic symbols using data retrieved from data sets just as
you can from specific points in the PI Data Archive.
A data set is basically the set of results of a query that addresses a specific data source. You
can use placeholders to link PI tags and ODBC data within a query.
Data sets are defined at the Book level so that they can be defined once and then shared
among different displays within that ProcessBook. Trends including data sets can be
manipulated, saved, moved, and copied in the same fashion as other trends.
Whenever a display is updated, if a trace or value using a data set is configured using relative
times, then the trace or value is updated. No updates occur if the data set is configured using
absolute times. For independent displays, the data set definition is saved with the display file.
You can edit an existing data set, either from the Tools menu or from a symbol that uses the
data set. However, if you have attached the data set to more than one symbol, editing the data
set affects all the symbols. If you move a PI ProcessBook display containing a data set to
another machine, you may need to reconfigure the data set.
Three types of data sets are available to provide data to displays:

PI Calculation (page 156) data sets (including PI Expression and PI Summary data
sets) from PI Universal Data Server equations.
ODBC (page 160) (Open Database Connectivity) data sets obtained from a relational
database. ODBC client capability means that without writing vendor-specific code, you
can access data from certain relational databases outside the PI System and include that
data in your PI ProcessBook displays. The outside data source must be ODBC-compliant;
for example, it must provide an ODBC Driver. An outside ODBC data source might

Data Sets
include laboratory results, cost tables, or other sets of information that can be obtained
through SQL queries. Since access to ODBC sources is configured on a particular
computer, moving a display file that uses an ODBC data set may require the data source
to be configured on the new computer.
Custom (page 159) data sets built as COM objects supplied by Visual Basic or C++
programs as Add-Ins to PI ProcessBook.
PI Calculation Data Sets

PI Calculation Data Sets include PI Summary Data Sets and PI Expression Data Sets. These
are drawn from the PI Universal Data Server and plotted dynamically. The new data sets are
very efficient in terms of the network traffic needed to support the data access.
Use the PI Calculation dialog to create, edit, or delete data sets. You can select
predetermined calculations or create your own expressions. A similar dialog is used to link to
ODBC data sets (page 160).
PI Summary Data Sets
PI Summary Data Sets enable you to use several predetermined functions to retrieve
calculated PI data for a tag.
• The AVG function calculates the average of the tag values for each interval.
• The MIN function selects the minimum of the tag values for each interval.
• The MAX function selects the maximum of the tag values for each interval
• The PCTGOOD function determines the percentage of time for each interval, when
the tag’s archived values are good (that is without errors, such as out of range errors
or shutdown flags). It is not used for digital tags.
• The RANGE function calculates the difference between the tag’s maximum and
minimum values for each interval.
• The STDEV function calculates the population Standard Deviation of the tag values
for each interval.
These functions are fully described in the Performance Equations chapter of the PI Server
Reference Manual.
PI Expression Data Sets
PI Expression Data Sets enable you to create your own function or expression in PI
Performance Equation syntax. These expressions can include tag variables with
mathematical and logical operations as described in the Performance Equations chapter
of the PI Server Reference Manual. This syntax is also documented on the OSIsoft
Technical Support Web site, http://techsupport.osisoft.com
(http://techsupport.osisoft.com), under the hierarchy Support > Downloads >
Documentation for the PI Server.
156
PI Calculation Data Sets
Create a PI Calculation Data Set
1. Choose Tools > Data Sets. The Data Sets (page 155) dialog appears.
Note: You can also create a PI Calculation data set by clicking the dropdown arow
next to the Tag Search button in the Define dynamic symbol dialogs. By
accessing the PI Calculation Data dialog this way, you have the additional
option of selecting a previously created PI Calculation Data set, as well as the
ability to create a new one as outlined below.
2. Click New > PI Calculation. The PI Calculation Data dialog appears.
3. Enter values for the following fields:

• Server—Select a PI Server.
• Name—Enter a name for your data set. The name must be unique for the current
.piw or .pdi file.

Data Sets
• PI Tag or Expression—Enter a tag name or a PI expression. Use the Tag Search

(page 61) button to search for PI Tags. If you choose to type an expression, be sure to
use PI Performance Equations syntax, such as one of these:
‘sinusoid’ * 2
(‘cdt158’+‘sinusoid’)/2
log(‘cdt158’)
((‘sinusoid’) –tagzero
(‘sinusoid’))/tagspan(‘sinusoid’)
• Description—This description appears on trends of this data set in the tag descriptors
area.
• Calculation Interval—The interval (minutes, hours, days) for the calculation.
• Interval Sync Time—This is the absolute time of day at which the periodic
calculations are done. For example, if the Interval Sync Time box is set to 12:00:24
PM and the time in the Refresh Interval box is set to ten minutes, then the
calculation for each period is executed at the following times: 12:10:24, 12:20:24,
12:30:34, etc.
• Value Column Name—The name that represents the time-value pairs of the
calculated data.
• Refresh Interval—The interval at which you want to automatically update the data
set. You can also type a number between 0 and 999. If you select 0, data is not
automatically updated.
• Stepped Plot—Selected by default. Clear the check box if you want a point-to-point
plot.
4. Click OK to save your changes.
• The data set name must be unique for the current .piw or .pdi file.
• The node name and tag name must be valid.
• The interval must be a valid PI time.
• The sync time must be a valid PI time.
5. Your new data set appears in the Data Sets dialog.
Intervals and Time Value
The calculated value for each interval is plotted at the start of the interval. For example, if the
tag "t_min" has the following time-value pairs in a 10 minute interval, then the calculated
value for this interval would be plotted at time 1:00:00.
1:00:00 1
1:01:00 2
1:02:00 3
1:03:00 4
1:04:00 5
1:05:00 6
1:06:00 7
158
Custom Data Sets
1:07:00 8
1:08:00 9
1:09:00 10
1:10:00 11
The calculated value for the AVG, STDEV, and PCTGOOD functions includes the tag value
at the lower interval boundary time and excludes the tag value at the upper interval boundary
time. For the example above, the tag value "10" at time 1:09:00 is excluded in the function
calculation, therefore the calculated value for AVG is 4.5 and the calculated value for
STDEV is 2.872281.
The calculated value for the MIN, MAX and RANGE functions includes the tag value of
both the lower and upper interval boundary times. For the example above, the calculated
value for MIN is 1, the calculated value for MAX is 11 and the calculated value for RANGE
is 12.
Plot a Moving Average in a Trend
You can plot additional statistics in a trend using data sets derived from PI tags. For example,
you can plot both a tag and its moving average to show a smoothed version of the same
curve. The moving average is built from the source tag using a data set that recalculates an
average point value over recurring intervals.
To create a moving average in a trend:
1. In Build mode, double-click on the trend to open the Define Trend dialog.
2. Click the Tag Search arrow and choose PI Calculation to create a data set based on a
tag.
3. Click New to add the data set and specify a Name and Description for the data set that
calculates the moving average.
4. Click Tag Search and select the tag you want to use as the basis for the calculation.
5. In the Interval field, choose the calculation period for the average. A new average tag
value is computed at each interval over the plotted time range.
6. Click Average in the Columns panel to select an average calculation, and click OK.
7. Click OK to close the Define Trend dialog.
Custom Data Sets

A custom data set is one provided through a VBA Add-In to ProcessBook. It is a COM object
that acts as an interface between PI ProcessBook and the custom data provider. The source of

Data Sets
data could be a data store (like MS SQL Server) or a data calculation engine. PI ProcessBook
will request updates to the data every few seconds and adjust its display accordingly.
Before you can access custom data sets in a display, the Data Set Add-In must be installed
through the Add-In Manager (page 25) dialog. Later, as you build a display, you select the
data set and column to be used for a symbol on a display through the symbol definition
dialogs.
Building a custom data set is beyond the scope of this user guide. It is discussed in Creating a
Custom Data Set, a white paper supplied with the PI ProcessBook software CD and also
available through the OSIsoft Web site.
ODBC Data Sets

PI ProcessBook uses the term ODBC data set for the concept of an ODBC query that
retrieves data from a relational database to produce a group of data values organized into
rows and columns and used to build a trend or other element in a ProcessBook display. A
data set is identified within a ProcessBook by a unique name.
The data set name refers to the combination of an SQL query statement and an ODBC Data
Source with which to execute the query. The results of the SQL query are organized into rows
and columns. You may select any column of the results for a display. For example, in a trend,
each column in the data set that you select will appear as a different trace.
A SQL query statement may be written so that it executes based on other data in a display,
such as PI tags or current time. This is done using SQL placeholders (parameters); a tag, time,
or text string is then substituted for each placeholder at run time.
For more information on ODBC, see the ODBC (page 185) appendix.
Create an ODBC Data Set
1. Choose Tools > Data Sets. The Data Sets (page 155) dialog appears.
2. Click the New button, then select ODBC. The ODBC Data dialog appears.
160
ODBC Data Sets
3. In the Name box, type a name for the data set.

4. In the Description box, type a description if you like. This is displayed in the Description
legend for the trace, if configured.
5. In the Refresh Interval list, click the interval at which you want to automatically update
the data set.
-or-
Note: The default for the Refresh Interval list is zero minutes. This means the data
set will only refresh when the trace is first drawn or when you click the Revert
Time Ranges button on the standard toolbar. If a tag placeholder is used, the
Refresh Interval box list is disabled.
6. From the Data Source drop-down list, click the appropriate ODBC data source. If you do
not already have an ODBC Data Source configured on your computer (using the Control
Panel), click the Setup button to create or modify one.
7. Click the Design button.
The Microsoft Query application is displayed.
Note: If Microsoft Query is not installed, then the Design button is disabled. You can
key in the query manually. You can also copy and paste a query from another
query building tool.

Data Sets
8. Choose your ODBC data source and design your query.
Note: Click the Help button, if necessary, and follow Microsoft's instructions for
completing the query.
9. Click OK to return to the ODBC Data dialog box.

To verify if the query can be understood by the ODBC data source, click the Check
Syntax button.
10. Click OK.
11. If you want to use placeholders in the query, enter the appropriate WHERE clause and
click the Placeholders button. Placeholders are defined in the order in which they are
encountered in the SQL statement.
Clicking the Placeholders button causes the syntax of the query to be checked. If the
syntax is not valid, the invalid query message is displayed.
12. Click OK.
Placeholders
A Placeholder in an SQL query identifies a value that is to be provided when the query is run.
You can validate a query before the actual values are provided.
The standard SQL placeholder character is “?”. Placeholders are numbered in their order of
appearance, from left to right, in the query statement.
For example, the following query statement has two placeholders, one for a text string for a
sample ID and the other for a sample time.
Select value, sample_time from Lab_data where sample_ID=?
and sample_time>?
PI ProcessBook allows placeholders in queries. You may provide text, start, or end times, or
tag values as substitutes for placeholders.
Processing of Placeholder Queries
Text placeholder values are substituted into a query when it is run. Start and End times are
determined when a display is opened and are substituted into queries at execution.
Processing of Tag Placeholder Queries

Tag values can also be used as placeholders. With a Tag placeholder, a join is process
between the ODBC data source and the PI data source. When a display is opened,
PI ProcessBook obtains tag values between the start and end time and substitutes these values
into the SQL query, one at a time. The use of a tag placeholder is shown in the SQL query
statement below:
Select target from specs where product_code=?
162
Placeholders
In this example, the values of the tag in the PI System that records the current product code
are retrieved. The result set of the ODBC query is built by executing the query once for each
placeholder value. In the case of this example, that would be one query execution for each
product code found between the start and end times.
Design Placeholder Queries
Placeholders can be customized for a symbol. You can create an ODBC data set with a set of
default placeholders. When that data set is attached to a specific symbol, the query’s
placeholders can be customized for that symbol without affecting the placeholders defined for
any other symbol using that data set.
Add or Edit Placeholders
To open the Placeholders dialog, click the Placeholders button in the ODBC Data Sets
(page 160) dialog, or click the Custom Placeholders button on a symbol definition dialog. In
this dialog box, you can rename placeholders, change their type or specify values.
the configured symbol.
1. In the Placeholder Name box, select the parameter you want to configured. The
parameters are in the same order as found in the data set query. The list is limited to the
number of parameters found in the query.

Data Sets
2. In the Placeholder Properties group, select the Type for the selected parameter. There
are four possible types, Text, PI Tag, Start Time, and End Time. You can optionally
change the name of the placeholder to make its purpose clear.
3. Selecting a type transforms the dialog to allow you to enter the settings for the selected
type, if any.
If the query uses:
• Text input—Type the replacement text value in the Text field.
• Tag values—Type a node ID and tag name or click the Tag Search button to open
the Tag Search dialog.
• Start and/or end times—No additional configuration is used.
4. Click the Set button.
5. To configure another parameter, select it and repeat the previous steps.
6. Click OK.
Is a Data Set in Use?

Before you modify a data source or data set, it is important to determine whether it is being
used in another display or symbol. PI Calculation data sets and ODBC data sets are
established for an entire ProcessBook (or an independent display). Custom data sets are
installed with the PI ProcessBook application and are available to any display that you open.
1. Choose Tools > Data Sets. The Data Sets dialog appears.
2. Under Data Sets, click the data set name, then click the Show Use button. The Data Set
Use dialog appears and displays where the data set is being used.
Data Set Details

Each Data Set is initially determined from a Data Source that must already be configured. If
the Data Source you need is not listed, click the Setup button to add it.
Once the Data Source is selected, add the query. If the Design button is unavailable you must
type in the query. If MS Query is installed correctly, the Design button will not be
unavailable. Click it to design the query.
You can check syntax after you add the query. Including question marks (?) in the query
allows placeholders to be defined.
If you wish to use placeholders from PI in your query, establish them by clicking the
Placeholder button and completing the process on the Placeholder dialog.
164
Add a Data Set to a Trend

Just as you would add tags in defining a trend, you can add columns chosen from a data set.
Each column is plotted as a separate trace, however, the data set columns that appear on your
trend do not appear in the Point Properties dialog.
If the query returns a null value, the trace displays the discontinuity. Information from more
than one data set may be plotted on the same trend.
You can manipulate trends containing data from data sets just as you would other trends, by
using functions such as:
Trend Zoom
Scrolling
Trend Cursor
Time Range
Revert Time Ranges
Autorange
Markers

2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Trend button .

3. Click in the display where you want to add the trend and drag the pointer to form a
rectangle into which the trend will be placed.
4. When you release the mouse button, the Define Trend (page 80) dialog appears.
5. Click the Tag Search arrow, and then click PI Calculation.
6. The PI Calculation Data dialog appears.
Note: If you want to display the ODBC Data dialog instead of the PI Calculation
Data dialog, then click the Tag Search arrow, and then select ODBC.
7. Under Saved Data Sets, click the data set you want to add to the trend.
8. Under Data Set Columns, select a column(s) to be plotted in the trend (use the SHIFT or
CTRL keys to select more than one column).
9. Click OK.
Note: Until you select a data set and at least one column, the OK button is dimmed.
10. The selected data set/column(s) is now listed under Tags in Plot in the Define Trend
dialog. Select tags as desired and format the trend. If you wish to see or edit the

Data Sets
definitions of placeholders, click the Custom Placeholders button in the Define Trend
dialog.
11. Click OK. Data displays on the trend.
Note: If you select the Description check box, on the Display Format tab in the Define
Trend dialog, then the description of the data set is taken from the PI Calculation
Data dialog and repeated for each column that is plotted. There are usually no
engineering units for a data set column.
Time Intervals for Plotting Tags and Data Sets

The Start and End plot times on the Define Trend (page 80) dialog are used to determine
the time range for plotting tags. However, a data set may have different time boundaries than
the plot time start and end for the tags. If the time range for the data set starts later than the
time range for the tags, the data set traces begin with X marks.
Refresh a Trend Containing a Data Set

In a display containing only data from data sets, the data is refreshed based on the Data Set
Refresh Interval, which is configured in the data set. The trend does not update again until the
Data Set Refresh Interval has expired, at which time it requests another set of values and
redraws itself. A PI tag in a display, on the other hand, receives exception notifications from
the PI System and is updated on the display whenever the polling period elapses (every five
seconds by default).
If both PI and data set data are to be plotted on the same trend, then the latest data set value is
continued toward the end time axis with changing PI exception data points until the refresh
interval expires and new data are received from the data set.
Add Data Sets to Bars or Values in a Display

A single value from a data set may be added to a display as either a Value or a Bar.
In general, queries can return many rows of results. The Value or Bar uses only the data from
the last row of the results for the column you select; the rest of the results are discarded.
In many cases, you can use an “order by” clause to control which rows are returned first.
For example, the following query guarantees the most recent sample appears in the
ProcessBook Value field:
Select lab_val from Lab_Data where last_ID = “BW”
Order by Sample_time asc
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Run PI ProcessBook When Data Sets Are Included
Run PI ProcessBook When Data Sets Are Included

When you start PI ProcessBook and open an updating display, it connects to your PI System
and remains connected until you close PI ProcessBook.
If you have configured data sets in a ProcessBook, PI ProcessBook connects to a data source
as soon as you open a display using data set results.
The first time you use a particular data source, the external database may ask you for login
information through a login dialog. After a successful connection, PI ProcessBook retains this
information for use throughout the session. When you close the session, PI ProcessBook does
not store your password locally.
Edit a Data Set

You may change the Data Source, the Data Set Refresh Interval, the Description, or the
query. However, when you change a data set, you may affect other queries that use the same
data set.
1. Choose Tools > Data Sets.
2. The Data Sets (page 155) dialog appears.
3. Under Data Sets, click the data set you want to edit, and then click the Edit button.
4. Either the PI Calculation Data dialog or the ODBC Data dialog displays depending
upon the data set you selected.
5. If the PI Calculation Data dialog displays, then make your changes in the appropriate
fields.
6. If the ODBC Data dialog displays, then do the following:
Note: To determine if Microsoft Query is installed, the application checks your MS-
DOS path for the existence of msquery.exe)
If the Design button is enabled, then:

1. Click the Design button. An instance of Microsoft Query is started using the current data
source and query.
2. Edit the data set in the MS Query environment.
3. Choose File > Return to ProcBook when you are finished.
Note: Microsoft Query cannot edit query statements that contain placeholders.
If the Design button is disabled, then:

If Microsoft Query is not installed, the Design button is disabled; however, you can type the
query in the query text box. You can also copy and paste a query from another query building
tool.

Data Sets
1. Add or edit the appropriate WHERE clause in the query to edit a placeholder data set or
existing placeholders (question marks represent placeholders in the query statement).
2. Click the Placeholders button. This action causes the syntax of the query to be checked.
3. If the syntax is valid, then the Placeholders dialog displays with the current placeholders.
If the syntax is invalid, then an invalid query message is displayed.
4. Click the Check Syntax button, to complete a syntax check of your query. The status of
the query is returned.
5. When you have finished modifying the data set, click OK. If the data set is in use in a
display, the Confirm Data Set Modification dialog displays.
6. If you wish to proceed, click Continue. The Data Sets dialog appears.
7. Select the column(s) to be used and click OK to return to the dialog.
Delete a Data Set

Before you can remove a data set from the PI ProcessBook list, you must remove it from any
symbols that use it. If the Data Set is a custom data set, which is a COM object, remove it
through Add-in Manager dialog box. Otherwise, use the following steps to delete a data set
first from all displays in which it is used and then from the ProcessBook altogether.
1. From the Tools menu, click Data Sets. The Data Sets (page 155) dialog appears.
2. Under Data Sets, click the data set name, and then click the Show Use button to
determine if any display or symbol is using the data set.
3. Close the Data Sets dialog.
4. Open each display in which a data set is being used and delete the data set from the
appropriate dialog box, such as the Define Trend or Define Value dialog.
5. Save each display.
6. Reopen the Data Sets dialog.
7. Under Data Sets, click the data set you want to delete, and then click the Delete button.
8. The data set is removed from under Data Sets in the Data Sets dialog. If the data set is in
use, then the Can't Delete Data Set dialog appears.
Copy a Data Set to Another ProcessBook

While data sources are configured for a computer, data sets are established for only one
ProcessBook.
1. Open the new or target ProcessBook or independent file.
2. Open the old or source ProcessBook or independent file.
3. From the Tools menu, select Data Sets. The Data Sets (page 155) dialog appears.
4. Under Data Sets, click the data set you want to copy, and then click the Copy button.
The Copy Data Sets dialog appears.
168
Loading Custom Data Sets
5. From the To Open Workbook drop-down list, select the correct target, and then click
OK.
Loading Custom Data Sets

Before you can access a custom data set in a display, you must create a data set add-in and
install it on your computer. Then you must select it through the PI ProcessBook Add-In
Manager (page 25) dialog.

Chapter 10
Embedding and Linking
Overview of PI ProcessBook OLE Compound Documents

ActiveX is Microsoft technology used for developing reusable object oriented software
components. Container applications are those that can contain ActiveX objects.
Compound Documents are documents that contain parts from more than one application. The
parts may be spreadsheets, word processing documents, ProcessBook displays, etc. A
compound document consists of a container document plus sub-documents that are 'served'
by other applications
PI ProcessBook compound document functionality has two aspects:
ProcessBook displays can be containers for objects from other applications, such as
databases, spreadsheets, or documents.
ProcessBook displays may be used to exhibit dynamic data within other container
applications. In this case, the ProcessBook or display is considered an object.
OLE Automation in PI ProcessBook

OLE Automation of PI ProcessBook means that an application or program outside PI
ProcessBook can manipulate PI ProcessBook objects such as displays or symbols. Currently,
applications with OLE capability include Microsoft Excel, Access, and Visual Basic (VB),
among others. A specific set of properties and methods are associated with each object type.
Data from PI ProcessBook can be retrieved or manipulated according to scripts originating
outside PI ProcessBook. For example, with the proper scripts in place, you could:
Obtain a PI ProcessBook object, such as a display, from PI ProcessBook and print it in an
Excel spreadsheet. In fact, you can write the script to retrieve the display only when
certain tag values or other conditions are met.
Write a Visual Basic program to start PI ProcessBook, assess a particular display, and
then alter it in some way.
Click a button in ProcessBook to make an Excel spreadsheet show the average and raw
data of the current trend in ProcessBook. Then you could change the time range of the
ProcessBook, click the button again, and see the Excel spreadsheet update with the new
time range.
Although Automation scripts are not required to use a dialect of Visual Basic, at the present
time, that is the most common approach. OSIsoft is using Visual Basic as the standard testing
language for OLE Automation.

For more information on how to write Visual Basic scripts for use with PI ProcessBook, click
Help > PI Processbook VBA Language Reference.
Object Linking and Embedding

An object application may be connected to a container application by either embedding (page
172) or linking (page 172). The distinctions between the two have to do with the ways in
which the object is stored and updated.
Embedded Objects
Embedded objects are copied from an existing file or created and then stored as an integral
part of the container application, such as PI ProcessBook. Using an embedded object
increases the file size of a ProcessBook significantly.
Formats not natively supported by PI ProcessBook, such as Windows metafiles, can now be
pasted from the Windows clipboard as objects in a ProcessBook display.
To change the contents of an embedded file, double-click it. The source application software
is invoked, and you can edit the object with the source application's commands.
ProcessBook is a time-based application. When ProcessBook is used as an embedded object,
it updates dynamically whenever you double-click it.
If you rename a ProcessBook or move it to another directory, drive, or PC, any embedded
objects in displays can still be changed as long as your system can locate the appropriate
source application software.
Linked Objects
Linked object information is not stored as a part of the destination application. Instead, the
destination file stores only the location of the linked source file. No matter how many links it
has, only one version of the linked file is stored and maintained. Using a linked file increases
the file size of a ProcessBook less than using an embedded object.
In establishing an OLE link, you may update the:
Contents of the object dynamically whenever the source file changes
Update the object only by manual command
To change the data in a linked file, such as which tags you have selected, you switch to the
source application and open the file. Changes are then reflected in the container display
according to the update method you selected.
Alternatively, if you double-click the object, the source application and the actual file open,
allowing you to edit the object. If the source application supports in-place activation, you can
edit within the container window; otherwise a source application window opens.
If you rename a ProcessBook or move it to another directory, drive, or PC, any links from displays to
source files can break. These broken links need to be re-established if you wish to continue using them.
172
ActiveX Controls
Should You Link or Embed?
Embed—If you want to update the object data within the target document or if you want
to store all the source data within the container application.
Link—If you want the data to update dynamically or when you need to minimize file
size. The source application must continue to be available.
Note: When you link to a ProcessBook container, there is a risk of accidentally changing
the source file.
ActiveX Controls
You can insert ActiveX controls that are installed on your PC into PI ProcessBook displays.
If you move the displays to other machines, then you must also install the controls there.
Some ActiveX controls are self-contained and will work without further scripting. Most
require additional VBA code before they function correctly.
Add a Control
2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Control button , or

Choose Draw > Control.
The mouse pointer changes to a control pointer.
3. Click in the display where you want to add the control and drag the pointer to form a
rectangle into which the control will be placed.
When you release the mouse button, the Insert Control dialog appears.
4. Under Controls, click the appropriate control, and then click OK. For example, if you
add a calendar control to a display, it might look like this:
In Run mode, a user could change the month and date. A programmer could incorporate
the calendar into scripts associated with the display.

Example of Embedded and Linked Objects in a ProcessBook

Display
In the example below, a ProcessBook display includes a process schematic, an embedded list
of equipment parts, and a link to lab results.
The equipment parts list is stored with the ProcessBook display. If your PC has an installed
copy of MSWord, you can peruse or modify the list at any time simply by double-clicking it.
The lab results are stored by the source application, not in the ProcessBook display. The
display can be set to update lab data dynamically whenever the results in the source
application changed, or it can be set to update lab data when you click an Update Now button
on the Edit Links dialog.
Icons vs. Graphics

You may choose to have embedded or linked objects displayed either as graphic
representations or as icons. An icon uses the minimum area of your display and would be
appropriate for reference material, such as definitions.
The icon for the source application appears unless you select another one.
Choosing an icon to represent a linked file results in a slightly smaller ProcessBook file size.
Choosing icons for embedded objects does not reduce ProcessBook file size.
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Embedding in ProcessBook
Embedding in ProcessBook
Objects may be created within a PI ProcessBook display by the source application and then
stored as embedded objects. Alternatively, you may create objects from existing files or parts
of files. In addition, you can embed an object by dragging it from another application.
Unless you are using drag and drop embedding, you must be in Build mode in order to insert
a new object. Choose Insert > Object to launch the Insert Object dialog.
Embed an Existing File in a ProcessBook Display
1. Open the display.

2. In Build mode, choose Insert > Object. The Insert Object dialog appears.
3. Select Create from File.
4. Click the Browse button. The Browse dialog appears.
5. Browse and locate the file you want to embed and then click the Open button.
The file name is displayed in the File box, or
In the File box, type the path where the file is located.
6. If you want to display an icon rather than a graphic, click the Display as Icon check box.
7. Click OK. The object appears on your display.
Embed a New File in a ProcessBook Display

3. Leave Create New selected (the default position).
4. Under Object Type, click the type of object you want to embed.

Note: If you want to display an icon rather than a graphic, select the Display as Icon
check box.

6. Adjust the size and positioning of the object.
7. Commands for the source application are available on the menus. Create the contents of
the new object and click elsewhere on the display to return to ProcessBook.
8. Save the display.
Windows Drag and Drop

Use the Windows drag and drop feature to move or copy an object from another OLE
application or display into a ProcessBook display or vice versa. To move an object, simply
drag it. To copy an object, press CTRL and drag it. PI ProcessBook must be in Build mode to
successfully have an object dragged or dropped.
Note: if you open a display and drag an object elsewhere, the display is permanently
changed, regardless of whether you save it or simply close it.
Link a File to a ProcessBook Display

You can create a link from a ProcessBook display to an existing file. The linked object
appears in a rectangle within your display. It is updated whenever the source file changes,
unless you change the link setting from Automatic to Manual.
You must be in Build mode to insert a linked object, however you may move or resize linked
objects in either Build or Run mode. You may also edit the contents of a linked object, but
you are actually editing the original source file, not simply the image in the ProcessBook
display.
3. Select Create from File.
4. Click the Browse button. The Browse dialog appears.
5. Browse and locate the file you want to embed and then click the Open button.
The file name appears in the File box, or
In the File box, type the path where the file is located.
Note: If you want to display an icon rather than a graphic, select the Display as Icon
check box.
6. Select the Link check box.
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Dynamic and Manual Updates of a Linked Object

8. Adjust the size and positioning of the object.
Dynamic and Manual Updates of a Linked Object

The default setting for a link is automatic updates, meaning that whenever the source data
are changed, the data in your display changes.
You can change this updating frequency to manual through the Links dialog. Manual
updates are also initiated through this dialog.
Edit, Update, or Break Links

If you have created an automatic link to another object, it updates whenever you open the
entry. If you have created a manually updated link, use the Update Now button on the Links
dialog to update your linked object.
When you move a display, you may need to change the sources for linked objects by breaking
the links and re-establishing them.
2. In Build mode, choose Edit > Links. The Links dialog appears.
3. Click the link you want to change.
Note: You can select several links at once by pressing the CTRL key and clicking
each link.
4. Choose one of the following options:

• Select Manual—Updates the linked data manually
• Click Update Now—Updates the linked data immediately
• Click Open Source—Edits the linked data
• Click Break Link—Permanently breaks the link. The object is converted to a picture
(metafile).
5. Click OK.
How Links Are Stored

When you establish a link between a ProcessBook display and a source file, the link is stored
in two ways, the relative path for the link, and the absolute path for the link. The relative path
is the relationship between the location of the source file and the location of the target file in
the directory tree. The absolute path includes the drive, directory, and file name of the source
file.

Select a New Source Link

When you move a ProcessBook or display that contains links to source files, if both the
absolute and the relative paths change, you need to reestablish the links.
To reestablish these links:
2. In Build mode, choose Edit > Links. The Links dialog appears.
3. Click the Change Source button. The Change Source dialog appears.
Edit the Appearance of an OLE Object

Once an OLE object appears in a display, you can resize it, move it around on the display, or
copy it. There are, however, a few differences in how OLE objects respond to ProcessBook
commands, compared to native objects such as symbols.
Although you must be in Build mode to insert an OLE object or edit links, you can edit OLE
objects from either Run mode or Build mode. When you select an OLE object, switching
modes does not cancel the selection.
Commands That Ignore OLE objects

Command Location Action
Select All Edit menu Does not include OLE objects.
Zoom/Fit All View menu Ignores OLE objects.
Symbols
Align Arrange menu Does not work because you cannot select more than one
OLE object at a time.
Forward Arrange menu Does not work because you cannot select more than one
Backward Arrange menu Does not work because you cannot select more than one
Group Arrange menu Does not work because you cannot select more than one
Rotate Arrange menu Does not work with OLE objects.
Flip Arrange menu Does not work with OLE objects.
Placement of OLE objects

OLE objects appear to obscure other elements of the display, such as text or symbols, if the
OLE objects were created before the native symbols. The most recently created OLE object
appears on top of older OLE objects and native symbols.
178
OLE Object Colors
OLE Object Colors

You may wish to use a background within an OLE object in a contrasting color to the display.
To change the colors used in an OLE object, go to the source application. ProcessBook Color
Preferences do not apply to OLE objects.
Edit the Contents of OLE objects

Some source applications permit in-place activation, which means that if you double-click the
OLE object, the source application opens, displays its menus and commands through the
ProcessBook menu bar, and permits you to edit the object in place within PI ProcessBook.
Other source applications open a new window for editing when you double-click the OLE
object.
You can edit OLE object contents in either Run or Build mode.
Edit the Contents of an Embedded Object

You cannot edit an embedded object by opening the source application first because the
embedded object is not a separate file. Instead, open the source application from within the
embedded object in the ProcessBook display.
Edit the Contents of a Linked Object

To edit the contents of a linked object, either double-click the object or open the source
application and make changes. These are immediately reflected in the ProcessBook display if
it is open; otherwise the changes appear the next time you open the ProcessBook display.
Note: When editing a linked object file, remember that the file may also be an object in
other applications besides PI ProcessBook.
In addition, you can reach the source application through the Links dialog.
1. Choose Edit > Links. The Links dialog appears.
2. Click the appropriate link.
3. Click the Open Source button to open the source file.
Edit Contents of OLE objects

2. In Build mode, double-click the OLE object you want to edit.
3. Refer to the following table:

If Then
The source application permits in-place activation, Edit the object.
menus and commands for the source application Save it if it is a linked file.
appear on your screen, temporarily replacing
ProcessBook menus. Click elsewhere on the display to return to
ProcessBook or press the ESC key.
The source application does not permit in-place Edit the object.
activation, a new window containing the source Save it if it is a linked file.
application appears.
Close the window and return to ProcessBook.
Delete an OLE Object from a Display

1. In Build mode, click the OLE object you want to delete.
2. Choose Edit > Clear.
Display an OLE Object with an Icon

To save space on a ProcessBook display for a linked object use an icon, rather than a graphic
representation of the data.
You may select to display an icon when you are creating the object by selecting the Display
as Icon check box in the Insert Object dialog.
Later, you can switch between an icon and a graphic representation of the object, as described
below. If you have made the graphic representation other than a square shape, the icon may
be distorted.
Convert Objects to Icons

2. In Build mode, click the object you want to change.
3. Choose Edit > Object (at the bottom of the menu) > Convert. The Convert dialog
appears.
180
Share ProcessBook Displays with Other Applications
4. Select the Display As Icon check box

5. Click OK. The object switches from a graphic to an icon.
Note: To switch from an icon to a graphic, clear the Display as Icon check box.
6. To select the icon to use, click the Change Icon button. The Change Icon dialog
appears.
• If you want to return to the default icon, then select Default.

• If you want to select a new icon from the available group, select From File and
choose a new icon.
• If you want to select a new file to provide the icon, click the Browse button.
• If you want to change the name of the label that displays beneath the icon, then type
the new name in the Label box.
7. Click OK to return to the Convert dialog.
8. In the Convert dialog box, click OK.
Share ProcessBook Displays with Other Applications

You can embed a ProcessBook display within another OLE application, or you can link an
entire ProcessBook. In embedding, the display is called a PI Display Document.
Although applications with OLE functionality use similar commands, they are not exactly
alike. The following general procedure uses examples from an Excel spreadsheet. The
procedures for linking are similar to those for linking objects to ProcessBook displays.
Embed a New ProcessBook Display in Another OLE Application
1. Open the container application. For example, open a spreadsheet and select a cell in
which you want to place a display.
2. Choose Insert > Object. The Object dialog appears.

3. On the Create New tab, under Object type, click PI Display Document.
Note: If you want to display an icon rather than a graphic, select the Display as icon
check box.
4. Click OK.
5. The display is embedded in the container application.
Embed an Existing ProcessBook Display in Another OLE Application
1. Open the display you want to embed.

which you want to place a ProcessBook display.
3. In Build mode, choose Edit > Select All, and drag the objects in the display into the
other application.
4. Save the file.
Note: When you activate the dragged contents, the entire original display is drawn,
regardless of which objects were dragged to the new container.
Link a ProcessBook to Another Application

which you want to place a display.
2. Choose Insert > Object. The Object dialog appears.
3. Click the Create from File tab.
4. In the File name box, type the path.
-or-
Click the Browse button and locate the ProcessBook file (.piw) that you want to link to.
5. Select the Link to File check box.
6. Click OK. The ProcessBook icon is displayed in your application.
Note: If you select the Display as Icon check box, then the Object Packager icon is
used by default, rather than the ProcessBook icon.
OLE Container/Server
A ProcessBook display may be shown in another application. For example, you could include
an updating trend in an incident report produced in a word processing application such as
Microsoft Word. Or, you could prepare a presentation for a group by using Microsoft
PowerPoint to prepare slides and including embedded displays from PI ProcessBook. To do
this, use the Insert Object command in the second application and insert an object of type PI
Display Document.
182
Appendix A
Visual Basic for Applications in PI ProcessBook

OSIsoft licenses Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) from Microsoft in order to provide an
integrated development environment within PI ProcessBook. This is the same VBA
environment that is used in Microsoft Office, Visio, AutoCAD, Great Plains Dynamics, and
many other applications.
In PI ProcessBook, each display has a VBA project associated with it. You can write scripts
that execute in response to events in PI ProcessBook, either based on user actions or data
updates. You can also use VBA to automate routine tasks or to cause changes in a display
when data changes. In addition, you can insert other ActiveX controls obtained through
Microsoft Office software or from outside sources.
VBA Commands
Access VBA through the VBA toolbar, or by choosing Tools > Macro:
Visual Basic Editor Switches to VBA Editor window
Run Macros Opens the Macros dialog, which provides a way to select,
debug, and run existing VBA scripts
Design Mode Stops any scripts that may be running or may start running.
Useful for debugging
ActiveX Automation
ActiveX Automation refers to the technology of placing ActiveX controls (independent
software modules) within applications and using scripts to manipulate the application and/or
the controls.
What You Can Do with ActiveX Automation in PI ProcessBook

Data from PI ProcessBook can be retrieved or manipulated according to scripts originating
either within or outside PI ProcessBook. For example, with the proper scripts in place, you
could:
Obtain a PI ProcessBook object, such as a display, from PI ProcessBook and print it in an
Excel spreadsheet. In fact, you can write the script to retrieve the display if and only if
certain tag values or other conditions are met.

Visual Basic for Applications in PI ProcessBook
Write a VB program to start PI ProcessBook, access a particular display, and then alter it
in some way.
Click on a command button in ProcessBook to make an Excel spreadsheet show the
average and raw data of the current trend in ProcessBook. Then you change the time
range of the ProcessBook, click the button again, and see the Excel spreadsheet update
with the new time range.
Use a mouse click within a PI ProcessBook display to initiate updates or adjustments in
the display.
Update a PI ProcessBook display by typing new tag names into a spreadsheet.
Although Automation scripts are not required to use a dialect of Visual Basic, at the present
time, that is the most common approach.
Automation Vocabulary
Understanding OLE automation requires some technical vocabulary. Terms used in the PI
ProcessBook VBA Language Reference Guide are defined below.
Automation Accessing an object in an application and changing it or using it without using the
user interface.
ActiveX The application that provides data. PI ProcessBook is an OLE Automation Server.
Automation It provides access to its internal objects from other applications.
Server
ActiveX The application that initiates changes through scripts. PI ProcessBook is an
Automation Automation container, as are Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and a few other
Container commercial products.
Object A specific item that may be manipulated by a script. For example, a ProcessBook,
a display, or a symbol may be the object of a VB or VBA script.
Property An attribute of an object. An object with read-write properties can have variable
information assigned to it by the script. A read-only property cannot be changed.
Method An action that can be performed on an object and may or may not return a value.
Sometimes called a function.
Event A procedure that executes whenever a particular action occurs, such as a mouse
click.
184
Appendix B
ODBC
ODBC Driver Manager

PI ProcessBook sends queries to a standardized interface from Microsoft called the ODBC
Driver Manager. The Driver Manager forwards ODBC queries to appropriate vendor-
provided Drivers, which access the outside databases and return the requested data to your
ProcessBook display.
ODBC Drivers
Each DBMS (database management system), such as Microsoft SQL Server, requires a
specific ODBC Driver, provided by the vendor of the DBMS or a third party. Each driver is a
Dynamic Link Library (.dll) that implements a set of subroutine calls to retrieve data from
a particular database.
The Microsoft ODBC Driver Manager is included as a part of PI ProcessBook installation.
ODBC Data Sources

An ODBC data source identifies a database a user wants to access and the information needed
to connect to that data. Examples of ODBC data sources are:
A SQL Server database, the server on which it resides, and the network protocol used to
access that server.
An Excel spreadsheet on a file server.
A directory containing a set of dBASE files you want to access.
ODBC data sources have an explicit name, are configured for a particular computer, and may
be used by any ODBC- compliant application installed on that computer.
ODBC Data Access

PI ProcessBook stores relational queries in data sets within ProcessBook files. The data sets
are created, stored, and accessed by name. PI ProcessBook symbols can then access the data
sets. The columns in the data set make up the items that can be assigned to the trend, value, or

ODBC
bar. The SQL needed to retrieve data for PI ProcessBook can be configured once and used by
many displays and symbols.
PI ProcessBook must return a time and value pair(s) for display within a symbol (trend,
value, or bar). Placeholders act as parameters to an SQL function call. They are evaluated at
run time. Placeholders can take three forms: text, start/end times, or a PI tag name. Use the
start and end time placeholders when the time limits of the query should be determined from
the trend symbol where the query is used. The PI tag name placeholder can be used to join PI
data with relational database data. A PI Value is retrieved for the PI tag and then substituted
into the query.
Using ODBC requires that you install the Microsoft ODBC Driver Manager and drivers
(most operating systems already have the Driver Manager and some standard drivers
installed). You must then configure data sources (page 187) for ProcessBook and define
individual queries, called data sets.
ODBC Data Source Administrator

1. On the Windows Start menu, point to Settings, click Control Panel, double-click
Administrative Tools, and then double-click Data Sources (ODBC).
The Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog appears, or
Choose Tools > Data Sets. The Data Sets (page 155) dialog appears.
2. Click the New button, and then click ODBC.
The ODBC Data Sets dialog appears.
3. Click the Data Source drop-down list to see what ODBC data sources you have already
configured, if any.
4. Click the Setup button.
The Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog appears.
186
Prepare for ODBC
Prepare for ODBC

In order to use ODBC within your ProcessBook, you must install an ODBC driver and
configure the corresponding ODBC data source on your computer. Open the ODBC Data
Source Administrator (page 186) and click the Drivers tab to view the ODBC drivers that are
already installed on your system. See your System Administrator if you require additional
ODBC drivers.
Configure the ODBC Data Source

Once any necessary ODBC drivers are installed, you need to configure the ODBC data
sources available to the computer.
1. Open the ODBC Data Source Administrator (page 186) dialog.
2. On the User DSN tab, under User Data Sources group, click the name of the ODBC data
source you plan to use and then click the Configure button.
The Setup dialog box for the data source you selected displays.
3. Add the ODBC data source.
Note: Click the Help button, if necessary, and follow Microsoft's instructions for
completing the dialog box.

ODBC
4. When you have completed configuring the data source, click OK to return to the
Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog.
Note: To create data sources for any user of the computer, use the System DSN tab
instead of the User DSN tab.
Use MSQuery to Build Data Sets

You can use Microsoft Query (MS Query) for writing queries. It is not distributed with PI
ProcessBook, but if you click the Design button in the ODBC Data dialog, then PI
ProcessBook searches the registry in your computer to locate MSQry32.exe when the
ODBC data sets dialog is opened.
Note: The MS Query application does not work with an ODBC query that includes
placeholders. Consequently, the Design button in the ODBC Data dialog may be
disabled.
Assumptions about Timestamps and Data Sets

When a trend receives data from an ODBC data source, it receives the data as a Time / Value
pair. The Value is generated by the query. The Time, however, may be obtained in one of two
ways:
If a Tag placeholder (page 162) is used, then the time will be the time returned by the
Tag. This time will supersede any timestamps returned by the query.
One or more of the columns returned by the query may contain a date and/or time. If
more than one timestamp column is returned, the first one as ordered by the SQL query is
used.
Stored Procedures in Queries

Stored procedures can be used in ODBC data sets. They may contain placeholders as long as
your database accepts the stored procedures call as a text string. The common syntax for this
is:
execute procname ('arg', 22, ?)
Check the documentation of your database management system for details.
Stored procedures generally return results in rows and columns, just as a normal SQL query
does.
The only way to determine the columns returned by a stored procedure is to perform a test
execution. When you are building the data set, because ProcessBook needs to know the
columns returned, it executes the procedure. If the procedure call includes placeholders, the
following defaults are used:
188
Troubleshoot ODBC Data Sets
Text Actual text placeholder string

StartTime Current time
EndTime Current time
Tag 0
An ODBC data set is created with a set of default placeholders. When it is attached to a
specific symbol, the query's placeholders can be customized for that symbol, without
affecting the placeholders defined for other symbols using that data set.
For example, you can create a query for a database of laboratory data using a text placeholder
for the sample name. You can then use a different sample name for every trend, bar, or value,
rather than defining a new data set query for each sample name.
Troubleshoot ODBC Data Sets

Data sets may be added, deleted, copied, or edited by selecting the New, Delete, Edit, or
Copy buttons in the Data Sets dialog.
Columns are defined by the data set query. To see the columns returned by the query, select
the dataset when configuring a symbol to use it. The dialog shown from the Data Sets dialog
opened from the Tools menu does not show the columns.
The Show Use button opens a dialog that indicates what displays and symbols include data
from this data set.
Trace ODBC Calls

The ODBC Driver Manger provides an option for recording a log of all calls to the Driver
Manager from all ODBC clients. The default options for ODBC are set to omit tracing and
logging ODBC calls
If you choose to trace ODBC calls, you may suffer some degradation in system performance.
Initiate Call Tracing
1. Choose Tools > Data Sets. The Data Sets dialog appears.
2. Click New. Click ODBC. The ODBC Data dialog appears.
3. Click Setup. The ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog appears.
4. Select the Tracing tab.
5. To change the file where tracing is logged, choose a new file path in the Log File Path
text box. Use the Browse button to search for files.
6. To initiate tracing, click the Start Tracing Now button. The label changes from Start
Tracing Now to Stop Tracing Now, and the Log File Path text box becomes unavailable.
7. To stop tracing, click the Stop Tracing Now button.

ODBC
Delete an ODBC Driver

If you have deleted all data sources using a particular driver, you may unistall it from your
system. To do this, you must use the setup program for the ODBC driver.
Note: If you delete the wrong driver you need to reload it from the vendor's diskettes.
Delete an ODBC Data Source

If you remove data sources while they are in use, displays that use them fail to retrieve data.
Consequently, before you remove a data source, remove all data sets in which it is being
used. PI ProcessBook cannot prevent users from removing a needed data source from the
computer.
1. Open the ODBC Data Source Administrator (page 186) dialog.
2. On the User DSN tab, under User Data Sources, click the name of the ODBC data
source you want to delete and then click the Remove button.
A confirmation message is displayed.
3. Click the Yes button to delete the data source.
4. Click OK to close the Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog, then close
the ODBC Data dialog.
The data source is removed from under Data Sets in the Data Sets dialog.
Edit an ODBC Data Source

Occasionally you may want to use a different computer to access an existing ProcessBook
display.
If the display contains data from a PI Calculation Data Set, the display works correctly unless
the new machine does not point to the same PI Server as the previous one.
If this display contains data from an ODBC data set, you will need to reconfigure the correct
ODBC data source on the new computer. Essentially this means establishing the same ODBC
data source name that was used on the original computer. Follow the steps under Installing
ODBC Drivers, and Configuring the ODBC Data Source (page 187).
If the display contains data from a custom data set, then you must install that PI ProcessBook
add-in on the new machine.
190
Appendix C
Troubleshooting Tips
Display Can't Find Data

When a display does not receive data, the problem may be one of the following:
The network is down.
A display has been moved from one PC to another and Node Identifiers to the Server(s)
need to be re-established through the Connections dialog (page 9).
An ODBC Data Source may have been altered, causing the dataset to fail to return data.
An ODBC database might have been restructured, invalidating your dataset.
Trend Cursor Does Not Appear

If the trend is part of a display, select it. If that doesn't enable the Trend Cursor (page 87), the
trend is probably too small. Double-click to make the trend larger.
Trend Legend Does Not Appear

Make the trend larger. If that doesn't help, check the default Trend Format settings.
Can’t Change or Save a Display

If your PI ProcessBook is part of a View-only installation, you are unable to save any ad hoc
trends or alter displays or ProcessBooks.
If you cannot alter a display or ProcessBook, you may be in either View mode or Run mode.
If you are in View mode, you have only one toolbar. If you are in Run mode, the Run mode
button on the Drawing toolbar is depressed. Switch to Build mode .
Is an XYPlot Updating?
When an XYPlot is updating, the updating tags are shown with an arrow indicator in the
legend. An XYPlot is updating if the following conditions exist:

Troubleshooting Tips
The end time for the X tag is indicated as the current time (by using *) or is in the future
(*+N)
At least one of the Y tag end times is indicated as the current time (by using *) or is in the
future (*+N) and is not synchronized or matched with the X tag (if X is not updating).
If both the X tag and the Y tag are updating, an arrow indicator is shown in each legend entry.
Updates for retrieval methods Recorded and Interpolated are received from an event pipe that
provides the application with snapshot values. For this reason, when a tag is using recorded
values, you may see many more values while the plot is updating than are actually recorded.
Once the plot is regenerated or reverted, only recorded values are shown. When using the
interpolated retrieval method, values on the plot are interpolated using the snapshots coming
in through the event pipe.
Is an OLE Object in a Display Linked or Embedded?

To determine if an object is linked or embedded, look at the border around it. Linked objects
are surrounded with dashed lines; embedded objects are surrounded with solid lines.
Depending on the colors used, sometimes the border of an object is difficult to see. If so,
select the object and click on the Edit menu. The last entry in the menu appears as:
xx object for embedded objects
or
Linked xx object for linked objects
where xx is the object type, such as document, spreadsheet, etc.
Linked Object Data Isn't Updating

If your linked data doesn't update when you open a display, click Edit > Links.
If the Edit > Links choice is unavailable, the link is permanently broken and your object
has become a picture. It can't update from the source. Re-create the object.
On the Links dialog, if the file is set to Manual Update, click Update Now, and the file
should update.
On the Links dialog, if the entry for the file says Unavail, the source file is not where the
application expects to find it. Use the Change Source button to locate the file and re-
establish a path for the link.
192
ODBC Problems
ODBC Problems
Missing ODBC Trace
If no values are found for one of the selected columns in a query, the trace will not be drawn
and the value in the legend reads No Data.
If the necessary time value is not defined in the query, either by a date/time column or by a
placeholder tag, the trace is drawn as a straight line using one value.
Missing ODBC Data Sources
Occasionally, an ODBC data source cannot be found. This can occur because the data source
was deleted or because the ProcessBook .piw file has been moved to a machine that does
not have the same data source defined.
To resolve the problem, re-define the data source. The following figure shows what happens
when a Trend attempts to display a trace for which the data source no longer exists.
Trend Display after a Data Set failure

Appendix D
System Administrator Notes
PI ProcessBook Connection to Windows NT or UNIX Servers

Each PI ProcessBook user creates a new connection to a single PINETMGR process on the PI
node. PI Server connections are managed through the PI SDK on the machine running PI
ProcessBook. See PI Server documentation for information on security and troubleshooting.
PI ProcessBook Connection to OpenVMS Servers

For OpenVMS, each PI ProcessBook user creates a PI Server process on the PI Server PI
node. You can see all these connection processes on the PI Server with the VMS Show
System/Network command. The process name of each PI Server process is:
NNNNNN:SSSSIIII
NNNNNN is the node name of the PC. This may be a number, depending on whether the PC
node is defined in the network database on the VAX or Alpha.
SSSS is the first four characters of your user name from the PI ProcessBook login dialog box
or "Book" if you leave the user name field blank.
IIII is the process ID of the PI ProcessBook process, which is always E.
There is also a log file in the PISysExe: directory for each PI ProcessBook connection.
For DECNet connections, this log file is NetServer.LOG. For TCP/IP connections, the
name is xxxPIServer.LOG where xxx depends on the vendor of the VMS TCP/IP
software.
PI Server connections are managed through the PI-SDK on the machine running PI
ProcessBook.
Read/Write Data Access for Users

Although the only data feature PI ProcessBook currently supports is read-only access, the PI
System Administrator can configure a user's setup for read-only, read/write, or no access. For
more information, refer to PIBuild:PIServer.txt on your PI Server node.
If you want to restrict read and/or write access to PI data, make changes in the
CLIENTACCESS section of the file pisysdat:piserver.dat. For example:
[USERDATABASE]

DEFAULT=PI
[CLIENTACCESS]
DEFAULT=RW
DYAN=R
ERIC=R
JOHN=NONE
The above entries in piserver.dat result in:
The machines named DYAN and ERIC have only read access to PI data.
The machine named JOHN does not have any access to PI data.
All other machines have both read and write access to PI.
The value for the DEFAULT entry is initially set to RW. Otherwise, existing PINet nodes will
not function properly.
If you want to restrict write access from PCs, set the default CLIENTACCESS to R and add
entries to accommodate your PINet Nodes. For example:
[USERDATABASE]
DEFAULT=PI
CLIENTACCESS
DEFAULT=R
BRIAN=RW
The preceding entry allows the PINet node BRIAN to read and to write data to the PI System.
All other nodes have read- only access.
TCP/IP node names are case-sensitive. In addition, the values for the entries in the
CLIENTACCESS section (for example, R and W) are also case-sensitive.
Machine Address
Because PI ProcessBook is a client/server application, the communication setup is essential.
The machine address, which allows the PI System to recognize your machine, is a key item.
Often, the address may be found as an alias in the TCP host file. The Network Administrator
should resolve any questions or difficulties regarding the network and addressing.
PROCBOOK.INI
The PROCBOOK.INI file contains configuration and preference settings for PI ProcessBook.
This file generally resides in two places, the user's default location, C:\Documents and
Settings\<user name>\Application Data\PISystem\PI-
ProcessBook\<language>, and the PIPC\DAT directory (on the local drive where PI
ProcessBook is installed).
196
PROCBOOK.INI
When PI ProcessBook is installed on an individual PC using SETUP.EXE, the

procbook.ini file in PIPC\DAT is created. The file in C:\Documents and
Settings\<user name>\Application Data\PISystem\PI-ProcessBook is
only created once settings are changed in the PI ProcessBook Preferences dialog for the first
time. The values in C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Application
Data\PISystem\PI-ProcessBook\language override the values in PIPC\DAT
unless an administrator creates Registry entries to override user-specific settings.
The following is a list and brief explanation of the most significant sections and keywords in
the PROCBOOK.INI file. The settings used are examples and not necessarily the default
values.
Startup Section
Initializations for startup of PI Processbook

Possible entries:
StartupProcessBook—Specifies file to be opened on start of Processbook
DefaultFileLocation—By default, clicking File > Open directs you to the local user's My
Documents directory. Specifying a different directory in this entry defaults File > Open and
File > Save to a new folder when ProcessBook starts.
ModeBias—R=run-mode, B=build-mode
RetainAspectRatio—1=preserve aspect ratio for displays, 0=do not
Symbol Library—Specifies workbook that is opened by selecting Book of Symbols
MakeBackupFile—1=make backup files while using ProcessBook, 0=do not make backup
files
Author—Sets the default author for created displays and workbooks
ToolTipsEnabled—Setting this entry equal to Y enables tool tips on ProcessBook symbols.
Setting equal to N disables them. The default (if this entry is not in the .ini file) is Y.
International Date Format—Specifies date/time format. 1=Windows format, 0=PI Time
format
PromptForConversion—1=prompt user when opening a file created with an earlier version,
asking whether or not to convert to new format, 0=do not prompt (default)
MaxUndoStackSize—Maximum number of elements in the Undo stack (default is 200)
Build/Run Scroll Mode—For each mode, set the scrolling: 0=off, 1=on, 2=automatic.
GridSize—Sets the Grid Size, in lines per screen unit. Default is 12.
File Access Entries—FileAccessTimeout and FileAccessInterval entries,
described below, first check the common INI file for these settings as opposed to the private
INI files.
FileAccessTimeout—Number of seconds ProcessBook will attempt to open a locked file
(default is 5 seconds)

FileAccessInterval—Number of intervals, in tenths of seconds, between attempts to

open a locked file (default is 1/10 of a second)
COMTimeOut—This is the number of seconds that the ProcessBook container will wait
before showing a timeout dialog. The default is 30 seconds.
RunSelectorColor—Red, Green, Blue, values can range from 0 to 255, sets the color of the
selector rectangle in run mode.
MacroProtectionLevel—Specifies how ProcessBook handles macros per display. Possible
settings:
Level 0—No macro protection (default if entry is not defined)
Level 1—Prompts user to disable macros when VBA code is opened
Level 2—Prompts user as in Level 1, except when macros are disabled, VBA code is
opened and locked in design mode
Level 5—Same as Level 1, except no dialog appears when display is opened (can toggle
between run and design modes)
Level 6—Same as Level 2, except no dialog appears when display is opened (locked in
design mode)
Toolbar Configuration Entries—Typically the toolbar INI file
(PBToolbarConfig.ini) is generated by ProcessBook in the same folder as the private
PROCBOOK.INI file, and is persisted there. However, you can assign toolbar configurations
to other INI files by setting the entries below (in order of precedence, from first to last):
TBFilePath—Location and filename that the user's toolbar configuration data will be
persisted (this file must have both read and write access). This will also be the first
location looked for when loading the toolbar configuration.
UserDefaultTB—Read-only location and filename of a toolbar configuration that is
searched for, when the file in TBFilePath is not found. This could be a default
company, or group, configuration.
PBDefaultTB—Read-only location and filename of a toolbar configuration, used only
when the two entries above are not found, and there is no toolbar configuration data
persisted in the Windows registry.
SymbolDLLs—Filenames of additional add-in libraries to load when starting ProcessBook
(such as SQC.DLL or BTREND32.DLL). These entries are automatically added when these
components are installed.
References—Filenames or paths to VBA references, separated by semicolons (;)
URL Home—Specifies the website navigated to when a user clicks the ProcessBook icon in
the Help\About box. Default link is to the OSIsoft Website (http://www.osisoft.com/)
MaxBitmapMB—Maximum file size (in megabytes) that bitmap images may be loaded in
displays. If embedded bitmaps are larger than the specified maximum, ProcessBook scales
the images down to lower resolutions. The current default maximum is 16.0 MB.
ServerTimeZone—1=Show times and time spans based on the time zone of the server where
the tags originate, 0=Show times and time spans based on the time zone of the local machine.
1 is the default.
198
PROCBOOK.INI
ProcessBook—Setting this value equal to PRIMARY allows users on a network to view

ProcessBooks, but not change them. The user will have access to the Standard toolbar,
including trend displays, but cannot save an ad hoc display.
EnableScreenSaver—Indicates if the platform's screen saver should be displayed while
ProcessBook is running. A value of 1 means that the screen saver should be enabled and
appear if it is defined at the platform level. A value of 0 means that the screen saver should
not appear while ProcessBook is running, even if the screen saver is enabled at the platform
level. The default value is 1. If this entry is not in procbook.ini, the code will assume a
value of 1.
ConnectUsingAPI—0 = (default)do not connect on startup using the PI API, only use the PI
SDK. 1 = connect using the PI API (and the PI SDK). This is used to support legacy VBA
code in displays/add-ins.
Show Value Attributes—Indicates if values attributes (substituted, questionable,
annotations) should be shown for tags.
1 = Yes (default setting)
0 = No
PB2TraceCompatibility—Indicates if all snapshot values should be retained for trends.
1 = Yes (default setting). Do not use archive event pipe.
0 = No - Use snapshot value filtering/removal” logic and use archive event pipe.
EnableConnectorAttachments—controls whether symbols drag and dropped on top of a
connector are made into connector attachments
1 = true - allow
0 = false - do not allow
ConnectorsAvoidConnectors—controls if connectors are treated as obstacles to be
avoided when performing object avoidance
1 = true - connectors are avoided in object avoidance
0 = false - connectors are not avoided in object avoidance
AutoEnableScripting—when set to True, new dynamic symbols will be automatically
enabled ; for scripting as is the current PI ProcessBook behavior. If set to False, new dynamic
; symbols will not be automatically enabled for scripting.
Startup Example
[Startup]
Startup ProcessBook=PIDEMO30.PIW
DefaultFileLocation="C:\Program Files\PIPC\Procbook"
ModeBias=R
Retain Aspect Ratio=0
Symbol Library=SYMLIBRY.PIW
PromptForConversion=[PB_PROMPTFORCONVERSION]
Show Value Attributes=1
PB2TraceCompatibility=1
MakeBackupFile=0
ToolTipsEnabled=Y

Author=
International Date Format=1
MaxUndoStackSize=20
Build Scroll Mode=1
Run Scroll Mode=1
GridSize=12
FileAccessTimeout=5
FileAccessInterval=1
COMTimeOut=30
RunSelectorColor=0,0,0
MacroProtectionLevel=0
TBFilePath=
UserDefaultTB=
PBDefaultTB=
References=
URL Home="http://www.osisoft.com/"
MaxBitmapMB=16
ServerTimeZone=1
Processbook=PRIMARY
EnableScreenSaver=1
ConnectUsingAPI=0
EnableConnectorAttachments=1
ProcessBook View Section
The ProcessBook View section of the .INI file should be modified through the Tools >
Preferences dialog and should resemble this example:
[ProcessBook View]
BookView = 1
BookView controls the view in which a ProcessBook is displayed when opened (0 =
Outline, 1 = Book).
To change the font for the tabs in book view, add a section similar to this example:
[BookTab_Font]
Height=-13
Weight=0
Italic=0
Underline=0
PitchAndFamily=0
FaceName=Arial
The FaceName should be a True-Type font so that it can be rotated.
Conversion Section
The Conversion section of the .INI file identifies resources for importing other file formats
and resembles this example:
[Conversion]
Import0 = PIDisDIFF Files, impd32.dll, dat
Import1 = PI-Graphics Files, impp32.dll, dat
ImportN identifies the file types used when converting VAX-formatted trends or graphics.
N increments by one for each file type.
200
PROCBOOK.INI
The second field is the name of the file type to be imported and will appear in the List Files
of Type drop-down box in the Import File dialog box.
The third field is the DLL used to import the file type. No path is necessary, since the files
reside in the same directory as Procbook.exe.
The fourth field is the default extension for the file type. You may have more than one
extension for each import type, separated by semicolons.
Data Manager Section
The Data Manager section of the .INI file should be added by the System Manager and
should resemble this example.
[Data Manager]
TIMER = 5000
TIMER sets the poll timer, in milliseconds, for checking whether PI ProcessBook should
perform any time-related task. Time-related tasks include retrieving exception reports from PI
and re-querying sources. (60,000 is the maximum setting; the default is 5000.)
Trend Definition Section
Trend initializations. Possible entries:

Autoscale—1=autoscale the trend, 0=no autoscale
Value/Description/Markers/Plot Title/Grids/Scale Inside Axis/Tag Name/Eng Units—
1=enable feature, 0=disable feature
Background Null—1=sets trends to have no background color, 0=trends have background
color specified under Elements
Start Time/End Time—Default start and end time range for the trend (must be a valid PI
string)
MarkerWarning—ProcessBook has the option of showing a warning dialog whenever a
trend has found too many marker values. 1=enables this option, 0=disables this option.
Default value is 1.
UpdateTimeRange—Maximum time period, in seconds, to update on a trend. The default is
604,800 seconds, equal to 7 days. If the time range of a trend is greater than this value, it will
not refresh automatically even when the end time is '*'. Note that the maximum update range
is different from the update rate, which is the frequency with which the PC asks for new data
from the server, typically every 5 seconds.
RequeryThresholdFactor—Base the max values for each trace on a "factor" of the interval
RequeryHoldoffTimeout—Minimum time for re-query since last requery in milliseconds
Max Traces—the maximum number of traces per trend.
Element—These 16 entries are the main drawn properties of trends. For each of 16 trend
elements, you can change the color and shape properties. This is the entry format:
ElementX = Name, Color, LineStyle, MarkerStyle

Color—Decimal conversion of the color to draw the element.

ex. Pen 1 has a color of 65280, this converts to 0x00ff00 in hex
-->00ff00 = 0 red, 255 green, 0 blue ==> Green
LineStyle—Line style of the element. Key is as follows:
-1=no line, 0=solid, 1=dashed, 2=dotted, 3=dash-dot, 4=dash-dot-dot
MarkerStyle—Marker style of each trace. Key is as follows:
-1=no marker, 0=closed circle, 1=open circle, 2=closed diamond, 3=open diamond,
4=closed square, 5=open square, 6=closed triangle, 7=open triangle, 8=cross
Tag Name/Server Name—1=show on legend by default, 0=do not show on legend by
default
Example:
[Trend Definition]
Autoscale=1
Value=1
Description=0
Markers=0
Plot Title=1
Grids=1
Scale Inside Axis=1
Tag Name=1
Server Name=0
Eng Units=1
Background Null=0
Start Time=*-8 Hour
End Time=*
MarkerWarning=1
UpdateTimeRange=604800
;MaxValues=2000
RequeryThresholdFactor=6
RequeryHoldoffTimeout=300000
Max Traces=50
Element1=Horz. Axis,0,0,-1
Element2=Background,8421504,-1,-1
Element3=Horz. Major Grid,0,0,-1
Element4=Horz. Minor Grid,0,0,-1
Element5=Pen 1,65280,0,0
Element6=Pen 2,16776960,0,1
Element8=Pen 4,16711935,0,3
Element10=Pen 6,16777215,0,5
Element11=Pen 7,16711680,0,6
Element13=Text,16777215,-1,-1
Element14=Vert. Axis,0,0,-1
Element15=Vert. Major Grid,0,0,-1
Element16=Vert. Minor Grid,0,0,-1
Colors Section
Defines the 16 colors in the ProcessBook palette.

Parameters: ColorX = Red, Green, Blue, values can range from 0 to 255
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PROCBOOK.INI
Example:
[Colors]
Color1=255,255,255
Color2=255,0,0
Color3=0,255,0
Color4=0,0,255
Color5=0,255,255
Color6=255,0,255
Color7=255,255,0
Color8=0,0,0
Color9=192,192,192
Color10=128,0,0
Color11=0,128,0
Color12=128,128,128
Color13=128,0,128
Color14=0,0,128
Color15=128,128,0
Color16=0,128,128
Time Range Scroll Section
Possible entries:
TimeRangeMin/TimeRangeMax—set the minimum/maximum time that can be scrolled to
(must be valid PI time string)
PageScrollNonlinearity—sets the factor by which clicking on and holding the mouse button
down in the page scroll area will increase the speed that the thumbwheel of the scrollbar
moves. A value of 0 indicates no acceleration.
LineScrollNonlinearity—sets the factor by which clicking on and holding the mouse button
down in the line scroll area will increase the speed that the thumbwheel of the scrollbar
moves. A value of 0 indicates no acceleration.
ThumbScrollNonlinearity—sets the factor by which clicking and holding the thumbwheel
of the scrollbar will increase the speed that the thumbwheel moves
Example:
[Time Range Scroll]
TimeRangeMin=*-100d
TimeRangeMax=*+10d
PageScrollNonlinearity=20
LineScrollNonlinearity=100
ThumbScrollNonlinearity=20
ProcessBook Level Section
Font settings for book levels in outline view. Possible entries:

Underline—1=underline, 0=no underline
FaceName—Font for specified level
Height—Height of the font (almost equivalent to font point size)
Weight—Boldness factor of the font

Italic—1=italic, 0=no italic

[PB Level 1]
Underline=0
FaceName=MS Sans Serif
Height=-16
Weight=700
Italic=0
PitchAndFamily=34
[PB Level 2]
Underline=0
FaceName=MS Sans Serif
Height=-13
Weight=700
Italic=0
PitchAndFamily=34
Display Colors Section
Possible entries:
DisplayBackgroundColor—Red, Green, Blue, values can range from 0 to 255, sets the
background color for any newly created display
SymbolFillColor—Red, Green, Blue, values can range from 0 to 255, sets the fill color for
newly created symbols
SymbolLineColor—Red, Green, Blue, values can range from 0 to 255, sets the outline color
for newly created symbols
SymbolBackgroundColor—Red, Green, Blue, values can range from 0 to 255, sets the
background color for newly created symbols, for example, the empty portion of a bar symbol
takes on this color.
Example:
[Display Colors]
DisplayBackgroundColor=192,192,192
SymbolFillColor = 0,0,255
SymbolLineColor = 255,255,255
SymbolBackgroundColor = 192,192,192
XYPlot Definition Section
Modify this section to determine the default formatting of an XYPlot.

Autoscale—1=yes, 0=no
Value/Description/Plot Title/Grids/Scale Inside Axis/Tag Name/Eng Units/Correlation
Coefficient/Linear Correlation/Connecting Lines—1=enable feature, 0=disable feature
Background Null—1=sets XYPlots to have no background color, 0=XYPlots have
background color specified under Elements
Start Time/End Time—Default start and end time range for the XYTag (must be a valid PI
string)
204
PROCBOOK.INI
UpdateTimeRange—Maximum time period, in seconds, to update on an XYTag. The

default is 604, 800 seconds, equal to 7 days. If the time range of an XYTag is greater than
this value, it will not refresh automatically even when the end time is '*'. The maximum
update range is different from the update rate, which is the frequency with which the PC asks
for new data from the server, typically every 5 seconds.
Element—These 17 entries are the main drawn properties of XYPlots. For each of 17
XYPlot elements, you can change the color and shape properties. This is the entry format:
ElementX—Name, Color, LineStyle, MarkerStyle
Color—Decimal conversion of the color to draw the element.
LineStyle—Line style of the element. Key is as follows: -1=no line, 0=solid, 1=dashed,
2=dotted, 3=dash-dot, 4=dash-dot-dot
MarkerStyle—Marker style of each XYTag. Key is as follows: -1=no marker, 0=closed
circle, 1=open circle, 2=closed diamond, 3=open diamond, 4=closed square, 5=open square,
6=closed triangle, 7=open triangle, 8=cross
Macro Protection
The primary purpose of the macro protection feature is to prevent misbehaved VBA event
code from executing. Whenever a ProcessBook display (either standalone .pdi file or table
of contents entry) is opened, ProcessBook determines whether the display has any VBA code
present.
MacroProtectionLevel may be set in the [STARTUP] section of Procbook.ini at one
of the following levels:
Value Description
0 Display is opened with macros enabled.

1 User is prompted when display is opened; project is set to design mode if user selects
<Disable Macros>.
2 User is prompted when display is opened; project is opened with macros disabled if user
selects <Disable Macros>.
5 User is prompted when display is opened; project is always set to design mode when
opened.
6 User is prompted when display is opened; project is always opened with macros
disabled.
The default value for this setting is 0, so that if it is not present at all in the .ini file, then
PI ProcessBook always executes macros.
View Only Mode
Installations of PI ProcessBook can be configured so that users on a network may only view
ProcessBooks and not change them. The user has access to the Standard toolbar, including
the Trend Display feature, but cannot save an ad hoc display.

To put PI ProcessBook into view-only mode, add the line

ProcessBook=Primary
to the Startup section of your ProcBook.ini file.
Alternatively, if you use NT Network security, you could set the file permissions to read-only
for those users who should not modify ProcessBooks. Those users could make a copy of the
file locally and modify it.
Security
Any string or integer value in PROCBOOK.INI can be overriden in the registry. Overrides
can be provided in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PISystem\PI -
ProcessBook\Security key. Under that key there is a key for the INI file section. The
values are in that section. For example, to override the EnableScreenSaver setting in the
STARTUP section of PROCBOOK.INI, a DWORD value EnableScreenSaver with a value of
1 would be created in HKLM\SOFTWARE\PISystem\PI -
ProcessBook\Security\Startup.
If a value is found in the Security overrides section of the registry, the PROCBOOK.INI files
will not be accessed.
The PI ProcessBook setup kit does not create these registry keys; it is up to each site
administrator to create the keys if they want to override the PROCBOOK.INI settings.
IMPPIGP.INI
The IMPPIGP.INI file contains configuration settings used by the Import utility in PI
ProcessBook. The file generally resides in the PIPC\DAT directory. As with other .INI
files, SETUP.EXE creates this file with default settings.
When you import VAX-formatted graphics and graphics that include trends, the import utility
uses the settings found in this .INI file to convert items such as color, line style, and fonts.
You can edit the .INI file if you want to change these default settings. Before you edit this
file, you should make a backup copy so you can restore PI ProcessBook to its original
settings.
Note: The settings in this .INI file affect graphics and trends included in graphics only.
When importing trend displays, the format specified in the Trend Preference
setting is used.
The following is a list of the keywords in the IMPPIGP.INI file. The values shown are
examples and not necessarily the default settings shipped with PI ProcessBook:
The Color section of the .INI file maps VAX colors to PI ProcessBook colors:
[Color]
Clear=0,0,0
Black=0,0,0
White=255,255,255
Red=255,0,0
206
IMPPIGP.INI
Green=0,255,0
Blue=0,0,255
Cyan=0,255,255
Magenta=255,0,255
Yellow=255,255,0
Orange=255,128,0
GreenYellow=128,255,0
GreenCyan=0,255,128
BlueCyan=0,128,128
BlueMagenta=0,0,128
RedMagenta=255,0,128
DarkGray=128,128,128
LightGray=192,192,192
The values shown to the right of the equal sign are the red, green, blue values. Refer to
“Creating Your Own Colors” in the Windows documentation for more information on
changing these values.
The Line Style section maps the VAX line format to the PI ProcessBook line format:
[Line Style]
Supress=5
Solid=0
XShortDash=2
DotShortDash=3
LongDash=1
XLongDash=1
TwoDotDash=4
LongDotDash=3
ShortDash=1
The PI ProcessBook values to the right of the equal sign represent:
0 = solid
1 = dash
2 = dot
3 = dash dot
4 = dash dot dot
5 = suppress
The Font section maps the VAX supported fonts to PI ProcessBook fonts:
StandardFont=35,400,0,0,34,Arial
SmallVector=-29,400,0,0,34,Arial
MediumVector=-52,400,0,0,34,Arial
LargeVector=-77,400,0,0,34,Arial
Note: These default values are based on resolutions for VT340 terminals. If you are
using a terminal other than these, appearances may be different.
The values to the right of the equal sign represent these font characteristics.
Position Font Definition
Characteristic
1 Height Specifies the height of the font. If the value is greater than zero,
it specifies the cell height. If the value is less than zero, it
specifies the character height, which is the cell height minus the
leading.
2 Weight Specifies the weight of the font (for example, light, medium,
bold). Values can be from 0 to 900 in increments of 100. 100
equals the lightest; 900 the darkest.

Position Font Definition

Characteristic
3 Italic Specifies an italic font if the value is not zero (for example, 0 =
non-italic; 1 = italic).
4 Underline Specifies an underlined font if the value is not zero (for example,
0 = non-underlined; 1 = underlined).
5 Pitch and Family Specifies the pitch and family of the font. Pitch can be fixed,
variable, or default. Font families, such as Old English, describe
the look of a font in a general way. They are intended for
specifying fonts when the exact typeface desired is not available.
6 Face Name Specifies the typeface name of the font.
The Marker section of the .INI file maps the VAX trend markers to the markers provided
in PI ProcessBook:
[Markers]
NoMarker=9
Dot=0
SmallPlus=6
LargePlus=7
Asterisk=0
Circle=1
LargeX=8
Box=5
Diamond=3
BoxWithDot=4
DiamondWithDot=2
BoxWithDiamond=4
The values to the right of the equal sign represent these marker types in PI ProcessBook:
0 = filled circle
1 = open circle
2 = filled diamond
3 = open diamond
4 = filled square
5 = open square
6 = filled triangle
7 = open triangle
8 = cross
9 = none
The Display section in the .INI file specifies the supported terminals in PI ProcessBook:
[Display]
Terminal Type=VT340
Keywords for supported terminals are shown below. The horizontal and vertical dimensions
are also shown.
VT340 = 800 x 500
Reflection = 800 x 500
Tektronix = 4095 x 3130
X1024 = 880 x 640
X800 = 560 x 448
If your terminal is not included in the list of keywords, you can create your own. The syntax
is:
Terminal Type=Custom,X,Y
208
SETUPProcessBook.LOG
where X equals the horizontal dimension and Y equals the vertical dimension.
SETUPProcessBook.LOG
This log tracks the setup of PI ProcessBook on your system and holds information pertaining
to directory structure, user-entered information for Node, .DLL, and User name, and the
installation of the various ProcessBook files.

Appendix E
Technical Support and Resources

OSIsoft provides dedicated technical support internationally, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can read complete information about technical support options, and access all of the
following resources at the OSIsoft Technical Support Web site:
http://techsupport.osisoft.com (http://techsupport.osisoft.com)
OSIsoft provides the following support options and resources.
Help Desk and Telephone Support
Telephone support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Direct service may not be
available in some locations or during some hours; in this case, leave a message and your call
will be returned within four hours.
USA and Canada: (510) 297-5828
Outside of North America: +01 510-297-5828
FAX: (510) 352-2349
Email Support
Email technical support inquiries, including the problem description and message logs, to
techsupport@osisoft.com. You will receive a response within 24 hours.
Personalized Online Technical Support
The Online Call Center allows you to create a support call, which will be responded to in 24
hours. It also allows you to review information from your previous support calls. Choose My
Support > My Calls (Online Support) in the Technical Support Web site. The My Support
menu allows you to review My Products, My Download History, and SRP Terms, which
covers Service Reliance Program (SRP) service agreements.
Knowledge Center
The Knowledge Center provides a searchable library of documentation and technical data, as
well as a special collection of resources for system managers. For these options, click
Knowledge Center in the Technical Support Web site.
The Search feature allows you to search Support Solutions, Bulletins, Support Pages,
Known Issues, Enhancements, and Documentation (including user manuals, release
notes, and white papers).

Technical Support and Resources
System Manager Resources include tools and instructions that help you manage: archive
sizing, backup scripts, daily health checks, daylight savings time configuration, PI Server
security, PI system sizing and configuration, PI trusts for interface nodes, and more.
Remote Server Access
Technical support engineers can remotely access your PI Server to provide diagnostics,
hands-on troubleshooting, and assistance. Choose Contact Us > Remote Access Options in
the Technical Support Web site.
On-site Technical Support
OSIsoft provides on-site service according to SRP service level agreements. To see current
SRP status, go to My Support > SRP Terms on the Technical Support Web site.
Before You Call or Write for Help

When you contact OSIsoft Technical Support, please provide:
Product name, version, and/or build numbers
Computer platform (CPU type, operating system, and version number)
The time that the difficulty started
The message log(s) at that time
Special Considerations for PINet and PIonPINet
PINet and PIonPINet require special consideration for support and upgrades. Please follow
these instructions:
Find the Operating System Version and Applications Currently Running

Enter the command: Show System
Find the PINet or PIonPINet Version Number

To find the PINet or PIonPINet version number, change to the PINet or PISysEXE
directory and enter the command: @PINet:pinetverify
Find Subsystem, Interface and Application Version Numbers

PINet and PIonPINet are custom compiled and distributed as an integrated system. Most
PINet subsystems, interfaces and applications don't have separate build numbers. Some may
have a separate version number, which are reported and logged by the program during restart.
Log files are found in PINet or PISysEXE directories, generally named: *.log, *.out,
and *.txt.:
PINet or PISysMgr - PIMessLog.txt:*
PINet or PISysEXE - .log, *.out, and *.txt files
212
Before You Call or Write for Help
Find System Parameters

Enter the command: type piparamsc
Upgrades
To request an upgrade, provide PINet and operating system version, and platform information
to Technical Support. Follow PI2 upgrade request instructions on the Technical Support Web
site. Select Contact Us > Obtaining Upgrades.
Remote Server Access for PINet or PIonPINet

Technical support engineers can remotely access your PINet or PIonPINet node to provide
diagnostics, hands-on troubleshooting, and assistance. You will need a robust terminal
emulation program, such as WRG Reflections VT (or R2 or R4). Windows Telnet or
Hyperterm applications are not adequate for remote assistance.

Index
of plot elements • 85
. Pen • 24
section of the imppign.ini file • 212
.piw • 36
Trend Element Preferences tab • 24
COM object • 163
A
Compound Documents • 175
ActiveX Control • 175, 177 Configuring the Data Source • 159, 191, 196
Ad Hoc Trend • 97, 98 Connection Points • 146, 147
Create • 97 Add • 148
Save • 98 Delete • 148
Add-In Manager • 25 Connections • 146, 147
Add-Ins • 25, 26 Connectors Dialog • 149
Alias • 74 Failure • 9
Module Database • 74 to OpenVMS Servers • 201
Aligning Multiple Symbols • 145 Connector Symbols • 146
Annotations • 139, 141 Container • 175, 177
Add • 141 Context for Module Relative Displays • 74, 75, 77
Arc command • 131 Change at Run • 77
Archive • 2 Continuous trace • 95
Assign Layers dialog • 72 Control • 177
Attributes Convert • 184
Changing • 66 VAX-formatted trends and graphics • 98
Color • 67, 68 Copy • 47
Font • 66 a data set to another ProcessBook • 172
Line • 68, 69 Correlation
Autorange • 91, 92 Correlation Coefficient for XY Plot • 113
Cursors • 89
B Missing • 197
Background color • 68 Custom Data Sets • 163
Bar • 125 Custom Menus • 17
Create a bar • 125 Custom Toolbars • 17
Book View • 43, 44, 45
Preferences • 20 D
Section of Procbook.ini file • 202 Data • 2, 3
Browsing Displays from Internet Explorer • 58 Data Manager in Procbook.ini file • 202
Build Mode • 8, 37 Not in Display • 197
Button Data Archive • 2
Adding a Button • 124 Data Set • 159, 160, 164, 169, 170, 171, 172
Adding to a column • 169
C Adding to Bars or Values in a Display • 170
Call Tracing • 195 Copying a • 172
Cascade • 57 Custom • 163
Circle • 131 Edit a • 171
Close Is it in Use? • 168
a ProcessBook • 48 ODBC • 164
Color • 21, 67, 68, 85, 212 PI Calculation • 160
Running in ProcessBook • 171

Index
Data Source • 164, 191, 192, 199 Rectangle, Square, Arc, Ellipse, or Circle • 131
Configuring the • 193, 196 XYPlot • 103
Definition of • 164 Driver Manager • 191
Delete a • 196 Dynamic Symbol • 55, 79, 125, 127, 155, 181
Edit a • 196 Bar • 125
Troubleshooting • 199 Button • 123
Default definition of • 155
Preference settings • 18 Multi-State symbol • 127
Trend Format • 82 Status of • 156
Delete • 48, 82, 172, 184, 196 Trend • 79
a Data Set • 172 Value • 121
a Plot within a Trend • 82 XYPlot • 101
an Entry • 48
an ODBC Data Source • 196 E
an ODBC Driver • 196 Edit • 171, 182, 183, 196
an OLE Object • 184 a Data Set • 171
Deselect a Symbol • 142 a text box • 130
Design Mode, VBA • 3, 189 an ODBC Data Source • 196
Details Window • 139, 140, 142 Embedded Objects • 183
Open • 139 Linked Objects • 183
Pin • 142 Ellipse • 130, 131
Digital values • 121 Embed • 176, 186
Disabling macros • 211 discussion of • 176
Disconnect from a Server • 9 Example of • 178
Discrete trace • 95 Existing ProcessBook Display in Another OLE
Display • 8, 55 Application • 186
as an Embedded Object • 186 ProcessBook Display in Another OLE
Can't Find Data • 197 Application • 186
Connection Failure • 9 vs. Link • 177
Data sources for • 1 Entries • 37, 43, 47
Elements of • 104, 108, 109 Arranging • 43
Manage multiple displays • 57 Change the Name of • 45, 47
Module-relative • 73 Creating • 37
Point Attributes • 63 Placement in ProcessBook • 37
Reducing to Icon • 60 Rearranging • 47
Resizing • 58 Types of • 45
Saving • 60 Expanding a Trend • 88
Display Entry • 37
Linked Display Entry • 39 F
Text or Display • 38
File
Displaying an Item's Definition • 155
How to Import • 52
Displaying an OLE object with an Icon • 184
Sharing • 53
Drag and Drop Embedding • 180
Flags for Data • 157
Draw • 62, 64, 103, 131, 132, 133
Flip command • 143
Drawing Area • 62
Floating Point values • 121
Drawing Grid • 65
Font • 66
Drawing Tools • 64
Font section of the imppign.ini file • 212
Free-form Objects • 132
Format • 65, 66, 67, 68, 69
Line • 130
Color • 67, 68
Polylines • 133
Editable Formatting Attributes • 66
216
Font • 66 Assign symbol to • 72
Line • 68, 69 Composite symbols • 72
Trend • 82, 83, 85, 86 Working with • 70
Formatting Paintbrush • 69 Z Order • 70
Full Screen • 17, 59 Layout tab • 82, 86
Full Timestamp • 95 Legend • 103, 104, 108, 109
Future Trends • 16 Level of an Entry • 45
Line • 24, 68, 85, 130, 212
G Draw • 130
Graphics • 99, 133, 134 Ends • 69
Convert from VAX to PC • 99 Style • 23, 24, 68, 85
Graphic Symbol • 133, 134 Weight • 68, 85
Icons vs. Graphics • 178 Linear Correlation Line • 108
Grid • 65 Linear Regression by Least Squares Method • 113
Grid Lines • 91 Link • 176, 177, 180, 181, 186
Size • 65 Existing File into a ProcessBook Display • 180
Group Symbols • 145 ProcessBook to Another Application • 186
Re-establishing • 182
H vs. Embed • 177
Linked Displays or ProcessBooks • 39
Handles • 142 Add • 39
Horizontal flip • 143 Logarithmic scales • 79, 91
How Trends Refresh • 90
M
I
Macros • 3, 189, 211
Icons • 60 Markers • 23, 96
Graphics vs. Icons • 178 Shapes • 24
impg32.dll • 202 Menu • 16
Import • 52, 98 Minimize • 58
Files • 52 Missing Data Sources • 191, 199
VAX-formatted trends and graphics • 98 Missing Trace • 199
imppigp.ini • 212 Mode, Run and Build • 8, 37
Independent Display files • 58 Module Context • 73, 74, 75, 76, 77
Saving • 60 Features • 74
Installation • 4 Module Context Add-in • 73
Testing • 4 Move • 41, 53, 77, 82
Integers • 121 a Display to another PI Server • 77
Internet Explorer • 58 a Plot • 82
Interpolated data retrieval method • 103, 104 a ProcessBook to another PC • 53
Interval • 103, 104 MSQuery • 194
Invisible line on a trend • 24 Multiple Objects • 142, 144, 145
Item Definition • 155, 156 Align Multiple Symbols • 145
How to Select • 142
K Stacking Order • 144
Keyboard Shortcuts • 28, 29, 30 Ungroup • 145
Multi-State Symbol • 127
L
N
Layers • 70, 72, 73
Adding a Layer • 70 Name • 35, 45, 70

Index
a ProcessBook • 35 Point • 62, 63, 79

of a layer • 70 Pointers
Network Connections • 8, 9, 10 Build Mode • 37
Network Errors • 9 Run Mode • 37
New • 14 Polygon • 131, 132
Display • 14 Preference Settings • 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24
ProcessBook • 14, 35 General Preferences • 19
ProcessBook Entry • 14 Trend • 23
Trend Elements • 24
O Preserve aspect ratio • 58
ODBC • 164, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 199 Print • 30, 31
Data Access • 191 Procbook.ini • 202
Data Sets • 164 ProcessBook • 8, 35, 36, 37, 43, 48, 49, 52, 53
Data Sources • 191, 196 Basic Steps to Build a • 35
Driver Manager • 191 Book View • 43, 44, 45
Drivers • 191, 196 Entries • 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43
Preparing to Use • 193 File Sharing Capability • 53
Troubleshooting • 199 Import Files to • 52
OLE • 175, 176, 177, 178, 182, 183, 184, 186, 187, Mode, Run and Build • 37
198 Open • 36, 37
Edit • 181, 182, 183, 184 Outline View • 45, 46, 47
Embed • 176, 179 Overview • 8
Link • 176, 180, 181, 182 Properties Dialog • 49, 50, 51
Overview • 175, 176, 177 Save and close • 48
Troubleshooting • 198 Properties • 49, 50, 137
Open • 36, 57, 58 Display • 50
a Display • 57 of a ProcessBook or Display • 49, 50, 51
Independent Display Files • 58 of Symbols in the Symbols Library • 137
Multiple entries • 57
ProcessBook • 36 Q
Several Displays at Once • 57 Queries • 166, 167, 194
OpenVMS Trends and Graphics • 98, 99 Questionable Data Flag • 157
Organizing Symbols • 64, 65, 142, 143, 145, 146
OSIsoft Developer Network (DevNet) • 3 R
Out of Range Indicators • 118
Rectangle • 130, 131
Outline View • 45, 46, 47
How to Draw • 131
Re-establishing Links • 182
P
Refresh Interval • 90, 164, 170
Pages • 44 Refresh Timer section of Procbook.ini file • 202
Turning in Book View • 44 Regrouping a Composite Symbol • 145
Partial Timestamp • 95 Relative paths • 181
PI Data Archive • 2 Relative Timestamp • 95
PI ProcessBook • 1, 7 Remove
PI Server • 2, 8, 9, 10 a Trend Cursor • 89
Connect/Disconnect • 9 an Entry • 48
Updates to • 2 Reset • 13
Pisysdat • 201 Resize • 44, 58
Placeholders • 166, 167 a Display • 58
Plot • 79, 82, 104 a ProcessBook Window • 44
Plot Title • 103, 104 Retain Aspect Ratio • 202
218
Rotate a Symbol • 143 Rotate • 143
Run • 57 Select • 142
Entry • 57 Stacking • 144
Macro • 3 Static • 55
Mode • 37 System Administration • 201, 202, 212, 215
System Requirements • 4
S
Save • 48, 60, 98 T
Ad Hoc Trend Display • 98 Tags • 62, 63
Preferred View of Your Entries • 48 Text Symbol • 129, 130
ProcessBook • 48 Tile Windows • 57
ProcessBook Displays • 48, 60 Time • 10, 13, 15, 16
Scripting • 3, 189 Time Forward and Back • 16
Scrollbars • 13, 15, 16, 61, 90 Time Range Toolbar • 13
Search • 59, 63 Time range • 13, 15, 16
for a Specific Display • 59 Changing • 15
for a Tag • 63 Revert • 13
Select Available Modules dialog • 75 Toolbar • 13
Selected Modules list • 75 Timestamp • 95
Selection handles • 64, 82, 139, 142, 145 Title
Server • 8, 9, 10 of a trend • 90
Connect to a • 9 of ProcessBook or Display • 49
Disconnect from • 9 Too Many Points • 118
Display information about • 10 Toolbars • 16, 17, 18
Setup procedure • 31, 202, 215 Add Buttons to • 18
setup.exe • 202 Customize • 17
setup.log • 215 ToolTips • 21, 69
Single Scale for the Vertical Axis • 92 Trace • 85, 95, 96, 195
Snap to grid • 65 Definition of • 95
Span • 91 Hiding • 95
Square • 131 Markers • 96
How to Draw • 131 Missing • 199
Stacking Order • 144 Trace ODBC Calls • 195
Starting PI ProcessBook • 7 Trend • 23, 24, 79, 82, 88, 89, 90, 97, 98, 169, 197,
Startup section of Procbook.ini • 202 207
Static Symbols • 55 Ad Hoc • 97
Status Report • 156 Analysis tools • 88
Stored Procedures in Queries • 194 Cursors • 89, 197
Substituted Data Flag • 157 Data Sets in • 169
Summary Information • 49 Default Format • 82
Symbol Attachments Default Preferences • 23
Dialog Box • 153 Definition section of procbook.ini • 202
Symbol Library • 202 Delete a Plot • 82
Symbols • 55, 121, 129, 135, 139 Expand • 88
Connect • 146, 147 Formatting a • 82
Delete • 143 Grid Lines and Labels • 91
Details and Annotations • 139, 140, 141, 142 Horizontal Scale Grid Lines • 95
Dynamic • 55 Importing VAX-Formatted • 98
Flip • 143 Invalid data • 9

Index
Multiple Plots • 82 Change Time Range • 116

Preferences • 23 Draw • 103
Refresh rate for data • 90 Examples • 118, 119, 120
Refreshing data from a data set • 170 Interpreting • 114
Tool • 82, 97 Legend • 103, 104, 108, 109
Zoom 2x In or Out • 88 Plot Format Tab • 103, 104, 109
Trend Scale Grid Lines • 95 Plot Title • 103, 104
formatting • 85
Troubleshooting • 197, 198, 199, 215 Z
Cant save a display • 197 Zoom • 58, 88, 114
Display Has No Data • 197 2x • 88
Legend Missing on Trend • 197 Display Size • 58
ODBC Problems • 199
Setup.log • 215
Trend Cursors Missing • 197
Updating Linked Objects • 198
U
Ungroup Symbols • 145
Updates • 181, 198
Break Links • 181
by Exception • 2
for Future Trends • 16
for Trend data • 90
Links • 181
to Linked Objects • 181
to PI Data • 2
Troubleshooting • 198
Update dynamically • 176
Upgrades • 4
V
Value • 121
Value Scale • 23, 79, 91, 92, 95
VAX • 52, 98, 99, 201, 206, 212
VBA • 1, 3, 17, 177, 189, 190
View Only Mode • 212
Views • 43, 45
Book • 43
Outline • 45
Visible Layer • 70
VMS • 98, 99, 201
W
Workspace • 7
X
XY Plot • 101, 103, 104, 108, 109, 110, 113, 114,
116, 118
220

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© 1994-2008 OSIsoft, Inc. All rights reserved

PI ProcessBook Essentials ...........................................................................................................7

Work with a ProcessBook ...........................................................................................................33

Work with a Display......................................................................................................................53

PI ProcessBook User Guide iii

Display Point Attributes ....................................................................................................61

Additional Symbols ....................................................................................................................117

Work with Symbols.....................................................................................................................135

PI ProcessBook User Guide v

Visual Basic for Applications in PI ProcessBook ...................................................................183

Troubleshooting Tips .................................................................................................................191

System Administrator Notes .....................................................................................................195

Technical Support and Resources ...........................................................................................211

What Can You View with PI ProcessBook?

PI ProcessBook User Guide 1

Data from a PI System

Visual Basic for Applications

Data from Multiple Servers

PI ProcessBook User Guide 3

Windows Operating System Configurations

Physical Memory: Minimum 128 MB, Recommended 256 MB

Upgrade from Previous Version of PI ProcessBook

Other PI System Client Products

PI ProcessBook User Guide 5

PI ProcessBook User Guide 7

Run Mode and Build Mode

 Build mode is used to edit a ProcessBook and symbols within a display.

Servers and Connections

Disconnect from a Server

1. Choose File > Connections. The PI Connection Manager dialog appears.

Displays and Connection Failure

PI ProcessBook User Guide 9

 Multi-State symbols show the configured color for bad data.

Display PI Server Information

1. Choose File > Connections. The PI Connection Manager dialog appears.

Node Identifiers for Multiple PI Servers

Name Short name Plural name Member names Fractions

When using PI times, follow these guidelines:

PI ProcessBook User Guide 11

PI Time String Examples

Time Syntax Examples

Time Interval Examples

Time Range Toolbar

Revert Time Range

PI ProcessBook User Guide 13

New ProcessBook Entry

New Display File (.pdi)

Changing the Time Range

Choose View > Time Range.

Using the Scrolling Time Range

Time Forward and Back

PI ProcessBook User Guide 15

Menus and Toolbars

Menu Bar Function

Default Displays when no documents are active

Book Displays when a PI ProcessBook workbook is active

Display Displays when a PI ProcessBook display document is

 Standard—contains standard Windows and ProcessBook commands, including buttons

 Drawing—for drawing symbols. Also includes Build/Run mode selectors

Many of the menu commands in PI ProcessBook can be selected by clicking a button on a

Add Buttons to Toolbars

Build mode is used to edit a ProcessBook and symbols within a display.

Multi-State symbols show the configured color for bad data.

Standard—contains standard Windows and ProcessBook commands, including buttons

Drawing—for drawing symbols. Also includes Build/Run mode selectors

Text (page 36)—provides headings or static information