This article applies to versions 4.21 and later of IFS Explorer. For earlier versions, see Release History.
An Explorer trend displays a time range of time-series data, such as tags, attributes, and calculations as a chart, with each tag or attribute displayed as a separate trace.
Open a trend from a Point Details page (see Point Details).
Open a Trend from Hierarchy. Click the Trend icon on the Hierarchy for a specific attribute or attribute value.
To trend an attribute value or tag that is already on a page, right-click on the page control, such as a level meter or a data label, and select the Open Trend option from the menu.
To trend several series (for tags, attribute values, or calculations) from a chart or an embedded trend, right-click the chart and select Open Trend from the menu.
How do I export a trend?
In the toolbar above the trace window, click the Export CSV button to export the data. Data errors are not included in the export.
Time range, sample method, and sample interval all determine what data is fetched. This is the data that is then exported. So if, for example, the Adaptive Raw sample method is selected, the trend will only export the rendered data, not all of the raw data.
Here is an example of an exported trend's .csv file:
How do I save a trend?
There are two buttons on the Trend ribbon for saving trends.
The Save button has 2 options available in a drop-down list: Save is used to save to the current trend name and workspace. Save As is used for saving the trend to a specified name and workspace.
The Save Metadata button is only active if you have added Tag data to the trend. If you have appropriate privileges, clicking this button allows you to save changes to the description, units, min, and max values for the tag.
Notes: (1) There is no confirmation dialog for the Save buttons. (2) Versions prior to 4.5.4 only have the Save button. (3) The Save Metadata button was introduced in version 4.9.
Shortcuts
Are there keyboard shortcuts?
Yes. When you have focus in the trace table, you can use any of these keyboard shortcuts:
Arrow Keys: Use the up and down arrows to select a new item in the trace window. If you are editing the Display Min or Display Max of a trace item, use the up and down arrows to increase/decrease by 1.
Delete Key: Remove the selected trace from the trend.
Esc Key: Cancel out of whatever you are editing.
Spacebar: Toggle between showing and hiding the selected trace item.
You can add multiple traces to a trend and organize them effectively using the following tips:
[1] Axis: Make use of the two Y axes (Left Axis and Right Axis), by grouping trace lines belonging to similar items or those that are within a similar range into either the Left Y-Axis (L) or the Right Y-Axis (R)
[2] Colour: You can change the colour of a trace to make it stand out, or make it more opaque. To change the trace colour, click to open the colour wheel, then select a colour or choose a custom colour where you can also set the opacity.
[3] Style: To change the trace style, click to open the style wheel, then select from Line, Area, Dot, Step Before, Step After etc.
[4] Visibility: You can hide a trace, by deselecting the check box to the left of the trace name.
[5] Remove: Click the trash icon to remove the trace from the trend.
Yes, if you select the RawSample Method. Because each data point is returned, you should limit the trend time range, using the Trend Controls, so as not to compromise performance.
Use the Hairline view option in trend toolbar to configure what appears in the trend hairline pill.
From the dropdown, select which data (Timestamp, Value, Name) to be displayed.
Timestamp: time at which the hairline intersects the data point.
Value: numerical value of the data at the hairline’s position.
Name: name of the tag, attribute, or calculation associated with the data point.
What happens to the hairline when fixed period is in the future?
When changes to the fixed period of a trend result in the end time extending beyond current time where no data exists, the end time will be set to the current time. The hairline will remain in its set position and will not automatically re-center.
How can I configure Legacy Hairlines?
Administrators can enable the legacy hairline for users who prefer the style used in version 2.6, by setting the LegacyHairlineEnabled option in the web.config file. See Configuration File for details.
To see all comments for a particular tag or attribute value on a trend, you can click on the trend to view a hairline, and then click on the Add Comment icon in the tag or attribute value's hairline info box.
The Comments panel opens, and you can change the dates in this, to search for comments. Any comments within that period will appear in the Comments Panel.
If a comment exists within the trace period, for one of the trace items, this is marked by a comment marker which you can click to view the comment. The comment marker matches the trace colour.
Yes, in version 4.6 and later the trace table has an info icon for each tag and attribute value, which you can click to open the Point Details page for that item.
Each item needs to be individually added to a trend. You can either drag an item directly onto the Trace Window, or you can add it to the Trace Table. This is what you can add to a trend:
Tags: These can be dragged in from the Tags Navigator, or manually added to the Trace Table.
Attributes: These can be dragged in from the Hierarchy Navigator, or manually added to the Trace Table.
What options are available to optimize trend performance?
Following enhancements have been introduced to handle poorly performing data sources more efficiently:
The Range Selector is turned off by default when a trend is opened.
A configuration option allows administrators to disable the Range Selector entirely, preventing it from being turned on.
The configuration options prevent trends from automatically fetching large data ranges. Instead, users can manually fetch data using a button, ensuring slow data sources do not block system performance.
What configuration options are available for performance tuning?
Setting
Description
MinimumTrendRefreshRate
The minimum trend refresh rate to use when Now is set. The refresh rate is this value or the sample interval, whichever is greater.
MaximumAutoFetchDuration
The maximum duration (i.e. difference between start time and end time) before the trend's auto fetch is disabled and manual fetch is required. Valid values:
The maximum duration that is shown in the duration drop-down. This also modifies the start time or end time if their difference is greater than this limit. The value must match to a valid duration string (similar to the MaximumAutoFetchDuration valid values), or set to an empty string (meaning that no limit is applied).
DisableRangeSelector
Prevents the Range Selector in the trend from being displayed, and disables the Range Selector icon in the toolbar. Default: False
Miscellaneous
Can I store notes about a trend?
Yes, in version 4.6 and later you can store the information for any trend, in the Knowledge Management section of the trend's Display Information.
Open the Display Information panel by clicking the Info button on the trend toolbar. For unsaved trends, this button is disabled. You can only add information to trends in a public workspace.
How often will the trend refresh?
When you have the Now option selected, the trend end time is the current time. This refreshes at the Sample Interval rate (with 30 seconds as the lowest refresh rate). You can also click the Refresh button on the ribbon for an immediate refresh.
A templated trend allows you to use the Hierarchy Navigator to change the entity for an attribute displayed in the trend. You can create a templated trend by using the entity keyword in place of an entity name, when specifying an attribute for a trace. E.g. {entity[Water Injection Well]:Injection Rate!Actual}
FAQ – Explorer Trends
ON THIS PAGE:
This article applies to versions 4.21 and later of IFS Explorer. For earlier versions, see Release History.
An Explorer trend displays a time range of time-series data, such as tags, attributes, and calculations as a chart, with each tag or attribute displayed as a separate trace.
Read more: Creating a Trend, Explorer Trend Interactive Tour
Open, Export, Save
How do I open a trend?
Some trends are already configured, while others are new, blank trends. There are several ways to open a trend:
How do I export a trend?
In the toolbar above the trace window, click the Export CSV button to export the data. Data errors are not included in the export.
Time range, sample method, and sample interval all determine what data is fetched. This is the data that is then exported. So if, for example, the Adaptive Raw sample method is selected, the trend will only export the rendered data, not all of the raw data.
Here is an example of an exported trend's .csv file:
How do I save a trend?
There are two buttons on the Trend ribbon for saving trends.
Notes: (1) There is no confirmation dialog for the Save buttons. (2) Versions prior to 4.5.4 only have the Save button. (3) The Save Metadata button was introduced in version 4.9.
Shortcuts
Are there keyboard shortcuts?
Yes. When you have focus in the trace table, you can use any of these keyboard shortcuts:
Read more: Trace Table
Trace Window
How do I manage multiple traces on a trend?
You can add multiple traces to a trend and organize them effectively using the following tips:
[1] Axis: Make use of the two Y axes (Left Axis and Right Axis), by grouping trace lines belonging to similar items or those that are within a similar range into either the Left Y-Axis (L) or the Right Y-Axis (R)
[2] Colour: You can change the colour of a trace to make it stand out, or make it more opaque. To change the trace colour, click to open the colour wheel, then select a colour or choose a custom colour where you can also set the opacity.
[3] Style: To change the trace style, click to open the style wheel, then select from Line, Area, Dot, Step Before, Step After etc.
[4] Visibility: You can hide a trace, by deselecting the check box to the left of the trace name.
[5] Remove: Click the trash
icon to remove the trace from the trend.
Read more: Trace Table
How do I maximise the trace window?
You can maximise the Trace Window by toggling off the following buttons:
Read more: Trace Window
Can I see raw points in a range?
Yes, if you select the Raw Sample Method. Because each data point is returned, you should limit the trend time range, using the Trend Controls, so as not to compromise performance.
Read more: Trend Controls, Data Transformation and Sample Methods
Can I zoom in the trace window?
Yes, the Zoom feature is available in version 4.6 and later.
Read more: Zoom
How do I add a hairline?
Click anywhere on a hairline-enabled chart or trend. A hairline appears at the point where you click.
If you want to add more than one hairline, first set the Hairline Mode in the chart or trend:
Once configured, click on the chart or trend to add each hairline.
Each hairline shows its own pill with the selected information such as timestamp, value, or name. The pill color matches the trace color.
Read more: Hairlines
Hairline Display Options
Use the Hairline view option in trend toolbar to configure what appears in the trend hairline pill.
From the dropdown, select which data (Timestamp, Value, Name) to be displayed.
What happens to the hairline when fixed period is in the future?
When changes to the fixed period of a trend result in the end time extending beyond current time where no data exists, the end time will be set to the current time. The hairline will remain in its set position and will not automatically re-center.
How can I configure Legacy Hairlines?
Administrators can enable the legacy hairline for users who prefer the style used in version 2.6, by setting the LegacyHairlineEnabled option in the web.config file. See Configuration File for details.
Read More: Legacy Hairlines
How do I create a case?
Click the case icon in the hairline pill to create a new case. The case button is only displayed when the trace is of an entity.
The new case entry dialog will open. Fill out the necessary fields and click submit.
Read more: Case Management
How can I see comments?
To see all comments for a particular tag or attribute value on a trend, you can click on the trend to view a hairline, and then click on the Add Comment
icon in the tag or attribute value's hairline info box.
The Comments panel opens, and you can change the dates in this, to search for comments. Any comments within that period will appear in the Comments Panel.
If a comment exists within the trace period, for one of the trace items, this is marked by a comment marker which you can click to view the comment. The comment marker matches the trace colour.
Read more: Using Comments for Collaboration
Trace Table
Can I see point details from a trend?
Yes, in version 4.6 and later the trace table has an info
icon for each tag and attribute value, which you can click to open the Point Details page for that item.
Read more: Trace Table - Point Details
How do I create a calculation?
You can create a calculation by saving a calculation from the calculation editor. Note that this requires Calculations Edit privileges in Security.
Read more: Using the Calculation Editor
Can I drag and drop many items?
Each item needs to be individually added to a trend. You can either drag an item directly onto the Trace Window, or you can add it to the Trace Table. This is what you can add to a trend:
Read more: Trace Table, Trace Window
Performance
What options are available to optimize trend performance?
Following enhancements have been introduced to handle poorly performing data sources more efficiently:
What configuration options are available for performance tuning?
10 Minutes
30 Minutes
1 Hour
4 Hours
8 Hours
1 Day
3 Days
5 Days
1 Week
4 Weeks
3 Months
6 Months
9 Months
1 Year
2 Years
Miscellaneous
Can I store notes about a trend?
Yes, in version 4.6 and later you can store the information for any trend, in the Knowledge Management section of the trend's Display Information.
Open the Display Information panel by clicking the Info button on the trend toolbar. For unsaved trends, this button is disabled. You can only add information to trends in a public workspace.
How often will the trend refresh?
When you have the Now option selected, the trend end time is the current time. This refreshes at the Sample Interval rate (with 30 seconds as the lowest refresh rate). You can also click the Refresh button on the ribbon for an immediate refresh.
Read more: Sample Interval
What does an error look like?
Trace items with errors are indicated by an error icon in the notifications column.
Hover over the error icon to view the error message.
Some examples of data errors that could affect a trend:
Note: Explorer will only draw a line trace if there are at least 2 valid data points to draw a line between.
Read more: Error Handling
What is a templated trend?
A templated trend allows you to use the Hierarchy Navigator to change the entity for an attribute displayed in the trend. You can create a templated trend by using the entity keyword in place of an entity name, when specifying an attribute for a trace. E.g. {entity[Water Injection Well]:Injection Rate!Actual}
Read more: Templated Trends
Release History