3.5. Navigation: Force Default Variables

Force Default Variables both:

  • Causes variables' values that are assigned to a node to be passed to the CimView screen.
  • Deals with navigation that is performed outside of the Navigation bar.

Examples

A screen can be opened outside of the Navigation bar when a user:

  • Clicks a button on an open screen to open or overlay another screen; the Navigation bar is not used.
  • Double-clicks a .cim file in Windows Explorer.

Because the screen is opened outside of the Navigation bar, there are no variables from the Navigation bar to pass. Force Default Variables enables the screen to use its own variables.

Note: How Navigation deals with what the Navigation bar display and how variables function when a screen is opened outside of the Navigation bar during runtime  depend both on the:
  • Configuration: Force Default Variables.
  • Required Variables.
  • Runtime Examples: Force Default Variables

Configuration: Force Default Variables

Selecting yes or no in the Force Default Variables field does the following when a screen is opened outside of the Navigation bar.

Value Description
yes The value of required variables that are defined for a node and that match variables on the screen are passed to the screen. Note: The screen's button (or tree entry) for the selected node will display on the Navigation bar.
no Screen variable values are used either:
  • For required variables that are defined for a node and that match variables on the screen.
  • When there are no required variables.
Note: The screen's button (or tree entry) for the selected node will not display on the Navigation bar.

Runtime: Force Default Variables

  • Configuration: Force Default Variables example.
  • Runtime: Force Default Variables example.

Configuration: Force Default Variables Example

A project includes one screen, Warehouse.cim, to monitor Warehouse activity.

CimEdit Screen Variables

The CimEdit screen has three variables.

  • HORIZONTAL
  • VERTICAL
  • WAREHOUSE

Navigation Configuration Editor Node Variables

The Navigation tree has the following WAREHOUSE nodes.

Action Nodes
A No action WAREHOUSE
B Overlay
  • WAREHOUSE: EAST
  • WAREHOUSE: NORTH
  • WAREHOUSE: SOUTH
  • WAREHOUSE: WEST
Each Overlay node uses the Warehouse.cim screen.

Runtime: Force Default Variables Example

  • Force default variables:
  • Yes
  • Force default variables:
  • No

Force default variables: Yes

If the screen (e.g. Warehouse.cim) is opened outside of the Navigation bar for a CimView session, the variable values from the first node that the Navigation bar finds are passed to the screen.

Example

WAREHOUSE: EAST, which is the first node in the tree that uses the Warehouse.cim screen, is selected.

Force default variables: No

When the screen (e.g. Warehouse.cim) is opened outside of the Navigation bar for a CimView session, no variables are passed in, Navigation cannot find the screen; a node is not selected on the Navigation bar.

Example

WAREHOUSE: EAST is not selected.

Note: The basic Navigation bar display depends on the selected Navigation Configuration>Bar Style in the Navigation Configuration window.