Trend Chart Overview

The trend chart widget allows you to plot real time data from OPC UA servers and historical data from Historian servers. You can plot the data using the context of a model or browse for a Historian or OPC UA server. You can then add tags to the chart.

The model contains asset types and assets. The assets have properties associated with them, which are, in turn, associated with tags defined in Historian or OPC UA.

The following image shows an example of a trend chart.

The following table describes the tasks that you can perform on a trend chart.
Task Procedure
Access the properties used in a trend chart. The properties used in a trend chart appear in the Legend section.
Remove a property from a trend chart. To delete a property from the trend chart, select the property, then select .
Increase the area of a trend chart.
  • Hide the toolbar by selecting .
  • Hide the Legend section by selecting .
Pause the data flow of a trend chart. This option is available only for the live mode.
  • On the toolbar, select to pause trending.
  • You can resume the data flow by selecting .
View the delta value between two data points. The delta values for the trend is displayed in the Legend section.

On the toolbar, select , and select the two data points whose delta value you want to view.
Drill down a trend chart. On the toolbar, select to drill down or zoom into a trend chart for more granular information. To zoom out, select .

If you want to zoom in or zoom out a single axis, select the axis in the drop-down list box next to .

If you want to enlarge an area on the chart, select , and then select the area on the chart.

Data is refetched only in historical mode when zoomed in/out (changes chart start time/duration) of a chart. For example, consider trending 500 samples from 1-2pm, then zoom in to 1:00 -1:10pm to request 500 samples data for that 10 minute span.
Pan across a trend chart. On the toolbar, select , and then drag the mouse pointer to the area on that chart that you want to view.
Mark a trend chart view as favorite. It is an easy way to view the trend chart for commonly used configuration settings. On the toolbar, select , enter a name for the view, and then select Add.

To load a favorite view, select the view from the drop-down list box next to .
View the statistics of tags plotted on a trend chart. The statistical data for the Historian tags used in the trend chart appear below the chart.
  • On the toolbar, select to show the statistical data.
  • To hide statistics, select again.

In historical mode, tag statistics are refetched on zooming in/out (changes chart start time/duration) of a chart.
Export the trend chart data. The trend chart data is exported and saved as a CSV file.
On the toolbar, select , then select to export data.
Print a trend chart. On the toolbar, select , then select .
You have the option to provide a title that appears above the trend chart.
Reset the trend chart options. On the toolbar, select , then select . Any changes you have made to the duration, start time, axis preferences, and properties are reverted.
Scroll through the historical data. Select and to move back and forth in the chart, and access historical data. Scrolling back and forth changes the start time for the chart.

For example, if you are currently viewing trends during 1-2pm, you can scroll back in time to view 12:45-1:45pm, then return to current view.

Recommendations While Using a Trend Chart

When you create a trend chart, we recommend that you apply the following guidelines:
  • When you add a trend chart to a page using the page designer, use separate containers for the breadcrumb and the chart. For the trend chart, set the height to 100%.
  • When accessing a trend chart on a mobile device:
    • Use a device with medium to high resolution.
    • Use the device in landscape mode.
    • To print a trend chart using an Android device, use the screen capture feature rather than selecting .
    • Configure the trend chart using a desktop rather than an Android device. This is because when you attempt to search for an asset or a Historian tag on an Android device, the in-built keyboard of the device appears, which may not allow you to enter the search criteria.
    • When you view the delta between two data points, the value may not be clearly readable on a mobile device with low to medium resolution. Therefore, we recommend that you view the delta value on a desktop or a mobile device with high resolution.
    • When you view statistical data, the trend chart area may be limited. To avoid this issue, plot up to two properties on the trend chart.
    • To pan across the trend chart or drill down the trend chart on an iPad, use the Zoom feature of the iPad rather than selecting , , or , respectively.