Searching for Variables

To access this dialog box: From the Plant Applications Excel Add-in, click the Plant Applications menu, point to Search, and then click Variables.

Using the Plant Applications Add-in, you can search for all the variables you have configured for use in Plant Applications. To help limit the number of variables returned in a search, Plant Applications provides a number of filters to help you specify the variables you want to include in your spreadsheet. You can filter on one or more of the following:

• Production line

• Production unit

• variable group

• Variable description

When you select a specific production line, the available production units are those associated with the selected production line. If you want to select from all production units, then do not select a production line. Similarly, if you want to select from all production groups, then do not select a production line or unit. However, using these filters makes it much easier for you to find the variables you need.

To search for variables

1. From the Plant Applications menu, point to Search, and then click Variables.

2. In the Plant Applications Variable Search dialog box, do one or more of the following:

3. Production Line: Click the drop-down arrow to select a production line.

4. Production Unit: Click the drop-down arrow to select a production unit. If you selected a production line, only the production units associated with the selected line will be available.

5. Production Group: Click the drop-down arrow to select a variable group. If you selected a production unit, only the variable groups associated with the selected production unit will be available.

6. Variable Description Filter: Enter any combination of numbers or letters. Keep in mind that the variables displayed will be those that contain exactly what you enter. As an example, let’s say that you have the following variables:
   
   50#Gloss, 50#Matte, 60#Gloss, 70#Matte, Alarm, Reelspeed

• Server: If you need to select a different server, click the drop-down arrow and select a server.

• Display: Select the Variable Descriptions check box to include a description of the selected variables on your spreadsheet. Select the Engineering Units check box to include the engineering units (#, LF, lbs, kg) for the selected variables on your spreadsheet.

If you do not select the Variable Description option, only the Variable ID will be include on your worksheet.

3. Click the Search button.

4. In the Selection Found box, do one of the following:

5. Select the variables you want to include on your spreadsheet and click the Move Selected button  to move the selected variables to the Selected Variables box.

6. Click the Move All button to move all of the variables to the Selected Variables box.

5. In the Output Cell box, click the Collapse Dialog button and select the output cell on your spreadsheet. For more information, please see Selecting Cells for Output.

The selected output cell is where the first variable will be entered. Be sure to include an additional row or column for the headings.

6. Click either the Columns or Rows option. For more information, please see Output Orientation.

7. Click the OK button.