FAQ Dashboard Designer

How do I link a value to a display?

The link is created in the Logic view. This requires at least two controls, for example, Live value (as a data source) from the Logic view list and a 7-segment display from the Design view list. The 7-segment display is a control in Design view and must first be inserted into a Design view by clicking, holding down and dragging it. You then switch to the Logic view and drag the Live value directly into the workspace in the same way. To add the 7-segment display to the Logic view workspace, drag it directly from the navigation tree on the left-hand side into the workspace. Compatible control fields on different controls can then be connected from the output side on the right of one control to the input side on the left of another control. For example, connect the “Value” control field of the Live value control to the “Value” control field of the 7-segment display. This means that the value of the Live value control is now displayed on the 7-segment display. In the same way (click, hold, drag), compatible connections can be established between all controls.

How do I display a live value?

A live value can be displayed using the Live value control (Logic view) and by linking it to a 7-segment display [or, alternatively, a Label/Link control (Design view) or a chart]. The first step is to create a 7-segment display in the Design view and customise its appearance (colours, size, display) as required using the properties. You then switch to the Logic view and insert the Live value control. In addition, the 7-segment display is dragged from the Design view to the Logic view using the navigation tree on the left-hand side. Now, connect the “Value” field of the Live value control to the “Value” field of the 7-segment display by clicking and dragging. Finally, select the Live value control in the workspace and open the “Source” tab in the Properties pane on the right-hand side. There, link the control to the correct data point. For example, Ptot (total active power) is selected.

How do I display an individual monthly (daily, annual) value?

This assumes that the “Database Values” control is already linked to a display (7-segment display, Label/Link or chart). In the “Database Values” control, the “Output value immediately” box is now ticked in the “Behaviour” tab. In the “Value” tab, it is important to select the correct interval for value output and, in addition, to set the cost centre value output to “Metering point sums”. It may also help to tick the box next to “Retrieve single value only”. Finally, the time range is set in the “Time range” tab. Use the Start offset to select the beginning of the time range and the Time range offset to define the duration of the time range. For a monthly value, for example, the Start offset is set to 0 and the corresponding Start unit is set to Month(s). For the Time range offset, 1 is then selected and “Month(s)” is chosen as the Time range unit, so that the data retrieved go back one month. In addition, the time range can be overridden via the link to the navigation data of a DB Navigator, thereby enabling flexible control of the time range via the Design view.

How do I set a default value? (i.e. I always want to display the last full month from the retrieval date OR I want to display the last 30 days from the retrieval date)

In the first case, the “Time range” tab is selected in the “Database Values” control. If you wish to display the last completed month, select 1 as the Start offset and “Month(s)” as the Start unit. Set the Time range offset to 1 and the Time range unit to Month(s).

In the second case, 31 is selected as the Start offset and “Day(s)” as the Start unit at the same location, along with 30 as the Time range offset and “Day(s)” as the Time range unit. This shows the last 30 completed days.

How do I link multiple values? (Addition/Subtraction)

To do this, the values must be linked to the “Calculator” control. The Calculator has 10 input channels, which are linked to data from various database values. In the Calculator, these are combined with one another – or with static factors – using the standard arithmetic operators in up to four formulas. To perform the following calculation, “((Value1 + Value2) * 1000 / Value3)”, you must enter the following formula: (((#1 + #2) * 1000 / #3). Depending on how the values are presented, the result can, for example, be displayed in a chart or on a 7-segment display, or it can be used in other Calculators.

How do I link multiple Design views together?

There are various ways of doing this. The most common way is to click a Label/Link. To do this, a Label/Link is added to the first Design view. In the Logic view, the second Design view is then dragged into the Logic view’s workspace by clicking, holding down and dragging. The same applies to the Label/Link for the first Design view. The “Click” output field for the Label/Link in the first Design view is now connected to the “Display” input field in the second Design view.

If you now click on the Label/Link field in the first Design view, the second Design view is immediately loaded and displayed. For ease of use, it is advisable to provide a way of returning to the first Design view.

What do I need to bear in mind when working with tables?

If you use several tables (> 6 tables) in a Design view, loading times may be longer. Otherwise, the Dashboard Designer’s table display is also very flexible. Order, columns, rows, labels, total columns, … virtually no limits are imposed here either.

Can I set content to be displayed only under certain conditions?

Yes. The Comparator control is used for this purpose. This has two input variables, which are compared with one another on the basis of their numerical values. On the output side of this control, for example, the field 1 > 2 can be linked to the input field “Visible” of a Label/Link, so that the Label/Link is only displayed if this condition is met. This means that even the link to another Design view or the display of certain content can be hidden.

How do I switch between the monthly and annual views?

The simplest way to do this is to have the database values or charts controlled by the navigation data from the same DB Navigator.

Alternatively, this setting can also be configured directly in the Logic view within the Database Values control. This element has a “Time range” tab. To switch from monthly to annual values, you can simply change the Start unit and the Time range unit from Month(s) to Year(s).

How can I display only the higher of two values?

The Comparator control is also used for this. In addition, two display fields are required, such as a Label/Link. The two database values to be compared are first connected to the comparator as input values. Finally, via the conditional outputs 1 > 2 or 2 < 1, the display element is linked to the “Visible” field of the relevant Label/Link, and the value is also passed to the corresponding Label/Link field. For condition 1: 1 > 2, therefore, only the Label/Link showing value 1 is displayed.

How do I add my visual energy charts to my dashboard?

The “VE Charts” control is available for this purpose in the Design view. This element is dragged into the Design view workspace, and then the desired chart is selected. Finally, this can also be controlled in the Logic view using the navigation data from a DB Navigator.

How do I copy a dashboard so that I can create one in parallel for another location?

This is done using the functions in the top control bar. To do this, click the “Export” button in the dashboard to create and download a JSON file, which can then be selected and imported into another dashboard using the “Import” button. Afterwards, you simply need to relink or swap the connections for the database values or Live values.