The Multi-Instance Wizard provides a powerful, but simple mechanism for rapidly generating many instances of a UDT at the same time by specifying patterns for UDT parameters.
Value Patterns and Tag Names
Value Patterns
In order to define values for parameters (and the Tag names), you can use several different types of patterns (and combinations of patterns):
Range number1-number2[/step]
A numeric range of values, such as 1-10
. Optionally, a step
parameter can be included, in order to only generate numbers at certain multiples. For example, 0-100/10
would generate 0,10,20
, and so on.
Repeat value*count
A value (numerical or string), and the number of times to use it. For example, North Area*10
would use the parameter North Area
for 10
items.
List value1, value2, value3
A comma separated list of values (or other patterns) to use.
Examples:
1-10,21-30,31-40 Results in 30
Tags being created, with the specified value ranges (so, for example, there would be no parameter 15
).
A,B,C Results in 3
Tags, with each of the values.
0-100/5 Results in 21
Tags (because range is inclusive), with values 0, 5, 10...100
.
As mentioned, the size of the pattern will dictate how many Tags will be created. If some patterns are smaller than others, the last value will be repeated for the other Tags.
Tag Names
The names of the generated instances can be specified using a system similar to that of the parameter patterns. If you just want to use sequential names, you don't need to specify a pattern, as values will be generated automatically starting at one. You can also set the pattern to simply be the starting number to generate sequential names from there.
Base Name
A string base for the Tag name. This can also be a list of names, in which case the names will be used directly, and the name pattern won't be used.
Name Pattern
A pattern that will be used to generate values that will be appended to the base name.
At any time, you can use the Preview button to view the Tag names and parameters that will be created. Once you are satisfied, click OK to generate the Tags under the selected folder in the Tag provider.