Overview
The Bulk Data Point Creation feature allows users to create multiple data points simultaneously within the system. This feature simplifies the process of adding data points for a site by enabling bulk entry and validation.
Accessing Bulk Data Point Creation
To access the Bulk Data Point Creation tool:
Navigate to Admin -> Data Management.
Click on the "Bulk Create Data Points" button in the upper right corner.
Upon clicking this button, a prompt will appear asking the user to select the site for which they wish to create data points. After selecting the site, clicking "OK" will direct the user to the Bulk Data Point Creation table.
Bulk Data Point Creation Table
The Bulk Data Point Creation table is designed to facilitate large-scale data entry. As users enter values in a row, a new blank row is automatically generated beneath it, allowing for continuous data input. Data can also be pasted directly from a spreadsheet (See section below for more details).
The following image shows the Bulk Data Point Creation table before any data has been entered.
Data Entry Fields
Each row in the table represents a single data point and includes the following fields:
Data Point Name – A unique name for the data point.
Kind – Defines the type of data: Numeric, Boolean, or String.
Unit – Specifies the unit in which the data point is recorded.
Remote ID – A unique identifier for the data point.
Cumulative – Indicates whether the data point is cumulative.
Change of Value (CoV) – Specifies whether the system records only when the value changes.
Validation and Actions
The table includes two additional columns:
Validation Status – Displays the validation state of the row:
Blank: The row has not been validated.
Valid: The row has been validated successfully and is ready for data point creation.
Invalid: One or more fields contain errors. Hover over highlighted cells for error details.
Error: A system error has occurred. See the error message for more details.
Actions – Provides options to:
Duplicate: Duplicate an existing row.
Delete: Remove a row from the table.
The following image shows the Bulk Data Point Creation table with a number of data points configured, but before validation has occurred.
Data Validation
Before data points can be created, validation must be performed on the entered values.
Clicking the "Validate Data Points" button initiates the validation process.
Rows with incorrect or missing values will be marked Invalid with error indicators.
Valid rows will be marked as Valid and are eligible for creation.
After correcting invalid rows, re-running validation updates the validation status.
The following image shows the Bulk Data Point Creation table with a number of data points configured, after validation has occurred. Note the invalid rows with invalid cells highlighted. Also note that the "Create Valid Data Points" is enabled as one or more rows are marked as valid.
Data Point Creation
Once there are valid rows in the table:
The "Create Valid Data Points" button becomes enabled.
Clicking the button creates a data point for each valid row.
Successfully created data points are removed from the table, leaving only the remaining invalid rows.
Note: Data points must use a unique Remote ID across CoolPlanetOS. Trying to create a data point using a pre-existing Remote ID will fail, and the row will be marked as Invalid.
Pasting in data from a spreadsheet
Users can paste data from a spreadsheet into the Bulk Data Point Creation table. The data must be structured with the following six columns:
Name – String (must be unique in the table).
Kind – Accepted values:
Numeric: "Number", "Num", "Numeric"
String: "String", "Str"
Boolean: "Boolean", "Bool"
Unit – Any valid standard unit. Custom units must start with "_" and cannot contain numbers.
Remote ID – String (must be unique in the system).
Cumulative – Accepted values are:
True: "True", "T", "Yes", "Y", "1"
False: "False", "F", "No", "N", "0"
Change of Value – Accepted values are:
True: "True", "T", "Yes", "Y", "1"
False: "False", "F", "No", "N", "0"
Most spreadsheet software converts checkboxes into "TRUE" or "FALSE" when copied, making them compatible with this feature.
Summary
The Bulk Data Point Creation feature simplifies the process of adding multiple data points in a structured and validated manner. By using the Bulk Data Point Creation table, users can efficiently enter, validate, and create data points while ensuring accuracy and consistency within the system.