Configure Global Tables
Global tables allow you to look up data based on the value of one or more other fields. They can be used to store a series of data (for example, properties of different materials, piping schedule data), which can be then referenced from asset information group (AIG) fields to provide values automatically or present valid selections to users.
You can configure global tables under . Much of their configuration is similar to Configure Asset Information Groups or Configure Event Types, but the way they are used is quite different.
Using Global Tables
Global tables provide data to fields within asset information groups (AIGs) and are commonly used in the following ways:
Global Table Link fields are AIG fields configured with the Global Table Link field type that reference a global table. On the AIG form, they present users with a series of dependent drop-down lists, where the available values depend on data stored in the global table and selections made in other linked fields. For more information, see Global Table Link Field.
For an example of how to configure a global table for use as a global table link, see Example: Configure Global Table for Global Table Link.
Global Lookup fields are AIG fields configured with the Global Lookup field type. They retrieve values from a specific field in a global table based on values entered in one or more other AIG fields. The retrieval is performed using a function configured for the field.For more information, see Global Lookup Field.
Note
Global lookup fields are distinct from lookup list fields. Lookup lists let the user choose from a drop-down list, whereas global lookup fields are more like a calculation, filling in a value without the user taking any action, and without the user being able to later modify that value.
For an example of how to configure a global table for use in a global lookup field, see Example: Configure Global Table for Global Lookup List.
Manage Global Tables
You set up global tables on the Global Tables screen (), which is divided into three main sections:
Global Table Configuration:
You use the standard grid toolbar (see Using the Grid) in the upper section of the screen to manage global tables, including adding, editing and deleting records, managing connections, importing and exporting data and customising the grid layout. In addition, you can:
Save a global table template and load a previously saved template (see Load and Save Global Table Templates).
Use the Field Order toolbar option to move a field up or down in the form or grid. For example, if you want to place a field between two other fields in the form, select Form … from the drop-down list, and in the Form Field Order dialog, you can move the field with the Move Up or Move Down buttons available in the toolbar.
Check the dependency map using the Map button (see View Dependency Map).
Field Configuration:
You use the standard grid toolbar (see Using the Grid) in the middle section of the screen to manage fields within the selected global table. On the right-hand side of this screen section, you can review the form or grid layout based on the fields you have set up for the global table.
Data Management:
You use the standard grid toolbar (see Using the Grid) in the lower section of the screen to manage data for the selected fields.
The three sections are typically used in sequence: first define the global table, then configure its fields and finally populate it with data.
For step-by-step instructions on creating and populating a new global table, see Create Global Tables.
Create Global Tables
To create a new global table:
Click Add at the top of the Global Tables screen and choose Lookup Table.
Specify the main parameters of the table in the Add Table Definition dialog. For more information, see Add/Edit Table Definition Dialog.
Add new fields to the table by choosing Add from the middle toolbar of the Global Tables screen.
Specify the main parameters of the fields in the Add Field Definition dialog. For more information, see Add/Edit Field Definition Dialog.
In the lower section of the Global Tables screen, populate each field of the global table by either:
Clicking Add to enter records manually.
Clicking Import to import records from an Excel or text file.
Repeat as required until all required data has been added.
Load and Save Global Table Templates
Click Save Template on the toolbar to export the selected global table and its related configuration to a .table file.
When saving a template, NEXUS IC identifies all dependent items associated with the global table, such as asset information forms, events, function definitions, lookup tables or risk models. A dependency selection dialog is displayed, allowing you to choose which related items to include in the exported file.
To import a previously saved template, click Load Template. This allows you to load the global table template into the current database or another database.
If the global table template already exists in the database, the imported version overwrites the existing template and does not create a copy of it. The same behaviour applies to any related items included in the .table file, such as asset information fields and lookup tables.
View Dependency Map
The dependency map is a visual representation of an Asset Information Group (AIG), Event Type’s, or global table’s dependencies.
You can access the dependency map by choosing Map in the toolbar of the configuration dialogs when configuring AIGs (see Configure Asset Information Groups), event types (see Configure Event Types) or global tables (see Configure Global Tables).
The map is represented as a series of interlinked fields grouped in columns, each column representing the AIG/Event Type/Global Table to which the fields belong.
The map is hierarchically arranged from left to right, with the target AIG/Event Type/Global Table located in the left-most column, and its dependencies and sub-dependencies located to the right.
You can also toggle the view using the following buttons at the top of the dialog:
Show Duplicates: If this button is switched on, and a field has a reference to another field in the same AIG/Event Type/Global Table, the field and the AIG/Event Type/Global Table will be displayed again in a separate column. If you switch this button off, the fields will be displayed only once and any self-referential dependencies will be displayed as a closed loop in a single column.
For example, if you have a field called Absolute Pressure in the Piping AIG, which has references to two other fields from the same Piping AIG, the dependency map is displayed as follows:
Show Duplicates button ON:
Show Duplicates button OFF:
Show Local References: If this button is switched on, and a field has a reference to another field within the same AIG/Event Type/Global Table, this dependency will be displayed on the map. If you switch this button off, these self-referential dependencies will not be displayed at all.
See how the example mentioned above is displayed when toggling this button on or off:
Show Local References button ON:
Show Local References button OFF:
See also