An item represents a data point or communication endpoint inside an instance. Depending on the Connector, an item can represent a PLC tag, an MQTT topic, a database query, an API endpoint, or another value that SIA Connect reads or writes.

This guide explains how to create and edit individual items with the full item dialog, and how to create or edit several items directly in Setup view.

Before you begin

Install the required Connector and create an instance before adding items. The Connector determines which additional item parameters are available.

Open the Items section

1. Expand Instances in the sidebar.
2. Open the instance that will contain the item.
3. Scroll to the Items section.

The Items section shows the configured items for the selected instance. You can search the inventory, inspect an item, open its editor, manage its tags, or switch to Setup view.

Create an item

1. Select New item.
2. Enter a Name.
3. Complete the relevant fields under General Info and Setup.
4. Complete the Connector-specific fields under <Connector name> setup.
5. Assign any required system or custom tags.
6. Select Save item.

When the item is created successfully, the dialog closes and the portal displays Item created successfully.

Edit an item

1. Locate the item in the Items table.
2. Select the item name to open Edit item. You can also select the row and use the edit control in the item details panel, or open the row context menu and select Edit item.
3. Change the required settings or tags.
4. Select Save changes.

When the item is updated successfully, the dialog closes and the portal displays Item updated successfully.

If you try to close the editor after changing a field, the portal asks whether you want to save or discard the unsaved changes.

Manage item tags

Tags classify items and can identify items that contain device information. Assigned tags appear as badges in the Items table and item details.

• System tags identify values such as Vendor, Model, Serial, Firmware, Hardware revision, Product code, or Application version. An item can have one system tag, and that system tag can be assigned to only one item in the same instance.
• Custom tags can be created and reused across items in the instance. An item can have multiple custom tags.

Tags are available in the full item form and the item details. They are not displayed in Setup view. For instructions on assigning, creating, renaming, removing, and deleting tags, see Manage item tags.

Use Setup view

Setup view is a table-based editor for creating or changing several items without opening the full item dialog for each item. It displays Name, UID, and the parameters defined by the Connector.

General and processing fields such as Description, Unit, Tags, Read write, Mode, Trigger behaviour, Input template, and Post-processing are not displayed in Setup view. Save the item and open Edit item when you need to change these fields.

Create items in Setup view

1. Turn on Setup view in the Items section.
2. Select New item.
3. Enter the item Name and, if required, a UID.
4. Complete the Connector-specific columns.
5. Repeat these steps for additional items.
6. Select Save.

A new Setup view row starts enabled with Read and Write access, the device-default read interval, and Actual value trigger behaviour. Use the full item editor after saving if these defaults or the item tags need to be changed.

Edit items in Setup view

1. Turn on Setup view.
2. Change values directly in the item rows.
3. Select Save.

Select Revert to discard all unsaved Setup view changes. If you turn off Setup view while changes are pending, select Save changes to save and exit, or Don't save to discard the changes.

Clone items in Setup view

1. Select one or more saved item rows.
2. Select Clone.
3. Review the new draft rows. A cloned item uses the original name followed by clone, and its UID is cleared.
4. Change the required values.
5. Select Save.

Only saved items can be cloned.

Item parameters

Connector-specific parameters

The <Connector name> setup section contains item parameters supplied by the installed Connector. These can include selection lists, switches, text, multiline, and numeric values.

The item dialog applies the Connector defaults and displays helper text when provided. The same Connector-specific fields are available as columns in Setup view. Refer to the documentation for the selected Connector for their meaning and accepted values.

Common problems

Related articles

• Manage item tags
• Create and edit instances
• Import and export items
• Export item data values
• Create and edit mappings
• Troubleshoot Connector, instance, item, and mapping errors
• Variable syntax
• Discover instances and items