How to Add Data from External Database in OpenPlant Isometrics Manager Backing Sheet


Applies To
Product(s):OpenPlant Isometrics Manager
Version(s):08.11.09.XXX (SS5) | 08.11.11.XX (SS6)
Environment:Windows 7/8.1/10 64 bit
Area:Settings/Attributes
Subarea:DBQuery
Original Author:Abhijit Bute, Bentley Product Advantage Group

Background

In general, the majority of data for Isometric output is gathered from the Piping table. However, situations can arise where data from external database could be valuable for placement on Iso's. The following illustrated queries demonstrate how to pull a field from the external database into Isometric backing sheet (Project Title Block).

Steps To Accomplish

Create New (Database) Excel Sheet Add Data.  

  1. Create new excel file (say User.xlsx) and entry as per below screen shot.


  2. Save file in appropriate location.

Edit Textnode.txt file

  1. Add new database entry in textnodes.txt file.
    exdsn=Driver={Microsoft Excel Driver (*.xls)};Dbq=C:\User.xlsx;
  2. Add following query to get DRAWNBY, CHEKEDBY,APPROVEDBY values from database.
    DRAWNBY=DBQUERY($(exdsn), select INITIALS from [Sheet1$] where NAME='$(USERNAME)')Z
    CHECKEDBY=DBQUERY($(exdsn), select CHECKED from [Sheet1$] where NAME='$(USERNAME)')
    APPROVEDBY = DBQUERY($(exdsn), select APPROVED from [Sheet1$] where NAME='$(USERNAME)')

    Refer below image


  3. Save textnodes.txt file.
  4. Launch OpenPlant Isometrics Manager and verify result. 

NOTE: In case the column queried from the Excel sheet contains different data types like texts as well as numbers

Convert all the numbers to text format.

Steps To Accomplish:

  1. Select the column as shown leaving the merged cells


  2. Go to Data --> Text to Columns


  3. Select Delimited


  4. Select Tab

  5. Select Text


  6. Click Finish.
  7. Ensure all the fields with just numbers show up as text now.

See Also

communities.bentley.com/.../adding-data-from-the-process-table-to-isometric-backing-sheetdrawing-frameseed-file

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