Once you've created a data source, you can add a large amount of variables more easily by preparing a CSV file and importing that into your data source. For long lists of variables, this method is faster than adding each variable manually through the IXON Cloud interface.

Additionally, you can export the variables of an existing data source and import it at another data source or even at another edge gateway to easily copy them over.

• Copy variables from one data source to another
• Prepare a CSV file to import a large amount of variables

Copy variables from one data source to another

If you have a list of variables that you wish to copy over to another data source, simply export the variables and import them at the other data source.

1. Go to the original data source and open the list of variables.
2. In the top right, click Export to CSV-file.
   • You can also make a selection of variables you wish to export before pressing this button. If no selection is made, all variables will be exported.
3. Go to the new data source and then to the variables.
4. In the top right, click Import from CSV-file and select your CSV file.

Prepare a CSV file to import a large amount of variables

The structure of the CSV file need to be correct for the import function to work properly. It's easiest if you first create a template so you have an example of what the file and exact contents need to look like.

1. Add a single variable to your data source.
2. In the top right, click Export to CSV-file.
3. Edit the CSV file in any text editor and add all the variables you wish to add.
   • The structure and content of the CSV file is explained in detail below, in chapter CSV file structure.
4. Once you've added all the variables, save the file.
   • If you used Microsoft Excel to edit the CSV file, it may not be ready yet. 
   • Make sure that the used delimiter is supported by opening the edited CSV file in a plain text editor, like Notepad, and comparing it with the information in the below support article.
     • Which delimiters are supported in a CSV import and how do I change it?
5. Go back to the variables of your data source in IXON Cloud.
6. In the top right, click Import from CSV-file and select your CSV file.

CSV file structure

The structure of the CSV file needs to be correct for the import function to work properly. The headers (first row) should look like this:

Each column represents a different setting and these are all explained below. Easily navigate to the desired section by pressing the corresponding header above.

Identifier

This variable ensures that every data source and variable in the your company remains unique, even when you give multiple variables the same name. An identifier only has to be unique for a certain data-source. Two different data-sources in the same company can have the same identifiers and can therefore import the same CSV-file.

Name

You can name the variables freely. It is advised to enter a very brief description of the variable (i.e. weight, temperature zone #1, emergency stop section B5).

Address

The address is protocol specific, since every protocol has it's own structure, and is explained separately for the following protocols:

• BACnet/IP
• Digital Input
• Modbus TCP
• OPC UA
• Siemens
• SMTP

BACnet/IP

On the IXON Cloud you can enter the variable's object type, object instance, and a property. The object type and property also have a numeric identifier. For example, object type "analog_value" corresponds with numeric identifier "2". These are determined by the BACnet/IP protocol itself, but can also have custom identifiers that are configured by the user. The example table below shows how to list the addresses in the CSV file.

Digital Input

On the IXON Cloud you can enter the data type and communication protocol. The example below shows how to list the IXrouter's digital input in the CSV file.

Modbus TCP

On the IXON Cloud you can enter your variable's function code (coils, discrete input, holding registers, or input registers) and address. The example table below shows how to list the addresses in the CSV file.

OPC UA

On the IXON Cloud you can enter your variable's address, consisting of an identifier type, a namespace index, and an identifier. The example table below shows how to list the addresses in the CSV file.

Siemens

On the IXON Cloud you can enter your variable's region (DB, I, M, or Q) and address. If you have selected DB as region, you will see an additional field named "Data block". The example table below shows how to list the addresses in the CSV file.

SMTP

On the IXON Cloud you can enter the data type, action, and keywords to determine which data from the original e-mail you'd like to pass on. The table below shows examples of all possible actions.

Data type (type, width & signed)

In the CSV file a variable's data type is divided into 3 separate settings:

• Type: bool, int, float, or string.
• Width: is required when the type is an int or float. Available widths are 8, 16, 32, and 64 bits.
• Signed: "TRUE" for data types that can be positive and negative (signed). "FALSE" for data types that can only be positive (unsigned).

This table explains the available data types and their corresponding notation in the CSV file.

Max string length

A string data type requires its maximum amount of characters to be specified in the "Max string length" column. Leave this column empty when the data type is not a string.

Factor

You can multiply the value. This can be useful when you would like to measure grams in kilograms, for example. In this example you would set the factor to 0.001.

Unit

The unit of measurement will be displayed behind the value (e.g. kg).