Define a default graph period

When creating any type of graph, you must define the initial graph period in the Graph Properties form. You can select one of the predefined display periods (one hour back, one day back, etc.) or set up your own custom duration or custom period. The graph period will start retrieving data from the defined signals automatically when the graph is opened.

Operators can change the graph period in the Supervise module to display data from other periods.

All back dates and times are based on the present date and time.

Open the Graph Properties form for an already created graph

To access the Properties form for a stand-alone graph with its own window in the Definition module, click on Graph -> Open to access the Object Browser.
In the right pane of the Object Browser form, select the graph you want to define default properties for.
Click the Open/Select button to open the graph and the its Properties form.
For an Embedded Graph, displayed in a diagram, right-click on the graph and select Properties…

Note that properties for an Embedded Graph Basic are organized differently and with fewer options, ref. the "Create and edit an Embedded Graph Basic".

Define default graph periods

In the Graph Properties form’s Period tab: In the Select display period field select the default period from the drop-down list of predefined periods.
Select Custom Duration to set up your own default period which starts when the graph is opened.

You must also define the length of the duration and the duration type in the Duration fields. For example entering 5 hours to display data 5 hours back.
Select Custom Period to set up your own custom default period with a back-dated start time
1. In the From Date field, enter the start date of the graph
2. In the From time field, enter the start time of the graph
3. In the To date field, enter the end date of the graph
4. In the To time field, enter the end time of the graph
You can also add a user-defined Start Month (if you select This Year) and Start Hour, if you select an absolute period (Yesterday, This or Last week/month/year).
Click the OK button to save the period and close the Graph Properties form.

If you want to set up additional graph properties, click one of the other tab pages to continue graph set up:

You can set the present general graph properties as the default parameters for all future graphs by selecting the Set as Default check box. Note that individual signal properties such as color of signal lines and alarm limit lines etc. will not be saved as default.

In the Embedded Graph Basic form graph periods are defined in the General tab.