This procedure shows you how group mode enables you to make a batch selection of item types for comparison and subsequent transfer of data. You save the comparison data for subsequent inspection and analysis in an external file in a file format of your choice. After running the comparison list, you can open the saved external file to examine the data so that you can determine how to use the comparison list data.
If you selected wiring item types or wiring information to be merged, do not change
the settings you made in the Merger Compare Data Options dialog. If you change these settings after selecting wiring item types in the comparison
list, the new settings apply only to new comparison list selections. In any case,
it is difficult to predict what happens when you merge data in this case, as sometimes
there can be a relation between different item types that you select.
-
In the Merger Session Manager window, open a Merger Utility session.
-
Do one of the following:
-
Select Actions > Comparison List.
-
Right-click the session, and on the shortcut menu, select Comparison List.
-
-
Select Actions > Use Group Mode.
-
Select Actions > Group Mode Parameters
-
On the Group Mode Parameters dialog, select Save comparison list as report only if you do not want to save the comparison results to the database. This saves the generated comparison reports as external files only. You must make the appropriate selections under the Save data in section.
-
To automate the selection process, select the type of data to be selected under Select data:
-
All — This option selects all the existing item types (for example, instrument, loop, panel, cable, and so forth) This option is recommended to get all the wiring and connection changes.
-
Deleted — This option selects the item types that appear in the target domain only.
-
Inserted — This option selects the item types that appear in the source domain only.
-
Updated — This option selects the item types that exist both in the source and target and need to be updated.
-
Saved previously — This option includes previously saved comparison data.
It is recommended that you select the Deleted, Inserted, and Updated options.
-
-
Under Additional options, select the required types of comparison reports to be generated based on the selections you made under Select data:
-
1 Side — This report is for cables and panels. It reports the wire and terminal connections.
-
Cable levels — Generate two additional reports for cables: cable sets and wires of the cable (not mandatory if 1 Side is selected.)
-
Panel level — Generate two additional reports for panels: panel, strips, and sets and wires of the cable (not mandatory if 1 Side is selected.)
-
Jumper — This report identifies the jumpers by listing the two terminals that the jumpers are connected to.
-
Cross Wire — This report identifies the crossed wires by listing the two terminals/strips and panel names that the crossed wires are connected to.
-
2 Sides — This report lists the connections on both sides of a terminal strip. Note that this report and the relevant comparison list data cannot be used to select connections: it is for your information only.
-
Signal — This report lists the connections for the selected tag numbers. Note that this report and the relevant comparison list data cannot be used to select connections – it is for your information only.
-
Specs — This report lists the differences in specifications. This is a generic report that displays the changed data only. You cannot select single attributes for an update.
-
Process Data — This report lists the differences in process data. This is a generic report that displays the changed data only. You cannot select single attributes for an update.
-
For all data — Generate comprehensive comparison reports for selected item types under Additional options (recommended).
-
For selected data — Generate comparison reports based on your selections under Select data for the item types selected under Additional options.
-
-
Select
to specify the path and format of the file in which you will save the comparison
data. Several file formats are available, for example, .psr, .dbf, .xls, .xlsx. After
you make your selection, the Group Mode Parameters dialog displays the information in the Save data in section.
Make sure that you select the .psr format so that you can use the report in the merge
process.
-
Select OK to accept your selections and to return to the Compare Source-Target Data window.
-
Make your selections in the data window by selecting the item type. The icon beside the selected item type changes to
. The software automatically selects all the child item types belonging to a selected
item type. You can select or clear individual child item types if required as follows:
-
Double-click an item type to expand it. (Certain child item types may contain other child item types.)
-
Select the item type to select or clear it. The icon beside selected item types changes to
. If a check mark 
appears beside an item type, it means that the item type has already been used in
a previous run of the comparison list.
To ensure correct merging of specification data, make sure that you select all the
tag numbers associated with multi-tag specifications, especially the master tag number.
If you do not do so, the specification information will not be updated.
-
-
Select Actions > Build Item List if you want to make additional source selections in the module list after running the comparison list. Note that selecting this option will slow down the merge process. Do not select this option if you do not intend to use the module list feature.
-
Select Actions > Compare Data
.
The comparison procedure may take some time depending on the size of the database
tables. At the end of the comparison procedure, you can view the comparison reports
by opening the appropriate .psr files.