XStep: Inputs 
Use
You use XStep process instructions to add input fields to a PI sheet that the process operator then fills with values.Input fields can be used as follows:
To enter certain actual values from production
To enter signatures to sign a process step in the PI sheet
To enter signatures to complete the whole PI sheet
In addition, you can define the following functions for the value to be entered:
Suggested Value
The input field is filled with the defined suggested value at the start of the PI sheet. The suggested value is displayed in blue. Only once you have accepted the value by choosing Enter, or changed it, it is displayed in black.
Input Validation
You can use a process message to report the values that the process operator has entered.
See: Process Messages
Example
Prerequisites
In order to write an input value in an XStep parameter, you must first have defined this XStep parameter in the XStep.
See also: XStep Parameter
Features
Input Functions in the PI Sheet
Input Character String
The data format of characteristic PPPI_SHORT_TEXT is proposed as a default. The process operator, who is processing the PI sheet, can enter any alphanumerical value of up to 30 characters in the input field.
Input Date
The data format of characteristic PPPI_ EVENT_DATE is proposed as a default. In this case, the input field is already filled with the current system date when the process operator calls up the PI sheet. However, this date can be changed.
Input Numerical Value
The data format of characteristic PPPI_ PARAMETER_VALUE is proposed as a default. In the input field, the process operator can enter a numerical value with 10 places before and 3 places after the decimal point.
You can also output a unit of measure, in addition to a numerical value. If you output the unit of measure with the characteristic PPPI_UNIT_OF_MEASURE as a character string then the unit of measure is displayed to the right of the input field.
Input Long Text
The data format of PPPI_MESSAGE_TEXT is proposed as a default. The process operator can enter a text of any length in the input field. The long text input field is displayed in the left half of the PI sheet.
Input Time
The data format of PPPI_EVENT_TIME is proposed as a default. In this case, the input field is already filled with the current system time when the process operator calls up the PI sheet. However, you can change the time.
Input Parameter Value
You can write a value entered in a PI sheet in a parameter in order to reuse this value somewhere else in the same XStep or the subordinate XStep. To do this you specify an XStep parameter of the type Local or Output, which you have previously defined for the XStep.
See also: XStep Parameters
Input Signature
The data format of PPPI_SIGNATURE is proposed as a default. In this case you can enter a signature in the PI sheet in this input field.
If you have set the indicator Digital Signature , the system checks the signature entered in the input field separately.
If, in addition to the digital signature, you have defined a signature strategy for variances or for signing process steps for the control recipe destination, you must carry out the specified signature strategy for all variances and process steps in the PI sheet.
However, you can also use another signature strategy in a particular XStep process instruction. To do this, enter a signature strategy on the Value Input tab page in the XStep process instruction.
See also: Definition of Signatures in PI Sheets
Example
See: XStep: Lists