[CONNECT Update 16] Write a CONNECT Report for Tag data

Hi Jon

Does adding a Column picking up on Element ID work for you? 

Simple Testcase:

In the Report Definitions Properties, I selected the Object Types Ellipses,Lines,Shapes (elements with Tags attached in the design) to be reported on and added the 'Tag Instances'  as related object.

Then added a column 'Element ID' picking up on Elements > Raw Data > Element ID

Previewed Report

Carl Myhill said:

In the Report Definitions Properties, I selected the Object Types Ellipses,Lines,Shapes (elements with Tags attached in the design) to be reported on and added the 'Tag Instances'  as related object

Thanks: that almost works.  Using your suggestion I can create this Report...

That shows the host element ID but the value of only one tag instance (each host has 2 tags attached: tag01 and tag02).  How do I instruct the Report to show all tag instances attached to a host element?

Looking forward to the next level of difficulty, what happens when we have more than one Tag Set attached to an element?  Can we filter the Report results using the Tag Set name?

Your observation is right, Jon. 

If I do, Element to Tag instances, I see just one record. And, if I do Tag Instance to Element report, I don't get the ID of the host element at all. Looks like it's a bug. Can you please try out a similar situation with ItemTypes? 

Is there any specific scenario you are trying with tags? Can you try to use ItemTypes there?

Thanks,

Mangesh

Mangesh.Shelar said:

Is there any specific scenario you are trying with tags?

On another thread, someone commented that the existing (legacy) tag reporting mechanism is (a) hard to use (b) not Excel-compatible. If we can write a 21^st century Report for tags, we have a great result!

As requests come up for Report requirements, I add them to our Reports step-by-step page.

Mangesh.Shelar said:

Can you try to use ItemTypes there?

I can create a Report for Item Types that shows the host element ID...

Mangesh.Shelar said:

Is there any specific scenario you are trying with tags?

On another thread, someone commented that the existing (legacy) tag reporting mechanism is (a) hard to use (b) not Excel-compatible. If we can write a 21^st century Report for tags, we have a great result!

As requests come up for Report requirements, I add them to our Reports step-by-step page.

Mangesh.Shelar said:

Can you try to use ItemTypes there?

I can create a Report for Item Types that shows the host element ID...

Jon Summers said:

I add them to our Reports step-by-step page

This is amazing. We are bringing in "Expression Column" in report for upcoming release. You can do many scenarios with it.

As far as Tag reporting goes, let Carl Myhill file a defect. Tags are pure texts. Unlike textfields, getting it working with EC is quite cumbersome. If you could help to me get this scenario with ItemTypes or some other elements, it will be helpful for to speed it up for tags.

Thanks,

Mangesh

Mangesh.Shelar said:

Tags are pure texts

Tag element values are C-style variants.  They can store string, integer, double or binary values.  String, integer and double values display as text.

Numeric values are not formatted.  It's quite common to see a tag that contains a double value displaying an absurd number of decimal places: 123.5678901234567890123456789.

Tags remain useful in MicroStation CONNECT because they play well with AutoCAD.  Despite the numerous benefits of Item Types, they are not a complete substitute for tag elements.