# Options on the General tab of the Trend Object Properties dialog box

The following table shows the options on the General tab of the Trend Object Properties dialog box.

Options | Descriptions
--- | ---
Chart style | Specify the plotting style of the chart. A trend either plot values against time (Standard) or against a selected pen (XY plot).
Standard | Select this option to plot each pen against time in a standard line chart.
XY plot | Select this option to plot each pen against a selected pen, which serves as the X-axis. If you select this option, select a pen for the X-axis from the X-Axis pen box.
X-Axis pen | Specify which pen serves as the X-Axis in an X-Y plot.
Chart update mode | Specify how often the chart updates with new data.
Automatic | Select this option when you want the trend to update itself at regular time intervals.
Refresh Rate | In the Automatic mode, the Refresh Rate controls how often the trend acquires data. The Refresh Rate range is 50 milliseconds - 596 hours.
On Change | Select this option when you want the trend to update itself as data values change. This mode is useful for data that changes rapidly. In the On Change mode, real-time data updates in the trend whenever data changes by more than a certain amount, or after a specified interval.
Heartbeat | Specify the maximum amount of time in milliseconds between updates when a chart is updating on change. If the value of a pen has not changed within the amount of time specified, the chart shows the current value. Set the heartbeat rate to 0 to disable the heartbeat.
Deadband | Specify a percentage, from 0% to 100% of the actual value, by which a value must change before the chart shows the next value.

## See also

Create a trend

Set up how the trend looks