Variables tab

The Variables tab is used to show all the variables defined in the project. All the variable details are displayed in order to show the variable types, dimensions, attributes, etc.

Dictionary Toolbox

The list of variables is split into two parts:

Item Number

Description

All the Variables at the top.

All the Structures at the bottom.

Right-click in the Dictionary window to open the menu:

Dictionary Contextual Menu

This menu is used to perform these actions:

Command

Description

Undo

Undo the last action performed on the Dictionary.

Redo

Redo the last undone action.

Add Variable

Add a new variable in the selected level (e.g., Global, Retain, program).

Rename variables

Used to either replace a section of matching variables or append text to the variable's names.

See Rename Variables.

Edit variables as text

Opens a text editing dialog used to edit the variables found in the group as text using IECClosed "International Electrotechnical Commission" IEC is a not-for-profit, non-governmental international standards organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies 61131-3 syntax.

See Edit Variables as Text.

Copy variable value to init value

Copies the current value of a retain variable to the variable's initial value.

See Copy a Retained Variable Value to Init Value for more information.

Browse variable

Used to browse all instances of a variable.

See Browse Variable tab.

Add Structure

Used to add a new complex type.

A structure named NewStructure is created and variables can be dragged into it.

See Complex Structures.

Rename Structure

Used to rename the selected structure.

Copy

Used to copy a variable.

Paste

Used to paste the copied variable to the selected level.

Delete

Used to delete the selected variable.

A deletion can also be performed by pressing the Delete key on the keyboard.

Find all

Used to find all instances of the specified variable and opens the results in the Find and Replace tab.

Open UDFB

Used to open the selected UDFB instance.

See Monitoring UDFBs.

Map to Oscilloscope channel ...

Used to plug the selected variable on a channel.

  • This command opens a dialog used to configure the variable plug operation.
  • This command is enabled when the application is connected and running, and if the Data Types of variable is eligible for the Softscope as long as they are not in a UDFB instance:
    • Data Types: BOOL, BYTE, DINT, DWORD, INT, LINT, LREAL, LWORD, SINT, TIME, UDINT, UINT, ULINT, USINT, WORD.
  • See User-Defined Function Blocks.

Unmap all Oscilloscope Channels

Used to unplug all plugged probes from the Softscope.

Variable I/O mapping

Used to connect a variable to an I/O.

Print Dictionary ...

Used to print all the variables displayed in the Dictionary and sorted by programs.

The columns show the Name, Type, Dimension, Initial Value, and Attributes.

The Track Selection filters the displayed items in the dictionary to show only items linked to the current PLC selected program:

  • Unchecked: All project variables are displayed. This is the default setting.
  • Selected: The variables in the Dictionary are filtered to show only those relevant to the PLC item currently selected in the project tree.
    • Along with the Global, retains and variables related to the selected program or UDFB, structure definitions are shown.
    • The dictionary content changes accordingly if another PLC program is selected in the project tree.

There are two modes when editing a variable in the Dictionary:

  • Cell: Only the selected cell is active.
  • Row: The entire row is active.

Press the Spacebar to toggle the selection mode from cell to row.

See Table Keyboard Shortcuts.

  • The columns in the Variables tab can be reordered, resized, and hidden by double clicking on the filter icon in top left corner of the table.
    • This opens a dialog box used to modify the table's appearance.
    • These settings persist until you change them.
    • The Visible box for the Value field cannot be changed because the Value column is automatically shown in debug and online modes but hidden in edit mode.
  • Sort the list of variables in the table by either:
    • Verify you are in cell editing mode (press the Spacebar to toggle from one mode to the other).
    • Click the header of the column to use as the key sort order.

(Press the Spacebar to toggle to the relevant edition mode).

Mode Description
One Parameter

In the cell edition mode, double-click on the parameter.

All the parameters are at the same time In the row edition mode, double-click in any parameter to open the dialog box for variable configuration.

See Variables for more information on parameters.

Concept Link IconSee Also