Set data selection to active

You have the following options to activate the data exchange:

  • Use the Edit > Data Selection menu command.

  • Use the menu commandData selection... from the shortcut menu (right-click) for the section.

  • Press the Ctrl+D key combination.

    or

  • Select the symbol.

NOTE: When executing the commands no object can be selected in the section.

The active FFB placement mode is indicated by the cursor symbol.

Note

In the Tools > Options dialog box on the Data and Languages tab, if the Automatically assign a variable to a new graphical object checkbox is selected, then the corresponding properties dialog box is automatically opened when an object is placed. The procedures explained here are used when the checkbox is cleared.

Selecting an FFB type via the Data Selection

Process the following steps to select an FFB type via the Data selection:

Step

Action

1

From the Data selection....from the shortcut menu (right-click) for the Data selectionsection.

Result:

A data selection box is opened.

2

You have the following options to enter the FFB type:

  • You can now enter the FFB type and confirm using Enteror the button.

    In this case, continue with step 7 of the procedure.

  • You can select the name from the list of recently used names using the FFB type symbol and confirm using Enteror the button.

    In this case, continue with step 7 of the procedure.

  • You can delete your entry by pressing Escor clicking the button.

  • Using the button ...you can open the dialog box for FFB selection.

Example of an FFB type selection dialog box:

3

Select the Function Types, Function Block Types tab.

Result:

The tab used for selecting an FFB type is opened.

4

Select the library and family from the Libraries/Families column which contains the desired function block.

Tip: If you do not know where to find the FFB you are looking for select the Libset, entry to see a list of all the FFBs available independently of their libraries.

5

Select the desired function block from the Name column.

Example:

6

Confirm the selection with OK.

Result: The dialog box is closed and FFB placement mode is activated.

7

To place the FFB , and click the target cell in the LD section.

or

Use the arrow keys to move the gray field to the target position and press Enter.

Result: For the selected FFB type, an instance name is automatically generated (only valid for function blocks), the FFB is inserted and placement mode remains active so that further FFBs can be inserted. To end insert mode press Esc.

Note: The automatically generated instance names can be changed to improve clarity, also see Managing of instances of data belonging to the family of function blocks (EF).

Selecting a block instance

Process the following steps to select a block instance that has already been declared:

Step

Action

1

Activate FFB placement mode.

Result:

A data selection box is opened.

2

Press the button ..., to open the FFB selection dialog.

3

Select the Function Blocks tab (if it is not already active).

Result:

The tab used for selecting a block instance is opened and the desired selection of block instances is displayed.

4

Select the desired block instance from the Name column.

5

Confirm the selection with OK.

Result: The dialog box is closed and FFB placement mode is activated.

6

Click the target cell in the LD section.

or

Use the arrow keys to move the gray field to the target position and press Enter.

Result: The selected block instance is inserted and the placement mode remains active so that more block instances can be inserted. To end insert mode press Esc.