General Functions of the Data Editor
Original instructions
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Introduction
In every Data Editor tab you can configure the column display (a default configuration is suggested). This lets you:
Columns Available
The following table shows the different columns available in the Data Editor:
Column Name
Description
Name
Name of the instance or data type.
Type
Data type. By default this attribute is checked.
Value
Initial value for the variables. By default this attribute is checked.
Comment
Comment for the variables. By default this attribute is checked.
Alias
Name selected by the user which makes it possible to change an IODDT, DDT, or an Array element to a name defined by the manufacturer or the user. By default this attribute is checked.
NOTE: An Alias value cannot be set for a variable if the Bit rank attribute has been set for that variable.
Alias of
Complete path of the variable subfield on which user sets Alias attribute. By default this attribute is checked.
Constant
Kind of variable, the variable is a constant or not.
Custom
Free text for use of an external tool or for special user requirements.
Used
Number of times the variables are used in the program and in other parts of the project (animation tables, user windows).
Owner
Only for Device DDT, it displays the address of the modules which owns this variable.
Address
Address in the controller for referencing the variables. By default this attribute is checked.
Global data
Shows if the variable is a variable that was swapped between different stations via the network.
+
Group
Number of the group (the variables) in which the variable is transported.
ID
Number for the unique display of a variable in the group (the variables).
Save
Define if the variable accepts the mechanism for updating initial values with current values.
HMI variable
When General Project Settings → Data Dictionary → Only HMI variables is checked, this reduces memory usage. By default this attribute is checked.
Time stamping
Select if a variable is time stamped or not and the kind of time stamping, see the System time stamping variables or Applicative time stamping variables.
+
Source
Gives the source of the time stamping.
TS ID
Gives the ID of the time stamped variable.
Scanned Variables
Attribute that you can use to tag a variable to be a scanned variable by the PLC, through Ethernet for instance.
R/W Rights of Referenced Variable
Access rights of a reference type instance, used when the reference dereferences a read only variable, see the Reference Access rights. By default this attribute is checked.
Data Protect
Use this attribute to protect your data from modification request in monitoring mode.
When Data Protect is checked, it is not possible to modify the protected variable. By default this attribute is unchecked.
NOTE: The project setting Data memory protect must be enabled: Tools → Project Settings → PLC embedded data.
Exchange On STBY
Only for M580 Hotstandby systems, if checked, the variable or the function block instance is automatically exchanged between Primary PLC and Standby PLC. By default this attribute is checked.
+
Task
Give the task in which a Variable, EFB instance, or DFB instance is used.
Retain
BME•586040 CPUs present this variable attribute, which determines whether the variable value will persist after a warm start of the CPU. If the attribute is:
  • Selected: Variable data persists and is applied to the variable after a warm start.
  • De-selected: Variable data is lost after a warm start; the variable value is reset.
For other Modicon M580 CPUs, this attribute is read-only. It is selected by default and cannot be de-selected.
no.
Order number of a function block.
984 Address
LL984 address of the variable (%Mx = 00000x, %Ix = 10000x, %IWx = 30000x, %MWx = 40000x)
This column is only available for Quantum PLCs (but not for Quantum Safety PLCs).
RW program
Access rights of the variable, read only or read and write by the program.
Descriptor x
Descriptors (1 to 9) of variables.
Descriptor 1 is displayed after selecting this column in the Column Configuration dialog. Descriptors 2 to 9 can be displayed using the + sign in the Descriptor column header.
Version
Type version.
Bit rank
Gives the bit rank of the variable in its structure type.
Nature
Only for the Program Unit data editor. Define if the Program Unit variable is an input, output or Input/output parameter, a public or private variable. By default this attribute is checked.
Effective Parameter
Only for the Program Unit data editor. Variable assignment to the program unit parameters (input, output and input/output parameters).
Defining Columns
Step
Action
1
Select the desired tab in the Data Editor.
2
Via the context menu, open the Column Configuration dialog using Customize Columns.
The following dialog appears.
3
Check the check boxes that correspond to the columns you wish to display.
4
Confirm the changes using the command OK.
NOTE: The Name and Type columns are required.
Description of the buttons
Button
Description
OK
Confirms the configuration and exits the dialog.
Cancel
Discards the changes and exits the dialog.
Default
Restores the default configuration.
Help
Opens the Help of the Column Configuration dialog.
Changing the Columns Sequence
Step
Action
1
Select the desired tab in the Data Editor.
2
Via the context menu, open the Column Configuration dialog using Customize Columns.
3
Place the cursor on the chosen attribute and move it to the desired location by clicking the two buttons to the right of the window.
4
Confirm by clicking OK.
NOTE: The first column must always correspond with the attribute Name.