Pamaglawe · Objects

Option group with a PLC connection

Configure option group and assign a dedicated process symbol. Operating this control in test mode creates write requests; verify write access and the meaning of the values before using a real plant.

Help ID OBJ-OPTIONS10 original screenshotsExample version 2.61.501

1. Insert the object

In design mode choose Controls (Bedienen) → Optionen and click a free area of the process page. Allow enough room for all labels. Double-click the object, or use its context menu, to set a unique name, caption, position, dimensions and process assignment.

Select Controls → Optionen. The small image is shown at its natural size.

The new group has heading Auswahl and lists Aus, Hand and Automatik vertically.

No process variable is assigned yet. Edit the options through Bedienobjekt einstellen.

2. Configure options and values

Click Configure control (Bedienobjekt einstellen). Enter Aus=0, Hand=1 and Automatik=2, one Text=Value mapping per line. All options remain visible and only one can be selected. Each entry needs text and a distinct value matching the PLC program. Use Operating mode instead when a compact drop-down is preferable.

Default mapping: Aus = 0, Hand = 1 and Automatik = 2. Apply the list.

3. Prepare a writable PLC symbol

Click Symbol and open Edit table. Add a row or duplicate a suitable writable row, then change all relevant fields: PLC/device Modbus_Testserver, symbol Anlage_Optionsgruppe, address 40005, simulation value 0, UINT16, length 1 register, read and write access, Holding Register / FC 03 for reading and FC 06 for writing. The example connection is 127.0.0.1, port 502, unit ID 1. Save and close the table editor. Use a separate address for each distinct process function; reusing the tank-level address would mix a measurement with an operating command.

A dedicated option-group symbol is still needed. Open Tabelle bearbeiten.

Validation confirms four valid rows. Save, close the editor and assign Anlage_Optionsgruppe to the object.

4. Apply the symbol assignment

Select the symbol in the communication table, check its device, connection, address and data type, and click Apply at the bottom right. The selection fills PLC/device, IP address, symbolic variable, physical address, data type and register/function code together. Apply the object properties and save with Ctrl+S.

Optionsgruppe_Anlage_01 and its complete assignment are prepared. Apply the properties and save.

5. Operate in test mode

Save and press F5. Initially Aus is selected. Select Hand to request 1, then Automatik to request 2. Only the corresponding radio button stays selected. If no option is selected on startup, the received or simulated value has no matching entry. A visible change alone does not prove that a real PLC accepted the request. Check the connection, readback, PLC logic and interlocks. With user management enabled, the signed-in role must have permission to operate process objects.

Initial state: Aus is selected and corresponds to PLC value 0.

Hand is selected; Aus and Automatik are deselected.

Automatik is selected. An option group permits only one selected entry at a time.

6. Common questions

If the control is disabled, check test mode and role permissions. If no value is written, check symbol write access, driver, connection, address and data type. If the initial state differs from the example, check the received or simulated value: a process value can override the configured initial value. For numeric controls, also check step size and decimal places. When requesting help, include the help code, program version, symbol, configured values and observed behavior; omit credentials.

Keyboard shortcuts

Apply or close property dialogs, select objects on the canvas and leave any active text field before using an object shortcut.

Delete — delete selection: Deletes selected simple objects without another confirmation. Check the selection first.
Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y — undo / redo: Undoes or restores an available object edit. This is not a recovery mechanism for deleted pages or files.
Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V — copy / paste: Copies the selection and inserts an offset copy. Check names and process assignments afterward.
Ctrl+X — cut: Copies objects to the internal object clipboard and removes them from the page. Paste with Ctrl+V.
Ctrl+A — select all: Selects unlocked objects on the current page.
Arrow keys — move precisely: Moves the selection one pixel in the chosen direction within the page bounds.
Shift+Arrow — next grid position: Moves the selection in the grid direction using the page grid spacing.
Ctrl+L / Ctrl+Shift+L — lock / unlock: Locks the selection; Ctrl+Shift+L unlocks all locked objects on the current page.
Esc — end editor action: Cancels an action such as placement or clears the current selection.
Ctrl+S — save project: Saves applied changes. Save again after deleting, moving or copying.

The fixed global alarm area cannot be deleted or copied. Structural objects with assigned contents can ask an additional question about those contents.