Pamaglawe · Objects

Checkbox with a PLC connection

Configure checkbox 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-CHECKBOX10 original screenshotsExample version 2.61.501

1. Insert the object

In design mode choose Controls (Bedienen) → Checkbox 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 → Checkbox. The small image is shown at its natural size.

The new checkbox has the caption Freigabe and is selected on the canvas.

No process variable is assigned yet. Edit both states through Bedienobjekt einstellen.

2. Configure off and on states

Click Configure control (Bedienobjekt einstellen). Set the off text to Aus and its write value to 0; set the on text to Ein and its write value to 1. Text / initial value supplies the fixed caption Freigabe (enable), which remains beside the box in either state. Distinct alternative write values are possible if they match the PLC program and data type.

Default mapping: off uses 0 and on uses 1. Apply the settings.

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_Freigabe, address 40004, 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 checkbox symbol is still needed. Open Tabelle bearbeiten.

Validation reports row 3 as valid. Save the table and close the editor.

Direct Modbus TCP, 127.0.0.1:502, Holding Register 40004 and UINT16. Apply the selected symbol at the bottom right.

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.

Checkbox_Freigabe_01 and its complete symbol assignment are prepared. Apply the properties and save.

5. Operate in test mode

Save and press F5. The initial value 0 shows an unchecked box without the turquoise active mark. Click it to request the on value 1; the operation is logged. The mark and color indicate the state, while Freigabe remains the fixed caption. 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.

Off: the fixed caption Freigabe remains visible; the box is not highlighted in turquoise.

On: the turquoise box with a dark check mark indicates the active enable state.

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.