Numeric stepper with a PLC connection
Configure numeric stepper 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.
1. Insert the object
In design mode choose Controls (Bedienen) → Zahlenwahl 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.
2. Configure range and presentation
Click Configure control (Bedienobjekt einstellen). Set minimum 0, maximum 100, step 1, initial value 50, unit % and 0 decimal places. Every plus or minus click changes the value by one step and remains within the configured range. Match range, step and decimals to the PLC data type. These limits do not replace safety-related limits in the controller.
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_Zahlenwert, address 40008, simulation value 50, 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.
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.
5. Operate in test mode
Save and press F5. The simulation value 50 appears initially. Click + to increase or − to decrease it. Each click requests the new write value and is recorded in the logbook. Further steps are limited at the configured minimum and maximum. 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.
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.