Inserting operands - STEP 7

The character strings "<???>", "<??.?>" and "..." are inserted as placeholders for the parameters when a FBD element is inserted:

• The "<???>" and "<??.?>" strings displayed in red indicate parameters that need to be connected.

• The "..." string displayed in black indicates parameters that may be connected.

• "<??.?>" stands for Boolean placeholders.

In addition, FBD elements can have the following different I/Os for the parameters:

• Orange I/Os: Only tags or constants can be interconnected at this I/O.

• Black I/Os: Boolean input or output to which other elements can be connected upstream or downstream.

You can recognize in/out parameters declared in the "InOut" section by the symbol .

Note To display the available data types in a tooltip, move the cursor over the placeholder.

Requirement

An FBD element is available.

Procedure

To connect the parameters of an FBD element, follow these steps:

1. Click the placeholder of the parameter.

   An input field is opened.

2. Enter the corresponding parameters, for example a PLC tag, a local tag or a constant.

   Note If you enter the absolute address of a parameter that has already been defined, this absolute address will be changed to the symbolic name of the parameter as soon as the input is confirmed. If you have not yet defined the parameter, a new tag with this absolute address and the default name "Tag_1" will be entered in the PLC tag table. When you confirm your input, the absolute address will be replaced with the symbolic name "Tag_1".

3. Confirm the parameter with the Enter key.

4. If you have not yet defined the parameter, you can define it directly in the program editor using the shortcut menu.

   See also: "Declaring PLC tags in the program editor".

Or drag from it the PLC tag table:

1. In the project tree, select the "PLC tags" folder and open the PLC tag table.

2. If you have opened the PLC tag table, drag the desired tag to the corresponding location in your program. If you have not opened the PLC tag table yet, open the detail view now. Drag the desired tag from the detail view to the appropriate place in your program.

Or drag from it the block interface:

1. Open the block interface.

2. Drag the desired operand from the block interface to the corresponding location in your program.

Result

• If the syntax is error-free, the displayed parameter is black.

• If there is an error in the syntax, the cursor stays in the input field and a corresponding error message is displayed in the inspector window in the "Info > Syntax" register.