System Keyboard

The System Keyboard makes it possible to have the system display keyboards for input fields globally for the HMI project. It can be configured in the HMI project in the "TwinCAT HMI Configuration" tool window.

Configuration

1. Auto open: opens the System Keyboard when an input element is focused.

2. <create new input mode>: adds another Input Mode to display a specific keyboard layout.

3. Input MODES: different layouts can be configured by default. If none is configured, the Fallback takes effect.

Input Mode	Description	Fallback Input Mode
numeric	Integer inputs	decimal
decimal	Decimal numbers	text
text	Text	Configured Fallback language in HMI project properties

Selection in the keyboard layouts stored in the HMI project. All keyboard layouts stored in the HMI project are listed. If required, further layouts can be added to the project as TwinCAT HMI Item.

Resets the layout to the Fallback.

6. Height: the size of the keyboard is determined by the height in terms of the number of pixels. If no specification is made, the height of the Keyboard Layout is used.

7. Position: defines the position of the System Keyboard.

Position	Description
Popup (default)	The System Keyboard is displayed as a popup. The last position is saved when closing.
Footer	The System Keyboard is displayed in the footer of the HMI.

Quick start

Configuring the System Keyboard

1. Open the TwinCAT HMI Configuration tool window and select the System Keyboard entry.

2. Activate the checkbox for the Auto open property:

3. The System Keyboard is automatically opened with the configured layout for all input elements when focusing (see point 3, System Keyboard configuration).

4. To select a different layout when focusing on an input element, the behavior can be adjusted via the System Keyboard Input Mode property (Text category):

System Keyboard Input Mode	Description
text	Opens the configured layout for the Input Mode text.
numeric	Opens the configured layout for the Input Mode numeric.
decimal	Opens the configured layout for the Input Mode decimal.
skip	No System Keyboard is opened.
none	The System Keyboard is closed if one is open.