Online window

The Online window displays the online symbols of a controller. Functions for creating backups, monitoring and editing symbols are available via the toolbar and the context menus.

Toolbar

Symbol

Command

Description

Online window 1:

Show symbols as list

Shows symbols as a flat list.

Online window 2:

Drop down box

Extended symbol lists.

Online window 3:

Show instance watch

Symbol instances view.

Online window 4:

Synchronize symbols

Show dialog for synchronizing symbols.

Online window 5:

Sort by

Sorting of symbols by e.g. name or size.

Online window 6:

Sort direction

Direction of sorting.

Online window 7:

Upload symbols

Writes changed symbols to the controller

Online window 8:

Take snapshot

Takes a snapshot of the symbols

Online window 9:

Refresh

Refreshes symbol value once

Online window 10:

Auto refresh

Refreshes symbol value every 2 seconds

Online window 11:

Export / Import CSV

Export or import symbols as CSV file

Online window 12:

Export symbols as Excel

Export symbols as an Excel spreadsheet.

Online window 13:

Close window

Close window

Online window 14:

Exclusions when refreshing

Symbols that have been edited via the Symbol Explorer and symbols that are currently being edited are excluded from refreshing.

Online window 15:

Notes on ADS communication

The Symbol Explorer uses the ADS protocol for the online communication. Note that ADS is only a transport layer; however, side effects can occur. Read these requirements and note the restrictions:
ADS itself is only the transport layer, the requested ADS device must support the ADS command.
When the PLC is processing an ADS request (reading/writing the symbol values), it will work completely on that single ADS request before starting a new PLC cycle.
To keep the load on the controller low, the number of symbols to be read/written has been limited to a maximum of 250 per ADS request for this reason.