Technical data

Testing with the Variable Table
20.3 Editing and Saving Variable Tables
Programming with STEP 7
Manual, 05/2010, A5E02789666-01 445
20.3.2 Copying/Moving Variable Tables
You can copy or move variable tables in block folders of an S7/M7 program.
Note the following when copying or moving variable tables:
• Existing symbols in the symbol table of the target program will be updated.
• When you move a variable table, the corresponding symbols from the symbol table of the
source program will also be moved to the symbol table of the target program.
• When you delete variable tables from the block folder, the corresponding symbols from the
symbol table of the S7/M7 program will also be deleted.
• If the target program already contains a variable table with the same name, the next-highest
free number will be assigned when you copy the variable table.
• If the target program already contains a variable table with the same name, you can rename
the variable table when copying (as a default a number is attached to the existing name).
Note
When copying/moving variable tables, remember that the symbolic name is the main criterion, in other
words, the number is assigned automatically.
Example 1: You want to copy or move the variable table with the symbolic name "OTTO" and the
(unchangeable) name "VAT1" to another project that also has a variable table with the symbolic name
"OTTO". You will be asked whether you want to overwrite the existing variable table or assign a new
name. If you assign a new (symbolic) name, the unchangeable name of the new variable table is
adapted.
Example 2: You want to copy or move the variable table with the symbolic name "OTTO" and the
(unchangeable) name "VAT1" to another project that does not have a variable table with the symbolic
name "OTTO". When you insert the new variable table, the unchangeable name of the new variable
table is adapted.
20.3.3 Saving a Variable Table
You can use saved variable tables to monitor and modify variables when you test a program again.
1. Save the variable table using the menu command Table > Save.
2. If the variable table has been created, you must now give the variable table a name, for
example, "ProgramTest_1."
When you save a variable table, all the current settings and the table format are saved. This means
that the settings made under the menu item "Trigger" are saved.