Technical data

Tips and Tricks
26.5 Testing with the Variable Table
Programming with STEP 7
Manual, 05/2010, A5E02789666-01 553
26.5 Testing with the Variable Table
For monitoring and modifying variables in the variable table, note the following editing tips:
• You can enter symbols and addresses in both the "Symbol" column as well as the "Address"
column. The entry is written into the appropriate column automatically.
• To display the modified value, you should set the trigger point for "Monitoring" to "Beginning of
Scan Cycle" and the trigger point for Modifying" to "End of Scan Cycle."
• If you place the cursor in a row that is marked with red, brief information is displayed telling you
the cause of the error. Press F1 to get suggestions for eliminating the error.
• You can enter only those symbols that are already defined in the symbol table.
You must enter a symbol exactly as it is defined in the symbol table.
Symbol names that contain special characters must be enclosed in quotation marks (for
example, "Motor.Off," "Motor+Off," "Motor-Off").
• Warnings can be switched off in the "Online" tab ("Customize" dialog box).
• The connection can be changed without having previously disconnected the connection.
• The monitoring trigger can be defined while monitoring variables.
• You can modify selected variables by selecting the rows and executing the "Force" function.
Only the highlighted variables are modified.
• Exiting without Confirmation:
If you press the ESC key while "Monitoring," "Modifying" "Release PQ," "Monitoring" and
"Modifying" are terminated without asking if you want to exit.
• Entering a Contiguous Address Range:
Use the menu command Insert > Range of Variables.
• Displaying and Hiding Columns:
Use the following menu commands to display or hide individual columns:
Symbol: View > Symbol
Symbol comment: View > Symbol Comment
Presentation format of the status value: View > Display Format
Status value of the variables: View > Status Value
Modify value of the variables: View > Modify Value
• Changing the display format of several rows of the table at the same time:
- Select the area of the table in which you want to change the display format by holding the
left mouse button down and dragging across the desired table area.
- Select the presentation with the menu command View > Select Display Format. The
format is changed only for those rows of the selected table for which a format change is
permitted.
• Input examples by means of the F1 key:
- If you place the cursor in the address column and you press F1, you will get examples for
address inputs.
- If you place the cursor in the modify value column and you press F1, you will get examples
for modify/force value inputs.