Variables  

Each PLC connection has data blocks and variables, as in TIA Portal. After you have set up the PLC connection, you should create the variables. These can then be used later in the triggers. 

The methods for importing variables depend on the type of connection (Put/Get, OPC UA).  

To edit variables, click on the “Variables” button in the tile of the desired PLC connection. 

OPC UA   #

If you use an OPC UA connection, the data blocks are imported directly from the PLC. Make sure that there is a connection to the PLC and then select the option OPC UA Import. You can then select the desired data blocks and they will be imported automatically. 

If you change a data block in the PLC, you can delete it in the DataSuite and import it again. 

S7 communication (Put/Get)   #

Empty data block	Create a new empty data block. You create all the variables of the data module yourself. The addresses are calculated automatically.
Partial data block	Create a new empty data block without a coherent structure. In this module you do not have to create all the variables, but only those you need. However, this means you have to set the addresses of the variables yourself.
Import from source file	In TIA Portal, you can export data blocks as a source and import this file here. This saves you the work of having to create all the variables again yourself.

Import variables from Tia Portal  #

To import one or more data blocks from Tia Portal, proceed as follows: 

In Tia Portal 

1. Select the desired data block(s) in your TIA project and open their submenu by clicking the right mouse button. 

2. Go with the mouse over the subitem Generate source from data blocks. 

3. Select option Include dependent blocks. This also saves the structure of UDTs in the file. 

4. Save the file. 

Continue in the DataSuite 

5. In the dialogue for creating a new data module in DataSuite, select the option “Import from source file” and click on Create. 

6. In the dialogue, select the file created via Tia Portal. 

7. The data modules are then displayed in the DataSuite. 

8. The source files do not contain any numbers of the data blocks, you have to set these after the import in the top right-hand corner. 

Manage variables  #

The variable view consists of three parts: 

1	Data blocks	On the left side is the list of all data blocks. At the top you can create and delete data blocks using the + and – buttons.
2	Toolbar	In the upper area is the toolbar for editing the variables in the lower area.
3	Variable view	Overview of all variables in the data block.

Toolbar  #

	Insert line above the selected line.
	Insert line below the selected line.
	Delete selected line.
	Move the selected line upwards.
	Move the selected line down.
	Copy selected line.
	Cut the selected line.
	Paste copied line.
	Switch automatic address calculation. Activated: Addresses are calculated automatically. Deactivated: Addresses can be entered.
	Name of the data block.
	Number of the data block.

Variable view  #

In this part of the window, you will find the actual content of your data block. The display is similar to that in TIA Portal, but the offset is displayed as a relative and an absolute value. This should make it easier to read offsets, e.g. within a highly nested structure. If you have entered the address of a variable correctly, the data will be displayed live from the PLC. If you have established a connection to a simulator, you can also change these values. This is not possible with a real controller 

Name	Name of the variable.
Data type	Data type of the variable.
Offset	Relative offset (left): Offset to the next higher element (variable or DB). Absolute offset (right): Offset within the data block.
Value	Current value of the variable. With a connection to the simulator, the value can also be written here.