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Creating Internal Tags

This guide covers creating and configuring Memory Tags, I/O Mapping Tags, Logic Tags, and System Tags.

When to Use This Page​

Use this page when:

  • you do not yet have hardware
  • you want the fastest route to a working demo
  • you want to test view binding, alarms, and basic interactivity before device integration
  • you want to add I/O mapping or logic layers inside the project

Before You Start​

Make sure:

  • a project is already open in Editor
  • you can reach the tag area
  • you are ready to test values in Start Debug after creating the tags

For a first project, start with a small memory-tag set:

Tag NameTypeSuggested initial valueWhy it helps
TemperatureFloat3225.0Basic analog display and trend testing
PressureFloat321.2Second analog display and comparison
MotorRunningBoolfalseSimple status indicator and alarm testing
Setpoint_TemperatureFloat3230.0Optional writable input test

Day-1 Shortcut: Create Three Memory Tags First​

If this is your first internal-tag project, do this before reading the rest of the page:

  1. create one Memory Tags channel
  2. add Temperature, Pressure, and MotorRunning
  3. optionally add Setpoint_Temperature if you want to test numeric input writing later
  4. save the tag configuration
  5. click Start Debug
  6. manually change one value and confirm the update appears correctly

After this quick path works, use the sections below to expand into I/O mapping, logic tags, and system tags.

Memory Tags​

Purpose: General-purpose storage for calculations, user inputs, and temporary data.

Create a Memory Tag Channel​

  1. Navigate to Internal Channels tab
  2. Click Add → Internal Variable
  3. Enter channel name
  4. Select Memory Tags type
  5. Click Confirm

Configure Memory Tag Properties​

PropertyDescriptionOptions
Tag NameUnique identifierProductionCount, UserInput_Speed
DescriptionHuman-readable labelDaily production counter
Data TypeValue typeBool, Int8-64, Float32/64, Date, Time, DateTime, String
Initial ValueValue on system startupSet Value, Saved Value, None
HistorianEnable historical loggingEnabled / Disabled

Initial Value Modes​

ModeBehavior
Set ValueLoad a predefined value on startup
Saved ValueRestore the last value before shutdown
NoneReset to default (0, false, or empty)

Data Type Ranges​

Data TypeMin ValueMax Value
Int8-128127
UInt80255
Int16-32,76832,767
UInt16065,535
Int32-2,147,483,6482,147,483,647
UInt3204,294,967,295
Int64-9,223,372,036,854,775,8089,223,372,036,854,775,807
UInt64018,446,744,073,709,551,615
Float32-3.402823E+383.402823E+38
Float64-1.7976931348623157E+3081.7976931348623157E+308

Advanced Tag Types for Later​

For the first success milestone, Memory Tags are usually enough.

Return to the sections below when you need more maintainability or more engineering flexibility:

  • I/O Mapping Tags when you want to decouple views from device addresses
  • Logic Tags when values should be calculated inside the project
  • System Tags when the runtime should use built-in context such as time, user, or device state

I/O Mapping Tags​

Purpose: Decouple views and scripts from physical device addresses. Change the underlying device without reconfiguring views.

Use Cases​

  1. Pre-configuration: Design views before PLC addresses are finalized
  2. Address Changes: Update one mapping instead of hundreds of view bindings
  3. Device Swaps: Replace a PLC without touching view configurations

Create an I/O Mapping Channel​

  1. Navigate to Internal Channels tab
  2. Click Add → I/O Mapping
  3. Enter channel name
  4. Click Confirm

Configure I/O Mapping Tag Properties​

PropertyDescription
Tag NameUnique identifier (e.g., Process_Temperature)
DescriptionHuman-readable label
Data TypeMatches the linked external tag (auto-filled)
Link to I/OSelect the external tag to map
Access ModeRead/Write, Read Only, Write Only
HistorianEnable historical logging

Workflow Example​

If the external source for Temperature changes, you only update the mapping layer and the view can remain unchanged.

Logic Tags​

Purpose: Perform calculations and transformations on tag values.

Create a Logic Tag Channel​

  1. Navigate to Internal Channels tab
  2. Click Add → Logic Variable
  3. Enter channel name
  4. Click Confirm

Configure Logic Tag Properties​

PropertyDescription
Tag NameUnique identifier
DescriptionHuman-readable label
Data TypeResult type of the expression
Logic ExpressionFormula using tags and operators
HistorianEnable historical logging

Expression Examples​

Use CaseExpression
Temperature conversionTemperature_C * 1.8 + 32
Average of sensors(Sensor1 + Sensor2 + Sensor3) / 3
Conditional logicTemperature > 80 ? 1 : 0
String concatenation"Batch_" + BatchNumber

💡 Tip: Click the Expression Builder button to access a visual formula editor with tag picker and function library.

System Tags​

Purpose: Predefined tags providing system information.

Available System Tags​

Tag NameTypeDescriptionScope
System_DateStringCurrent date (YYYY-MM-DD)Server
System_TimeStringCurrent time (HH:MM:SS)Server
System_DateTimeStringCurrent date and timeServer
System_ShiftStringCurrent shift nameServer
System_ShiftDateStringCurrent shift dateServer
Client_LoginUserStringLogged-in usernameClient
Dev_<ChannelName>_StateBoolDevice communication statusServer

⚠️ Caution: System tags are read-only and cannot be modified. They are automatically created and updated by the system.

Scope Explanation:

  • Server: Value is the same for all clients (e.g., system time)
  • Client: Value is unique per client session (e.g., logged-in user)

Batch Operations​

Batch Create Tags​

Quickly create multiple similar tags:

  1. Select an existing tag
  2. Click Batch Create
  3. Enter the number of tags to create
  4. Click Confirm

The system creates copies with auto-incrementing names (e.g., Temperature_01, Temperature_02, Temperature_03).

Batch Edit Tags​

Modify properties of multiple tags at once:

  1. Select multiple tags (Ctrl+Click or Shift+Click)
  2. Click Batch Edit
  3. Choose properties to modify:
    • Tag name pattern (find/replace)
    • Address offset (increment addresses)
    • Poll interval
    • Access mode
    • Historian settings
  4. Click Apply

📷 [UG-TAGS-INT-01] Batch edit dialog with find/replace and offset options

Import/Export Tags​

Export Tags:

  1. Select a channel or group
  2. Click Export
  3. Choose file format (CSV or Excel)
  4. Save the file

Import Tags:

  1. Select a channel or group
  2. Click Import
  3. Choose the file
  4. Select import mode:
    • Update: Modify existing tags, add new ones
    • Replace: Delete all existing tags, import new ones
  5. Click Confirm

⚠️ Caution: Replace mode deletes all tags in the selected channel/group. Use Update mode to preserve existing tags.

Best Practices​

Use I/O Mapping for Flexibility​

Always use I/O Mapping Tags in views and scripts. This allows you to:

  • Change PLC addresses without touching views
  • Swap devices without reconfiguring the application
  • Test with simulated tags before connecting real devices

Mark Poll Mode on Views​

Enable Poll Mode Markers in the view editor to visually identify which components use "Page Usage" tags. This helps verify that critical tags are set to "Service Running".

📷 [UG-TAGS-INT-02] View editor with poll mode markers showing colored borders on components

Next Steps​

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