Dialog Import PLC data

In this dialog, you import PLC data from a PLC configuration file or any desired XML file. This type of file can be created with an external PLC configuration program or initially exported from EPLAN (and then edited). Depending on the setting, the data is overwritten or new functions are additionally imported during an import.

Overview of the main dialog elements:

Format of import file:

This drop-down list displays all available formats of PLC configuration programs. The fitting format is preset here depending on the PLC configuration file selected in the file selection dialog.

Notes:

If the import file is available in an older format than the format available in the Format of import file field, an error-free data exchange cannot be ensured under all circumstances.
An import file in AutomationML AR APC format is always imported irrespective of the AutomationML AR APC version with which the file was created. This means that all the data known for the respective EPLAN version is imported. If the import file was created with a higher AutomationML AR APC version than supported by the EPLAN version used, it is possible that not all file contents are imported.
The assignment of the functions is effected on the basis of the GUID for the PLC data import in AutomationML AR APC format. Therefore the options Synchronize functions and Regenerate all functions are not available in this case.

File name:

This field displays the name of the PLC configuration file. You can click to open the file selection dialog and select a file from any desired directory. Only file types can be selected that fit the preset format.

You can use the Insert path variable popup menu item to branch to the dialog Select path variable where you can select one of the available path variables.

Language:

All languages defined in the translation settings for the project are displayed in the drop-down list. Select the language in which the PLC data is to be imported. The data is always single-language.

At PLC Data Exchange in AutomationML AR APC Format all languages are imported. The language set here defines into which language the main language of the exchange file is imported.

Synchronize functions:

With this option, EPLAN compares the DTs and type designations of the functions in the project with those in the configuration file. During the import, the PLC data of existing functions are overwritten with the corresponding data from the configuration file. Functions that do not yet exist in the project are generated as unplaced functions.

This option also allows PLC data to be transferred (e.g., copied) to other projects.

Note:

Network connections of the Ethernet-based systems are compatible with each other in EPLAN. When such network connection points are imported EPLAN automatically recognizes whether a compatible bus system exists. For example, the data of the connection points for an Ethernet bus system in the project are overwritten by the data of a PROFINET bus system from the import file.

Regenerate all functions:

With this option, unplaced functions are generated for all PLC data in the configuration file.

In this way, you can insert all required PLC functions into a new project and then re-use them.

Start "Generate PLC schematic":

If this check box is selected then, after the import, the Generate PLC schematic dialog opens. There you can automatically place the imported devices.

[Options]:

This button is active when an AutomationML AR APC format has been selected in the Format of import file field.

In the subsequent dialog you specify whether missing parts are to be checked before the import. If the Check parts before import check box is activated, a check is carried out during the import whether the parts used in the import file can be found in the parts management. In the process the parts are identified on the basis of the properties PLC type designation or Device description: File name and Device description: Index in file. If the device contains subdevices, the fitting parts are additionally identified by means of the properties PLC subdevice x: Position (slot / module) and PLC subdevice x: PLC type designation or PLC subdevice x: Device description: Index in file.

All the parts not found are displayed in a message window in tabular form. Either the PLC type designation or the device description file name with index is shown in the PLC type designation column. Every missing part is only listed once, even when it occurs several times in the import file. By using the popup menu you can copy the entries and subsequently insert them into an Excel file, for example. You can use this list to add the parts in the parts management and subsequently carry out the import again.