Alarms Control V7

WinCC AlarmControl 1
Configuring the AlarmControl 2
Operation during runtime 3

SIMATIC HMI
AlarmControl example project 4
WinCC V7.4
WinCC AlarmControl
System Manual
02/2016
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Table of contents
1 WinCC AlarmControl....................................................................................................................................5
2 Configuring the AlarmControl.......................................................................................................................7
2.1 How to configure the AlarmControl..........................................................................................7
2.2 How to configure the message blocks.....................................................................................8
2.3 How to specify message window contents.............................................................................11
2.4 How to configure the display for the table..............................................................................15
2.4.1 How to configure the properties of the table elements...........................................................15
2.4.2 How to configure the colors of the table elements.................................................................16
2.4.3 How to configure the marking of the selected cells and lines................................................17
2.4.4 How to configure sorting via the column heading..................................................................18
2.5 How to configure the toolbar and the status bar ...................................................................19
2.6 How to Configure a Hit List of Messages...............................................................................23
2.7 How to configure operator messages....................................................................................26
2.8 How to export runtime data....................................................................................................29
2.9 How to define the effect of the online configuration...............................................................31
2.10 SQL statements for filtering messages in AlarmControl........................................................34
2.11 How to make the toolbar for the AlarmControl dynamic.........................................................37
3 Operation during runtime............................................................................................................................39
3.1 Operating the AlarmControl in runtime...................................................................................39
3.2 How to Select Messages........................................................................................................45
3.3 How to Lock and Unlock Messages.......................................................................................47
3.4 How to Perform an Emergency Acknowledgement................................................................50
3.5 How to Sort the Display of Messages....................................................................................52
3.6 How to Hide and Unhide Messages.......................................................................................55
4 AlarmControl example project....................................................................................................................57
4.1 Examples of configuring an AlarmControl..............................................................................57
4.2 How to Configure the Message System.................................................................................58
4.3 How to Configure Single Messages.......................................................................................60
4.4 How to configure the AlarmControl in the Graphics Designer................................................62
4.5 How to Configure Buttons for Changing Message Tags........................................................68
4.6 Example of making the toolbar of the AlarmControl dynamic................................................69
4.7 How to operate the example on AlarmControl.......................................................................70
WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

System Manual, 02/2016 3
Table of contents
Index...........................................................................................................................................................73

4 System Manual, 02/2016
WinCC AlarmControl 1
Introduction
WinCC AlarmControl is a message window used to display message events. All messages
are displayed in a separate message line. The content of the message line depends on the
message blocks to be displayed.
Lists in the message window

You have the option of viewing six different lists in the message window:
● Message list to view currently activated messages.
● Short-term archive list, to view archived messages. The display is updated immediately
after activation of new messages.
● Long-term archive list, to view archived messages.
● Lock list, to view currently locked messages.
● Hitlist, to view statistics data.
● List of messages to be hidden, to view hidden archived messages.
The figure below shows an example of a message list:
Note
A message is shown with a crossed-out date and time stamp in the message list if any of the
following events are triggered:
● A locked message is released again. The date and time stamp shows the OS time. This
also applies to chronological reporting.
Associated values for a message are shown as "??" after they are unlocked.
● A message is reloaded after power failure. This only applies to chronological reporting.
● The AS is restarted. This only applies to chronological reporting.

WinCC AlarmControl

Configuring the AlarmControl 2
2.1 How to configure the AlarmControl
Introduction
The messages are displayed in a message window in runtime. You can configure a
corresponding WinCC AlarmControl in Graphics Designer.
Requirement
● A message system has been set up using the "Alarm Logging" editor.
● You configured the necessary message blocks, message classes and the message types
according to requirements configured in "Alarm logging".
● You configured the necessary single messages and message groups and their properties
in "Alarm logging".
Configuration steps
1. Insert the AlarmControl into a picture of Graphic Designer.
2. Configure the basic properties of the AlarmControl in the "General" tab.
– The message window properties
– The general properties of the control
– The time base of the control
– The default sorting order in the table
– Properties of the long-term archive list
– The action to be triggered by double-clicking in the message line
3. Configure the content of the message lines in the message window. The content of the
message line depends on the configuration of the message blocks. Go to the "Message
blocks" tab.
4. Select the "Message lists" tab to define the message blocks to be shown as columns in the
message window. Use the selection dialog to define the messages to be displayed in the
message window.
5. Configure the layout and properties of the message window in the "Parameter", "Effects"
and "Selection" tabs.
6. Configure the toolbar and the status bar of the message window.
7. Configure a hitlist if you want to view message statistics.
8. Configure the display for the operator input messages to adapt these as required.
9. Save your configuration data.

Configuring the AlarmControl
2.2 How to configure the message blocks
Introduction
The message content to be displayed in the message line depends on the message blocks
configured. The message blocks configured in the "Alarm logging" editor can be applied without
changes, or be configured in AlarmControl.
Requirements
● You created a message system using the "Alarm Logging" editor.
● In "Alarm logging", you configured the message blocks to be used in the message line.

Configuring existing message blocks

1. Go to the "Message blocks" tab in AlarmControl. All of the message blocks configured in
the "Alarm logging" editor are listed in "Available message blocks". The message blocks
for the hitlist are also listed.
2. If the "Apply project settings" option is activated, the message blocks and their properties
you configured in "Alarm logging" are activated in the AlarmControl. The message blocks
are displayed with these properties in the message window and can only be changed by
means of the Alarm logging. The message blocks of the hitlist depend on "Alarm logging".
You can configure these message blocks as required.
3. Deactivate the "Apply project settings" option to let you add or remove message blocks for
the message lists, or to configure message block properties. The changed properties are
stored in the picture. Changes to properties made in "Alarm logging" are ignored in this
control.

4. Activate the check box next to the name of a message block to be used in the message
window in the "Available message blocks" list.
5. A selected message block can be set as criterion in the selection dialog by activating the
"Selectable in selection dialog" option for this message block.
Message block names

1. You can assign the message blocks custom names for the column header in the message
window. Remove the text ID and enter a name in the "Name" field. The name is saved to
the picture in the currently active language.
2. Use a corresponding entry from the text library for multi-lingual functions and for the
message block names in all pictures. Enter an existing text ID from the text library in the
"Text ID" field. The text ID stored in the text library is entered in the "Name" field.
In the "Alarm Logging" editor, the text ID is displayed in the "Message block (ID)" field.
Displaying message blocks

1. Resize the message block width in the message window as required. Enter a value in the
"Length in chars" field.
2. Use the "Display message colors" to determine whether or not to display the message block
colors as in the central setting for the AlarmControl, or otherwise.
3. With activated "Flashing on" option, you can specify that the content of a message block
flashes when a message is output at runtime.
4. Certain message block can also display the content and heading in the column of the
message view as icon. The content of the "Status" message block, for example, can be
displayed using the "Came In", "Came In/Went Out" und "Came In/Acknowledged" icons,
etc. Specify how these message blocks are displayed in the "Display" field. The text and
icons can be displayed in parallel.
5. You can format certain message blocks. Select the message block from the "Available
message blocks" list. Define the format in the "Format" field.
6. Save the configuration.

2.3 How to specify message window contents
Introduction
All messages are displayed in a separate message line in the message windows. The content
of the message window is determined by the message blocks and messages selected.
Prerequisite
● You created a message system using the "Alarm Logging" editor.
● You configured the message blocks to be used in the message line.
Determine the message blocks to be displayed in the message lists.

Define the message window content on the "Message lists" tab.

Procedure
1. Go to the "Message lists" tab.
2. Select the "Available message blocks" list and select the configured message blocks to be
displayed in the message lists. Use the arrow buttons to move these message blocks to
the "Selected message blocks" list. Using the arrow buttons, you can cut selected message
blocks from the message lists and paste these to the "Available message blocks" list.
3. You can define the sorting order of selected message blocks in the message lists and move
these using the "Up" and "Down" buttons.

Selecting messages to be displayed in the message lists

Use a selection dialog to select the message to be displayed in the message lists. You can
configure one permanent and several custom selections.
The configured fixed selection is always used during runtime. The custom selections
configured are only used during runtime if activated.
You can also import custom selections. The import is used, for example, to reuse selections
made by the user in other projects or to supply clients with the selections of the server project.
The imported selection replaces the existing selection in this case. Importing selections does
not require an export.
Any activated custom selection used is logically linked with the fixed selection you are using
by means of "AND" operation.
Procedure
1. Click "Edit..." in the "Selection" area to create or edit custom selections. The selection dialog
is opened.
2. Click on "New..." to create a selection or import a selection. Activate the new or existing
selections. For further information on the selection of messages, refer to How to Select
Messages (Page 45).
3. Click "OK" to close the selection dialog. The activated selections are included in the
message window at the start of runtime.
4. Click on "Edit..." in the "Fixed selection" area to create or edit a fixed selection. The selection
dialog is opened.
5. Select the message blocks. Enter one operand and a text or value in the "Setting" column,
depending on the message block, or select an option.
6. Press "OK" to save the fixed selection and close the selection dialog. The fixed selection
is included in the message window at the start of runtime.
Configuring the sorting order of messages

You configure the sorting order of the columns in the message lists in the "Sorting" field. You
can also define sorting criteria using the toolbar during runtime. Disable the "Auto Scroll" option
to activate the configured sorting order during runtime. Only the default sorting order is
available if "Auto Scroll" is activated.

Procedure
1. Click "Edit...". The sorting dialog opens.
2. Define a sorting order. For further information on the sorting of messages, refer to How to
Sort the Display of Messages (Page 52).
3. Click "OK" to close the sorting dialog.
Note
You can change the default sorting order by "date/time/number" to "message block/date/
time/number". Configure the "DefaultSort2Column" and "DefaultSort2" object properties
accordingly. Define a message block and its object name in the "DefaultSort2Column"
object property. Define the ascending or the descending sorting order in the "DefaultSort2"
object property.
See also
How to Select Messages (Page 45)
How to Sort the Display of Messages (Page 52)

2.4 How to configure the display for the table
2.4.1 How to configure the properties of the table elements
Introduction
You can adjust the properties of the table elements in the WinCC controls to suit requirements.
Prerequisite
● You opened Graphics Designer and configured a picture with a WinCC control.
● The configuration dialog of the WinCC control is open.
Procedure
1. Go to the "Parameter" tab.
2. Specify the properties for

– Column Header
– Row label
– Sorting
– Table Content

2.4.2 How to configure the colors of the table elements
Introduction
You can adjust the colors of the table elements in the WinCC controls to suit requirements.
Requirement
Procedure
1. Go to the "Effects" tab.
2. Define the colors for the background or text here for:

– Table content. You can define different colors for even and odd line numbers to improve
differentiation between both.
– Contents of the table header
– Separating lines in the table and for table headers

3. Define the color and the line weight in the "General" area in terms of:
– Control borders
– Window dividers for control elements
2.4.3 How to configure the marking of the selected cells and lines
Introduction
You can customize the marking of the selected cells and rows in the WinCC control to suit
requirements.
Prerequisite
Procedure
1. Go to the "Selection" tab.
2. Define whether to select rows or only cells using the mouse.

3. Configure the properties of the selection rectangle that can be displayed around selected
table cells or rows.
4. Configure the marking color for selectable cells and/or rows. The system colors are used
for marking with "Automatic coloring" property.

2.4.4 How to configure sorting via the column heading
Introduction
You can adjust the sorting order by means of table column header in the WinCC controls to
suit requirements.
Prerequisite
Procedure
1. Go to the "Parameter" tab.
2. Define whether to enable sorting and the sorting method by column header. In WinCC
AlarmControl, you can only sort by column header if the "Auto-scrolling" is disabled. You
can deactivate "Auto-scrolling" either in the "General" tab, or using the "Autoscroll" toolbar
icon of the WinCC AlarmControl.
3. Determine the sorting order by mouse click on the column header. Select ascending,
descending or no sorting order.
4. Configure the sorting icon and index to be displayed in the column header with right
justification. These show the sorting order and sequence of the columns.
5. Activate the "Use sorting key" to display the sorting icon as sorting button above the vertical
scroll bar. Click this sorting key to activate a configured sorting order for the column
selected. The sorting key is not displayed if a vertical scroll bar is missing.

2.5 How to configure the toolbar and the status bar
Introduction
The WinCC controls are operated at runtime using the functions of the toolbar buttons. The
status bar contains information pertaining to the current status of the WinCC control. You can
adapt the toolbar and the status bar for all WinCC controls when configuring, or at runtime.
Requirement
● A picture showing a WinCC control is opened in Graphics Designer when configuring.
● The WinCC control is assigned the "Configuration dialog" button function for opening the
configuration dialog in Runtime.

How to configure the toolbar

1. Go to the "Toolbar" tab. In the WinCC AlarmControl, for example:
2. In the list, activate the button functions you require for operating the WinCC control in
Runtime. For information on the button functions, refer to the description of the
corresponding WinCC control at "Operation in runtime".
3. Determine the sorting order for displaying the button functions in the toolbar. Select the
button functions from the list and the move the functions using the "Up" and "Down" buttons.
4. Define a shortcut key for the functions of the toolbar buttons.
5. Any button functions assigned operator authorizations are only available in Runtime to
authorized users.

6. An activated button function is displayed during runtime if you deactivate its "Active" option,
however, it cannot be operated.
7. You can set separators between the button functions. Activate the "Separator" option for
the button function to be restricted by separator.
8. Configure the general properties of the toolbar, e.g. alignment or background color.
9. Change the button size as required. The standard setting is "0" and corresponds to the
original size of 28 pixels. You can specify 280 pixels as maximum value.
The following behavior results for the button size depending on the configured value:
Value of the button size Behavior

Value < 0 Invalid value. The most recent valid value is
used.
0 ≤ value ≤ original size of button The original size of the button is used. The value
is set to the default (= 0).
Original size of the button < value ≤ maximum The configured value is used.
value
Maximum value < value Invalid value. The most recent valid value is
used.
With a large button size, please note that in some cases not all buttons may be displayed
in the control. To show all activated buttons in Runtime, you must therefore extend the
control or activate fewer buttons as required.

How to configure the status bar

1. Go to the "Status Bar" tab. In the WinCC AlarmControl, for example:
2. Activate the elements required during runtime in the list of status bar elements. For further
information on status bar elements, refer to the descriptions of the corresponding WinCC
control at "Operation in runtime".
3. Determine the sorting order for displaying of the status bar elements. Select the elements
from the list and move these using the "Up" and "Down" buttons.
4. To resize the width of a status bar element, deactivate the "Automatic" option and enter a
pixel value for the width.
5. Configure the general properties of the status bar, e.g. alignment or background color.

2.6 How to Configure a Hit List of Messages
Introduction
The hit list displays statistic calculations for archived messages in the message window. In
addition to statistics, the hit list can display configured message blocks. Modifiable contents
with the format specifications "@...@" are not shown in the user text blocks.
Overview
Customize the hit list columns which consist of message blocks and statistics data.
The following statistic calculations are available for messages:
● Frequency of a message number. The frequency is only increased if the archive contains
a message with "Came In" state. If the frequency of a message number in the selected
message range is "0", an entry does not exist for this message number in statistics data.
● The cumulative duration of a message number for the status:
– "Came In/Came In" (Message block: Sum +/+)
– "Came In/Went Out" (Message block: Sum +/-)
– "Came In/Initial Acknowledgment" (message block: Sum +/*1)
– "Came In/Second Acknowledgment" (message block: Sum +/*2).
● The average duration of a message number for the states:
– "Came In/Came In" (Message block: average +/+),
– "Came In/Went Out" (Message block: Average +/-),
– "Came In/Initial Acknowledgment" (message block: average +/*1)
– "Came In/Second Acknowledgment" (message block: average +/*2).
Only the "Acknowledgment", "System Acknowledgment" and "Emergency Acknowledgment"
states are included in the statistics calculation of acknowledgment times.
Note
Messages with "Acknowledgment", "System Acknowledgment", "Emergency
Acknowledgment" and "Went Out" states are only included in the calculation of statistic data
if the events available for statistics calculation include a corresponding, previous message with
"Came In" state.
If only one acknowledgment is triggered for a message with initial or second acknowledgment,
the acknowledgment time is included in the calculation of the cumulative and average duration
of the "Came In/Initial Acknowledgment" and "Came In/Second Acknowledgment" states.
If Runtime is stopped/restarted several times and a message is pending during this time, for
example, due to the external discrete alarm procedures or chronological reporting, then the
message is entered several times in the archive with "Came In" state and included several
times in the calculation.

Requirement
● You opened a picture which contains the AlarmControl in Graphics Designer.
● You configured the message blocks to be included in the hit list.
● You activated the "Hit List" button function on the "Toolbar" tab of the AlarmControl.
Procedure
1. Go to the "Hit list" tab.
2. Select the message blocks to be displayed in the hit list from the list of available message
blocks. Use the arrow buttons to move these message blocks to the "Selected message
blocks" list. You can cut message blocks from the hit list and paste these to the "Available
message blocks" list using the arrow buttons.

3. You can define the sorting order of message blocks in the hit list by selecting and then
moving these using the "Up" or "Down" buttons.
4. Specify the criteria to be used for displaying messages in the hit list, such as a specific
message class or a specific time range in the "Selection" area of the tab. All times are
included in the calculation of average values if you have not specified a time range. Note
that a long-range selection can adversely affect performance. Click the "Edit..." button to
configure a selection or import it. The imported selection replaces the existing selection in
this case. Importing selections does not require an export. You can also define selection
criteria for the hit list in Runtime using the "Selection dialog" button. For further information
on the selection of messages, refer to "How to select messages".
5. Define the sorting criteria for the hit list columns in the "Sorting" area of the tab, for example,
first descending by date and then ascending by message number. Click the "Edit..." button
to configure a sorting order. You can also define the sorting criteria for the hit list in Runtime
by means of the "Sort dialog" button.
6. In the lower portion of the tab, define the settings in terms of quantity and time limits for the
creation of statistics data.
Result
The hit list is configured for display in the message window. Call the hit list in Runtime by
clicking in the toolbar.
The values in the hit list are sorted by frequency in descending order if you have not set any
sorting criteria.
New activated messages are not automatically included in the hit list. To include them, you
must reselect the hit list.

2.7 How to configure operator messages
Introduction
Operation of a message can trigger an operator message. Operator messages can be
triggered at the following events:
● Lock message
● Release message
● Acknowledge message
● Hide message
● Show message
Configure operator messages in WinCC AlarmControl:
● If you want to use and adapt the default operator messages of WinCC
● If you want to use custom operator messages
Prerequisite
● You defined the WinCC system messages in the "Alarm logging" editor.
● In the "Alarm logging" editor, you configured the messages editor to be used as operator
messages in WinCC Alarm control.
● You opened Graphics Designer and configured a picture with a WinCC AlarmControl.
● The configuration dialog of the AlarmControl is open.

Procedure
1. Go to the "Operator input messages" tab.
2. In the list, activate "Operator input message for:" the events which trigger operator
messages.
3. If not using the operator messages from WinCC, enter the message number of the
configured message for every event.
4. Assign the message blocks of the operated message to the process value blocks of the
operator message. The message blocks must be selected in the "Message Blocks" tab.
5. Define whether the contents are transferred as text or value.

Example
An operator message is to be generated on locking a message. The content of "User text block
1" of the locked message, e.g. "Motor faulty", is to be displayed in "Process value block 1" of
the operator message. This requires that you select "1" under process value as the message
block of operated message "User text block 1".
Note
It is recommend to use message class "System, without acknowledgment" for all operator
messages. Always use message classes that are configured as "without status Went Out".
Note
Operator messages can only be logged if corresponding system messages are set up in the
message archive.
Operator message triggering upon locking and unlocking a message

Operator messages triggered by locking and unlocking messages are always assigned
● a time stamp
● name of the logged on user
● the computer name in the message archive of the alarm server concerned
The time stamp for the message is derived from:
● the message source (e.g., AS), in the case of active locking and unlocking
● the alarm server (OS), in the case of passive locking and unlocking
Actively locked messages are visible and operable on all WinCC servers and clients.
Results
The contents of operated messages are displayed in the updated process value blocks of the
operator message. The process value blocks must have been selected in the "Message Lists"
tab to enable the display of process value blocks of the operator message. The hitlist displays
statistic data of the operator messages.

2.8 How to export runtime data
Introduction
The runtime data shown in the WinCC controls can be exported using a button function. Set
up operation of the data export during runtime in the configuration dialog.
Requirement
How to configure the operation of the data export

1. Go to the "Export" tab.
2. A standard file name and a standard directory are already entered in the "Data export default
settings". In this case for AlarmControl. If necessary, define a file name and a directory for
the export file.
The file name can be made up of the freely defined name and the following placeholder:
@OBJECTNAME - Object name of the controls
@CURRENTDATE - Current date
@CURRENTTIME - Current time
3. CSV is currently available as data format. Click to specify the delimiter and data format
in the CSV file.
4. Define the scope of the data export:
– All runtime data is exported
– Selected runtime data is exported. This data export is only possible in WinCC controls
with tabular display.

5. Configure the operation of the data export during runtime. Define:

– whether users are allowed to rename the file, or change the directory.
– whether to display the "Data export default settings" dialog in Runtime.
6. If "Show dialog" is deactivated, the data for operation of the "Export data" button function
is immediately exported to the defined export file.
8. Go to the "Toolbar" tab to activate the "Export data" button function for runtime.
Results
You can export all or selected data to a defined file at runtime using the button function.

2.9 How to define the effect of the online configuration
Introduction
Users can parameterize the WinCC controls in Runtime. You must define the Runtime effects
of the online configuration.
Changes configured in Runtime are saved for the specific user separately from the picture in
the configuration system. The original picture configuration is retained in the configuration
system.
Note
The picture is also replaced at Runtime if you save it in Graphics Designer, or when loading
deltas in online mode. All online changes are lost.
The different configurations are only activated for new users after you performed a picture
change.
Requirement

Procedure
1. Go to the "Online configuration" tab. For example, in OnlineTrendControl:
2. The option buttons of the "Online configuration" field for setting online configuration defaults
are only available in the configuration system. The option buttons are not available in
Runtime.
Select one of the three effects of the online configuration:
– "Do not retain". The online configurations are not retained in Runtime. This default
setting disables all options for Runtime users. Online configurations are lost at the next
picture change and on activation/deactivation of the project.

– "Retain during Runtime". This default setting enables the "discard", "retain" or "reset"
options for Runtime users. Online configurations are retained at the next picture change
if the "retain" option is enabled, however, these are lost on activation/deactivation of the
project.
– "Retain permanently". This default setting enables the "discard", "retain" or "reset"
options for Runtime users. Online configurations are retained at the next picture change
and on activation/deactivation of the project if the "retain" option is enabled.
3. Define corresponding user authorizations for online configuration.
4. The option buttons of the "Online configuration on next picture change" can be enabled for
operation in the configuration system and at Runtime by setting the "retain at Runtime" and
"retain permanently" defaults. The "reset" operation is only available in Runtime, because
the configuration system contains the original configuration.
Select one of three effects of the online configuration at the next picture change:
– Select "discard" if to discard the online configuration at the next picture change.
– Activate "retain" to activate the online configuration based on default settings at the next
picture change or on activation/deactivation of the project.
– Activate "Reset" if you want to apply the picture saved in the configuration system in
Runtime. All online changes are lost.

2.10 SQL statements for filtering messages in AlarmControl
Introduction
WinCC AlarmControl only supports SQL statements which can also be generated using the
selection dialog of the message window. The following conditions apply to WinCC:
● The structure consists of "Field", "Operand", and "Value", with the individual parameters
separated by blanks. For example: DATETIME >= '2007-12-21 00:00:00' AND MSGNR >=
100 (as of 2007-12-21, all messages with message number greater than and equal to 100).
● Strings, date, and time must be passed in single quotation marks.
● In the "DATETIME" argument, the date and time of day are separated by a blank.
Regardless of the time base setting in the object properties, the output of "DATETIME" is
based on the time base "Local Time". The "UTC" setting of the time base is an exception;
the output is then based on the "UTC" time base.
Valid arguments
Name SQL name Type Data Example

Date/time DATETIME Date 'YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm:ss.ms' DATETIME >= '2007-12-03
16:00:00.000'
Outputs messages as of 12/03/2007,
16.00 hours.
Number MSGNR Integer Message number MSGNR >= 10 AND MSGNR <= 12
Outputs the messages with message
numbers 10 - 12.
Class Class Integer Message class ID 1-16 and sys‐ Class = 1
tem message classes 17 + 18 Outputs messages of message class 1.
Class IN ( 1,2 )
Outputs messages of message class 1
and message class 2.
Type Type Integer Message type ID 1-256 and sys‐ Type = 1
tem message types 257, 258, Outputs messages of message type 1.
273, 274 Type IN (1,2,3 )
Outputs messages of message type 1,
message type 2 and message type 3.
State State Integer Valid values: State = 1
1 = activated messages State IN(1,2,3,16,17)
2 = deactivated messages
3 = acknowledged messages
4 = blocked messages
10 = hidden messages
11 = displayed messages
16 = messages acknowledged by
the system
17 = Emergency-acknowledged
messages
18 = ackn. central signaling devi‐
ces

Name SQL name Type Data Example

Computer name ComputerName Text Search text for the computer name Computer name LIKE 'PC1234'
Outputs messages whose computer
name corresponds to "PC1234".
Computer name LIKE '%C12%'
Outputs messages whose computer
name corresponds to "C12".
User name UserName Text Search text for the user name User name LIKE 'User123'
Outputs the messages whose user
name corresponds to "User123".
User name LIKE '%er12%'
Outputs messages whose user name
corresponds to "er12".
Priority Priority Integer Message priority 0 - 16 Priority >= 1 AND Priority =< 5
Outputs messages that have a priority
between 1 and 5.
AS number (AS/ AGNR Integer AS Number AGNR >= 2 AND AGNR <= 2
CPU number) Outputs messages with the AS number
2.
CPU number CPU__NR Integer AS subnumber CPU__NR >= 5 AND CPU__NR <= 5
(AS/CPU num‐ Outputs messages with AS subnumber
ber) 5.
Instance Instance Text Instance -
Block: 1 Textxx Text Search text for block: 1 - Block: 10 Text2 LIKE 'Fault'
... Outputs message whose block: 2 corre‐
Block: 10 sponds to "Fault".
Text2 LIKE '%Fault%'
Outputs message whose block: 2 con‐
tains the "Fault" entry.
Process value: 1 PValuexx Double Search value for process value: 1 PValue1 >= 0 AND PValue1 <= 50
... - Process value: 10 Outputs messages with process value
Process value: between 0 and 50.
10
Valid operands
● >=, <=, =, >, <
● IN(...) : Several values as an array, separated by commas, e.g.: Class IN(1, 2, 3) AND Type
IN(1, 2,19, 20, 37,38)
● LIKE : The message text must match the string. The message text must only contain the
string if this string is enclosed with "%" characters. The "LIKE" operand is only valid for
"Textxx" arguments.
Invalid arguments and operands

Only the arguments defined in the table and the operands from the list are valid.

Grouping arguments, for example with brackets, is not permitted.
Note
If using SQL statements of versions older than WinCC V7 in the new WinCC AlarmControl V7,
you possibly have to convert the operands and contents for "Textxx" arguments. Only the
"LIKE" operand is used for "Textxx" arguments.

2.11 How to make the toolbar for the AlarmControl dynamic
Introduction
The default functions for operating the WinCC AlarmControl are no longer supported in the
new WinCC AlarmControl for WinCC V7.0 or higher. However, you can use the dynamic
methods of WinCC to operate the function of a toolbar button by means of script.
Overview
WinCC Controls V7.0 or higher no longer requires special functionality for operating the control
by means of dynamic toolbar. The default functions "AXC_OnBtn..." and "OnBtn..." used
previously are no longer supported.
If you do not want to operate the message window using the toolbar, you can set the "ID" of a
button to the "ToolbarButtonClick" object property using any dynamic mode.
Determine a toolbar button "ID":
● using the table on page "Operation of the AlarmControl in Runtime".
● by means of the "Object ID" field of the "Toolbars" tab in the configuration dialog of the
AlarmControl.
Example: Open the control configuration dialog

The following options of assigning dynamic properties are available for opening the control
configuration dialog:
● VBScript:
– ScreenItems("Control1").ToolbarButtonClick = 2
– As an alternative to the "ToolbarButtonClick" property, you can use the VBS methods
for operating the toolbar: ScreenItems("Control1").ShowPropertyDialog
– Or, with the following notation and support of "Intellisense":
Dim obj
Set obj = ScreenItems("Control1")
obj.ShowPropertyDialog
● C script:
– SetPropWord(lpszPictureName, "Control1", "ToolbarButtonClick", 2);
● Direct connection
– Enter "2" as source constant in the direct connection dialog.
– Select the "ToolButtonClick" property for the "Control1" object as the "Object in picture"
target.
See also
Operating the AlarmControl in runtime (Page 39)


Operation during runtime 3
3.1 Operating the AlarmControl in runtime
Introduction
You operate the message window at runtime using the toolbar buttons. If you do not want to
operate the message window using the toolbar, you can set the "ID" of a button to the
"ToolbarButtonClick" object property using any dynamic mode.
Overview
The overview shows all symbols in "standard" style. If you want to create a design of the
controls with "single" style, the display of the symbols corresponds to the AlarmControl before
WinCC V7. You can find an overview on the page: "Before WinCC V7: Display of Messages
during Runtime > Operation during Runtime > Operation of Alarm Control during Runtime".
Icon Description ID
"Help" 1
Calls the WinCC AlarmControl help.
"Configuration dialog" 2
Opens the configuration dialog for editing the properties of the AlarmControl.
"Message list" 3
Lists currently active messages.
"Short-term archive list" 4
Lists the archived messages of the short-term archive list.
"Long-term archive list" 5
Shows the messages saved to the long-term archive list.
"Lock list" 6
Shows all messages locked in the system.
"Hitlist" 7
Displays the message blocks and the statistic data you configured on the Hitlist tab
of the AlarmControl.
"List of messages to be hidden" 8
Shows all messages which were hidden automatically or manually in the message
list.
"Ackn. central signaling devices" 9
Acknowledges a visual or acoustic signal generator.
"Single acknowledgment" 10
Acknowledgment of a selected and visible single message. If using the multiple
selection, the selected messages which require single acknowledgment are not ac‐
knowledged.

Operation during runtime
"Group acknowledgment" 11
Acknowledges all active, visible messages which require acknowledgment in the
message window, unless these require single acknowledgment. If you use the mul‐
tiple selection, all marked messages are acknowledged, even if the messages are
hidden.
"Emergency acknowledgment" 18
Emergency acknowledgement of a message requiring acknowledgement. This func‐
tion transfers the acknowledgment signal of a selected single message directly to
the AS, even if this message is not activated.
Acknowledgment of inactive messages only refers to messages which were config‐
ured in proper chronological order.
"Selection dialog" 13
Specifies the selection criteria for messages to be displayed in the message window.
The messages which do not meet these criteria are not displayed but are neverthe‐
less archived.
"Display options dialog" 14
Specifies the messages to be displayed in the message window.
If the "All messages" option is activated, the message windows shows the hidden
as well as displayed messages.
If the "Only displayed messages" option is activated, only shown messages are
displayed in the message window.
If the "Only hidden messages" option is activated, only hidden messages are dis‐
played in the message window.
"Lock dialog" 15
Defines the locking criteria. All messages that meet these criteria are neither dis‐
played, nor archived.
"Print" 17
Start printing of the messages of the selected list. Define the print job in the "General"
tab of the configuration dialog.
"Export data" 35
Use this button to export all or selected runtime data to a CSV file. If the option
"Display dialog" is enabled, a dialog opens in which you can view the export settings
and start the export. You can also select the export file and directory, provided you
have the corresponding authorizations.
If no dialog is displayed, the export of the data to the default file is started immedi‐
ately.
"Autoscroll" 12
If "Autoscroll" is activated, the last message in chronological order is selected in the
message window. The visible range of the message window is moved if necessary.
Default setting is "enabled".
New messages are not selected if "Autoscroll" is disabled. The visible range of the
message window is not modified.
Messages can only be selected explicitly if "Autoscroll" is disabled.
"First message" 19
The first of the currently active messages is selected. The visible range of the mes‐
sage window is moved if necessary. The button is only available if "Autoscroll" is
disabled.

"Previous message" 20
The message activated previously to the currently selected message is selected.
The visible range of the message window is moved if necessary. The button is only
available if "Autoscroll" is disabled.
"Next message" 21
The next message relative to the currently selected message is selected. The visible
range of the message window is moved if necessary. The button is only available if
"Autoscroll" is disabled.
"Last message" 22
The last of the currently active messages is selected. The visible range of the mes‐
sage window is moved if necessary. The button is only available if "Autoscroll" is
disabled.
"Infotext dialog" 23
Opens a dialog for viewing infotexts.
"Comments dialog" 24
Opens a text editor for entering comments
"Loop-in-alarm" 25
Shows a picture for the selected message or triggers a script.
"Lock message" 26
The selected message is locked in the message list and in the message archive list.
"Release message" 27
Enables messages selected in the lock list.
"Hide message" 28
Hides the message you selected in the message list, or in short-term or long-term
archive list. The message is entered in the "List of messages to be hidden".
'Unhide messages" 29
Reactivates the display of messages you selected in the "List of messages to be
hidden" in the message list, or in the short-term or long-term archive list. The mes‐
sage is removed from the "List of messages to be hidden".
"Sort dialog" 30
Opens a dialog for setting custom sorting criteria for displayed messages.
A custom sorting order has higher priority than the sorting order set at attribute
"MsgCtrlFlags".
"Time base dialog" 31
Opens a dialog for setting the time base for times displayed in the messages.
"Copy rows" 32
Copies the selected messages. You can paste the copy to the table editor or text
editor.
"Connect backup" 33
Use this button to open a dialog for interconnecting selected backup files with WinCC
Runtime.
"Disconnect backup" 34
Use this button to open a dialog for disconnecting selected backup files from WinCC
Runtime.

"First page" 36
Returns you to the first page of the long-term archive list. The button is only available
if paging is enabled in the long-term archive list. You can activate this setting in the
"General" tab of the configuration dialog.
"Previous page" 37
Returns you to the previous page of the long-term archive list. The button is only
available if paging is enabled in the long-term archive list. You can activate this
setting in the "General" tab of the configuration dialog.
"Next page" 38
Opens the next page of the long-term archive list. The button is only available if
paging is enabled in the long-term archive list. You can activate this setting in the
"Last page" 39
Opens the last page of the long-term archive list. The button is only available if
paging is enabled in the long-term archive list. You can activate this setting in the
"User-defined 1" 1001
Shows the first button function created by the user. The button function is user-de‐
fined.
Available status bar elements

The following elements can be output to the status bar of the message window:
Icon Name Description

Pending messages Shows the number of current messages in the message list.
The count includes messages hidden in the message list.
Pending acknowl‐ Shows the number of pending messages requiring acknowl‐
edgeable messages edgment.
Number of pending Shows the number of pending messages that are hidden.
hidden messages
Messages in the list Shows the number of messages in the current message win‐
dow.
Selection A message selection exists.
Display option The filter criteria is active. The "Display all messages" or
"Show hidden messages only" option is currently active.
Locked The lock is set on messages.
Pending hidden mes‐ There are hidden messages pending.

sages
Connection status Shows the status of the connection to the alarm servers:
● No connection errors
● Faulty connections exist
● All connections are faulty

Icon Name Description

Date Shows the system date.
Time Shows the system time.
Time base Shows the time base used for displaying times.
Possible symbols in the message lists

You can display symbols in the message list to represent certain message blocks. An overview
of meaning of these symbols is provided below.
Symbols in the message list in the "Status" and "Acknowledge status" message blocks:
Icon Meaning
Message came in in the "Status" message block
Message came in/went out in the "Status" mes‐

sage block
Message came in/acknowledged in the "Status"
message block
Message acknowledged in the "Acknowledge sta‐
tus" message block
Icons in the short-term archive list in message block "Status":
Icon Meaning
Message came in
Message went out
Message acknowledged
Message acknowledged by system
Message is hidden
Hidden message came in
Hidden message went out
Hidden message acknowledged
Message is displayed again
Emergency acknowledgment of message
Message locked
Icons in the message lists of certain system blocks:
Icon Meaning
Indicates whether a system block property has
been activated.
The "Comment" system block indicates whether
there is a comment for this message.

Icon Meaning
The "Infotext" system block indicates whether
there is an infotext for this message.
Indicates whether Loop in Alarm has been activa‐
ted at system block "Loop in Alarm"

3.2 How to Select Messages
Introduction
You can use the selection dialog in Runtime to specify the messages to be displayed in the
message window. You define new selection criteria in the selection dialog, or select an already
existing selection.
New properties of the selection dialog

The design of the selection dialog was enhanced to improve handling comfort and offers the
following new properties:
● Concise input of selection criteria.
● The "*" and "?" wildcards are supported for setting a criterion.
● Saving a selection enables reuse of the selection without having to reenter the selection
criteria.
● Creating several selections.
● Duplicating a configured selection
● Linking specific selections in terms of a logical "OR" operation.
● A fixed selection is available that cannot be changed in Runtime. The fixed selection and
the active user-defined selections are logically linked by "AND" operation.
● All users are granted full access to all user-defined selections.
● The SQL statements you created by means of scripting, or entered in the object property
"MsgFilterSQL", are written to the list of selections and provided with a comment.
Note
Selection based on the "Acknowledged (emergency)" state is not supported for chronological
reporting.
Selection based on the "Acknowledged (central signaling device)" state is not supported.
Note
Ensuring the display of all messages
Observe the proper use of criteria, operands and settings of selections. Incorrectly linked
criteria can lead to important messages not being displayed in the AlarmControl.
Use the "Apply" button in Runtime to check the selection.
Test all selections separately and before linking these, and then test the linked selections.
Verify that all expected messages are also displayed in combination. This ensures that all
selections are displayed in the AlarmControl.

Note
Displaying messages from the Process Historian in the WinCC Alarm Control
You need to specify a time range in the selection dialog for displaying messages from Process
Historian in AlarmControl. If you did not specify a time range, only messages from the server
are displayed.
Requirement
● You configured the "Selection dialog" button function on the "Toolbar" tab of the
AlarmControl.
● You activated the message blocks that are available as the selection criteria on the
"Message blocks" tab using the "Selectable in selection dialog" option.
● If a fixed selection is configured, other activated selections and the fixed selection are
logically linked by "AND" operation.
Procedure
1. Click on in runtime. The "Selections" dialog opens.
2. Click "New..." to create a selection. Alternatively, you can activate existing selections by
clicking in the check box in front of the selection name.
3. When creating a new selection, assign a name to the selection and an expressive comment
to distinguish it from other selections.
4. Click in the first empty row of the "Criterion" column. The list with the selectable system
blocks, configured user text blocks and process value blocks is displayed. Select the
message block.
5. Select the suitable operand using the "Operand" column.
6. Click in the corresponding row of the "Setting" column. Depending on the text block, enter
a text or a value, or select an option.
7. Click "OK". The selection is saved and is listed in the table of selections.
8. You can create other selections or edit, remove or duplicate existing selections in the
selection dialog.
9. In the table, activate the selections to be included in the message window.
10.Click "Apply". The message window shows the selected messages.
11.Click "OK" to close the selection dialog.

3.3 How to Lock and Unlock Messages
Introduction
Message locking suppresses the display and archiving of messages. You can set a lock for
the following:
● Messages
● Message types
● Message classes
● Message groups
Note
The following Alarm_D and Alarm_S alarms cannot be locked:
● SFC 17 "ALARM_SQ" and SFC 18 "ALARM_S"
● SFC 107 "ALARM_DQ" and SFC 108 "ALARM_D"
Additional information is available in the manual titled "System Software for S7-300/400
System and Standard Functions".
Persistence of message locking

● The lock of messages is not persistent. Locked messages are unlocked automatically at
the restart of WinCC Runtime. Exceptions are messages that are locked directly in the AS
by means of data blocks (locking via source).
● The locking of message classes and message types remains in force even after a restart
of WinCC Runtime.
Requirement
● You configured the relevant button functions on the "Toolbar" tab of the AlarmControl.

Locking and enabling selected messages using the "Lock message" and "Enable message" button
functions
1. In the message list, select the message row which contains the message to be locked.
2. Click the "Lock message" button . The message is removed from the message list.
3. You can view the locked message by clicking the "Lock list" button . You can enable the
selected message again by clicking the "Enable message" button . The message is
removed from the lock list.
Note
Users who are authorized to lock and enable messages must have been granted both
authorizations in the User Administrator, and these authorizations must be configured
directly one below the other. This is necessary as the authorization level defined below the
authorization for "Lock Messages" in the User Administrator is used automatically as the
authorization for enabling.
Note
If locking/enabling a single message of an Alarm_8P using S7PMC, you lock/enable all 8
messages of this block.
Locking and enabling single messages using the message number

1. Click the "Lock dialog" button . The "Configure Lock List" dialog opens.
2. Click a server in the server list, or click the local computer in the case of a single-user
projects.
3. Click the "Add" button. Enter the message number to be locked in the next dialog.

4. You can lock several messages simultaneously. To do this, enter the message numbers
separated by commas. To select the a range of message numbers, enter a range in the
form "5-10". Only uninterrupted message ranges are locked. If there are gaps in the
specified range, the message "Invalid Range" is returned.
5. To enable a locked message, select the message from the list of locked messages and
then click the "Delete".
Note
You can lock and enable up to 50 messages simultaneously.
Locking and enabling of messages based on message class, message type, or message group
1. Click the "Lock dialog" button . The "Configure Lock List" dialog opens.
2. Click a server in the server list, or click the local computer in the case of a single-user
projects.
3. In the tree view, select a message class, a message type or a message group you want to
lock. Click the "Lock" button. All messages of the specified message class, message type
or message group are locked.
4. To enable the locked messages, select the message class, message type or message
group and then click the "Enable" button.
Note
The server list contains only those server projects whose "Packages" are loaded on the
computer containing the project where you are configuring the control.

3.4 How to Perform an Emergency Acknowledgement
Introduction
In exceptional cases, a message can be acknowledged on the basis of its message number.
In this case, the acknowledgment signal is also transferred to the AS if the message is currently
inactive. Acknowledgment of inactive messages only refers to messages which were
configured in proper chronological order.
Note
The emergency acknowledgment function is not intended for general acknowledgment. The
function may only be used in extreme emergency situations.
Prerequisite
● You configured the "Emergency Acknowledgment" button function on the "Toolbar" tab of
the AlarmControl.

Procedure
1. Click the "Emergency acknowledgment" button . The "Emergency acknowledgment of
messages" dialog opens.
2. Select a server. In the "Message number" input field, enter the number of the message to
be acknowledged.
3. Click the "Send request" button. In the message window, the message now appears in the
color that you specified for an acknowledged message.
Note
In the dialog for the selection of the servers, only server projects are shown whose
"Package" is loaded onto the computer.

3.5 How to Sort the Display of Messages
Introduction
During runtime, you can sort the messages in the message window on the basis of message
blocks. You sort the message blocks either via the "Sort Dialog" keyboard function or directly
via the column headers of the message blocks. User-defined sorting is only executed if auto-
scrolling is disabled. Default sorting is executed if auto-scrolling is enabled.
Examples of message sorting:
● Descending by date, time and message number. The most recent message is displayed
at the top. This is the default descending setting.
● Messages are displayed based on their priority. To apply this sorting method, you must
have specified the priorities of messages in the "Alarm logging" editor and configured the
"Priority" message block in the WinCC AlarmControl. As a result, in a single-line message
view, only the top-priority message appears in the message window. The messages are
usually shown in chronological order.
● Display of messages in ascending or descending order based on various message blocks,
allowing for user-defined sorting during runtime.
● The "Status" message block is sorted according to the status type and not according to the
configured status texts. If sorting is in ascending order, the messages are sorted in the
following order: "Came In", "Went Out", "Acknowledged", "Locked", "Released", "System
Acknowledgement", "Emergency Acknowledgement" and "Came In/Went Out".
Note
You can also specify the sort criteria during configuration in the AlarmControl by clicking
the "Edit..." button under "Sorting" on the "Message lists" tab. You configure the sort criteria
for the hit list on the "Hit List" tab.
How to sort with the Sort dialog
Prerequisite
● You have configured the button function "Sort dialog" on the "Toolbar" tab of the
AlarmControl.
● You have deactivated the button function "Autoscroll" in the toolbar or option "Auto-
scrolling" on the "General" tab.

Procedure
1. Click the "Sort Dialog" button .
2. In the "Sort By" field, select the message block by which to sort first. Select the relevant
check box to specify sorting in ascending or descending order. If you want to sort by more
than one message block, select the other message blocks in the desired order in the "Then
sort by" lists.
How to sort the displayed message blocks with the column heading
When sorting using the column header, you are able to specify the sort order for more than
four message blocks. A sorting icon and sorting index, displayed with right-justification in the
column heading, show sorting order and sorting sequence of the message blocks.
Prerequisite
● You have permitted the sorting in the list field "Sorting with column heading" by clicking or
double clicking on the WinCC AlarmControl on the "Parameter" tab.
● You have activated the "Show sorting icon" and "Show sorting index" check boxes.
● You have deactivated the button function "Autoscroll" in the toolbar or option "Auto-
scrolling" on the "General" tab.
Procedure
1. Click the column header of the message block you want to sort by first. The sorting index
"1" is displayed, and the sorting icon points upwards for ascending sort order.
2. If you want to sort in descending order, click the column header again.

3. If the sorting order has been defined with "up/down/none", you can undo the sorting of the
message block with a third click.
4. If you want to sort on the basis of several message blocks, click the header columns of the
respective message blocks in the desired sequence.

3.6 How to Hide and Unhide Messages
Introduction
Manual hiding of messages puts lesser information load on the user of the system. You as
user can concentrate better on the messages only if lesser important messages are not shown.
Manual hide process

During manual hide, you as user will decide whether to hide a message by using a button in
the message window. You can show the message again using a button or the system will show
the message after a configurable period. Operator input messages can be triggered in Manual
Hide.
Requirement
● You have configured the button functions "Hide message" and "Unhide message" and "List
of messages to be hidden" on the "Toolbar" tab in WinCC AlarmControl.
● Runtime has been activated and the WinCC AlarmControl is displayed.
Procedure
1. Select the message you want to hide in the message list, short-term archive list or long-
term archive list.
2. Click the "Hide message" button. The message is no longer displayed in the list and is
added to the list of messages to be hidden.
3. Click the "List of messages to be hidden" button to display the hidden messages.
4. To show these messages again, display the "List of messages to be hidden". Select a
message and click the "Unhide message" button. The message is removed from the
"List of messages to be hidden" and displayed back in the original list.
5. If you do not take any action to show the hidden messages, the configured duration will
decide when the system has to display back a message and remove it from the "List of
messages to be hidden".
Runtime response to manual and automatic hiding of messages

Using the manual and automatic hide functions during Runtime has an effect on both the hide
modes:
● If the message is hidden automatically, you can display it again by clicking "Unhide
message".
● Automatic hiding takes priority over manual hiding:
– If the status of the hiding tag occurs for automatic hiding of the message, the message
is shown again, even if the time period for manual hiding has not yet elapsed.
– If a message has the status of the hide tag for automatic hiding, the message remains
hidden, even if the time period for manual hiding has elapsed.


AlarmControl example project 4
4.1 Examples of configuring an AlarmControl
Introduction
The following example shows the configuration of a WinCC Alarm Control and the display of
messages in runtime.
Requirement
● A message system has been set up using the "Alarm Logging" editor.
Basic procedure
Alarm Logging
1. Configure the required message blocks, message classes and message types according
to your requirements.
2. Configure the messages and message groups that you require.
Graphics Designer
1. Link the WinCC AlarmControl to a Graphics Designer picture and change the properties of
the control.
2. For the example, configure buttons to trigger and acknowledge messages in the Graphic
Designer.

AlarmControl example project
4.2 How to Configure the Message System
Introduction
If you have created a message system, you configure the message system in Alarm Logging
according to your requirements.
The following settings are configured for the AlarmControl example:
● Number of displayable characters in the "Message Text" user text block
● Acknowledgment philosophy for the message type
● Coloring of message states for the "Alarm" and "Warning" message classes
Requirement
● The "Alarm Logging" editor is open.
Procedure
1. Select the "User text blocks" folder in the navigation area. The folder is a subfolder of the
"Message blocks" folder.
2. Select the respective message block in the "Table area".
3. Edit the property "Number of characters" in the "Properties" area.
4. Select the folder of the corresponding message type ("Alarm" and "Error") in the navigation
area.

5. Activate the "Acknowledgment Came In" option in the "Properties" area under
"Acknowledgment philosophy".
6. Select the text and background colors for the message statuses in the "Properties" area
under "Colors".

4.3 How to Configure Single Messages
Introduction
In the example, four message are displayed during runtime. You configure these message in
Alarm Logging with the following settings:
No. Class Type Message tag Message text Point of error

1 Fault Alarm Tank1 Tank 1 empty Tank 1
Requirement
● Configure the three "Binary" type tags "Tank1", "Tank2" and "Tank3" in the Tag
Management.
● The "Alarm Logging" editor is open.
Procedure
1. Select the folder of the "Alarm" message type in the "Error" message class in the navigation
area.
2. Create three new messages in the table area of Alarm Logging.
The messages are assigned to the "Alarm" message type.

3. The following properties are specified by assigning the "Alarm" message type:
– Acknowledgment philosophy - Acknowledgment Came In
– Central signaling device - Acknowledgment button
This way you can acknowledge the message with an acknowledgment button in the
example project.
4. Specify the following properties for each message in the "Properties" area:
– Message tag = "Tank1" (Tank2, Tank3).
– Message text = "Tank 1 empty" (Tank 2 empty, Tank 3 empty)
– Point of error = Tank 1 (Tank 2, Tank 3)

4.4 How to configure the AlarmControl in the Graphics Designer
Introduction
Messages are displayed in runtime in WinCC AlarmControl. Configure the AlarmControl in the
Graphics Designer.
The following settings are configured for the example project:
● Keyboard functions in the toolbar
● Selection in the message window
● Selection and order of the message blocks that are displayed in the message window
Procedure
1. Start Graphics Designer and open a new picture.
2. On the object palette, double-click the "WinCC AlarmControl" on the "Controls tab".
3. The Control is inserted into the picture. Click the Control at the drag point and drag it to the
desired size.
4. Double-click the Control. The "Properties of WinCC AlarmControl" is opened with the
"General" tab.

5. "Normal" is already selected as the window heading. Enter the desired window name in the
"Text" input field.

6. On the "Toolbar" tab, select the "Display Toolbar" check box. Select the keyboard functions
you require. You need button functions "Configuration dialog", "Message list", "Lock list",
"Single acknowledgment", "Selection dialog", "Autoscroll", "Lock message" and "Enable
message" for the examples.

7. Select "Single selection" as lines that can be marked and "Line" as selection outline on the
"Marker" tab. Define the marking colors as you wish.
8. Define the other display options as you like on the "Parameter" and "Display" tabs.

9. Select the available message blocks "Time", User text block 1" and "User text block 2" to
change the format and name on the "Message blocks" tab. You can only change the
message blocks if you have deactivated the "Apply project settings" option. Select the
desired format in the "Format" field for "Time". For "User text block 1", the name "Message
text" and for "User text block 2" the name "Fault location" are already entered.

10.Define the message blocks and the sequence as columns on the "Message lists" tab. Using
the arrow keys, move the selected message blocks from the list of "Available message
blocks" to the list of "Selected message blocks". Change the order by selecting a message
block and clicking "Up" or "Down".
11.Click "OK" to close the dialog, and save your settings in the Graphics Designer.
Results
The WinCC AlarmControl is configured for the example. If you have activated button function
"Configuration dialog" on the "Toolbar" tab, you can change the display of tables in the control
at any time in runtime.

4.5 How to Configure Buttons for Changing Message Tags
4.5 How to Configure Buttons for Changing Message Tags
Introduction
You have configured three single messages in Alarm Logging. In order to reproduce the
example for the Alarm Control, you configure three buttons in the Graphics Designer that you
use during runtime to set and reset the binary message tags of the individual messages. The
message window shows the message statuses with the configured colors.
Procedure
1. In the object palette of the Graphics Designer, select the "Standard" tab and click the
"Button" object in the "Windows Object" group. Position the cursor in the picture to the spot
where you want to insert the button, and enter the text "Tank1".
2. Select "Properties" in the shortcut menu.
3. Make the "Press left" event dynamic by establishing a direct link between the constant "1"
and the tag "Tank1".
4. Make the "Press right" event dynamic by establishing a direct link between the constant "0"
and the tag "Tank1".
5. Likewise, configure two additional buttons with "Tank2" and "Tank3".
6. Save your settings in the Graphics Designer.

4.6 Example of making the toolbar of the AlarmControl dynamic
4.6 Example of making the toolbar of the AlarmControl dynamic
Introduction
In order to operate a button function of the toolbar of the WinCC AlarmControl from another
location, you must provide the "ToolbarButtonClick" property with the respective "ID".
In principle, any object can be used to operate the AlarmControl. In the following example, the
standard object "Button" is used to acknowledge a message.
Requirement
● You have configured the example project for AlarmControl.
● You have opened the picture with the configured AlarmControl in the Graphics Designer.
Procedure
1. Determine the object name of the AlarmControl based on the object properties of the
control, for example, "Control1".
2. Insert a button object from the Windows objects of the object palette into the picture. Enter
a button text, e.g. "Acknowledge".
3. In order to make the button object dynamic, open the shortcut menu for the properties of
the button object. In the "Event" tab, select the "Mouse" property. Make the attribute "Mouse
click" dynamic with a C action.
4. Select "C action..." with the right mouse button. The "Edit action" window is opened.
5. Insert the following into the right window area:
– // activate toolbar button single acknowledgement (ID: 10)
– SetPropWord(lpszPictureName, "Control1", "ToolbarButtonClick", 10);
6. Select the language for C compilation from the toolbar.
7. Compile and save the C action.
8. Save your settings in the Graphics Designer.

4.7 How to operate the example on AlarmControl
Requirement
● You have saved the configured picture in the Graphics Designer.
● You have entered the configured picture as the start screen in the "Computer properties"
dialog on the "Graphics Runtime" tab.
● You have activated "Graphics Runtime", "Alarm Logging Runtime" and "Global Script
Runtime" applications in the startup list of WinCC Explorer using the "Computer properties"
dialog.
Activating and deactivating Runtime

1. Activate runtime by clicking the relevant button in the toolbar or selecting the relevant menu
option in WinCC Explorer.
2. Click on the three buttons with the left mouse button. The respective messages are
incoming and are displayed.
3. Click on the "Tank 1" button with the right mouse button for example. The message is
outgoing. The message status changes, indicated by the changed color.
4. After you have tested other control capabilities, e.g. locking messages, deactivate runtime.
You can deactivate Runtime using the toolbar or the menu bar of WinCC Explorer.
Locking and enabling messages

1. In the message list, select the message line containing the message to be locked, for
example, "Tank1".
2. Click on the button. The message is removed from the message list.

3. If you click the button , you will see the locked message in the lock list.
4. You can unlock the selected message in the lock list again by clicking button . The
message is removed from the lock list.
Acknowledging a message using the acknowledgment button

1. Mark one of the messages that has the "Activated" state, e.g. the message "Tank 3 empty".
2. Now click on the dynamic acknowledgment button. The message is acknowledged. The
message status changes, indicated by the changed color.


Index
A F
Alarm Control, 5 FunctionTrendControl
AlarmControl, 5 Online configuration, 31
Buttons, 39 Runtime data, 29
Configuring, 7 Status bar, 19
Configuring a hit list, 23 Toolbar, 19
Configuring operator messages, 26
Configuring table elements, 15, 16, 17, 18
Display of messages in Runtime, 5 G
Dynamization, 37
Graphics Designer
Example of configuration, 57, 58, 60, 62, 68, 69,
Configuring a message window, 7
70
Configuring AlarmControl, 7
Message blocks, 8, 11
Messages, 11, 45, 47, 50, 52, 55
Messages ,
Online configuration, 31, 39
H
Operation, 37, 39 Hide tag, 55
Runtime data, 29 Hit list, 5
SQL statements, 34 Configure, 23
Status bar, 19, 42
Symbols, 43
Toolbar, 19, 37, 39 L
List of messages to be hidden, 5
Lock list, 5, 47
B Long-term archive list, 5, 55
Button
AlarmControl, 39
M
Message
C Configuring a hit list, 23
Control Emergency acknowledgment of messages, 50
AlarmControl, 5 Hide, 55
Selecting, 45
Show, 55
E Sorting messages, 11, 52
Visualization in Runtime, 5
Emergency acknowledgment, 50
Message block, 8, 11
Example
Configuring a hit list, 23
Configuring AlarmControl, 57, 58, 60, 62, 68, 69,
Message line, 5, 11
70
Message list, 5
Export
Message window, 5, 11
Runtime data, 29

Index
O T
Online configuration, 31 Table
AlarmControl, 39 Configuring table elements, 15, 16, 17, 18
OnlineTableControl Toolbar, 19, 37
Configuring table elements, 15, 16, 17, 18 AlarmControl, 39
Online configuration, 31
Runtime data, 29
Status bar, 19 U
Toolbar, 19
User text block, 26
OnlineTrendControl
UserArchiveControl
Runtime data, 29
Status bar, 19
Runtime data, 29
Toolbar ,
Status bar, 19
Operator message, 26
Toolbar, 19
P W
Persistence, 47
WinCC AlarmControl, 5
Process value block, 26
R
RulerControl
Runtime data, 29
Status bar, 19
Toolbar, 19
S
Selection
Importing, 11
Selection dialog, 11, 45
Short-term archive list, 5, 55
Sort
Default sorting, 11
Sort dialog, 52
SQL, 34
Status bar, 19
AlarmControl, 42
Symbols
AlarmControl, 43


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WinCC AlarmControl 1

Configuring the AlarmControl 2

Operation during runtime 3

Siemens AG Copyright © Siemens AG 2016.

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

Lists in the message window

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

2.2 How to configure the message blocks

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

Configuring existing message blocks

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

Message block names

Displaying message blocks

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

2.3 How to specify message window contents

Determine the message blocks to be displayed in the message lists.

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

Selecting messages to be displayed in the message lists

Configuring the sorting order of messages

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

2.4 How to configure the display for the table

2.4.1 How to configure the properties of the table elements

2. Specify the properties for

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

2.4.2 How to configure the colors of the table elements

2. Define the colors for the background or text here for:

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

2. Define whether to select rows or only cells using the mouse.

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

2.4.4 How to configure sorting via the column heading

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

2.5 How to configure the toolbar and the status bar

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

How to configure the toolbar

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

Value of the button size Behavior

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

How to configure the status bar

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

2.6 How to Configure a Hit List of Messages

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

2.7 How to configure operator messages

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

Operator message triggering upon locking and unlocking a message

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

2.8 How to export runtime data

How to configure the operation of the data export

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

5. Configure the operation of the data export during runtime. Define:

WinCC AlarmControl TIA Portal

2.9 How to define the effect of the online configuration