Creating or editing properties fields in FBD

How to create →properties fields in the →graphical FBD-editor: 

  1. From the context menu of the FBD-editor, select Create and Properties Field. Alternative: Press Ctrl+Shift+A.

  2. Position the properties field where you need it.
    During this user action, it is possible that affected lines are automatically rerouted.  If the positioned element is presented with a red rectangle, the destination is not possible.
    (info) You might want to use the following key while positioning the element: Press the ESC-key, if you do not want to position the element and abort the action.

  3. Press the primary mouse button.
    Result: An input field is opened.

  4. Enter the properties according to this syntax:

    One line

    		 
    name := 'string'
    Several lines 
    name_1 := 'string_1',
    name_2 := 'string_2',
    name_3 := 'string_3',
    ...
    name_n := 'string_n'

    Explanation:

    1. The name on the left side of the assignment operator ":="  must be an →IEC-identifier.

    2. The expression on the right side of the assignment operator ":=" must be a character string literal within a →pragma. Examples for character string literals within pragmas: See Property statement in ST

  5. A text with several lines is possible – press Shift+Enter.
    Background information: A property field within the FBD-editor is analogous to the property statements in ST but without the enclosing characters: { }; of ST.

  6. Press the Enter-key or click anywhere outside the properties field so that the properties field with the text is created. Press the ESC-key, if you want to discard the properties field.

How to edit the text in a properties field:

  1. Double-click the properties field and enter the new text.

  2. Press e.g. the Enter-key so that the new text is entered in the properties field. Press the ESC-key, if you want to discard the new text.