page

The number of the page is given automatically according to its position. You can enter the name (Overview in this example) in the orange field at the top of the page.

control point

A control point is needed to fix a manually modified connection line routing. This helps to prevent the modification from being reverted by the command Route all Connections. By 2 control points you can mark a definite segment of a line for which you want to modify the routing.

input

You can select the text offered by ??? and replace it by a variable or constant. The input assistance serves to select a valid identifier.

output

box

You can use a box to represent operators, functions, function blocks, and programs. You can select the text offered by ??? and replace it by an operator, function, function block, or program name. The input assistance serves to select one of the available objects.

If you insert a function block, another ??? will be displayed above the box. Replace the question marks by the name of the function block instance. If a function block with constant input parameters is instantiated, then the box element shows a field Parameters... in the bottom left corner of the box. Click this button to open a dialog box for editing the input parameters. Refer to the Edit Parameters... chapter.

If you replace an existing box by another (by modifying the entered name) and the new one has a different minimum or maximum number of input or output pins, the pins will be adapted correspondingly. If pins are to be removed, the lowest one will be removed first.

jump

Use the jump element to indicate at which position the execution of the program should continue. This position is defined by a label (see below). Therefore, replace the text offered by ??? by the label name.

label

A label marks the position to which the program can jump (see the element jump).

In online mode, a return label for marking the end of POU is automatically inserted.

return

In online mode, a return element is automatically inserted in the first column and after the last element in the editor. In stepping, it is automatically jumped to before execution leaves the POU.

composer

Use a composer to handle an input of a box which is of type of a structure. The composer will display the structure components and thus make them accessible in the CFC for the programmer. For this purpose name the composer like the concerned structure (by replacing ??? by the name) and connect it to the box instead of using an input element.

selector

A selector in contrast to the composer is used to handle an output of a box which is a type of structure. The selector will display the structure components and thus make them accessible in the CFC for the programmer. For this purpose, name the selector like the concerned structure (replace ??? by the name) and connect it to the box instead of using an output element.

comment

Use this element to add any comments to the chart. Select the placeholder text and replace it with any desired text. To obtain a new line within the comment, press CTRL + ENTER.

connection mark – source

connection mark – sink

You can use connection marks instead of a connection line between elements. This can help to clear complex charts.

For a valid connection, assign a connection mark – source element at the output of an element and assign a connection mark – sink (see below) at the input of another element. Assign the same name to both marks (no case-sensitivity).

Naming:

The first connection mark – source element inserted in a CFC by default is named C-1 and can be modified manually. In its counterpart connection mark – sink, replace the ??? by the same name string as used in the source mark.The editor will verify that the names of the marks are unique. If the name of a source mark is changed, the name of the connected sink mark will automatically be renamed as well. However, if a sink mark is renamed, the source mark will keep the old name. This allows you to reconfigure connections. Likewise, removing a connection mark does not remove its counterpart.

To use a connection mark in the chart, drag it from the toolbox to the editor window and then connect its pin with the output or input pin of the respective element. Alternatively you can convert an existing normal connection line by using the command Connection Mark. This command allows you to change connection marks back to normal connection lines as well.

For figures showing some examples of connection marks, refer to the chapter Connection Mark.

input pin

Depending on the box type, you can add an additional input. For this purpose, select the box element in the CFC network and draw the input pin element on the box.

You can drag an input or output connection to another position at the box while keeping pressed the Ctrl key.

output pin

–

Depending on the box type, you can add an additional output. For this purpose, select the box element in the CFC network and draw the output pin element on the box.

You can drag an input or output connection to another position at the box while keeping pressed the Ctrl key.