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Alternatives to editing tags in the Flexy's web interface

30 Sep 2022
When importing or updating a large number of tags, it is easier to make these changes outside of the Flexy's web interface. Alternatives available include:
  • A tool that automatically formats tags from a PLC registers file
  • An Excel macro available on the Ewon TechForum
  • Using FTP to manually retrieve and edit the tag file

Using FTP is also helpful for backing up or restoring tag lists.

 

 

APPLICABLE PRODUCTS

  • Ewon Flexy line

 

PRE-REQUISITES

  • Ewon Flexy connected via LAN or VPN
  • For the Flexy Tag generator:
    • A registers file from the PLC (instructions included in the Flexy Tag generator webpage)
    • FTP client like FileZilla
  • For the Excel macro:
  • For manual editing or backups:
    • FTP client like FileZilla
    • Spreadsheet software like Excel (if editing tags)

 

IN THIS ARTICLE

 

LIMITATIONS

There are some cases in which the Ewon is not able to reconcile the uploaded var_lst.csv and the existing tags on the device. These limitations apply whether using the Excel macro or manually editing the tag list and transferring it via FTP. Some limitations include:

  • Renaming tags
  • Removing tags

When adding a new tag, it's important to use a new ID for it. The ID must be unused by other tags in the spreadsheet or on the Ewon itself.

 

FLEXY TAG GENERATOR

  1. Open the Flexy Tag generator
  2. Upload the config file from the PLC with tags to be polled
    • The "Step 1" section includes tutorials on how to download this file from various PLC software


      Fig 1. preview of tag configuration after importing ABLogix file from Studio 5000

  3. Review the tag list in the Preview section
  4. Download the tag list .csv
  5. Proceed to Restore Tags for instructions on uploading, or view the "Need help on how to proceed?" tutorial video linked below the export button.

 

EXCEL MACRO

  1. Download the Excel macro
  2. Open the macro and click Enable Content to allow it to execute its code
  3. Ensure there is a good connection to the Ewon, either directly to the Ewon's LAN or connected through eCatcher and the Ewon's VPN
  4. Enter the Flexy's IP address in cell L1, replacing the default IP address


    Fig 2. set the value in the red box to the Ewon's IP address
  5. Click "Import From Ewon", then enter the Ewon's local username and password (default adm/adm)
  6. The Flexy's tags will populate the spreadsheet. Edit the tag values as desired
    • If a value isn't a number, it must be enclosed in quotes
  7. Click "Send To Ewon", once again entering the Ewon's local username and password
  8. Refresh the Ewon's tags page to verify the changes were applied correctly

 

DOWNLOAD TAGS

  1. Ensure there is a good connection to the Ewon, either directly to the Ewon's LAN or connected through eCatcher and the Ewon's VPN
  2. Log into the Ewon using an FTP client and the following details:
    • Hostname: the Ewon's LAN IP address
    • Username: Ewon's local admin account user (default adm)
    • Password: Ewon's local admin account pass (default adm)
    • Port: can usually be left blank if still set to default on the Ewon (default 21)
  3. Scroll down through files listed on the right to var_lst.csv
    • var_lst.csv and var_lst.txt are the same file, but the .csv will likely have a file association with spreadsheet software

      mceclip0.png
      Fig 3. viewing files on the Flexy through FTP
  4. Drag the file to the desired folder on one's machine in the left panel

 

EDIT TAGS

Because some regions represent decimals with commas, the tag file on a Flexy is in fact semicolon delimited, not comma delimited. Depending on a computer's settings, it may be necessary to change the file's delimiters to open it within a spreadsheet program. For that reason, it is recommended to save a backup of this .csv in case there are any mistakes in editing it.

To change the delimiters:

  1. Save a backup of var_lst.csv somewhere safe
  2. Open the file within a text editor like Notepad or Notepad++
  3. Find and replace all semicolons with commas
    • Note: ensure this is only done if the Flexy's data has no commas in it already

      mceclip6.png
      Fig 4. finding and replacing semicolons in Notepad++
  4. Open the file in a spreadsheet editor and make the desired changes, then save
  5. Once again, open the file within a text editor like Notepad or Notepad++
  6. Find and replace all commas with semicolons

 

RESTORE TAGS

  1. Reconnect to the Ewon using an FTP client
  2. Drag the newly edited var_lst.csv from the computer to the Flexy's root directory
  3. When prompted, accept overwriting the existing var_lst.csv
  4. Log into the Flexy's web interface and verify the tag changes were properly imported

If tags from a new IO Server were added, navigate to Tags -> IO Servers -> IO Servers List and select the IO Server in question, then configure and enable a topic to begin polling data.

If there is an error importing tags, it will be logged with a description similar to "varId-Import config error at line (Line: X)". If this happens, ensure the delimiters were reconverted to semicolons and no columns were added or deleted. In this event it's probably best to start over from a copy of the backup of var_lst.csv.