This FAQ response describes how you can access the tags of an operator panel with an Excel application.

Instructions
WinCC flexible permits you to utilize the web service (SOAP). The web service (SOAP) is based on the Simple Object Access Protocol. This permits you to access the tags of an operator panel from an external application like Excel over Ethernet.

The following example was created for an MP 277 Touch. Any other operator panel that supports the SOAP function can be used.

Test environment
Microsoft Excel 2003; Microsoft Excel 2007, Microsoft Excel 2010
Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows 7

Excel template:

Attachment 1: SOAP_Excel_Template.zip ( 32 KB )

WinCC flexible 2008 SP3 Project
The project includes a picture with tags as well as the required device settings.

Attachment 2: Project_MP277_SOAP.zip ( 2209 KB )  
 

No.	Procedure
1	Setting in the WinCC flexible configuration In the Project Manager under "Device Settings > Device Settings > Runtime services" you check the check box Sm@rtAccess: Web service (SOAP). Fig. 01 Note Required license: WinCC flexible / Sm@rtAccess for Panel
2	Settings on the Operator Panel   Establish Ethernet connection Assign an IP address to the operator panel. For this you open the menu by going to "Control Panel > Network and Dial-up Connections > ERTEC400 > IP Address". How to integrate an operator panel in a local network is described in Entry ID: 13336639
3	Setting in the Excel template The figure below shows the opened Excel template. Fig. 02 Specifying the IP address Enter the IP address of the operator panel in the "B1" cell. In this example "172.16.34.200".    Reading out tags from or writing tags to the HMI operator panel: Column "A" (Description) In the "A" column under the "Description" header you can enter a description for the tags used. Column "B" (Tag Name) In the "B" column under the "Tag Name" header you enter the names of the HMI tags which are to be read out or written. Refer here to the more detailed information given in table section "4" below. Column "C" (Value) In column "C" under the "Value" header is the value of the HMI tag read out or the value with which the HMI tag is to be written. Column "D" (Read/Write) Case 1: Write HMI tag (W) If the HMI tag in column "C" is to be written, you enter the letter "W" in cell next to it in column "D". Case 2: Read HMI tag If the HMI tag in column "C" is to be read, you enter the letter "R" in cell next to it in column "D". Column "E" (Status) Column "E" shows the execution status (done/fault). The status "fault" is output when, for example, the specified "Tag Name" is not in cell "B7". Note There is no further evaluation of possible "operating errors" or "wrong entries". The script saved can be changed accordingly as required. Buttons "Update Data" The "Update Data" button is used to update the tags in the Excel list. "Info De / Info En" You use the "Info De" (information in German) and "Info En" (information in English) to have an "Info page" displayed in the corresponding language. The info page gives a brief description of the handling in the Excel table. Operating option The Excel template enables up to 500 tags to be read out automatically. If an HMI tag is not to be read out or written, then you remove the relevant entry from column "D" (Read/Write). Note The Excel template "SOAP_Excel_Template.xls" includes a script. You can open this script in the Excel editor under "Tools > Macro > Visual Basic Editor" and edit it accordingly.
4	Special case when the HMI tags are in a subfolder If the tags are created in a "subfolder" in the WinCC flexible configuration, you must put the name of the folder containing the HMI tags first in column "B" (Tag Name"). Note the syntax below for this. Case 1: Write HMI tag (W) HMI tags are directly in the main folder. - Enter only the name of the HMI tag in column "B". Case 2: Read HMI tag (R) HMI are directly in the main folder. - Enter only the name of the HMI tag in column "B". Case 3: Write HMI tag (W) HMI tags are in a subfolder. - In column "B" you enter the name of the HMI tag including the subfolder. Syntax: subfolder name\tag name (subfolder name and tag name are separated by one backslash). Case 4: Read HMI tag (R) HMI tags are in a subfolder. - In column "B" you enter the name of the HMI tag including the subfolder. Syntax: subfolder name\\tag name (subfolder name and tag name are separated by two backslashes).
5	Editing the Excel template This FAQ response provides an Excel template ready for downloading. You can use this Excel template immediately without having to make any major changes. If required, you can change the Excel template to your specifications. The Excel template attached includes a script. This script is used to read out/transfer values from/to the operator panel using predefined fields. Extending the script The specifications below refer always to the point from which they are called. The specification is always in this form "Z 57, S 36", for example. This specification is in the menu header if the Microsoft Visual Basic Editor is open. Fig. 03 Opening the script editor Open the view for "Visual Basic" using the Excel menu bar: "View > Toolbars > Visual Basic" (Excel 2003). SOAP connection You do not have to make any changes to the settings here. Changing the user name / password (if necessary) You must change the user name used and the password at two places. - Z 57, S 36 - Z 96, S 36 Changing the input field for the IP address The cell specification is done in the script at the places below. This cell is queried at two places in the script. - Z 43, S 19 - Z 81, S 19 Changing the specification for the cell of the HMI tag The cell specification is done in the script at the places below. Cell specification:   - Z 129, S 15 Column specification: - Z 135, S 39  Evaluating "Read/Write" of the HMI tags The evaluation is done in the script at the places below. Read: - Z 135, S 9 Write: - Z 161, S 9  Max. number of HMI tags The maximum number of tags is specified in the script at the place below. - Z 185, S 37  Note You can test the changes made immediately after saving in the Visual Basic Editor. This does not have to be closed for this.

Note
More information is available in the manual "WinCC flexible Getting Started Options" in Entry ID: 18657078.

Addition Keywords
SOAP connection, HMI Panel, HMI operator panel, Word, Table, Data exchange, Remote access