Programming Tip: Save Time on Naming Variables Through Export/Import Mappings .CSV

Owned by Perla Madrigal (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Aug 02, 2024 by Eric Rojas
2 min read

This allows bulk variable name changes and manipulation through standard PC Find & Replace functions saving programmers time.

How to Export & Import CSV tag variable names for Variable Mapping 

(edit within MS-Excel)

When adding a new device to the project, Inputs & Outputs can be named.

ethercat_mapping_name_5170-20240521-001107.jpg

 

The above are named generically based on Input A 0, for IO type, slot location (first) and IO number on the module. Users may rename the IO for the purpose of the IO or use your own convention; the description can also be modified.

ethercat_mapping_name2_5171-20240521-001107.jpg

 

Note if the IO is already used within the program, it'll prompt to refactor and rename the variables saving the programmer to do a Find All and Replace All.

The list of these names (aka tags or variables) can be exported into a comma separated variable (.CSV) file. The .CSV files can then be imported or opened in Microsoft Excel and modified there.  

To export, right-click on the device and select Export Mappings to CSV...

 

Users may open in NotePad, WordPad or MS-Excel:

 

This allows standard Find (Control+F) and Replace (Control+H) Windows functions for updating large mappings quickly and consistently.

These files can then be imported into the device via right-click. 

 

 

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