Read and Write Data in MS Excel, using RSLinx to and from ControlLogix

[@Crypto_B_]

Great demo. Thank you, Peter. I don’t think many professionals in our industry realize this is possible. I’ve gotten some blank stares.

[@ansonkiek6471]

rslink classis lite can？I don’t see the copy option this my classic lite please advise. I am using studio 5000

[@PSDettmerMATC]

I don't think so. You need a version that can act as a server to exchange data. Most likely Gateway.

[@ansonkiek6471]

@@PSDettmerMATC is this only available on rs link professional?

[@PSDettmerMATC]

@@ansonkiek6471 There are 5 versions of RS Linx Classic. It depends on what OPC service you need. Single Node provides some OPC/DDE service. Best to talk to your distributor to see what you need. We use RS Linx Classic Gateway. It has all the functionality. compatibility.rockwellautomation.com/Pages/ProductReplacement.aspx?crumb=101&restore=1&vid=50022

[@sergiofranciscomayoralcruz8037]

Can i use this funcion if i have a Micro820 and a ML1200?

[@eltonlomboni1805]

ml1200 yes

[@AfroMan187]

Any way to export a data file to a PC that doesn't have RS Linx?

[@PSDettmerMATC]

There are other "data servers" available. Some offer a free 30-day trial and/or 2hr runtime. Look at Kepware. Depending on your FW version and controller, you could also look at OPC UA....

[@pjeremy1449]

How does this work with strings?

[@PSDettmerMATC]

Not sure. Haven't tried that yet. I'd expect very similar, just a matter of changing the data types?

[@4ngel012]

great video. Where can I learn about more rslogix functions to use in VBA?

[@PSDettmerMATC]

You can look up information in Rockwell Automation's Knowledge Base. Search for topics on DDE/OPC/VBA they have some good sample code and files.

[@4ngel012]

@@PSDettmerMATC ok, muchas gracias

[@jorgelopez-dd3gb]

It's possible do the same with Micrologix PLC??

[@PSDettmerMATC]

Yes, there is sample code available for RSLogix 500 based controllers. Communication settings depend on your protocol (Ethernet IP/ Serial, etc....). You need RSLinx with the DDE/OPC capability. Good luck!

[@caseymarionneaux2507]

Would this be possible from a web page that is ran from a local server using HTML, PHP, Javascript or some other language?

[@PSDettmerMATC]

Very likely that this could be done via Modbus protocol to exchange data via any of the languages you mentioned.

[@iantogriffin9928]

Excellent demo. thanks for posting.

[@flavioscarazzato6088]

Can you share the excel file used in this video?

[@PSDettmerMATC]

Sure, please go to the About section on our channel and select the "Send Email/Message" option. I'll reply with a copy of the .XLS file.

[@mattemburgh7188]

Hello! How can I set this up so it logs the data every 24 hours automatically, without using a push button?

[@PSDettmerMATC]

The button just triggers the Macro. You can write a separate Macro to trigger the "Data Collect" Macro at specific time intervals. Search for this on KZbin: Automatically Run a Macro Every X Minutes or Hours - Good luck!

[@LeoGarCru]

Where to learn VBA to do things like this ?

[@PSDettmerMATC]

Look at your local College for MS Excel & Visual Basic for Applications courses. Otherwise, LinkedIn Learning and other online training.

[@tomtom3906]

Thanks Peter good demo!

[@pk_hemmane]

pls share the excel link

[@PSDettmerMATC]

Not sure which Excel link you are referring to?

[@JamesRobinson-hq4lt]

@@PSDettmerMATC I believe he is referring to segment at 3:42 where you are pasting the link but the video is blurry and we can't really make out what type of brackets or parenthesses are being used.....

[@PSDettmerMATC]

@@JamesRobinson-hq4lt send me an email and I'd be happy to share the code and Excel file with you.

[@jackdtdt4121]

Hi ! Peter ! Great Demo! Can you share me the Excel File in the Video?

[@PSDettmerMATC]

Please send me an email. My email is in the video. Thanks, Peter

[@LearnSomethingHelpful]

Thanks for the video, I do have a suggestion from our findings in the past few months & speaking with Rockwell. If you try this on Windows 10 & any version of Microsoft Office above 2016 & it no longer works...DDE is what is used & it is now disabled so moving forward any command codes should be used in a real OPC not DDE like the copy-paste method. There are a lot of other tools to use & Rockwell Automation themselves has demo excel files to read & write data. DDE is broken after Excel 2013. You can try to enable it but depending on what version of RSlinx you are using, it will break. Standard in the field as of 2021 is Windows 10 MS Office 2016 or even MS office 365

[@superezbz]

I haven't tried it yet, but: docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot/excel/security-settings

[@LearnSomethingHelpful]

@@superezbz I have worked closely with RA & there is no fix besides transitioning directly to OPC or making your own data move in Python. OPC is easier. DDE is gone for new Windows & Office

[@superezbz]

@@LearnSomethingHelpful I figured out how to do it on an offline program. First, you export a rung that is referencing the array. Then, you open the L5X file in a text editor. You will see that tag data values are in the L5X text. Copy and paste into excel. Edit the values. Copy the excel code back into the text editor in the appropriate place. Then, this is very important, delete the rung AND the array from the controller. Then import the L5X back in. You will now have your rung back with a fully populated array.

[@LearnSomethingHelpful]

@@superezbz We are talking about reading tag values not rungs

[@superezbz]

@@LearnSomethingHelpful I know. I'm talking about writing tag values en masse. It works. It is the only way I have found that is capable of doing it offline or online, without extra licensing or running a Windows 7 VM or machine. When you export the rung or routine, the tag values are written into the XML file. Those can then be manipulated and re entered into the program. That's it. If you are really good, you could write code in XML if you wanted to, including populating arrays. However, I find that writing repetitive code is best accomplished in Excel. Excel is far superior in data manipulation than Studio 5k.

[@mesclau]

Great!!!!

[@DuneKraftwerk]

Excel online...oops.. code scripts and socket io can make it works not DDE

[@DuneKraftwerk]

Wow DDE... remind me 1987..