WinCC TIA VB Script data logging to excel (CSV)

Script for logging machine data (variables) from WinCC TIA Runtime (SCADA) to Excel file (CSV).

This is a simple script which shows how we can log data coming from our machine or some important information that is visualized on the SCADA in a data file, like Excel table or some or simple text file (*.txt).

In the first step we need to generate PC-Station (runtime application) in TIA.


Figure 1. PC Station project in TIA.

Then we create the variables which are going to be logged into the file. For this example, I have generated internal variables (they are not connected to PLC). I have generated variables of type real, but you can do it with integer, bool, etc.


Figure 2. Internal variables in TIA WinCC.

Because the variables are not coming from any PLC, I am going to need input fields from which to change their values. For this I generated three input/output fields and one button to trigger the logging script.


Figure 3. Input fields and log button.

The most essential part is of course is the script. Under scripts we generate a test script which in my case I called tmpExport_1.

Figure 4. Adding new VB script.

Sub tmpExport_1()

Dim FolderPath, ObjectPath, Filename, File, FileExist, Columns, Row

FolderPath = "C:\_DOC\"

Filename = "test_log.csv"

Set ObjectPath = CreateObject("Scripting.FilesystemObject")

'Check if folder exists

If Not ObjectPath.FolderExists(FolderPath) Then              

ObjectPath.CreateFolder FolderPath     

End If

' Check if file exists

Set File = CreateObject("Scripting.FilesystemObject")

FileExist = File.FileExists(FolderPath & "\" & Filename)

If FileExist = False Then

File.CreateTextFile(FolderPath & "\" & Filename)

Set Columns = File.OpenTextFile(FolderPath & "\" & Filename, 8)

                Columns.WriteLine("Data1 ; Data2 ; Data3")

                Columns.Close                 

                Set File = Nothing           

End If

'Write data to file

Set File = CreateObject("Scripting.FilesystemObject")

Set Row = File.OpenTextFile(FolderPath & "\" & Filename, 8)

Row.WriteLine(SmartTags("zLogReal1") & ";" & SmartTags("zLogReal2") & ";" & SmartTags("zLogReal3") & ";")

Row.Close

Set File = Nothing  ‘Here we are releasing the file.

End Sub

Script elements explained:

• Dim - here we are declaring the variable which are used in the script.
• Variable FolderPath – define the folder on you hard disk where the lo file is going to be saved.
• Filename – the name + extension of the file
• ObjectPath – creates object for the folder and after that we are checking if the Path exists, if not it will be created.
• FileExist – check if file exits, if not we create it and define the structure of the columns.
• In the next steps we set the file for writing.
  Set Row = File.OpenTextFile(FolderPath & "\" & Filename, 8)
  The 8 at the end tells the script to write at the end of the file, so we don’t overwrite the existing information.

• WriteLine(SmartTags("zLogReal1") & ";" & SmartTags("zLogReal2") & ";" & SmartTags("zLogReal3") & ";")
  Whit this command we start to write the variable values in the file.
• Row.Close ans Set File = Nothing are used to close the file and release it so it can be opened from other application after we finish the data logging in it.

The script is ready and now to trigger it I will add event to the button that I created before.


Figure 5. WinCC TIA button Click event.

To test the script we start the runtime, enter values and press the logging button.

Figure 6. Variables to log.

When we press the button the script is going to be executed and the log file is created in the predefined folder. All the values that were in the input/output fields are written to the file. To log new values we have to press the button and execute the script again. Zou can connect the execution of the script to a variable event. For example, if variable changes from 0 to 1.



Figure 7. Log file.

Figure 8. Variable logged in excel file.