Configuring Free User Text Blocks for Alarms in PCS 7 Process Object View

To configure Free User Text Blocks (Free Text 1 to Free Text 5 / Frei 1 bis Frei 5) for alarm messages and prevent them from being overwritten during an OS compile, configure these strings on the Engineering Station in Process Object View (POV) or the CFC block message dialogue. In PCS 7, alarm attributes entered directly into WinCC Alarm Logging are purged during OS compilation because the ES is the system master. To make these columns visible in POV, navigate to 'Options -> Settings... -> Columns tab -> Object types -> Process object view -> Messages tab', and check 'Free Text 1' through 'Free Text 5'.

PCS 7 Alarm Architecture: ES Master vs OS Runtime Synchronization

In SIMATIC PCS 7, the alarm system operates under a strict master-replica architecture. The Engineering Station (ES) holds the master database for all alarm definitions, message classes, priorities, infotexts, and auxiliary values (ALARM_8P block instances). When an engineer runs OS Compile (AS-OS Engineering), the compiler generates alarm records in the WinCC Alarm Logging database (dbo.MS_Alarm / dbo.MS_Text).

If an engineer enters user text directly inside WinCC Explorer under Alarm Logging, the next OS compilation recognizes the AS as the authoritative source and overwrites local WinCC table entries with the offline ES parameters. To persist user texts across compilations, the text strings must be defined on the ES.

Enabling Hidden Free Text Columns in Process Object View

The PCS 7 Message System provides five user-definable message blocks:

Free Text 1 (Frei 1)
Free Text 2 (Frei 2)
Free Text 3 (Frei 3)
Free Text 4 (Frei 4)
Free Text 5 (Frei 5)

By default, Siemens hides these columns in the Process Object View (POV) to streamline standard engineering views. To make them visible for bulk engineering:

Open SIMATIC Manager and switch to Process Object View.
Navigate to menu Options -> Settings....
In the Settings dialogue, select the Columns tab.
Under Object types, expand Process object view and select the Messages folder.
In the Visible columns checklist, locate Free Text 1 through Free Text 5 and enable their checkboxes.
Click OK. The Messages tab in POV immediately displays the new columns.

Step-by-Step Configuration of User-Defined Message Texts

Follow this procedure to populate and display free user text blocks in runtime:

Define Message Blocks in PCS 7 Message System:
- In SIMATIC Manager, select Options -> PCS 7 Message System -> Configure....
- Under User-configurable message blocks, verify that Free 1 through Free 5 are activated.
Populate Texts in Process Object View:
- Select the target plant hierarchy folder in POV and switch to the Messages tab.
- Locate the alarm-generating blocks (e.g. MonAnL, MotL, EventTS).
- Enter standard instructions, operating notes, or safety tags into the Free Text 1 to Free Text 5 columns (e.g. Emergency SOP references or mechanical tag numbers). Bulk copying and pasting from Microsoft Excel is supported.
Alternative Block-Level Configuration:
- In any CFC chart, double-click the block, click Messages..., select the message line, and enter text in the Free Text fields.
Perform OS Compilation:
- Right-click the OS station in SIMATIC Manager and select Compile.
- Select Scope: Changes only (or Entire project). The compiler transfers the free text strings to WinCC Alarm Logging.
Display Columns in WinCC AlarmControl:
- Open the WinCC Graphics Designer and edit @Alarm.pdl (or custom alarm screen).
- Open the properties of the WinCC AlarmControl object.
- Navigate to the Message blocks tab, expand User text blocks, and add Free 1 to the visible column list.

PCS 7 Message Block Configuration and Parameter Reference

The following table details the standard and user-configurable message blocks available in PCS 7:

Message Block NameBlock Type CategoryMaster Location on ESDefault POV VisibilityPrimary Operational PurposeDate / TimeSystem blockAS Operating System (OB/SFC)VisibleAlarm occurrence timestampClass / PrioritySystem blockCFC Message ConfigurationVisibleCategorization (Warning, Alarm, Tolerance)Source / AreaSystem blockPlant Hierarchy (TH)VisibleTechnological plant area originEvent TextStandard user textBlock Type Message TemplateVisiblePrimary fault description (e.g. Motor Overload)InfotextExtended user textBlock Properties / POVHidden (Optional)Detailed troubleshooting guidelineFree Text 1 to 5Custom user textPOV Messages Tab (Frei 1-5)Hidden by defaultCustom SOP ID, tag numbers, or equipment notes

[!NOTE]
Commercial Accuracy Notice: Configuring user-defined message blocks and customized alarm columns is a native capability > of SIMATIC PCS 7 Message Engineering (6ES7658-1EX58-0YA5). Utilizing free text blocks consumes no additional WinCC archive > licenses, tag licenses, or Process Objects.

Verification

Verify that free user text blocks persist and display accurately in runtime:

OS Compilation Transfer: After OS Compile, open WinCC Explorer, launch Alarm Logging, and locate the compiled messages. Confirm that the user text entered on the ES appears in the corresponding Free 1 column.
Runtime Alarm Display: Trigger a test alarm in WinCC Runtime. Verify that the alarm banner displays the configured free text string in the added column.
Persistence Verification: Perform a second delta OS Compile from SIMATIC Manager. Check Alarm Logging again to confirm that the free text strings were not erased.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Observe these guidelines when utilizing free user text blocks:

Character Length Constraints: Free text blocks typically support up to 255 characters depending on column width and SQL table limits; avoid excessively verbose strings that clutter the runtime operator view.
Multilingual Text Management: Free text strings entered in POV are tied to the active project language. If operating a multilingual plant, export the text tables via Options -> Manage Multilingual Texts -> Export to translate strings for secondary runtime languages.
Never Edit WinCC Alarm Logging Directly: Always maintain alarm texts on the ES to prevent unexpected overwrites during scheduled system maintenance.

Engineer FAQ

Why are my custom alarm texts erased every time I compile the OS?

You entered the text directly into WinCC Alarm Logging on the OS. Because the ES is the authoritative master, OS Compile replaces local WinCC alarm records with the offline ES project database. Enter the text in POV on the ES instead.

How do I reveal the Free Text columns in Process Object View?

In SIMATIC Manager POV, select 'Options -> Settings... -> Columns tab -> Object types -> Process object view -> Messages', and check 'Free Text 1' through 'Free Text 5'.

Can I copy and paste free text strings from Microsoft Excel into POV?

Yes. Process Object View fully supports clipboard operations. You can copy tabular columns from Excel and paste them directly into the Free Text columns in the Messages tab.

Can Free Text blocks contain dynamic process values?

No. Free Text blocks are static text strings. To display live dynamic process values (e.g. temperature at the time of trip), configure the Process Value message blocks (Process value 1 to 10) linked to block auxiliary values (ExtVa01 to ExtVa10).