Customizing Analog Display Decimal Places on APL Block Icons in PCS 7 (OpAnL - PidConL)

To display four decimal places on an Advanced Process Library (APL) block icon such as OpAnL, PidConL, or MonAnL, you must adjust the format string property in the block icon's configuration attributes. In WinCC Graphics Designer, select the block icon, open Properties -> Configurations, and locate the format attribute (e.g. AnalogValueFormat1 or Format_InputValue). Enter the format pattern '0.0000' or '###0.0000' to force four decimal digits. To apply this format permanently across all newly generated icons, modify the master block icon template in @PCS7TypicalsAPLV9.pdl before running 'Create/Update Block Icons' in SIMATIC Manager.

Executive Summary

In continuous process manufacturing, high-precision measurements—such as pH analysis, dosing micro-rates, laboratory analytical feeds, or gas specific gravity—require displaying more precision than the default one or two decimal places rendered by standard PCS 7 APL block icons. When deploying operator blocks like OpAnL (Analog Operable Block) or PidConL (Continuous PID Controller), engineers frequently need to customize the numerical display format to show four decimal places (e.g. 12.3456). Attempting to change this by altering CFC scaling parameters alone does not always alter the visual icon display. This article details the format string syntax used by WinCC APL block icons, explains how to configure instance properties versus master typical templates, and outlines safeguards to prevent OS compilation from overwriting custom formats.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

APL Block Icon Architecture, Dynamic Format Strings, and Template Inheritance Mechanics:

APL Block Icon Visual Structure:
Technological block icons (e.g. @OpAnL/1, @PidConL/1, @MonAnL/1) are customized WinCC Customized Objects composed of static graphics, dynamic bar graphs, status badges, and output fields.
The numerical value field is dynamically connected to the block's process value output (e.g. .SP_Out#Value, .PV_Out#Value).
How that number is formatted on screen is controlled by a format string attribute defined under the object's Configurations property group (commonly AnalogValueFormat1, Format_InputValue, or Format_Value).
WinCC Numerical Format String Syntax:
0: Mandatory digit placeholder. If the number has fewer digits than zeroes in the format string, WinCC displays leading or trailing zeroes (e.g. 0.0000 applied to 3.5 renders 3.5000).
#: Optional digit placeholder. Displays a digit if present, or omits it if absent (e.g. ###0.0000).
.: Decimal point placeholder (dynamically adapted to regional settings: dot or comma).
,: Thousand separator placeholder.
%: Multiplies value by 100 and displays percentage sign.
e- / e+: Scientific exponential notation.
Dynamic Scale vs Static Format Strings in APL:
In standard APL engineering, the number of decimal places can be inherited dynamically from the controller via the structure PV_OpScale.DEC (or SP_OpScale.DEC).
If PV_OpScale.DEC = 4 in CFC, modern APL faceplates automatically render four decimal places.
However, for block icons on the process overview graphic, the visual representation is often hardcoded in the block icon's AnalogValueFormat1 property to ensure predictable screen layout.
Modifying Master Templates vs Instance Overwrites:
Editing a single block icon directly in a process graphic (Picture.pdl) is immediate, but running Create/Update Block Icons in SIMATIC Manager may overwrite the customization.
To make the change permanent, the master icon template inside @PCS7TypicalsAPLV9.pdl (or custom @PCS7Typicals*.pdl) must be updated.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

Modify Decimal Places on a Specific Block Icon Instance:
* In WinCC Explorer, open the target process screen in Graphics Designer.
* Select the OpAnL or PidConL block icon.
* In the Properties window, expand the Configurations property group.
* Locate the attribute AnalogValueFormat1 (or Format_InputValue).
* Change the value from standard 0.0 or 0.00 to 0.0000 (or ###0.0000).
* Save the picture.
Modify Decimal Places in the Master Typicals File (Permanent Template Approach):
* In Graphics Designer, open @PCS7TypicalsAPLV9.pdl (located in the OS project GraCS directory).
* Locate the OpAnL or PidConL block icon template corresponding to your type variant (e.g. @OpAnL/1).
* Select the icon, open Configurations -> AnalogValueFormat1, and set it to 0.0000.
* Save @PCS7TypicalsAPLV9.pdl.
Configure Controller-Side Precision in CFC (Optional Dynamic Approach):
* Open the CFC chart containing the OpAnL or PidConL block.
* Inspect input parameter SP_OpScale or PV_OpScale.
* Expand the structure: set sub-parameter DEC = 4.
* Compile and download CFC changes to update faceplate zoom precision.
Regenerate Block Icons:
* In SIMATIC Manager Plant View, right-click the OS project -> Plant Hierarchy -> Create/Update Block Icons.
* The wizard updates all icons from the modified master typicals template, applying 4 decimal places universally.

Verification

Open WinCC Runtime.
Navigate to the process screen hosting the modified OpAnL block icon.
Observe the displayed setpoint/process value; confirm that four digits follow the decimal separator (e.g. 24.5000).
Enter a high-precision setpoint (e.g. 24.5123); verify that all four decimal digits display correctly on the block icon canvas.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Displaying four decimal digits increases the character width of the numeric field; ensure the block icon bounding box is wide enough to prevent text clipping or wrapping. Modifying @PCS7TypicalsAPLV9.pdl directly in GraCS may be overwritten during future PCS 7 system upgrades if 'Update Typical Pictures' is checked; maintain custom variants in @PCS7Typicals_Custom.pdl.

Engineer FAQ

What format string displays 4 decimal places with mandatory zeroes?

Use 0.0000 (forces four digits, displaying trailing zeroes) or ###0.0000 (allows optional integer digits and four fixed decimals).

What is the difference between # and 0 in WinCC format strings?

0 forces a digit (rendering 0 if empty), while # displays a digit only if non-zero.

Where do I find AnalogValueFormat1 on a block icon?

In Graphics Designer, select the block icon and inspect the Configurations property group in the Properties window.

Will running Create/Update Block Icons overwrite my manual format edits?

Yes, unless the changes are made to the master template in @PCS7Typicals*.pdl or icon update is disabled for that object.

How do I change decimal precision inside the APL faceplate?

Adjust the DEC parameter within the PV_OpScale or SP_OpScale structure on the CFC block in the controller.

Technical References

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Customizing Analog Display Decimal Places on APL Block Icons in PCS 7 (OpAnL - PidConL)