Deactivating Batch Name and Custom Columns in PCS 7 Message Lists

To deactivate unused columns—such as the Batch Name (Chargenname) column displaying unassigned placeholders ('???')—in the SIMATIC PCS 7 message system, configure the alarm list layout centrally in SIMATIC Manager rather than modifying individual WinCC picture files. Open SIMATIC Manager and select 'Options -> PCS 7 message system -> Configure...'. In the 'Configure message lists' tab, select the target alarm list, click 'Configure', and remove 'Batch name' from the displayed columns pane in the WinCC AlarmControl properties dialog. Activate the configuration and run the OS Project Editor to deploy the streamlined message table globally across all operator screens.

Central Message System Administration in SIMATIC Manager

In SIMATIC PCS 7, the alarm and message logging infrastructure is standardized to provide uniform visualization across all Operator Stations (OS Clients and OS Servers). The alarm banner in the overview area and dedicated message windows (such as the Incoming Alarm List, Acknowledged Alarm List, and Historical Archive List) are powered by the WinCC AlarmControl activeX/NET object.

By default, PCS 7 alarm lists include columns for recipe batch information (Batch Name / Chargenname, Batch ID, Step Number). In continuous manufacturing facilities or balance-of-plant systems where SIMATIC BATCH is not deployed, these columns are redundant and populate with question marks (???). Removing them maximizes screen area for critical operational parameters like tag names, process values, and event descriptions.

Why Individual Picture Edits Break During OS Project Editor Runs

A common operational mistake is opening system picture files (such as @messageview.pdl or @overview.pdl) directly in the WinCC Graphics Designer to hide the Batch column. While this alters the screen temporarily, it introduces severe maintenance vulnerabilities:

Project Editor Regeneration: Whenever the WinCC OS Project Editor runs (during system updates, resolution changes, or multiproject synchronizations), system pictures beginning with @ are regenerated from master templates. Any manual edits made to individual PDL files are wiped out.
Global Central Configuration: To ensure persistence across project editor runs, Siemens provides a centralized configuration interface inside SIMATIC Manager: Options -> PCS 7 message system -> Configure.... Configuring columns here injects template definitions directly into the master database, guaranteeing permanent retention.

Configurable Message Lists in WinCC AlarmControl

The central message configuration dialog manages several distinct operational alarm lists:

Alarm List (Neuwertmelde-Liste): Displays active, unacknowledged process alarms requiring immediate operator intervention.
Acknowledged Alarm List (Altwertmelde-Liste): Displays active alarms that have been acknowledged but whose process fault has not cleared.
Process Messages List: Displays operational logs and operator action messages.
Long-Term Archive List (Langzeitarchiv-Liste): Displays historical sequence-of-events data retrieved from SQL archive databases.
Hit List (Hitliste): Statistical analysis table ranking the most frequently occurring plant alarms.

Comparison of Message List Administration Methods

The table below contrasts manual picture modification against centralized SIMATIC Manager configuration.

Engineering MethodImplementation LocationPersistence Across OS Project EditorMultiserver ConsistencyRecommended StandardDirect PDL EditingWinCC Graphics Designer (@messageview.pdl)Fails (Overwritten on next run)Poor (Must repeat on every OS)Strictly DiscouragedCentral PCS 7 Message ConfigSIMATIC Manager -> Options -> Message System100% PermanentAutomatic across all OS stationsOfficial Siemens StandardC-Script CustomizationScripting inside WinCC runtime picturesHigh maintenance; prone to runtime errorsDifficult to maintainNot Recommended

Step-by-Step Procedure to Remove Unwanted Alarm Columns

Follow this procedure to permanently deactivate the Batch Name column across all alarm lists:

Open Central Message Configuration in SIMATIC Manager:
- In SIMATIC Manager, open the multiproject.
- Select menu Options -> PCS 7 message system -> Configure....
Navigate to Message Lists Tab:
- In the configuration dialog, click the Configure message lists (Meldelisten konfigurieren) tab.
- Locate the target list (e.g., Alarm list or Long-term archive list).
- Check the checkbox in the Configure column: the WinCC AlarmControl configuration window opens.
Adjust Column Selection:
- In the AlarmControl dialog, select the Message lists tab.
- Under Displayed columns, locate Batch name (Chargenname).
- Click the left-arrow button (<) to move Batch name into the Available columns pane.
- Repeat for other unneeded columns (e.g., Batch ID, Step number).
- Click OK to close the AlarmControl dialog.
Activate and Deploy Configuration:
- Back in the SIMATIC Manager dialog, ensure the Activate checkbox is selected for the modified list.
- Click OK to save the global configuration.
- Open WinCC Explorer for the target OS: run the OS Project Editor and click OK to rebuild the message screens.
- Compile and download the OS project.

Verification

Verify alarm list formatting through the following checks:
1. Launch WinCC Runtime: open the main alarm screen.
2. Confirm that the 'Batch name' column is completely absent from the alarm table headers.
3. Trigger a test alarm: verify that all remaining columns (Date, Time, Tag, Class, Event Text) align properly across the screen.
4. Run the WinCC OS Project Editor again: verify that upon completion, the custom column configuration is perfectly preserved.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

If the plant subsequently deploys SIMATIC BATCH or introduces recipe tracking, the Batch Name column can be re-enabled using the exact same procedure by moving Batch name back to Displayed columns. Ensure that changes are coordinated across all OS Servers and Clients in a multiproject to maintain identical operator user experiences in central and satellite control rooms.

Engineer FAQ

Why does the Batch column show '???' instead of remaining blank?

In PCS 7, '???' indicates that the alarm message block does not have valid batch information associated with it in controller memory, typically because SIMATIC BATCH is not installed or the unit is unallocated.

Can I reorder columns using this central configuration tool?

Yes. In the WinCC AlarmControl dialog, use the 'Up' and 'Down' buttons under 'Displayed columns' to reposition columns according to operator preferences.

Does changing alarm columns affect logged archive data in SQL?

No. Modifying displayed columns alters only the graphical HMI presentation in WinCC AlarmControl. All message attributes and metadata continue to be logged in full within the Microsoft SQL Server database.