How to Export CFC Block Comments and Manage Multilingual Texts in SIMATIC PCS 7

CFC block comments can be exported to a CSV file using the Process Object View (Blocks tab) or the WinCC Text Distributor, but block comments inside SIMATIC Manager are fundamentally monolingual engineering metadata. To implement a multilingual project where block descriptions switch dynamically on the Operator Station (OS), engineers must export texts from the WinCC Text Library using the Text Distributor, translate the block icon tooltips and faceplate titles across target language columns, and re-import the file into WinCC.

Monolingual Engineering Metadata vs. Multilingual Runtime Texts

In SIMATIC PCS 7, technical documentation and operator visualization often require multi-language support (e.g., German, English, and French) across international manufacturing sites. However, the engineering system maintains a clear separation between PLC engineering data and runtime operator texts:

CFC Block Comments (Block.Comment): Stored within the STEP 7 database structure. In SIMATIC Manager, the block comment is strictly monolingual. The engineering language selected in SIMATIC Manager does not create alternative language instances for the block comment field in the CFC chart database.
WinCC Runtime Display Texts: When an OS compile is executed, PCS 7 transfers block comments, alarm messages, and unit identifiers into the WinCC Text Library. Here, texts become multilingual. The original block comment is instantiated as the default language entry for block icon tooltips, faceplate headers, and chronological message texts.

Therefore, an engineer attempting to translate block comments for runtime operation must manage translations within the WinCC Text Library rather than attempting to duplicate CFC charts.

Exporting Block Comments via Process Object View

To extract all existing block comments from an entire project into an external spreadsheet for review or engineering documentation:

Open Process Object View:
* In SIMATIC Manager, select View -> Process Object View (or press Ctrl+Alt+P).
* In the tree navigation pane, select the top-level project folder or specific Plant Hierarchy unit.
Navigate to the Blocks Tab:
* Click on the Blocks tab in the main data grid.
* The grid displays columns including Chart, Block, Type, Block Comment, Author, and I/Os.
Export Block Comments:
* Right-click anywhere in the table and select Export... (or select all rows, press Ctrl+C, and paste into Microsoft Excel).
* Save the file as a structured .csv or .xlsx document.
* If parameter adjustments are made, the file can be re-imported via Process Objects -> Import Blocks... to update comments on existing blocks.

Managing Multilingual HMI Texts with WinCC Text Distributor

To make block comments, alarms, and faceplate titles switch dynamically based on the operator's runtime language:

Perform OS Compilation:
* Compile the OS from SIMATIC Manager. This populates the WinCC Text Library with all block comments and alarm texts in the default project language.
Launch WinCC Text Distributor:
* Open the OS project in WinCC Explorer.
* In the navigation tree, right-click Text Distributor and select Open.
Export Text Library Records:
* In Text Distributor, select Export.
* Under Export scope, check Text Library and Graphics Designer (if static screen texts require translation).
* Select the source language (e.g., English (United States)) and select the target languages (e.g., German (Germany)).
* Specify the output path and file format (*.txt or *.csv). Click Export.
Translate and Re-import:
* Open the exported CSV in an editor supporting UTF-8.
* Populate the translated text strings under the appropriate language columns.
* Return to Text Distributor, select Import, choose the modified file, and execute the import.

Verification

In WinCC Explorer, open Text Library. Confirm that the translated text strings appear under the corresponding language columns for the target block comment IDs.
Launch WinCC Runtime.
Use the language selection button in the navigation header to switch from English to the target language.
Hover over the block icons in the process pictures. Confirm that the tooltip displays the translated block comment, and that opening the faceplate shows the translated header.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Editing block comments in CFC and re-compiling the OS with "Changes only" will overwrite custom translations in the Text Library if the Text Library IDs are re-synchronized. Always maintain a backup of translated Text Distributor exports.
Text Distributor files must be saved with UTF-8 encoding without BOM to prevent character corruption, especially when translating Cyrillic, Asian, or accented European characters.
Do not alter the Text ID numbers in the first column of the Text Distributor export; modifying IDs will corrupt database associations.

Engineer FAQ

Can I make the block comment show in multiple languages inside SIMATIC Manager CFC?
No. CFC charts display only one language at a time based on the active character strings saved in the Step 7 database. Multilingual switching is strictly a WinCC runtime capability.
What happens if a block comment has no translation in the Text Library?
If a translation is missing for the active runtime language, WinCC displays the fallback text (usually the default engineering language) or three question marks (???).
Can I export alarm texts and block comments together?
Yes. WinCC Text Distributor exports both Alarm Logging messages and Text Library entries in a unified or modular batch.

Technical References

SIMATIC PCS 7 Configuration of Texts and Languages Manual (A5E41356268-AA).
SIMATIC WinCC V7/V8 Text Distributor and Multilingual Configuration Guide.
Siemens Industry Online Support Entry ID 109801081: Multilingual Engineering in SIMATIC PCS 7.