Show PCS 7 Message Hiding Columns for States 11–32
PCS 7 supports up to 32 operating-state columns for message hiding, but columns 11–32 are hidden by default. In SIMATIC Manager, open the column-customization settings for the Process Object View's Messages object type and enable the additional state columns. The PCS 7 V7.1 manual also states that state-specific hiding requires the message's block to belong to a block group and the project to use the CPU-wide message concept.
Table of Contents
- Enable the additional state columns
- Confirm the message-hiding prerequisites
- Set only the intended states
- Verification
- Limitations and Operational Precautions
- Engineer FAQ
- Technical References
- Related Articles
- Related Tags
Enable the additional state columns
- Open the PCS 7 project in SIMATIC Manager.
- Open the customization/settings dialog and select the Columns tab.
- Expand Process Object View and select Messages.
- Locate the additional state columns and enable the required columns (11 through 32, as needed).
- Apply the settings and reopen or refresh the Messages view.
Confirm the message-hiding prerequisites
The Siemens Engineering System V7.1 manual states that the message's block must be in a block group and the project must use the CPU-wide message concept for state-specific message hiding. The state columns define operating states in which a message is hidden in OS process mode; they do not create new process states or configure the state-representation block.
Set only the intended states
For each message, mark only the operating states in which hiding is intended. Check the applicable block-group and status-representation configuration so column labels correspond to the expected states. Avoid bulk-changing message suppression without reviewing the operational effect.
Verification
Confirm the additional columns appear in the Messages tab and that intended state selections are saved. In OS process mode, test representative operating states to verify the message is hidden only where configured.
Limitations and Operational Precautions
The cited Siemens manual is PCS 7 V7.1; exact menu labels may vary in other releases. It describes 32 status columns, with 11–32 hidden by default. State-specific message hiding changes operator alarm visibility and requires control-system review.
Engineer FAQ
How many message-hiding states are available in the cited manual? The PCS 7 V7.1 manual describes Status 1 through Status 32.
Why do I initially see only ten states? Columns 11–32 are hidden by default in the Process Object View.
Where do I enable the extra columns? In the Process Object View column settings, under the Messages object type, enable the additional status columns.
Does enabling columns create additional operating states? No. It makes existing status columns visible for configuration.
What prerequisites apply to state-specific message hiding? The block must belong to a block group and the project must use the CPU-wide message concept.
What do the state columns control? They specify operating states in which a message is hidden in OS process mode.
Do column labels always show named states? The manual notes that concrete state names depend on matching listing types in the selected block groups.
Will the same menu names appear in every PCS 7 version? Not necessarily. The reference is for PCS 7 V7.1, so confirm the installed release's menu labels.
How do I verify the configuration? Confirm the columns and settings in the Process Object View, then test the intended OS operating states.
Can alarm hiding affect operator response? Yes. Review state-specific message visibility with the alarm-management design before changing it.