When a device row is selected in the table, the buttons at the bottom of the Devices tab become enabled or disabled. This is based on the current state of the device and the function of the button.
A single device row or multiple device rows can be selected and then the function buttons are used, but the state of each device will determine if the function can be performed.
| Button | Description |
|---|---|
| New | Define a new device. |
| Edit | Edit the device definition. This can be used when the device is in the Started or Stopped state, but care should be taken when modifying the definition of a Started device. This is only available for a single device row selection. |
| Start | Available when the device is in a Stopped state. Change the device to the Started state. |
| Stop | Available when the device is in the Started or Disabled state. Change the device to the Stopped state. |
| Delete | Available when the device is in the Stopped state. Delete the device definition from the node. |
| Refresh | Refresh the information displayed in the Devices tab. The Workbench will periodically refresh the information on its own without the Refresh button being used. |
A device's pop-up menu
If you right-click on a individual device in the device
table, a pop-up menu with options is displayed:
Some menu options will not be available depending on the device's state and the device type. The following describes the menu options available from the pop-up menu:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| New | Displays a New Device window to define a new device. |
| Edit | Displays a Device window to view and
edit the device's definition. When editing a device, keep the following in mind:
|
| Delete | Deletes the device. The device must be in a Stopped state to allow deleting. |
| References | Displays a list of items that have a reference to the device and a list of items that are referenced by the device. |
| Start | Starts the device. The device must be in a Stopped state to allowing starting. |
| Stop | Stops the device. The device must be in a Started or Disabled state to allowing stopping. |
| Refresh Variables | Re-queries the device's variable structure. |
| Duplicate | Duplicates (copies) the device definition. The option allows entering a new name for the copy of the device. |
| Virtualize | Duplicates (copies) the device definition into a virtual copy of the device's variable structure. The option allows entering a new name for the virtual copy of the device. |
| Import | Displays the Import window, allowing the selection of a previously exported export file. |
| Export | Displays the Export window with the selected device and allows the device and its dependencies to be selected for export to a file on the Workbench's computer. For more information on the Export function, see Exporting a project or trigger. |
| Select All | Selects all of the devices. If you
want to exclude one or more devices
from your selection, after using select
all, press and hold down the Ctrl
key, and then click on the device's row in the table. |
| Clear Status | Clears the execution counters and status from the device table and the Status tab for the device. |
| Device Commands | If the device supports device commands, they will be available for selection. The device commands are specific to the device driver. |
Device table and option considerations
- When editing and then saving a started device, the device will be stopped and then saved. You will need to start the device after it has been saved.
- If the device is being edited by another person, you will receive a message indicating the device is locked but still available for view only access.
- Some of the options can be used when multiple
devices are selected. You can use Ctrl-A, Select All,
Shift-click, Ctrl-click, or press and hold the mouse
button while swiping multiple rows to select multiple
devices. Then right-click to display the pop-up menu
and selecting an option will attempt to apply the
option to the multiple selected items. If the option
can not be applied, a message window will indicate the
selections that will be applied.
For example, select three stopped devices and then select Start.
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