GrafcetMaker Open the editor

Variables

Every name used in a receptivity or an action is a variable of the project. Declaring it gives it a type and a direction, lets GrafcetMaker check your expressions and lets the simulator offer the right controls.

Kinds of variables

  • Direction: an input comes from the process (sensors, buttons) and can only be read; an output drives the process (motors, lamps); an internal variable is a memory or counter.
  • Type: BOOL (true / false), INT (whole number), REAL (decimal number) or TIME (duration, e.g. 500ms, 3s).
  • Initial value: the value at the start of a simulation (FALSE or 0 when empty).
  • Address and comment: free text, e.g. a PLC address %I0.0 and what the signal is.

Names are not case-sensitive, use letters, digits and _, and cannot be reserved words (AND, OR, NOT, RE, FE, TRUE, FALSE, MOD, INIT) or look like a step variable (X12).

Creating variables

  • While typing an expression, a new name is declared when you confirm: an input in a receptivity, an output in an action. This is the fastest way.
  • Add variable in the Variables list or table.
  • Import a list from Excel or CSV (below).

The variable table

The Variables button at the bottom right opens the variables on the right of the window: a compact list (search, filter chips, groups by direction; click a variable to edit it and see where it is used). Widen the panel by its left edge and it becomes the table, with every field in columns. Edit any cell in place (Enter or leaving the cell applies, Esc reverts), sort by clicking a column header, filter by text, direction and type. The table stays fast with thousands of variables.

The Uses column counts the expressions that use each variable; an unused variable shows 0 in orange. Click the number to open the variable in the properties card: edit all its fields and see where it is used; click a use to jump to that receptivity or action on the diagram.

The broom button next to ⋯ removes every unused variable at once (its badge says how many): those no receptivity, action or condition uses and no scenario drives. It is one step to undo (Ctrl+Z). It is also in the command palette: Remove unused variables.

On a phone the Variables panel is a compact list instead: search, filter chips (Inputs, Outputs, Internal), groups by direction, and a tap opens a variable with its uses.

Renaming

Renaming a variable updates every receptivity, action and condition that uses it, in all grafcets, as one undoable change.

Excel and CSV

Use the ⋯ menu of the Variables list or table, or File › Variables:

  • Export variables as Excel writes an .xlsx workbook with a frozen header, filters and drop-down lists for type and direction.
  • Export variables as CSV writes a text file for other tools.
  • Import variables reads an .xlsx or .csv file (you can also drop it on the window).

The columns are name, type, direction, initial, address and comment (in any order; only name and type are required). Before anything changes you see how many variables will be added, updated or rejected, with the reason for each rejected row. Variables are matched by name; those not in the file are kept. The import is one undoable change.

Tip: to prepare a list in Excel, export first: you get the right columns and drop-down lists, then fill in rows and import the file back.