Hi all,

I am working on a big SCADA project developed with WinCC Professional. One of the functionalities I need to deliver is automatic backup and restore of some process information (SQL database). I am able to collect the necessary data and back them up. The operator could perform several backups. These backups could be then used to restore the process information in case of a system faillure. I was not able to find an object in WinCC that would allow me to open a File Open Dialog, common to Windows, so that the user could navigate to a certain file and folder. Is there something similar available in WinCC? Maybe this could be achieved with a script (which wuold be my prefered option)?

Hi all,

I just want to share with you, that I contacted Siemens asking if they can help on this topic. The answer was "No, I guess it is not possible in WinCC". Siemens support also proposed that I can use the Extended support so that they can create some scripts for me. I find it anoying that Siemens cannot provide a simple solution to such a topic.

Anyhow, I managed to solve my problem. I built up a File Open Dialog with the available WinCC objects and scripts. I managed to achieve what I wanted with the following aproaches:

• use of shell VBS object -> I call DOS commands and capture the shell output into a text file which I then read into List Objects on HMI screen.
• use of File System Object -> fso objects provide many methods and properties that can be used in the same way

It does not look fancy and it has some drawbacks, i.e. to enter a subdirectory, I use a pushbutton to call appropriate script, whereas it would be nicer if the user could enter a directory withe double-click on selected list item (simple Click event on the List box object works faulty when there is a scroll bar displayed next to the list).

I am pretty sure this could possible also work with the use of ActiveX controls or .NET controls. Here I do not have the necessary experience and time to investigate that, so maybe one of you could make some trials?

I attach a WinCC V13 project for all interested. Comments / imprevements are welcome!