I would also like to use the "generate from source" function to create datablock instance and data blocks with specific DB numbers because my SCADA uses absolute addressing also. 

Is there a solution to this issue ?  I tried this:

DATA_BLOCK "MBC_dev03_test_Write" DB 8449 

{ S7_Optimized_Access := 'TRUE' }

VERSION : 0.1

NON_RETAIN

"ModbusData_Array"

BEGIN

END_DATA_BLOCK

However the "generate source from block" does not take my DB number of 8449, but instead just assigns the next free DB number. 

Using TIA  V13, sp1

Here is a solution to create a DB from an external source :

the text file contain the following :

==================================

DATA_BLOCK DB189
{ S7_Optimized_Access := 'FALSE' }
VERSION : 0.1
STRUCT
test1 :bool;
END_STRUCT;
BEGIN
END_DATA_BLOCK

==================================


To create multiples DB, here is the text file : (in this example, DB are named, so number will be automatically assigned... and they are instanced DB of function FB1100_Conv_Standard)

==================================

DATA_BLOCK "DI_B_CP01_COU010"
{ S7_Optimized_Access := 'FALSE' }
VERSION : 0.0
"FB1100_Conv_Standard"
BEGIN
END_DATA_BLOCK
DATA_BLOCK "DI_B_CP01_TBH020"
{ S7_Optimized_Access := 'FALSE' }
VERSION : 0.0
"FB1100_Conv_Standard"
BEGIN
END_DATA_BLOCK
DATA_BLOCK "DI_B_CP01_TBH030"
{ S7_Optimized_Access := 'FALSE' }
VERSION : 0.0
"FB1100_Conv_Standard"
BEGIN
END_DATA_BLOCK
DATA_BLOCK "DI_B_CP01_TBH040"
{ S7_Optimized_Access := 'FALSE' }
VERSION : 0.0
"FB1100_Conv_Standard"
BEGIN
END_DATA_BLOCK

==================================

I hope this can help you.

PS : text file is a standard text file

So far, even, with TIA v15, it is not possible to create a DB by specifying the name and the number. Perhaps in update 22 of TIA this will be possible

Alternative solution is to generate DB is Step7 (by name or number), then edit memento table, then convert project to TIA.

Hello,

I confirm, this is still not possible in TIAv17 Upd4

However, to bypass this issue, we have developped an "addin" that allows to do that :

By selecting the DB you need to re-numbered, then activate the addin

Then you can select the first DB number, and the addin will re-numbered all DB

Here is the addin. Please replace .txt by .addin

And place it in the followinf folder :

Hope this will help people !

Seb