Commissioning 
  8.4 Commissioning the Modules 
S7-300, CPU 31xC and CPU 31x: Installation 
Operating Instructions, Edition 08/2004, A5E00105492-05 
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Online Help 
The online help for the active window is always called by pressing F1. 
8.4.7  Monitoring and modifying I/Os 
The "Monitor and modify tags" tool 
 The STEP 7 "Monitor and modify tags" tool lets you:  
•  monitor program tags in any format 
•  edit the tag status or data in the CPU (modifying). 
Creating a tag table 
You have two options of creating a tag table (VAT): 
•  in the LAD / FBD / STL editor by selecting the  PLC > Monitor/Modify Variables command 
This table is also available directly online. 
•  in SIMATIC Manager with the Blocks container open via menu item Insert New Object > 
Variable table 
This table created offline can be saved for future retrieval. You can also test it after 
switching to online mode. 
VAT structure: 
In the VAT, every address to be monitored or modified (e.g. inputs, outputs) occupies one 
row. 
The meaning of the VAT columns is as follows: 
 
Column text  This field ... 
Address  contains the absolute address of the variable 
Icon  contains the symbolic descriptor of the variable. 
This is identical to the specification in the Symbol Table. 
Symbol comment  shows the symbol comment of the Symbol Table 
Status format  contains the default format setting, e.g. HEX. 
You can change the format as follows: 
•  right-click in the format field. The Format List opens. 
or 
•  left-click in the format field until the relevant format appears 
Status value  shows the content of the variable at the time of update 
Modify value  is used to enter the new variable value (modify value)