Droplist Widget

Formerly, the String Droplist Widget. This has been updated and replaces the older Droplist Control Widget (Legacy version)

Used by: I/O and Calculations, Analog Input, Analog Output, Analog Status, Analog Control, String I/O Tag

The Droplist widget can write an operator-selected value from a defined list to an output device. The write occurs when a value is selected in the list. Use of the confirmation dialog is suggested.

If the linked tag's Questionable Data flag is set, a question mark will be shown before every item in the list.

When displaying Memory Tags that are configured to allow the value to be cleared, the first entry will be "No Data", having a value of "Invalid".

The value matching each label can be text or numeric. Use care to define only values that are appropriate.

Values for each label can be set within the widget's properties dialog, or if the tag has an equipment type, you can set the values within the matching Style Settings properties: Equipment tab

 

The properties dialog for the Droplist widget:

Style

Linked to the System Style Settings tag by default. Needed if you choose the option, Use Tag Equipment Type Labels. (See following notes.)

Font

Controls the display characteristics of the data entry field, but not the label. If you set individual characteristics using the Format ribbon, this will be an expression, combining those characteristics. Otherwise, select a font tag.

Note: While it is possible (and very easy) to modify the appearance of the text within this widget using the Format ribbon of the Idea Studio, you will find it much easier to manage a group of similar controls by defining a font tag and selecting that for each. Changes to all can then be made by adjusting the properties of a single font tag.

Use Tag Equipment Type Labels

When selected, both labels and values are provided by the equipment type matching the linked tag. These must be configured in the selected Style Settings properties: Equipment tab

Label and Value

The list of possible values, and the label that is associated with each value. Values may be text or numeric. If numeric, there is no requirement that values must be consecutive. (Values of 10, 20, 30 are as valid as 1, 2, 3.) Scaling in your output tag will limit the range of possible values.

You cannot use tags or expressions to create dynamically-assigned values.

Use the tools below the list to create or edit the values and labels. You can also double-click an entry to open it for editing. When creating a list of similar values, you may find it easier to copy and edit entries than to create each individually.

Title

Provide text that will tell the operator what to use this Droplist field for.

Align Title

Choose whether the title should be included in the vertical alignment calculation. For example, if vertical alignment is top-aligned and the align title option is not selected then the title will extend above the widget's bounding box.

Mismatch Color

If the driver supports read and write operations at the same address, then when the last value written does not match the value being read, the widget will display the configured mismatch color.

Draw Bevel

Select whether the completed object should be drawn with a beveled border. If the Draw Bevel check box is selected, the completed object will be drawn with a border surrounding it.

Write Blank as Invalid

Do not select when the control writes to a PLC or RTU. This option may be used when required by a Recipe Ingredient Tag

Options

Confirmation Dialog / Disable Control / Disable Context Menu / Disable Tooltips.

Refer to Operator Interaction Controls for a full description of these standard widget options.

Analog Controls\

Text\

String Entry Widget

Choices for Operator Interaction