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Create information message displays

Use the information message display object to give the operator run-time messages about information that requires immediate attention.

When you create a project, the application creates a default graphic display called [INFORMATION] that contains an information message display object. The graphic display also contains buttons for acknowledging messages and closing the display.

You can use the [INFORMATION] display as is, or modify the appearance of the information message display object and buttons in the display. Or, you can create your own graphic display containing an information message display object and buttons that you create.

If you set up your own graphic display, use an On Top display, otherwise an error will be generated when the runtime application is created. You can also select the Cannot Be Replaced option. This means that, when a message occurs, your display will open on top of the current display, and will remain open until the operator closes it. You can use the information acknowledge button with the information message display object.

Tip:

  • Specify the graphic display to use for information messages, and the file containing the messages to display, in the Information Setup editor.
  • The application monitors the Value connection to determine when to display a message. Assign a tag or expression to the Value connection in the Information Setup editor. The display opens automatically whenever the Value connection value changes to a non-zero value.
  • Set up the messages and their trigger values in the Information Messages editor. When the Value connection matches a trigger value at run time, that message is shown on the information message display object. If the Value connection value does not match any trigger value, the message display shows question marks as the message.
  • The display opens automatically whenever the Value connection value changes to a non-zero value. You can also create a goto display button that the operator can press to open the display containing the information message display object.
  • You can place an information message display object on any display, not just on an information display.

To create an information message display

  1. In the Graphics Display editor, select Advanced > Information from the Objects menu, then choose Message Display.
  2. Drag the mouse to position and draw a rectangle the general size and location you want the display to be.
  3. Double-click the message display to open its Properties dialog box.
  4. In the Properties dialog box, specify how the display looks.

See also

How the information message display works at run time

Configure the information message display appearance

Causes of run-time errors for the information message display

About information messages

Set up how information messages are shown

Keywords: information