From PLC to Excel with DDE

[rdeavers 0]

I am using a 205 with a 250-1 cpu. I know there is a way to get information from a plc to excel but i dont know where to start. Can someone help me?

[b_carlton 61]

Check out the OPC server at AutomationDirect (PC-KEPPLC).

[rdeavers 0]

I am trying to not use the OPC server software that they have. I am looking to build my own script in Excel to take the data from the PLC.

[b_carlton 61]

Excel does not know how to "talk" to the PLC. What will you use for that function?

[rdeavers 0]

I found this thread on another website that discussed how to do it. This, although, is for an ab plc. I have a plc direct. I am sure that it differs somehow. I'm not too knowledgeable about plcs but i do know vb. Can this work for automation direct plc's? http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/archive/index...x.php/t-31.html

[b_carlton 61]

That thread refers to RSLinx which is a communication program for the Allen-Bradley system and is the necessary link. The OPC server I referred to in the earlier post is the equivalent item. Someway, somehow, you need to have a communication link between the PLC and the Excel software.

[Chris Elston 78]

Just for kicks and giggles, you can download topic that was discussed here: http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?act=Downl...&CODE=02&id=134 That's my spreadsheet I was talking about in the topic. However like carlton has said, AD doesn't use RS Linx and I haven't done an excel to AD PLC yet myself.

[koshari 0]

i have open office calc (open offices spreadshhet) talking to a dl205 via dde using dsdde. you will need dsdde to interprit the dde commands from windows to the plc, then its just a matter of setting the right syntax from the cell to extracting your value. =DDE("dsdde";"Koyotopic";"x00") is the arguement for the cell in calc excel will be simmilar, i recall it contains the pipe charactor somewhere, i think between the topic and the application. cheers,