Master Data

Master Data

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Managing Master Data..................................................................................3

Defining Master Data Directories.................................................................4

Master Data: Managing Parts Data ..............................................................7

3.1

Synchronize project data with master data ...............................................7

3.2

Synchronize master data with project data ...............................................8

3.3

Delete stored part properties.....................................................................8

Master Data: Managing Forms...................................................................11

4.1

Store form in project................................................................................11

Master Data: Managing Plot Frames .........................................................18

5.1
6

Store plot frame in project .......................................................................18

Master Data: Managing Macros .................................................................25

6.1

Manage macros with parts data ..............................................................25

6.2

Manage macros with plot frames and forms ...........................................25

Master Data: Managing Symbol Libraries.................................................27

7.1

Store symbol libraries (copy to the project).............................................27

7.2

File off symbol libraries (delete from the project) ....................................29

Master Data: Defining Form Settings ........................................................30

Finding and Storing Missing Project Master Data ...................................32

10

Synchronizing Master Data ........................................................................34

10.1

Synchronize individual master data objects ............................................34

10.2

Globally synchronize master data ...........................................................36

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info

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Managing Master Data

Master data files to be edited or stored in the project can be opened in the standard
dialog, which is in a default directory. You can specify settings for this via Options >
Settings > User > Management > Directories.
Actual storage and management depends on the type of master data in question, in
which the program distinguishes between the management of:

Parts data

Forms

Plot frames

Macros

Symbol libraries.

If the specified form / plot frame is not in the master data pool, it can be found using
the Complete project function and can even be automatically stored. If missing
master data can't be found in the master data pool, a message is displayed.
This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info

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Defining Master Data Directories

Options > Settings > User > Management > Directories

The paths to the required databases and files are defined in the defaults for
directories when selecting or editing master data. This information is used by certain
program elements and functions when particular data is required. The settings are
user dependent in order for you to manage and organize your own pool of master
data.
1. In the Projects field of the Settings: Directories dialog, click [...].

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2. In the Browse for Folder dialog select the desired drive and directory.

3. Click [OK].

4. Proceed this way for all further master data types with default directories that
you would like to change. (The default after installing EPLAN is
<Drive_EPLAN>:\<Programs folder>\<Master data type>\<Company
code>.)

5. Click [OK].
The settings are accepted and taken into consideration when calling up the
corresponding data (e.g. when opening or exporting), or they can be reset to
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the default directory specified here by selecting Popup menu > Go to default
in the Path field of the appropriate dialog.

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info

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Master Data: Managing Parts Data

In addition to the general parts database there is a project-related Parts project

database, in which the parts data used in the project are managed separately. Data
for a part is taken from the internal parts database and transferred to the project for
each part, even if only the part number is stored on the component in the graphical
editing at the time the part is selected.
Project data can be synchronized later in both directions with the system master
data. Furthermore, certain stored parts properties can be removed from the project.

3.1

Synchronize project data with master data

1. Open the project whose master data is to be synchronized.

2. Select Utilities > Parts > Current project --> parts database.
Project parts are synchronized with the master data parts, i.e. they are
accepted into the parts database and overwrite the datasets stored there.

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3.2

Synchronize master data with project data

1. Open the project whose master data is to be synchronized.

2. Select Utilities > Parts > Parts database --> current project.
Master data parts are synchronized with the project-related data, i.e. the
parts database data is accepted into the project and overwrites the data in the
project.

3.3

Delete stored part properties

1. Open the project whose master data is to be synchronized.

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2. Select Utilities > Parts > Delete stored properties.

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3. In the Delete stored parts properties dialog, select the Delete check box for
each part property that you would like to delete from the part stored in the
project.

4. Click [OK].
The selected parts properties will be deleted.

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info

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Master Data

Master Data: Managing Forms

Forms are edited as individual files and added individually to the project as soon as
they are used in the project. This means: As soon as a form is selected for use in a
project (e.g. on a page) the selected form if it does not already exist in the project
it is automatically stored. An original form is not deleted from the project when
another form is selected, but rather it remains embedded even if it is no longer used.
If the selected form is not in the master data pool it can be found via the menu item
Utilities > Master data > Complete current project and, if necessary, automatically
corrected. If missing master data cannot be found in the master data pool, then an
appropriate message is displayed.

4.1

Store form in project

Precondition:
You have opened a project.
1. Select Utilities > Master data > Form > Open.

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Master Data
2. Select the form to be edited in the Open forms dialog.

3. Click on [Open].

4. Edit the form in the forms editor.

5. In the page navigator, select the page to which you would like to assign the
form.

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6. Select Popup menu > Properties.

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Master Data
(New)
7. If the Form name property is not yet in the list of properties, click
next to the Category field in the Properties group box of the Page properties
dialog.

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8. In the Property selection dialog select the Form name property.

9. Click [OK].
The property is added to the end of the Property name list.

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10. Open the drop-down list in the Value field for the Form name property.

11. Click [Browse].

12. Select the changed form in the Select form dialog.

13. Click [Open].

The form is transferred to the Value column.

14. If required, you can change the values of the other properties of the page.

15. Click [OK].

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Master Data
The form is stored in the project and can be assigned to a page at any time
without having to open it again.

Form master data is referenced as follows:

All forms used on pages

All forms stored in the settings for reports (Options > Settings > Projects >
"Project name" > Reports > Graphical output)

All forms saved in the following function types: mounting panel objects,
terminal and plug definition texts, cables

Placed forms (e.g. enclosure legends).

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info

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Master Data

Master Data: Managing Plot Frames

Plot frames are edited as individual files and added individually to the project as soon
as they are used in the project. This means: As soon as a plot frame is selected for
use in a project (e.g. on a page) if it does not already exist in the project it is
automatically stored. An original plot frame is not deleted from the project when
another plot frame is selected, but rather it remains embedded even if it is no longer
used.
If the selected form is not in the master data pool, it can be found via the menu item
Utilities > Master data > Complete current project and, if necessary, automatically
corrected. If missing master data cannot be found in the master data pool, then an
appropriate message is displayed.

5.1

Store plot frame in project

Precondition
You have opened a project.
1. Select Utilities > Master data > Plot frame > Open.

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Master Data
2. Select the plot frame to be edited in the Plot frame selection dialog.

3. Click on [Open].

4. Edit the plot frame in the plot frame editor.

5. In the page navigator, select the page to which you would like to assign the
plot frame.

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Master Data
6. Select Popup menu> Properties.

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Master Data
7. If the Plot frame name property is not yet in the list of properties, click
(New) next to the Category field in the Properties group box of the Page
properties dialog.

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Master Data
8. In the Property selection dialog select the Plot frame name property.

9. Click [OK].
The property is added to the end of the Property name list.

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10. Open the drop-down list in the Value field for the Plot frame name property.

11. Click [Browse].

12. Select the changed plot frame in the Select plot frame dialog.

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13. Click [Open].
The plot frame is transferred to the Value list.

14. If required, you can change the values of the other properties of the page.

15. Click [OK].

The plot frame is stored in the project and can be assigned to a page at
any time without having to open it again.

Plot frame master data is referenced as follows:

All plot frames used on pages

The plot frame specified under Options > Settings > Projects > "Project
name" > Management > Pages as the Standard plot frame.

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info

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Master Data

Master Data: Managing Macros

Macros are broken up in the project as soon as they are inserted. Data is then
undistinguishable from manually inserted individual elements. All data in a macro are
referenced when stored (except foreign language texts).
The name of the symbol library from which the macro was generated (drawn) is
stored in the macro. This way the macro preview will use the correct symbol library
for the display.
In the operating system layer, macros are individual files that can be sent to end
customers, for example.

6.1

Manage macros with parts data

If a macro contains parts, they are not automatically stored. To do this at a later
stage, proceed as follows:

Warning:
Please note that this action will overwrite all other project-related parts data with
master data.

Precondition:
You have opened a project.
1. Select Utilities > Parts > Parts database --> current project.
Project parts in macros are synchronized with the master data parts, i.e.
the data in the parts database is accepted into the macros.

6.2

Manage macros with plot frames and forms

If the macro contains a plot frame or form, it will not be automatically stored. To do
this at a later stage, proceed as follows:
Precondition:
You have opened a project.
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1. Select Utilities > Master data > Complete current project.
The project searches for the missing master data contained in the macro, in
which these are then automatically stored.

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info

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Master Data

Master Data: Managing Symbol Libraries

Symbols are compiled, edited, and managed in symbol libraries. The project settings
(inherited by symbols, e.g. line thickness of the symbol) for the current project are
used in managing the symbol libraries.
Symbol selection (Insert > Symbol) only displays those symbols from the stored
symbol libraries and symbol libraries are identified by name (without the path) in
projects.

7.1

Store symbol libraries (copy to the project)

Symbol libraries are added to the project as soon as they are entered into the project
settings, or they are opened or generated in the project.
Precondition:
You have opened a project.
Options > Settings > Projects > "Project name" > Management > Symbol
libraries
1. In the Settings: Symbol libraries dialog, click [...] in a column below Symbol
libraries.

2. In the Select symbol library dialog select the new symbol library.

3. Click on [Open].

4. If you have clicked [...] in the column of an already assigned symbol library,
EPLAN checks whether the original symbol library and the newly selected one
are both compatible. If this is not the case, the process will be interrupted with
a prompt.
If the two symbol libraries are compatible, you have to confirm the exchange in
the Exchange symbol libraries dialog. Click [Yes].

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5. If you have clicked [...] in an empty column, the storage process is
automatically started.

6. Select the Synchronize check box if the symbol library should be managed on
a project basis.

7. If necessary, change the preceding sign (the default is the first letter of the
symbol library) so that you can differentiate between the symbol libraries in the
list view in the Symbol selection if you select Popup menu > Name with
preceding sign.

8. Proceed this way for all of the further symbol libraries that you would like to
store in the project.

9. Click [OK].
The new symbol libraries are stored in the project.

Symbol libraries are referenced as follows:

All symbol libraries specified under Options > Settings > Projects > "Project
name" > Management > Symbol libraries

All symbol libraries opened via Utilities > Master data > Symbol library >
Open or generated via Utilities > Master data > Symbol library > New

Symbol libraries contained in the Assignment 'Property / value to graphic',

Assignment 'Function definition to graphic' and Assignment 'Index to
graphic' form properties.
Note:

If you initiate a symbol library update in the Synchronization of master data

<Project name> dialog (menu items Utilities > Master data > Synchronize current
project), the individual symbols will be checked before the symbol library is replaced.
If incompatible data is found the process is interrupted with a prompt.

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7.2

File off symbol libraries (delete from the project)

Before deleting a symbol library from the settings, and therefore from the project, the
library is checked for symbols that are still used in the project. It is possible to delete
if the symbol library is not being used.
Precondition:
You have opened a project.
Options > Settings > Projects > "Project name" > Management > Symbol
libraries
1. In the Settings: Symbol libraries dialog, select the symbol library that you
would like to delete from the project.

2. Click

(Delete).

3. If symbols from the selected symbol library are still being used in the project,
click [OK] to confirm the prompt.

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info

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Master Data

Master Data: Defining Form Settings

Master data is stored on a project-related basis and can be synchronized with the
master data pool when opening, saving, or restoring the project. There are project
settings especially for forms, which you can specify as follows:
Precondition:
You have opened (at least) one project.
Options > Settings > Projects > "Project name" > Reports > Output to page
1. In the Settings: Output to page dialog, open the Form drop-down list for the
reporting type whose settings you would like to edit.

2. Click [Browse].

3. Select the desired form in the Select form dialog. Only the data type
appropriate to the currently selected report type will be displayed under Files
of type.

4. Select the Preview check box in order to display the graphic for the form that
is selected in the list.

5. Click [Open].
The form will be displayed in the Form column and the associated text will
be displayed in the Description (form, plot frame) form property below the
table.

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6. Select the Project related check box if the form should be managed on a
project basis.

7. Specify additional settings for the form.

8. Click [OK].
The form will be stored in the project with the new / changed settings.

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info

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Master Data

Finding and Storing Missing Project Master

Data

By copying pages, for example, it can occur that new master data references to
forms, plot frames, etc. will be inserted in the project. These do not necessarily have
to be in the target project because referenced master data is not automatically
embedded. Such projects can still be updated / completed, i.e., the used but unsaved
master data is taken from the master data pool and copied into the project.
Preconditions:
You have opened the project whose master data is to be completed.
You have no editor open for working on master data (Plot frame editor, Form

editor ...).
1. Select Utilities > Master data > Complete current project.
The project will search for the missing master data and, if it exists, it will be
automatically stored.

Note:
The result of this action is logged in the system messages. This records, for example,
when no data is in the master data pool for missing project master data or when an
error occurs during completion. The relevant information can then be found under
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Utilities > System messages.

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info

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Master Data

10

Synchronizing Master Data

The master data (e.g. a symbol library) is not referenced, but rather stored in the
project, i.e. copied into the project. The storage of the master data being used thus
occurs within the Project. Depending on the project settings specified under Options
> Settings > Projects > "Project name" > Management > General, Options >
Settings > Projects > "Project name" > Management > Symbol libraries, and
Options > Settings > Projects > "Project name" > Reports > Display / output you
can, if necessary, manually start the synchronization of project master data with the
system-specific data.
Note:
The master data comparison is not case-sensitive with regard to file names. The file
name ABC.XYZ is identical to abc.xyz.

10.1 Synchronize individual master data objects

Preconditions:
You have opened the project whose master data is to be synchronized.
You have no editor open for working on master data (Plot frame editor, Form

editor, etc.).
Utilities > Master data > Synchronize current project

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Master Data
1. In the Synchronization of master data <Project name> dialog click the
column heading in the tables in order to sort the data alphanumerically either
ascending or descending by column. For example, if you click the column
Type, all entries will be sorted and displayed according to the Master data
type.

2. In the Project master data list select the master data objects that you would
like to transfer to the system master data. (Multiple selection is possible.)

3. Click

4. In the System master data list select the master data objects that you would
like to transfer to the project master data. (Multiple selection is possible.)

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5. Click

6. Click [Close].

Note:
In both actions, EPLAN informs you in a message window as to how many project /
system master data files were updated and, if the project / system master data were
identical, in which a message is also generated.

10.2 Globally synchronize master data

Preconditions:
You have opened the project whose master data is to be synchronized.
You have no editor open for working on master data (Plot frame editor, Form

editor, etc.).
Utilities > Master data > Synchronize current project

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1. In the Synchronization of master data <Project name> dialog select
[Update] > Project in order to globally replace all outdated project master
data with newer system master data.

2. Select [Update] > System to globally replace all outdated system master data
with newer project master data.

3. Click [Close].

Notes:
In both actions, EPLAN informs you in a message window as to how many

project / system master data files were updated and, if the project / system
master data were identical, in which a message is also generated.
When updating Symbol libraries the files in question are checked for

compatibility (e.g. regarding connection point designations). If they are not

compatible the process will be interrupted with a prompt.

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Master Data

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