Convert IO Lists to PLC Code
Automatically with AI
Import your CSV or Excel IO lists and let AI create all PLC tags, data blocks, UDTs, and function blocks in TIA Portal. Hours of manual data entry done in seconds.
The IO List Problem
Every automation project starts with the same tedious task
You receive an IO list from the electrical engineer — hundreds or thousands of signals in a spreadsheet. Then you spend hours manually creating PLC tags, mapping addresses, building data blocks, and writing the boilerplate code to handle each signal group.
For a medium-sized project with 500 IOs, manual tag creation alone takes 4-8 hours. Add data block structuring, UDT creation, and basic code scaffolding, and you've lost 1-2 days on pure data entry before writing a single line of real automation logic.
And when the electrical engineer revises the IO list (which always happens), you do it all over again.
How AI Automates IO List Processing
From spreadsheet to running PLC code in minutes
1. Import Your IO List
Feed your CSV or Excel file to the AI through T-IA Connect. The AI understands common IO list formats — signal name, address, type, comment, area, rack, slot.
2. AI Analyzes & Maps
The AI parses your IO list, identifies signal groups (motors, valves, sensors), detects naming patterns, and proposes a structured mapping to PLC tags and data blocks.
3. Tags & DBs Created
PLC tag tables are created in TIA Portal with correct addresses, data types, and comments. Data blocks are structured by area or equipment group. UDTs are generated for repeated patterns.
4. Code Scaffolding
Beyond tags, the AI can generate starter FBs for each equipment type — motor control blocks, valve handlers, sensor scaling — pre-wired with the correct IO mapping.
Supported IO List Formats
The AI handles common industrial documentation formats
CSV / TSV Files
Comma or tab-separated files with headers. The AI auto-detects columns for signal name, address, data type, comment, and area.
Excel Spreadsheets
Multi-sheet Excel files with complex layouts. The AI can handle merged cells, multiple tables per sheet, and different formats per sheet.
EPLAN Exports
Signal lists exported from EPLAN P8 or similar E-CAD tools. The AI understands EPLAN naming conventions and device tags.
Custom Formats
Describe your IO list format to the AI and it adapts. Non-standard column names, mixed languages, proprietary templates — the AI handles it.
What Gets Created in TIA Portal
A complete PLC data structure from your IO list
PLC Tag Tables
Organized by area or equipment group. Each tag with correct I/Q/M address, data type (BOOL, WORD, INT, REAL), and descriptive comment from your IO list.
Global Data Blocks
Structured DBs grouping related signals. Example: DB_Area3_Filling with all filling station signals organized in a clean structure.
User-Defined Types
When the AI detects repeated patterns (e.g., 20 motors with the same signal set), it creates a UDT and instantiates it — clean, maintainable code.
Function Block Templates
Starter FBs for each equipment type, pre-connected to the IO mapping. Motor control FBs with your actual IO tags already wired in.
HMI Tag Mapping
If your IO list includes HMI tag names, the AI creates the mapping between PLC tags and HMI variables for Comfort/Unified panels.
Documentation
Cross-reference tables, signal summaries, and block documentation generated from your IO list data. Always up-to-date with the actual configuration.
Manual vs AI IO List Processing
Time comparison for a typical 500-signal IO list
| Task | Manual | AI + T-IA Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Create PLC tag tables (500 tags) | 4-8 hours | 30 seconds |
| Structure data blocks by area | 1-2 hours | 10 seconds |
| Create UDTs for repeated patterns | 1 hour | 10 seconds |
| Generate starter FBs per equipment | Half day | 2 minutes |
| Handle IO list revision (50 changes) | 2-3 hours | 1 minute |
| Total project IO setup | 1-2 days | Under 10 minutes |
Handle IO List Revisions Instantly
The electrical engineer sends revision 3 of the IO list. 47 signals changed, 12 added, 5 removed. Normally this means hours of tedious comparison and manual updates.
With AI, you feed the new IO list and ask: "Compare with the current TIA Portal project and apply the changes." The AI identifies differences, updates tags, adjusts data blocks, and reports what changed — in about a minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the AI understand my specific IO list format?
The AI handles most common formats automatically (CSV with headers, EPLAN exports, standard Excel templates). For custom formats, simply describe the column layout and the AI adapts. It can handle multiple languages, non-standard naming, and even messy spreadsheets with merged cells.
What if my IO list has errors or inconsistencies?
The AI flags issues it finds: duplicate addresses, conflicting data types, missing information, naming inconsistencies. It processes what it can and reports problems for your review — saving you from discovering these issues hours into manual entry.
Can it handle large IO lists (5000+ signals)?
Yes. The AI processes the IO list in chunks and creates tags systematically. For very large projects, it's recommended to process by area or PLC to keep things manageable. A 5000-signal project typically takes 5-10 minutes including UDT creation and code scaffolding.
Does it work with the existing tutorial on CSV to SCL?
Yes. The CSV to SCL tutorial on our site covers the basic workflow. This page describes the full capability — beyond simple tag import, the AI can create complete data structures, UDTs, and starter function blocks from your IO documentation.