VBA can be used to customize and extend the functionality of iFIX. For example, you can create a custom wizard that automatically builds an iFIX picture at the click of a button. This functionality allows a user to develop automatic picture creation templates that can greatly reduce development time and effort when developing applications with large numbers of pictures. In addition, VBA enables you to manipulate, retrieve, and modify data from iFIX applications. For example, you can write a script that reads data from a database block and stores that information into a Microsoft SQL Server database. You can manipulate the objects in an iFIX picture based on the information in a Microsoft Word document. When you use VBA with iFIX, you build the most powerful industrial automation solution available.
Once you begin working with the iFIX object model, you will start to understand how powerful VBA really is. Through VBA, you can:
- Extend or customize the functionality of iFIX applications.
- Manipulate an iFIX application or its data.
- Create your own custom dialog boxes to exchange data with operators.
- Integrate data from several iFIX applications.
- Create wizards that can perform several tasks at the click of a button.
VBA Features Not Supported in iFIX
- Ability to choose ActiveX Designers as project items.
- Developer add-ins (COM add-ins).
- Digital signatures for VBA projects.
- Multi-threaded projects.
- Strengthened project passwords.
