Configure the log settings for the LogWin module
- Last UpdatedOct 29, 2026
- 5 minute read
Configure the log settings for the LogWin module to select exactly which types of messages are included in the log.
Before you begin this task, verify that the project is running on either the local or remote computer and that the LogWin module is open for that computer.
By default, the log shows only debugging and error messages — that is, messages which indicate your project is not running properly. If the log showed all possible messages generated during project run time, it would quickly overflow and become unusable. Configuring these log settings allows you to select the types of log messages that you want to include in the log.
Note: If you are using the LogWin module to view the log for the local computer, be aware that it shares its log settings with the Output window in the project development environment. If you change the settings for one, they will also be changed for the other. For more information, see Output window.
To configure the log settings for the LogWin module:
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In the LogWin window, on the Log menu, select the types of log messages that you want to include in the log.
You will need to open the menu to select each additional option, because there is not a single dialog box for the options as there is in the Output window.
Option
Description
Field Read Commands
Show any read commands that are sent to connected devices.
Field Write Commands
Show any write commands that are sent to connected devices.
Protocol Analyzer
Show messages generated by configured device drivers.
OPC UA
Show messages generated by the OPC UA Client Runtime task.
OPC UA Server
Show messages generated by the OPC UA Server Runtime task.
Authentication
Display a message whenever a user logs on or logs out. (For more information, see Security System.)
Trace Messages
Show messages generated by the Trace function. This function is used to generate customized messages from within your project.
Database Messages
Show messages generated by communication with external databases and AVEVA Historian through the Database Gateway. Historian connection messages appear only when Database logging is enabled in the runtime log settings.
Recipe/Report
Show messages generated by the execution of Recipe and Report worksheets.
Display Open/Close
Display detailed information whenever a screen is opened or closed:
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Disk Load Time: Time to load the screen file from the disk into memory.
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Open Time: Time to open the screen, including initializing tags used in the screen and running any "OnOpen" scripts or functions.
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Total Load Time: Total time to load the screen (includes Disk Load Time and Open Time above).
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First Draw Time: Time to first drawing of screen objects.
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First OnWhile Time: Time to first running of any "OnWhile" scripts or functions.
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Total Open Time: Total time to open the screen (includes First Draw Time and First OnWhile Time above).
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Close Time: Time to close the screen, including finalizing tags used in the screen and running any "OnClose" scripts or functions.
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Total Close Time: Total time to close the screen, including the time to close the screen file on the disk.
This information can be used to analyze runtime performance on low-end target systems. If a particular step of opening or closing takes an unusually long time, then it can be identified and redesigned.
TCP/IP Messages
Show messages generated by TCP/IP communications.
Mobile Access/IoT View
Show messages generated by Mobile Access andIoT View.
Insert date/time
Timestamp each message.
Log To File
After you select an option, a check mark is displayed next to it to indicate that it has been selected.
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If you select OPC UA in the Log menu, a dialog box is displayed. In this dialog box, select Enable, and then select the types of OPC messages that you want to include in the log.
Each OPC task has its own settings, but the descriptions of the settings are the same for all OPC tasks. The example messages below are for OPC UA.
Option
Description
Read
Enable trace messages on read operations. Examples of messages:
OPC UA: Read Group 1 Started – OK
OPC UA: Read Group 1 Completed – OK
OPC UA: Read Group 25 Started – Error, asynchronous reading pending for the current group
Write
Enable trace messages on write operations. Examples of messages:
OPC UA: Write Group 1 Started [Line 1 = 10.25, Line 42 = 20.45] – Status OK
OPC UA: Write Group 1 Completed [All Items] – Status OK
Connection
Enable trace messages on changes in connection status between the OPC Client (that is, your project) and the OPC Server. Examples of messages:
OPC UA: Connection established with server "Connection1"
OPC UA: Error to connect to server "Connection2" – Time out waiting for server response
Subscription
Enable trace messages on subscriptions to server items, such as the creation of new subscriptions and changes in data type. Examples of messages:
OPC UA: Group 1 => Subscription created
You also need to select the level of verbosity for OPC messages.
Option
Description
Error
Critical issues that have caused the OPC communication to fail. These issues must be resolved before you can resume communication.
Warning
Non-critical issues that affect runtime performance or might cause the OPC communication to fail under other conditions. These issues should be resolved as soon as possible.
Includes Error above.
Information
All messages generated by the OPC communication. This is the default option.
Please note this can be extremely verbose, depending on which type(s) of messages you have selected to display and how many OPC item subscriptions you have created.
Includes Error and Warning above.
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If you select Mobile Access in the Log menu, the Mobile Access dialog box is displayed. In this dialog box, select Enable, and then select the types of Mobile Access messages that you want to include in the log.
By default, only error messages — that is, messages about critical issues that have caused Mobile Access to fail — are included in the log. For more information about the available options, see Use the activity log to troubleshoot the Mobile Access web interface.
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If you want to log every change in the values of specific project tags, do the following:
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On the Log menu, click Tags.
The Log Tags dialog box is displayed.
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In the dialog box, click Add.
The Object Finder window is displayed.
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Use the Object Finder to select a project tag that you want to log, and then click OK.
Tip: You can also log changes in tag properties. For more information, see Reference a tag property instead of a project tag.
The selected tag is added to the log.
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Repeat as needed for each project tag that you want to log.
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Click Close to close the Log Tags dialog box.
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If you want to insert a time stamp in the log messages, click Insert date/time on the Options menu.
The new settings are saved in a file on the local computer. Every time you open the LogWin module on that computer, it will use the settings from the file, regardless of which project runtime the module connects to.