Save log messages from the Output window to a file

Configure the log settings for the Output window in order to save its output — that is, the log messages from the project running on the local computer — to a file.

To configure the settings for the Output window:

1. In the Output window, make sure the LogWin tab is selected.

2. Right-click anywhere in the Output window, and then click Settings on the shortcut menu.

   The Log Settings dialog box is displayed with the Log Options tab selected.

   

3. Select the Log To File option, and then click the More button (…) to the right of the option.

   The Log To File dialog box is displayed.

   

4. Select how you want to save the output.

   Option	Description
   Date	The log is saved in dated files in the project folder, using the file name format YYMMDD.log (for example, 200110.log). A new file is created for each day the project runs.
   Custom File Name	The log is saved in a single file at a specified location.

5. If you selected Custom File Name, use the File Name box to specify where the file should be saved:

   1. Click the browse button to the right of the File Name box.

      A standard Save As dialog box is displayed.

   2. Locate the folder in which you want to save the file, and then in the File name box, type the custom file name.

   3. Click Save.

      The Save As dialog box is closed, and the file path and name are displayed in the File Name box.

6. Click OK to close the Log To File dialog box.

   If your project is already running, it will start saving the file(s) immediately. Otherwise, it will start saving the file(s) the next time it is run.

   The saved log files can quickly fill the available storage space, depending on how active the project is and how the log settings are configured, so you should be careful about leaving the Log To File option selected for extended periods. This should be for testing and debugging purposes only. If you want to save a more permanent record of runtime behavior or performance, use Alarms, Events, Trends, Reports, and other such features in your project.