Display Active Messages Count

In the previous steps, we learned how to trigger messages and saw how HELIO displays them as a dialog when they are triggered by our PLC, which is great. However if an operator simply closes the new message, there is no indication within our HMI that there is still one or more messages currently active.

Sounds like an important challenge we should solve as soon as possible. Fortunately, there is already a Dynamic Property that allows us to do just that. So let's add a global active message indicator.

1. Add A New Header Cell

• Add a Header Cell to the header of your HMI.
• Choose a nice Icon that communicates what operators are going to see when they activate this header.

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2. Activate and Configure the Badge

• Activate the Badge property of the Header Cell element.
• Use the Dynamic Property Number of Active Messages and configure it to count all the messages, no matter which status or level.

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3. Simulate Message And Test the Result

So try simulating multiple types and level of messages and see how the header cell and the badge respond. Have fun!

Mission accomplished!

We've introduced a global place in the header to display the number of active messages. In the next step you'll learn how to display a collection of all active and archived messages, have fun!