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EPLAN Expert Properties Reference Guide

A comprehensive reference guide to the most important and most frequently used properties in EPLAN P8, including their IDs, categories, data sources, form usage, output examples, and practical expert tips for effective use in electrical project documentation.

EPLAN Expert Properties Reference Guide

EPLAN Electric P8 — Essential Properties Reference for Experts

Software: EPLAN Electric P8 Topic: Most-used placeholder properties, their IDs, categories, and which forms they appear in Level: Intermediate / Expert Reference


Overview

This reference documents the most important and most frequently used properties in EPLAN P8 — the ones expert engineers rely on when building and customizing forms. Each property entry includes:

  • Internal property ID
  • Category it belongs to
  • What data it outputs
  • Which form types (.f??) it is used in
  • Practical usage notes

How to Read This Document

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Property Name       The readable name shown in the Placeholder texts browser
ID                  Internal EPLAN property number (e.g., <20001>)
Category            Filter group in the browser
Data Source         Header object (page/project level) or Data object (row level)
Form Used In        Which .f?? form types this property appears in
Output Example      What the generated report actually shows

1. General / Project Properties

These are the most used properties in title blocks and cover sheets. They pull data from the project properties dialog and are placed in the Header object context.

Property NameIDCategoryData SourceOutput ExampleForm Used In
Project name<10011>GeneralHeader objectEPLAN_Sample_Project_Education.f00 .f01 .f10 .f11 .f05
Creator<10081>GeneralHeader objectJ. Smith.f00 .f01
Creation date<10091>GeneralHeader object01.03.2026.f00 .f01
Last editor<10082>EditingHeader objectM. Mueller.f00 .f01
Modification date<10092>EditingHeader object11.03.2026.f00 .f01
Approved by<10083>GeneralHeader objectT. Bauer.f00
Approval date<10093>GeneralHeader object12.03.2026.f00
Customer<10021>CustomerHeader objectAcme Industries GmbH.f00 .f01
Order number<10031>GeneralHeader objectPO-2026-0042.f00
Project description<10013>GeneralHeader objectMain control panel MCC-01.f00 .f01
Revision index<10151>GeneralHeader objectRev. 03.f00 .f01
Drawing number<10141>GeneralHeader objectE-2026-001.f00

Where to set these values: Project properties dialog → Project dataGeneral tab. Changes here automatically update all title blocks on every page.


2. Page Properties

Used inside table of contents, title blocks, and any form that needs page-level metadata.

Property NameIDCategoryData SourceOutput ExampleForm Used In
Page name<11001>GeneralHeader object=GB1+ET1/7.f01 .f00
Page description<11011>GeneralHeader objectTerminal diagram X1.f01 .f00
Page number<11021>GeneralHeader object7.f00 .f01 .f10 .f11
Total page count<11031>GeneralHeader object24.f00 .f01
Page type<11051>GeneralHeader objectCircuit diagram.f01
Higher-level assignment<11061>GeneralHeader object=GB1.f01 .f00
Installation location<11071>GeneralHeader object+ET1.f01 .f00
Scale<11081>GeneralHeader object1:1.f00

3. Device / Function Properties

The most critical properties for device tag lists, parts lists, and circuit documentation. Always used in the Data object context inside the row template.

Property NameIDCategoryData SourceOutput ExampleForm Used In
Device tag (full)<20001>DevicesData object=GB1+ET1-K1.f06 .f05 .f01
Function text<20011>DevicesData objectMain contactor 11kW.f06 .f05 .f11 .f10
Function definition<20021>Function dataData objectContactor, normally open.f06
Higher-level assignment<20031>DevicesData object=GB1.f06 .f05
Installation location<20041>DevicesData object+ET1.f06 .f05 .f10
Device tag (short)<20051>DevicesData object-K1.f06 .f11 .f10
Cross-reference<20061>DevicesData objectPage 5 / Col. 3.f06
Type designation<20071>DevicesData object3RT2026.f06 .f05
Supplementary field 1<20901>DataData objectFree custom text.f06 .f05

4. Parts / BOM Properties

Essential for summarized parts lists and device tag lists. These read from the parts management database.

Property NameIDCategoryData SourceOutput ExampleForm Used In
Part number (article)<20601>PartsData object3RT2026-1AP00.f05 .f06
Manufacturer<20611>PartsData objectSiemens.f05 .f06
Order number<20621>PartsData object3RT2026-1AP00.f05
Description 1<20631>PartsData objectContactor 11kW 230VAC.f05 .f06
Description 2<20632>PartsData object3-pole, screw terminals.f05 .f06
Quantity (count)<20801>PartsData object5.f05 .f06
Unit<20811>PartsData objectpcs.f05
Price (unit)<20821>PricesData object45.00 €.f05
Price (total)<20831>PricesData object225.00 €.f05
EAN / barcode<20641>PartsData object4011209262856.f05
Mounting location<20651>Mounting dataData objectDIN rail, slot 4.f05 .f06
Supplementary field: Text<20501>PartsData objectFree additional field.f05 .f06

Expert tip: Use Description 1 + Description 2 together in BOM forms — Description 1 for the short type name, Description 2 for variant/option details.


5. Terminal Properties

Used exclusively in terminal-strip overview (.f10) and terminal diagram (.f11) forms.

Property NameIDCategoryData SourceOutput ExampleForm Used In
Terminal designation<31001>ConnectionData objectX1:5.f10 .f11
Terminal strip name<31011>ConnectionData objectX1.f10 .f11
Terminal number<31021>ConnectionData object5.f10 .f11
Connection designation (internal)<31031>ConnectionData object=GB1+ET1-K3:14.f11
Connection designation (external)<31041>ConnectionData object=GB1+FIELD-Y1:A1.f11
Wire color<31051>ConnectionData objectBK (Black).f10 .f11
Wire cross-section<31061>ConnectionData object1.5 mm².f10 .f11
Potential / signal name<31071>ConnectionData objectL1.f10 .f11
Terminal type<31081>PartsData objectCLIPLINE 2.5 BU.f10
Jumper / bridge group<31091>ConnectionData objectBridge group 1.f10
Cable name (external)<31101>Cable dataData objectW5.f11
Conductor number<31111>Cable dataData object3.f11
Connection direction<31121>ConnectionData objectIncoming / Outgoing.f11

Expert tip: In .f11 always use both Connection designation (internal) and Connection designation (external) side by side — this gives technicians the full from/to picture on a single row without needing to read the schematic.


6. Cable Properties

Used in cable diagram and cable overview forms (.f04).

Property NameIDCategoryData SourceOutput ExampleForm Used In
Cable designation<32001>Cable dataData objectW1.f04
Cable type<32011>Cable dataData objectNYCWY 3×1.5mm².f04
Cable length (manual)<32021>Cable dataData object15 m.f04
Cable length (routed)<32031>Cable dataData object16.2 m.f04
Cable from (source terminal)<32041>Cable dataData object=GB1+ET1-X1:1.f04
Cable to (destination terminal)<32051>Cable dataData object=GB2+MCC-X2:3.f04
Number of conductors<32061>Cable dataData object3.f04
Cross-section<32071>Cable dataData object1.5 mm².f04
Voltage level<32081>Cable dataData object0.6/1 kV.f04
Shielded<32091>Cable dataData objectYes.f04
Cable jacket color<32101>Cable dataData objectBlack.f04
Cable outer diameter<32111>Cable dataData object12.4 mm.f04
Cable reel<32121>Cable dataData objectReel-07.f04
ATEX identifier<32131>CertificationData objectEx e IIC T4.f04

Expert tip: Always include both Cable length (manual) and Cable length (routed) on cable overview forms — the difference between the two flags discrepancies between planned and actual routed lengths.


7. PLC Properties

Used in PLC connection diagram forms (.f22).

Property NameIDCategoryData SourceOutput ExampleForm Used In
PLC address<40001>PLC dataData objectI0.0.f22
Signal name<40011>PLC dataData objectEmergency_Stop_S1.f22
I/O type<40021>PLC dataData objectDI (Digital Input).f22
Card designation<40031>PLC dataData objectDI 32×24VDC.f22
Slot number<40041>PLC dataData object2.f22
Channel number<40051>PLC dataData object0.f22
CPU designation<40061>PLC dataData objectCPU 1516-3 PN/DP.f22
Rack number<40071>PLC dataData object0.f22
Bus address<40081>PLC dataData object3.f22
Symbolic address<40091>PLC dataData object"E_Stop_S1".f22
Data type<40101>PLC dataData objectBOOL.f22
Comment<40111>PLC dataData objectNC contact, hardwired safety.f22

8. Pre-planning Properties

Used in pre-planning loop diagrams and PCT overview forms (.f31.f34).

Property NameIDCategoryData SourceOutput ExampleForm Used In
Planning object designation<50001>Pre-planning 1Data objectTIC-101.f32 .f33
Planning object description<50011>Pre-planning 1Data objectTemperature control loop.f32 .f33
Loop number<50021>Pre-planning 1Data objectLoop-042.f33
Instrument tag<50031>Pre-planning 1Data objectTT-101.f33
Pipe class<50041>Pre-planning 2Data objectA1B.f31
Substance / medium<50051>Pre-planning 3Data objectNatural Gas.f34
Operating pressure<50061>Pre-planning 3Data object10 bar.f34
Operating temperature<50071>Pre-planning 3Data object+50°C.f34
ATEX zone<50081>Pre-planning 3Data objectZone 1.f34
Signal type<50091>Pre-planning 1Data object4–20 mA HART.f33

9. Structure Identifier Properties

Used in structure identifier overview (.f08) and table of contents (.f01).

Property NameIDCategoryData SourceOutput ExampleForm Used In
Full device tag<20001>DevicesData object=GB1+ET1-K1.f08 .f01
Higher-level assignment (=)<20031>DevicesData object=GB1.f08 .f01
Installation location (+)<20041>DevicesData object+ET1.f08 .f01
Mounting location description<20042>DevicesData objectControl cabinet 1.f08
Function assignment description<20032>DevicesData objectDrive system.f08

Form ↔ Property Mapping Summary

Quick reference — which forms use which property groups most heavily:

FormExtensionPrimary Property Categories
Title page / Cover sheet.f00General, Customer, Editing, General (page)
Table of contents.f01General (page), Devices
Cable diagram / overview.f04Cable data, Certification
Summarized parts list.f05Parts, Prices, Mounting data
Device tag list.f06Devices, Parts, Function data
Structure identifier overview.f08Devices, General
Terminal-strip overview.f10Connection, Parts
Terminal diagram.f11Connection, Cable data
Connection list.f17Connection, Cable data, Devices
PLC diagram.f22PLC data
P&ID piping overview.f30Function data, Pre-planning 1
Pre-planning: Pipe class.f31Pre-planning 2
Pre-planning: Planning object.f32Pre-planning 1
Pre-planning: Loop diagram.f33Pre-planning 1, Connection
Pre-planning: Substance.f34Pre-planning 3

Expert Tips Summary

TipDetail
Always show both description linesUse Description 1 + Description 2 together in parts lists for full part clarity
Manual vs routed cable lengthInclude both <32021> and <32031> to catch routing discrepancies
Internal + external connectionShow both <31031> and <31041> on terminal diagrams for complete wiring info
Use property IDs in scriptsWhen scripting or using the EPLAN API, always reference properties by their numeric ID, not name — names can vary by language setting
Supplementary fields for custom dataUse <20501><20510> (Supplementary field 1–10) for project-specific data not covered by standard properties
Symbolic PLC addressesAdd <40091> (Symbolic address) alongside <40001> (PLC address) — required for TIA Portal / STEP 7 integration
Replace identical textEnable this option on Higher-level assignment and Installation location columns to suppress repeated values and improve readability

Property ID Quick Lookup

ID RangeCategory
1000110999Project and page general properties
1100111999Page-specific properties
2000120099Device / function properties
2050120599Supplementary / free fields
2060120699Parts management — article data
2080120899Quantity and unit
2082120899Pricing
3100131999Terminal and connection properties
3200132999Cable properties
4000140999PLC data
5000159999Pre-planning properties (levels 1–8)

FileDescription
eplan_p8_project_structure.jsonFull metadata for all 16 project report folders
README.mdGeneral project structure reference
README_Interactive_vs_AutoGenerated.mdInteractive vs. auto-generated page types
README_Form_Components.mdForm file anatomy and placeholder syntax overview
README_Placeholder_Properties.mdPlaceholder text dialog — elements and categories
README_Expert_Properties.mdThis file — expert property reference with form mapping

EPLAN Electric P8 — Engineering Reference Documentation

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