WebBrowser

WebBrowser

The WebBrowser is a control object that allows you to display web pages directly within your SCADA project’s Runtime screen, without the need for an external browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge).

This is a powerful tool for enabling operators to access the interfaces of other devices on the network or internet resources without leaving the SCADA application.

For standard Properties, Advanced, and Events Panel settings not covered here, please refer to the Common Object Features page.

Common Use Cases
  • IP Camera Feeds: Displaying the web interface of a live video stream (M-JPEG, RTSP interface, etc.) from an IP camera on the network.
  • Device Interfaces: Viewing the built-in web server (Web GUI) of a PLC, network switch, or other smart devices (e.g., energy analyzers).
  • HTML Reports: Displaying local HTML-based reports or help files generated by the system.
  • External Information: Showing external websites relevant to the operator (e.g., weather forecasts, raw material prices).

Properties Panel – Key Properties

Value

  • Tag:
    • Function: This is a two-way link connecting the web address (URL) currently displayed by the browser to a String tag.
    • Read: If the linked tag (e.g., PLC_Web_URL_Tag) is changed to “
    • http://192.168.1.10″ by a script, the browser automatically navigates to that address.
    • Write: If the operator clicks a link inside the browser to navigate to a different page, the PLC_Web_URL_Tag is updated with this new URL.

Advanced Panel – Key Properties

This panel determines the security and appearance of the object.

Url The default web address to be loaded when the screen opens (e.g., http://192.168.1.200/stream.mjpg or C:\Reports\help.html).

  • ScriptErrorsSuppressed
    • Prevents constant error pop-ups from appearing on the operator’s screen if there is a JavaScript error on the displayed web page (e.g., within a PLC interface).
  • AllowNavigation
    • True (Default): Allows the operator to navigate to other pages by clicking links within the page.
    • False: Locks the object. It displays only the page specified in the Url property; even if links are clicked, navigation does not occur. (Ideal for IP camera displays).
  • IsWebBrowserContextMenuEnabled
    • Recommended for SCADA: False.
    • Prevents the operator from right-clicking to use options such as “Save As,” “Print,” or “View Source.”
  • WebBrowserShortcutsEnabled
    • Recommended for SCADA: False.
    • Disables keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl+P (Print) or F5 (Refresh).
  • ScrollBarsEnabled
    • Determines whether scrollbars appear if the page content does not fit within the object’s dimensions.

Common Usage Examples

Example: Displaying a Static IP Camera Feed

To show a camera stream for monitoring purposes only, without allowing operator intervention.

  1. Add a WebBrowser to the screen.
  2. Go to the Advanced panel:
  • Url: Enter the camera’s video stream address (e.g., http://192.168.0.101/video.cgi).
  • ScriptErrorsSuppressed: True
  • AllowNavigation: False (Prevent clicking links in the camera interface).
  • IsWebBrowserContextMenuEnabled: False (Disable the right-click menu).
  • WebBrowserShortcutsEnabled: False

Result: When the screen opens, the WebBrowser object directly shows the camera stream, and the operator cannot navigate away from this page.

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