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Blurb

Do you know the recurring tasks that take up a lot of time during project planning? There is good news. You can automate many of these tasks using scripts. This book is aimed at EPLAN users and administrators who want to use scripting to speed up their workflow in order to gain more time for essential tasks.

To begin with, you will learn how to customize the ribbon without programming. You will then be introduced to the creation of scripts with C#. The complexity of the programming is kept low so that even beginners without programming knowledge can quickly find their way around.

The book covers the following script functions, among others:

  • Create ribbons
  • Change individual or multiple settings simultaneously at the touch of a button
  • Create user interfaces with individual control elements (checkboxes, loading bars, buttons)
  • Program control via user interactions and much more
  • Exchange data with external systems
  • Change articles

You will also learn how to automatically create labels and PDFs as well as import/export parts lists and project properties. You will also learn how to export data to other programs using common exchange formats (CSV, XML). The "Practical examples" chapter, which contains ready-to-use scripts, rounds off the content.

All examples are available free of charge. The introduction with the chapter Beginner is also freely accessible to everyone.

This edition takes into account the new features of EPLAN 2026. The revised topics include

  • Available in English
  • Digital version on interactive website
  • Complete content Beginner for free
  • ListSelectDecisionContext
  • Remote Client completely adapted to the new framework
  • XML chapter optimized
  • Debug chapter optimized and settings script added
  • Adaptations to the EPLAN version 2026

Let's go

Foreword

Dear reader,

With this book, I would like to give you an easy introduction to creating scripts for EPLAN Electric P8. The book is aimed at all EPLAN users, regardless of whether they are regular or occasional designers who want to automate their tasks with the help of scripting. Programming knowledge is not required. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can achieve a result that inspires you. Even a small script consisting of just a few lines can save you a lot of time during project planning. Based on the information provided in the book, you will quickly be able to use EPLAN actions and expand them if necessary. You will also learn how to program your own extensions. Scripts can be used in any license expansion level of EPLAN. The API module is not required for this.

In scripting, as in programming itself, much, if not everything, is possible. This raises the question of the extent to which this book can cover the subject area. The C# language, which is used to create the scripts, is very complex, and its description alone could fill several thousand pages without explaining any EPLAN function. For this reason, I will limit myself to explaining the basics of C#, which are necessary to create new scripts or to extend or modify existing ones. I will also go into the most important extensions using your own program code.

All EPLAN actions are described and explained using practical examples. Many of the examples will speed up your workflow. In addition, you will have more time for the essential design tasks. Everyone is familiar with the repetitive, monotonous tasks that need to be completed when a project is finalized, for example. Many evaluations and labels have to be created. In addition, the plan must be created as a PDF. You can do all this at the touch of a button. How? This is explained step by step in the book.

Johann-Weiher

Unterschrift

Unterschrift

Author vita

Johann Weiher is Managing Director of ibKastl and his main focus is on programming customized software and consulting for EPLAN in the enterprise sector.

He is known to the EPLAN community for his blog Suplanus.de on the subject of "Scripting in EPLAN".

Acknowledgements

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me to write this book.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my wife Daniela for motivating me to write the book and for helping me to find enough time to do so. Many thanks also to my wonderful daughters Leni & Fina for the pleasant interruptions and distractions while writing.

Many thanks also to my colleagues at ibKastl. It is a pleasure to work with you!

Special thanks go to Mr. Andreas Krämer for his excellent assistance.

Editions

This is the documentation for the fourth edition (2025). Documentation of the previous editions: