Adding SCL to SIMATIC Manager V5.6 Install S7-SCL Package

1. Overview

SIMATIC Manager V5.6 is the integrated engineering framework for STEP 7 V5.x projects targeting SIMATIC S7-300, S7-400, and WinAC controllers. Out of the box, the software exposes the three classic STEP 7 languages: ladder logic (LAD), function block diagram (FBD), and statement list (STL). The fourth language, Structured Control Language (SCL), is a PASCAL-based, high-level textual language, but it is not bundled with the STEP 7 V5.x installer. It is shipped as the optional package S7-SCL and requires its own license key.

If you open SIMATIC Manager and try to insert a new block (FB, FC, OB, DB, UDT, etc.) but the SCL option is missing, or the "Sources" folder does not allow you to insert a new SCL source, the S7-SCL optional package is almost certainly not installed or not licensed on your engineering station. This article walks through the complete procedure: identifying the problem, downloading the correct S7-SCL V5.6 build, installing it, transferring the license, and verifying SCL functionality from inside SIMATIC Manager.

Throughout this document, the focus is on the classic STEP 7 V5.6 SPx environment running on Microsoft Windows 10 (32-bit or 64-bit). Where it is relevant, the differences with TIA Portal (STEP 7 V15 / V16 / V17 / V18) are called out, because SCL is integrated there in a different way.

2. Why SCL Is Missing in SIMATIC Manager V5.6

SIMATIC Manager V5.6 distinguishes between the STEP 7 base package and a number of optional packages. The base installer always includes the editors for LAD, FBD, and STL. SCL must be installed and licensed separately.

2.1 S7-SCL Is an Optional Package

According to Siemens product documentation, S7-SCL is delivered as a standalone optional package for STEP 7 V5.x. It is functionally integrated into SIMATIC Manager once installed, adding:

• The SCL editor window inside SIMATIC Manager.
• The ability to insert SCL sources under S7 Program > Sources.
• Compilation of SCL sources to FBs, FCs, OBs, DBs, and UDTs.
• Syntax checking, watch/debug features, and the SCL compiler for S7-300/S7-400.

2.2 License Model

The STEP 7 V5.6 base license, including the STEP 7 Professional Combo, does not grant permission to use SCL. The license keys are tracked independently in the Automation License Manager (ALM). The relevant license family is:

• S7-SCL V5.x — floating or single license.
• Activates a specific SCL version aligned with the installed STEP 7 V5.6 SP level.

Without a valid license, S7-SCL installs in viewer / read-only / demo mode. The editor opens, but compilation is either blocked or time-limited. Verifying the license is therefore part of the install procedure.

3. Prerequisites

Before installing S7-SCL, confirm the following:

1. STEP 7 V5.6 installed with the latest Service Pack applied (SP2 or higher recommended). Check via SIMATIC Manager: Help > About > Installed Software. The entry "STEP 7 V5.6" must be present.
2. Microsoft Windows 10 (32-bit or 64-bit) with current updates. Windows 10 is supported by STEP 7 V5.6 SP2 and later; the legacy migration must not skip required Microsoft patches.
3. Administrator rights on the engineering station, since both the installer and the Automation License Manager require elevated rights to write to %ProgramFiles%, %ProgramData%, and the registry.
4. Automation License Manager (ALM) installed. It is part of the STEP 7 V5.6 DVD and is also available as a stand-alone package.
5. Valid S7-SCL license for V5.6 — either on a USB license key (physical dongle) or a license file (soft container) provided by Siemens.
6. Siemens Support download access to retrieve the S7-SCL V5.6 executable.

4. Downloading S7-SCL V5.6

The canonical download entry for S7-SCL is hosted in the Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS) portal:

• S7-SCL V5.6 including SPx — Siemens Support entry 109748118

Steps to retrieve the package:

1. Open the SIOS link above and sign in with your Siemens industry account (registration is free).
2. On the entry page, locate the Downloads section. You will typically see multiple files, including the S7-SCL setup executable, the corresponding readme, and any service pack installers.
3. Download the highest applicable S7-SCL V5.6 executable matching your STEP 7 V5.6 SP level. For STEP 7 V5.6 SP2 or later on Windows 10, use the latest S7-SCL V5.6 SP build available.
4. Save the .exe to a local folder, e.g. D:\Siemens\Install\S7-SCL_V56.
5. Verify the file checksum if your IT policy requires it, and read the bundled readme for installation notes.

5. Installing S7-SCL V5.6

1. Close SIMATIC Manager, ALM, and any open STEP 7 tool. The installer refuses to run if SIMATIC Manager is open.
2. Right-click the downloaded S7-SCL executable and choose Run as administrator.
3. Select the language for the setup (English / German / French / Italian / Spanish / Chinese, depending on the package).
4. Accept the license agreement.
5. Choose the install type:
   • Complete — recommended; installs all SCL components and integrates them into SIMATIC Manager.
   • Custom — use only for customized deployments (e.g. excluding documentation to save disk space).
6. Choose the install path. The default C:\Program Files\Siemens\Automation\SCL is recommended to keep versions consistent with STEP 7 V5.6.
7. Click Install. The setup registers the SCL COM components, adds the SCL editor to SIMATIC Manager, and updates the Windows registry.
8. When prompted, reboot the PC if the installer requests it.

After installation, SIMATIC Manager contains the SCL editor and compiler. The SCL option will be selectable in the Insert > S7 Block and Insert > S7 Source dialogs, but the SCL compiler will still refuse to produce binaries without a valid license.

6. Transferring the S7-SCL License

S7-SCL requires a license entry in the Automation License Manager. The license can be on a USB stick (the legacy approach) or in a soft license container.

6.1 Locating the License

1. Open the Automation License Manager from the Windows Start menu (Siemens Automation > Automation License Manager).
2. Connect the USB license dongle, or copy the supplied .zip/.lic file to the local PC.
3. Use Edit > Connect Target System > Local if it is not connected already.

6.2 Verifying the License

1. In ALM, the left pane should list the local target system.
2. Locate the entry S7-SCL V5.x under the local computer.
3. Confirm the Status column shows a valid license with a non-expired date and a non-zero number of available licenses.
4. If the status reads No license or License not sufficient, the dongle is missing or the wrong SCL version is installed.

6.3 Moving Licenses

1. Right-click the S7-SCL V5.x license in the right pane.
2. Choose Move / Transfer License to a USB stick if you need to free a license from a defunct machine, or Install License if you have a .lic file from Siemens.
3. Confirm any prompts; the license is bound to the new target system after the move.

7. Verifying the Installation Inside SIMATIC Manager

1. Start SIMATIC Manager.
2. From the menu, choose Help > About > Installed Software.
3. Confirm the following entries are present in the dialog:
   • STEP 7 V5.6 (your SP level)
   • S7-SCL V5.6 (incl. SPx)
   • S7-PLCSIM (if applicable)
   • S7-GRAPH (if applicable)
4. Close the dialog.

If S7-SCL V5.6 is missing from this list, the installer did not register SCL correctly. Repeat the install, this time confirming the installer reached the Complete phase without errors. Check the Windows event log for installation errors if the dialog still shows no SCL.

8. Creating SCL Sources in SIMATIC Manager

Once the S7-SCL package is installed and licensed, the SCL workflow inside SIMATIC Manager is:

1. In the project tree, expand the S7 program, e.g. S7 Program (1).
2. Right-click the Sources folder.
3. Choose Insert New Object > SCL Source.
4. A new object named SCL Source(1) appears in the right pane.
5. Double-click the SCL source. The SCL editor opens.
6. Author the SCL code for the desired FB, FC, OB, DB, or UDT.
7. Save the source (File > Save) and compile (File > Compile or File > Compile and Debug).
8. The compiled blocks appear under S7 Program > Blocks next to your LAD/FBD/STL blocks.

8.1 Minimal SCL Source Example

The following source compiles to a function (FC1) that scales a raw analog input to engineering units:

FUNCTION FC1 : REAL
// Scale a 16-bit raw value to engineering units
VAR_INPUT
    iRawValue : INT;     // 0..27648 for 4-20 mA / 0-10 V Siemens range
    iLowScale : REAL;    // Engineering value at iRawValue = 0
    iHighScale : REAL;   // Engineering value at iRawValue = 27648
END_VAR
VAR_TEMP
    tTempReal : REAL;
END_VAR
BEGIN
    tTempReal := INT_TO_REAL(iRawValue);
    FC1 := (tTempReal / 27648.0) * (iHighScale - iLowScale) + iLowScale;
END_FUNCTION

Save the file, then choose File > Compile. The SCL compiler writes FC1 into the project, and you can call it from any LAD/FBD/STL/SCL block, or invoke it from a CFC chart.

8.2 Compiling to a Block

The SCL editor generates the corresponding block types based on the keyword at the top of the source:

9. SCL Language Features for S7-300/S7-400

The SCL syntax follows PASCAL and is described in detail in the official Siemens manual SCL for S7-300/S7-400, Programming (SCLV4_e.pdf). Key capabilities include:

• IF…THEN…ELSE / CASE…OF selection structures.
• FOR, WHILE, REPEAT…UNTIL iteration structures.
• Functions and function blocks with strongly typed parameter interfaces.
• Access to absolute addresses (DB100.DBX0.0, MW10, QB0) and symbolic addresses.
• Built-in standard functions: bit string, math, floating point, transfer, conversion, comparison.
• User-defined PLC data types (UDTs) and multi-instance data blocks.
• Direct symbolic programming against the S7 symbol table.

The language and the mnemonics (German E/A vs. English I/Q) are set independently. In SIMATIC Manager, choose Options > Customize > Language for the UI language, and Options > Customize > General > Mnemonics for the address mnemonics.

10. STEP 7 V5.x SCL vs. TIA Portal SCL

If you also use TIA Portal, the SCL experience differs:

An S7-SCL V5.x license does not enable SCL inside TIA Portal, and a TIA Portal STEP 7 Professional license does not unlock SCL inside SIMATIC Manager. Each ecosystem has its own license family.

11. Troubleshooting Matrix

12. Field-Proven Commissioning Checklist

1. Confirm STEP 7 V5.6 version + SP level in Help > About.
2. Confirm S7-SCL V5.6 (matching SP) installed in the same dialog.
3. Confirm a valid S7-SCL V5.x license in ALM, and that the status reads active.
4. Open a test project; insert a new SCL source under S7 Program > Sources.
5. Paste the minimal FC1 example above; compile; expect FC1 to appear in Blocks.
6. If the compile succeeds, the install is fully operational.
7. Document the license key, license version, and install path in your project handover folder.

13. FAQ