Exporting Data as Software Package

PLCnext Engineer supports the export of project data as software package. This software package allows you to manage and update automation devices regardless of their manufacturer. The package is a zip file containing:

A metadata file (.json format) which describes the package. The file is updated on every download/rebuild and included in the actual download to the controller.
In the 'User Metadata' table (visible in the 'Description' editor of the 'Project' node) you can enter up to ten custom tags (key-value pairs) for the metadata file (key and value are strings with a maximum length of 90 characters each). The key-value pairs act as metadata used for organizing and structuring the data.
The project binaries (content of the binaries folder).
The project archive (optional). With the 'Export PLCnext Engineer Software Package (with sources)' command, the project archive of the project sources is additionally written to the zip file.

The export commands ('Export PLCnext Engineer Software Package' and 'Export PLCnext Engineer Software Package (with sources)' in the 'File > Export' menu are only active if:

The project contains a standard (non-safety-related) controller.
No builds are running.
No project changes are executed.

Proceed as follows:

From the 'File > Export' menu, select one of the export commands 'Export PLCnext Engineer Software Package' or 'Export PLCnext Engineer Software Package (with sources)'.
In the file selection dialog, select the destination folder, enter a file name and click 'Save'.
If an error occurs during the export process, a corresponding message is shown in the snack bar at the top right and also in the 'Project Log' in the MESSAGES window.