Steps to Take Backup from S7-1200 using TIA Portal

1. Connect to PLC

• Connect your PC to the PLC using Ethernet (preferred) or USB cable.

• Make sure both PC and PLC are in the same IP range (if using Ethernet).

2. Open TIA Portal

• Start TIA Portal.

• You don’t need the original project; you can create a new one.

3. Go Online and Detect PLC

1. Create a New Project.

2. In the project tree, right-click on Devices & Networks ? select “Add new device”.

3. Choose PLC ? S7-1200 ? (your CPU model) ? click OK.

4. Now, go to the Online menu ? “Go online” (or “Accessible devices”).

5. The software will scan and show the connected PLC. Select it and establish connection.

4. Upload from PLC to PC

1. Once connected, TIA Portal will ask: “The offline project and online PLC differ. Do you want to upload from device?”

   • Select Upload from device.

2. The program, hardware configuration, and available blocks will be transferred to your project.

5. Save the Uploaded Project

• Save the project on your PC ? this is now your PLC Backup.

• You can archive it (menu Project ? Archive) to a .zap file for safekeeping.

Important Notes

• If the original project was compiled with “Know-How protection” or password protected, you can only back up the blocks as protected (you can download again later, but cannot view/edit code).

• S7-1200 does not support “complete image backup” like S7-300/400; it’s project upload instead.

• Always check firmware version in case you restore later.