All about AWL Files

The AWL file type is primarily associated with Siemens STEP 7/TIA Portal.

AWL	File extension: AWL
	File type:	source code file

What is an AWL file

AWL files mostly belong to Siemens STEP 7/TIA Portal. AWL files are specialized text files that hold code used in programmable logic controller (PLC) programming. They typically store instruction lists (often called Anweisungsliste) and are created by Siemens software such as STEP 7, TIA Portal, and STEP 7-Micro/WIN. This source code may include data blocks, user-defined data types, or configuration instructions for Siemens SIMATIC controllers.

PLC Programming: These files often contain low‐level instructions written for PLCs, making them essential for industrial automation tasks.
Encoding Formats: Some AWL files use plain text, UTF-8, or even JSON formatting. This is seen in files that carry structured code as well as those used in specialized applications like game level design (e.g., Adventure Lab Worlds).
Alternative Uses: A smaller group serves as source code for web applications in WinDev, expanding their role beyond typical PLC programming.
Siemens Environment: Most AWL files come from Siemens development tools, and further details are available at Siemens and on specific product pages such as STEP 7 or TIA Portal.

FilExt.com tip: If you open an AWL file in a text editor, you will see human-readable code, but note that proper functionality is achieved only with the compatible Siemens programming software.

How do you open AWL files?

You need a suitable software like Siemens STEP 7/TIA Portal to open an AWL file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your AWL file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a AWL file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online AWL Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert AWL files:

Siemens STEP 7/TIA Portal
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. AWL files are often referred to as Siemens STEP 7/TIA Portal developers because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Ad-Aware (Language File) by Lavasoft
Ad-Aware provides protection from known Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components.
AWL
AWL (Alternative Web Language) is a new experimental multi-purpose programming language. It is intended to be usable not only as a scripting and application programming tool, but also as a substitute for a wide set of World Wide Web technologies. The identifying characters used for this association are - Var 1: Hex: 4F 52 47 41 4E 49 5A 41 54 49 4F 4E 5F 42 4C 4F 43 4B 20 50 52 49 4E 43 49 50 41 4C 3A, ASCII: ORGANIZATION_BLOCK.PRINCIPAL:, Var. 2: Hex: 44 41 54 41 5F 42 4C 4F 43 4B 20 44 42 20, ASCII: DATA_BLOCK.DB. This file format is classified as Source Code. Related links: Wikipedia AWL Page

AWL file format:

If you know the file format, you can also find out how to open or edit the file. The file format can be determined based on the file extension and the signature (the first few characters of a file). However, different programs can use the same file extension. Furthermore, a file extension can be renamed incorrectly and double-clicking on it will then display an error when it is opened. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. Our evaluation of the AWL files looks like this:

AWL is not that commonly used as a file extension. This file type is used by different programs with different formats. However, the following two file formats are common:

35% of all AWL files are AWL programming language files. These files are plain text, which means they can be viewed with any text editor such as Windows Editor, Nano for Linux, and TextEdit for macOS. AWL files are between 420 bytes and 4 KB in size. The file type was created 10 years ago, but is still used today. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as BEGIN, ORGANIZATION_BLOCK MAIN:OB1, TITLE=PROGRAM COMMENTS, // Network Comment, Network 1 // Network Title, LD I0.0 and Network 2.
15% of all AWL files save the data in Source file format. A source code is the set of instructions written by a programmer using a computer programming language like JavaScript, C++ or Basic. This code is translated into machine language by a compiler. The translated result is called app, program or executable. These files are text files, so they contain words and text. AWL files are between 880 bytes and 10 KB in size. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as FUNCTION, VERSION : 0.1, TITLE =, VOID, VAR_INPUT, BLOCK, BOOL, AUTHOR, END_VAR and FAMILY.

All other AWL files (50%) have different formats, often e.g. JSON, PCS and TYPE. Files like these are sometimes linked to license, playground, streamhub, level, page, control or jdefois. Just click the "Choose your .awl file to analyze" button on this page to find out what your AWL file is.

Technical Data for AWL File Extension

File classification:

Developer

Identifier:

Var 1: Hex: 4F 52 47 41 4E 49 5A 41 54 49 4F 4E 5F 42 4C 4F 43 4B 20 50 52 49 4E 43 49 50 41 4C 3A, ASCII: ORGANIZATION_BLOCK.PRINCIPAL:, Var. 2: Hex: 44 41 54 41 5F 42 4C 4F 43 4B 20 44 42 20, ASCII: DATA_BLOCK.DB (provided by TrID database)

Related files:

lad, fbd, scl, cfc, pou, mwp, aml, zip, rar, sim, enc, sve, bma, dark, db, xml

Related links:

Wikipedia AWL Page

an awl source code file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with AWL files

Associate the AWL file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open source code files. Because only the current version supports the latest AWL file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available Siemens STEP 7/TIA Portal update.
To make sure that your AWL file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .AWL file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.