UPDATE: Rockwell has release a new version of this tool with additional features which we cover in our new article HERE.

To get the latest version, search the below website for “RSLogix Project Migrator (it also comes with RSLogix/Studio 5000 v19 and up)”

UPDATE – November 2021 by SMT: Rockwell no longer makers the Translation Tool or Project Migrator available as a download, so if you don’t have either in your RSLogix/Studio 5000 installation files or discs, you can try the “new” feature in RSLogix500 v12 and RSLogix5 v10 which allows you to save your program as a Logix file by using the “save as type” menu option, and choosing “Logix Designer Files (*.ACD)” For more information see the free tech note below:


If you have a PLC-5 or SLC-500 program you would like to import into RSLogix 5000, look no further than Rockwell’s free “Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 utility.” This utility can save you hundreds of hours of manually re-entering code, and is available free of charge from the public Rockwell Tech Note #69790.

Rockwell has also written an entire manual around converting PLC-5 and SLC-500 programs to CompactLogix and ControlLogix. If fact, if you’re going to use the “Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0” utility, I highly recommend you read this manual in full. You can find Rockwell’s “Converting PLC-5 or SLC-500 Logic to Logix5550 Logic Reference Manual” using this link (right click on link to save pdf.)

Now with introductions behind us, below we’ll walk you through converting a SLC-500 file to a CompactLogix step-by-step.

Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Step 0 Step 1: Assuming you’ve used the above link to download and install the “Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0” utility, launch it.

Step 2: When the program opens you’ll see the window pictured below. In this example we are going to convert a SLC-500 / RSLogix 500 program, so we’ll start by choosing the radio button for the SLC-500.

Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Step 1Step 3: Click on the handy link on the right to launch RSLogix 500. Then in RSLogix 500, open the program you wish to convert and preform a “Save As.” Save you program as a .SLC file and then close RSLogix 500.

Step 4: Now back in the utility use the browse button to select your newly saved .SLC file, and then select Next.

Step 5: On step two of the wizard, choose the type of CompactLogix or ControlLogix you would like to convert the program too, as well as the version. Then press next.

Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Step 2NOTE: Don’t worry if the exact processor or version doesn’t show up in the list. Once the program is converted, you can change it again inside of RSLogix 5000.

Step 6: Chose your alias options and press next.

Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Step 3Step 7: During step 4 of the wizard, you may receive a popup “syntax error” window as we did and is shown below. If you don’t get this popup, skip ahead to Step 10.

Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Step 4Step 8: To address the “syntax error” above, we will select the offending I/O lines in this window and delete them, as shown below:

Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Step 4_2Step 9: Now with the offending lines deleted, to continue the conversion select the “Save and Retry” button.

Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Step 4_3Step 10: Now the “.SLC” to “.L5K” translation is complete, as noted in the status log below. To continue the process click on “launch RSLogix 5000.”

Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Step 4_4Step 11: You’ll now see this final window appear as the “Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0” utility completes and launches RSLogix 5000 to import your newly translated code.

Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Step 5Step 12: When RSLogix 5000 opens, you’ll be prompted for a save location and name for your “soon to be imported” project.

Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Step 6Step 13: When the code is done importing, you’ll see your new RSLogix 5000 project. At this point, it’s time to hit the book mentioned at the beginning of this article to learn how to reassign I/O, and clean up any Program Conversion Errors (PCE.)

Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 Imported CodeI hope you’ve found this “step by step” helpful. If you did, please take a moment and visit our Support page for several ideas on how you can help us.

Until next time, Peace ✌️ 

If you enjoy this episode please give it a Like, and consider Sharing as this is the best way for us to find new guests to come on the show.

Shawn M Tierney
Technology Enthusiast & Content Creator

Eliminate commercials and gain access to my weekly full length hands-on, news, and Q&A sessions by becoming a member at The Automation Blog or on YouTube. You'll also find all of my affordable PLC, HMI, and SCADA courses at TheAutomationSchool.com.

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19 COMMENTS

  3. Just a word of warning for those of you that are thinking about installing version 3.0. In the very end of the EULA, there are some significant restrictions to using the program.

    No thanks, my own “home-grown” program does the I/O rack creation, automatic I/O comment entry, search & replace, duplicate check, and PCE error correction for errors 109 & 110 (timer errors).

    For those of you that have done program conversions before, getting something that will “compile” in RSLogix is only half of the battle. You have the PCE errors to deal with, the I/O to import (properly, the default will indeed get your I/O in there), getting the old I/O comments attached to your new tags, doing the search and replace to replace the aliased (converted) tags to your tags. A heck of a lot of work, and Rockwell now wants you to do it manually. Again, no thanks.

    From the EULA:

    “LICENSE ADDENDUM TO END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR RSLOGIX SOFTWARE
    RSLogix License Restriction:

    If the Software is RSLogix, this License does not grant You the right to provide
    or utilize the Software as part of or in connection with a third party service or
    software application that interacts with the Software: (a) without You manually
    inputting all commands (e.g. local or remote keyboard emulation without manual
    keyboard input would be prohibited); or (b) by providing or applying automated
    instructions or scripting technology to the Software.”

    And it goes on from there…

    • Good morning John,

      Thank you for sharing your opinion with us!

      My opinion of Rockwell’s free utility is, while it’s no where near 100%, it’s much faster than re-typing all the code in manually (I have used it myself with great success.)

      My opinion of the EULA excerpt you posted is that Rockwell doesn’t want anyone charging for unattended / automated use of its free utility. Also, I know Rockwell supports customers using the utility as part of an upgrade service offered for resale to other customers, or by end customers themselves, to save either from having to manually retype everything.

      But hey, it’s also great Rockwell provides text export and import in RSLogix 5/500/5000 so anyone can create their own conversion script – the more options the better!

      Sincerely,

      Shawn Tierney

  4. Hello ,

    I have the Program Backup Micro Logix1500 (Rs Logix 500 ) . Now I want to Change the Complete Hole Program in to Compact Logix L-23 (Rs Logix5000 ).

    If There Is any Possible to do Direct Convert Software Is There or Any Other Possible ..
    Please Help this support..
    Thank You,

    Regards,
    Arasan..