{"id":731,"date":"2020-09-30T14:21:44","date_gmt":"2020-09-30T14:21:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/opcconnect.integrationobjects.com\/?p=731"},"modified":"2026-02-26T10:05:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T10:05:37","slug":"configure-tag-aliases-opc-ua-proxy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/integrationobjects.com\/blog\/configure-tag-aliases-opc-ua-proxy\/","title":{"rendered":"How to configure tag aliases in OPC UA Proxy"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Managing long and complex OPC UA node IDs can slow down operators, complicate troubleshooting, and create unnecessary friction across industrial teams. Tag aliases offer a simple but powerful solution by turning technical identifiers into clear, operator friendly names. This guide shows you exactly how to configure tag aliases in OPC UA Proxy<\/strong><\/a> so you can streamline navigation, improve clarity, and boost efficiency across your automation ecosystem.<\/p>\r\n

Why Tag Aliases Matter<\/h2>\r\n

The OPC UA Proxy<\/span> <\/strong>is a feature component of the OPC UA Wrapper<\/span><\/a>. It enables communications between your OPC UA Servers and OPC Classic Clients quickly and efficiently. You can also configure aliases for the tags via CSV files. The alias will define friendly tag names of your choice and will be mapped to the original OPC UA node IDs e.g. unit\/main.XXX[ns*2,s*unit\/main.XXX].<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This tutorial provides detailed steps how you achieve the tag aliases configuration in the OPC UA Proxy.<\/a> The main steps are as follows:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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  1. Install the OPC UA Wrapper using an administrator account. Refer here<\/span><\/a> to download the product trial setup.<\/li>\r\n
  2. Open the OPC UA Wrapper graphical user interface.<\/li>\r\n
  3. Right click on the \u201cUA to COM\u201d <\/strong>node and then select \u201cAdd Proxy<\/strong>\u201d.<\/li>\r\n
  4. Enter the endpoint URL of your OPC UA Server then click the \u201cApply\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\r\n
  5. Select the Protocol <\/strong>and the ProgID <\/strong>of the new Proxy then click the \u201cOK\u201d <\/strong>button:<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    \r\n
    \"add\r\n
    Add New Proxy<\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
      \r\n
    1. \u00a0Check the \u201cUse Alias<\/strong>\u201d option as illustrated below. Then, click the \u201cSave\u201d<\/strong> button<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
      \r\n
      \"Enable\r\n
      Enable \u201cUse Alias\u201d option<\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
        \r\n
      1. Right click on the configured proxy, click \u201cExport Alias\u201d<\/strong> and save the CSV file.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
        \r\n
        \"Alias\r\n
        Alias configuration: Export Alias<\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
          \r\n
        1. Open the exported CSV file and modify the second column in order to set your own tag aliases. Please note that the first column must not be modified because it indicates the original OPC UA node IDs.Also, you need to configure unique alias names for your tags.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
          \r\n
          \"Tag\r\n
          Tag Aliases Configuration Example<\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
            \r\n
          1. Once you are done with your CSV file configuration, right click on the configured proxy, click \u201cImport Alias\u201d<\/strong> and choose your CSV file. Then, click the \u201cSave\u201d<\/strong> button in the COM Configuration panel and the \u201cSave<\/strong>\u201d button in the UA Configuration panel as illustrated below:<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
            \r\n
            \"Alias\r\n
            Alias configuration: Import Alias<\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
              \r\n
            1. Now, connect to your proxy using your OPC Classic Client, add group and then add items. The items will be displayed using the configured alias names, as illustrated in the example below:<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
              \r\n
              \"Add\r\n
              Add Items Dialog<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

              To disable the alias option:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

                \r\n
              1. \r\n
                  \r\n
                1. Verify that the OPC UA COM Proxy Server <\/strong>process is not running from your task manager<\/li>\r\n
                2. Select the configured proxy<\/li>\r\n
                3. Uncheck the \u201cUse Alias\u201d option<\/li>\r\n
                4. And click save<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

                  The Value Behind Tag Aliases<\/h2>\r\n

                  Tag aliases offer benefits that go far beyond convenience.<\/p>\r\n