# Create Alarm For Memory String Tag

**URL:** <https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/create-alarm-for-memory-string-tag/56982>\
**Category:** Ignition\
**Created:** [March 8, 2022, 8:46pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/create-alarm-for-memory-string-tag/56982 "2022-03-08T20:46:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![edward.fowler](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/edward.fowler/32/24179_2.png) [@edward.fowler](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/edward.fowler)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 8:46pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/create-alarm-for-memory-string-tag/56982/1 "2022-03-08T20:46:55Z")

</div>

_Using Ignition v8.1.13_

I have a child Memory String tag called `devStatus` within a UDT. The tag can have values that include `Fault` and `Unknown`. I want to create Equal Mode alarms for for when the value of `devStatus` equals `Fault` and `Unknown`. It doesn’t seem possible, the setpoint data type is Numeric.

Looking for a work around.

If there were System function to create an alarm I’d add a Value Changed script to `devStatus` but that function doesn’t seem to exist.

I suppose I can add a child Expression Integer tag (call it `devStatusValue`) and set its value so 1 and 2 for the String values and create alarms in this tag.

Any better ways to do this?

Thank you.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Eric\_Bair](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/eric_bair/32/32537_2.png) [@Eric\_Bair](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Eric_Bair)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/create-alarm-for-memory-string-tag/56982/2 "2022-03-10T21:04:17Z")

</div>

In the Alarm Mode Settings, you can change the Mode to “On Condition”. Then, for the “Is Active” field, hit the binding icon and select “Expression”. You can write your expression there and make it evaluate to 1 if the tag’s value is a certain string.

For example: `{Value}="string"`

Then you will not need to create an alarm on a separate expression tag.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![edward.fowler](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/edward.fowler/32/24179_2.png) [@edward.fowler](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/edward.fowler)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 1:40pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/create-alarm-for-memory-string-tag/56982/3 "2022-03-11T13:40:43Z")

</div>

Thank you, Eric!