# Trouble with string tag from Brother CNC OPC/UA client connection

**URL:** <https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/trouble-with-string-tag-from-brother-cnc-opc-ua-client-connection/100080>\
**Category:** Ignition\
**Created:** [December 20, 2024, 1:42am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/trouble-with-string-tag-from-brother-cnc-opc-ua-client-connection/100080 "2024-12-20T01:42:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ryan\_Coe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a698b9/32.png) [@Ryan\_Coe](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Ryan_Coe)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 1:42am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/trouble-with-string-tag-from-brother-cnc-opc-ua-client-connection/100080/1 "2024-12-20T01:42:39Z")

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I have added an OPC tag with a string value. The connection to the CNC is made from Ignition (client) to the OPC/UA server on the CNC. I'm trying to read the value of a macro variable. In the tag browser, I only ever see a null value. The quality is good. On the OPC quick client, I can successfully get the value. In an external OPC/UA client, I can also see the value returned. I am also able to script it and read the value. I'm at a total loss on this. Below are a few screen shots showing the issue:

 ![Screenshot 2024-12-19 121058](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/original/3X/7/5/75aaa9503b55190d552a901fff27cefe3260b40e.png)  
Tag browser and editor.

 ![Screenshot 2024-12-19 121133](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/original/3X/9/4/945986da77cb300bbaff1621f21b4f7f092379d5.png)  
OPC quick client with value

 ![Screenshot 2024-12-19 121003](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/original/3X/3/8/388f751b2916ce2725f67086627485393b175312.png)  
Ignition scripting client

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**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 2:28am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/trouble-with-string-tag-from-brother-cnc-opc-ua-client-connection/100080/2 "2024-12-20T02:28:08Z")

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Try creating a tag group set to OPC polling instead of subscribing. (And change the tag to that group.) If that works, complain to the vendor that their OPC server is broken.

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**Author:** ![Ryan\_Coe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a698b9/32.png) [@Ryan\_Coe](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Ryan_Coe)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 2:28am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/trouble-with-string-tag-from-brother-cnc-opc-ua-client-connection/100080/3 "2024-12-20T02:28:52Z")

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Thanks. I will give it a try.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ryan\_Coe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a698b9/32.png) [@Ryan\_Coe](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Ryan_Coe)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/trouble-with-string-tag-from-brother-cnc-opc-ua-client-connection/100080/4 "2024-12-20T17:55:22Z")

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Thank you. Changing to another tag group with polling does work. I will raise the issue with the vendor.