# Source code in utf-8

**URL:** <https://community.br-automation.com/t/source-code-in-utf-8/8547>\
**Category:** B&R Software & Runtime\
**Tags:** automation-studio\
**Created:** [October 1, 2025, 7:58am UTC](https://community.br-automation.com/t/source-code-in-utf-8/8547 "2025-10-01T07:58:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Christoph\_Auer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/FF8800/32.png) [@Christoph\_Auer](https://community.br-automation.com/u/Christoph_Auer)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 7:58am UTC](https://community.br-automation.com/t/source-code-in-utf-8/8547/1 "2025-10-01T07:58:17Z")

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Hello,

is it possible to convert the .ab files (e.g. `MainCyclic.ab`) to UTF-8? Currently, they are stored as ANSI.

Will they open and compile correctly in Automation Studio after the conversion?

The files for variables (e.g. `Global.var`) are already stored with UTF-8 encoding.

I have no access to Automation Studio at the moment, otherwise I would try it myself 🙂

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**Author:** ![michael.bertsch](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/brcommunity/user_avatar/community.br-automation.com/michael.bertsch/32/239_2.png) [@michael.bertsch](https://community.br-automation.com/u/michael.bertsch)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 11:07am UTC](https://community.br-automation.com/t/source-code-in-utf-8/8547/2 "2025-10-01T11:07:05Z")

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Hello,

i created a new Automation Basic Programm in AS4.12 and AS6.3 , both Automation Studios are creating a new Program with UTF-8 encoding.

 ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/brcommunity/original/2X/8/83cb06cf44fdb0789a2bffe979e59d430e89fec5.png)

I would think that it will also open existing Files if they are converted to UTF-8.

Greetings  
Michael