The Allen-Bradley MessageView series is a series of operator terminals equipped with 128 x 32-pixel Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) screens, keypads, and communication modules for controlling and monitoring the status of an application. Each terminal can store up to 4096 messages in multiple languages and they support event logging via the historical event stack feature to allow for fast and easy searching and recording when a message is triggered. These terminals can render text in 1 line of 7 full-size characters, 2 lines of 10 half-size characters, 4 lines of 21 quarter-size characters, or 2 lines of 5 graphic symbols. The keypads on the MessageView display modules are available with multiple key combinations. including 4 message control keys, 12 numeric keys, and 16 function keys. The most basic models only feature control keys while the most sophisticated models have a combination of all 3 kinds of keys. An optional legend kit can be used to customize the keypad controls for each application.

The built-in communication port options that are available on the Allen-Bradley MessageView Terminals include RS-232 and Remote I/O ports, and the terminals support the File Transfer, RIO, ASCII, and the Slaving protocols. All MessageView Terminals are programmable through applications that are developed with the MessageBuilder computer software, they can transfer or receive data from PLCs and SLCs. Each terminal supports debugging modes and simulation. The input voltage rating for every model is 18 to 30 Volts DC and some models with the 2.xx firmware can receive and execute commands from ASCII devices. A wide range of accessories such as the RS-232 download/upload cables, power connectors, and the remote I/O connectors are available for the terminals in this series.