A configurable HMI is coupled to a configuration station and to one or more networked components, such as an industrial controller. Connections may be established with the networked component, such as to read from or write to registers within the component. A list of available connections or registers is accessed from the component by the HMI. The HMI then tabulates or otherwise presents the information in a listing to the configuration station. The configuration station may then be used to select a connection from the listing to alter programming of the HMI to establish the connection.