Method for configuring a modular safety switching device , which has a plurality of electronic modules (10.1-10.n), wherein the electronic modules (10.1-10.n) are selected from a plurality of available electronic module types and are arranged in at least one module row, comprising the steps: - selecting a number of safety functions of the safety switching device and logic requirements for the safety switching device by means of a graphic user interface of a software-based configuration tool , - generating a configuration of the safety switching device by means of the configuration tool by automated selection of electronic modules (10.1-10.n) from the plurality of electronic module types for providing the safety functions of the safety switching device selected in the previous step and logic requirements for the safety switching device , and - storing the configuration of the safety switching device as a configuration dataset in a configuration database , wherein the configuration tool for each of the electronic modules (10.1-10.n) of the modular safety switching device generates an alphanumerical identifier which forms at least a part of the configuration dataset , wherein the alphanumerical identifier is selected so that it uniquely specifies the relevant electronic module (10.1-10.n) and its assembly position in the module row of the modular safety switching device , and wherein the configuration tool generates an additional alphanumerical identifier for at least some of the electronic modules (10.1-10.n) of the modular safety switching device , which identifier forms at least part of the configuration dataset , wherein the additional alphanumerical identifier is selected so that it uniquely specifies the position of at least one rotary switch , in particular a detent potentiometer of the relevant electronic module (10.1- 10.n). - selecting a number of safety functions of the safety switching device and logic requirements for the safety switching device by means of a graphic user interface of a software-based configuration tool , - generating a configuration of the safety switching device by means of the configuration tool by automated selection of electronic modules (10.1-10.n) from the plurality of electronic module types for providing the safety functions of the safety switching device selected in the previous step and logic requirements for the safety switching device , and - storing the configuration of the safety switching device as a configuration dataset in a configuration database , wherein the configuration tool for each of the electronic modules (10.1-10.n) of the modular safety switching device generates an alphanumerical identifier which forms at least a part of the configuration dataset , wherein the alphanumerical identifier is selected so that it uniquely specifies the relevant electronic module (10.1-10.n) and its assembly position in the module row of the modular safety switching device , and wherein the configuration tool generates an additional alphanumerical identifier for at least some of the electronic modules (10.1-10.n) of the modular safety switching device , which identifier forms at least part of the configuration dataset , wherein the additional alphanumerical identifier is selected so that it uniquely specifies the position of at least one rotary switch , in particular a detent potentiometer of the relevant electronic module (10.1- 10.n). <EOS>