It's only possible to read from DBs in abolute address mode, when the DB was initially created as S7-300/400 compatible.
This option cannot be changed on an existing DB, the dialog only appears when a new DB is created.
If you compile the S7-300/400 compatible DB, a column with the offset-address in the DB is shown. This is the address to access the variables in the DB.
The symbolic address mode of the 1200 is afaik only possible with the new TIA WinCC Basic panels.