Direct Excel/OpenOpffice Calc/LibreOffice Calc Connection

EXCEL DATA WRITER

Latest version:5.0.1 build 1126.November 28, 2025.

The Direct Excel Connectionplugin exports real-time data from our data loggers to Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc, or LibreOffice Calc using the office suite OLE interface. The target office application must be installed on the same computer as the logger. The plugin supports row and column writing, custom start cells, multiple filling methods including FIFO, multiple variable bindings, automatic workbook and worksheet creation by date and time, and new file creation using a template.

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USE CASES AND PRACTICAL EXAMPLES

Example 1: A laboratory collects temperature and humidity every minute from multiple sensors. Configure two parser variables: “TEMP” and “HUM”. Set “TEMP” to write vertically starting at B2 and “HUM” starting at C2. Use the “Move” filling mode to keep the last N readings inside Excel. This produces a live-scrolling column view that is suitable for plotting with Excel charts.

Example 2: A production line needs hourly reports in separate files. Use a workbook template that includes a company header and calculations. In the workbook settings use a template YYYY-MM-DD_HH so each hour a new workbook is created. Bind parser variables to rows or columns. Or set the worksheet name to include a timestamp. New files or worksheets will be generated automatically and ready for use.

CONFIGURATION SUMMARY

Startup options control how the office application is launched: connect to an existing instance (window) or create a new instance. If the connection fails, the module can attempt to create a new instance or stop writing based on your selection. Choose whether the Excel window is visible or hidden on the desktop. Workbook options include creating a new workbook, loading from a file (template), using an existing workbook by name, or prompting the user for a file. When using a template file, you can use a timestamp in filenames with prefix and postfix. Also, you can choose whether to overwrite, append, or add ordinal numbers when files exist.

DATA FORMAT AND PRESENTATION

The plugin can use customized numeric and datetime formats. Use the “Data format” tab to select a system format or a custom user format. Date and time masks use tokens like dd, MM, YYYY, HH, NN, and SS; for example, YYYY-MM-DD HH:NN:SS. Number masks use 0 and # placeholders, a decimal symbol ‘.’ or ‘,’ and scientific markers E+/E-. These masks let you format values before they reach Excel so formulas and charts behave correctly.

BINDING VARIABLES AND FILLING MODES

Binding defines which parser variables are exported and how. Add variables via the “Add item” dialog and choose parser variable names from the list. For each item configure:

• Parser’s item name– select the parser variable to export.
• Filling mode– Clear, Move (FIFO), or Stop when the cell limit is reached.
• Filling orientation– Vertically (by columns) or horizontally (by rows).
• Left top cell– start coordinate like A1.
• Cells to fill count– maximum number of cells to be filled per row or column.

INTEGRATION EXAMPLES WITH ADVANCED SERIAL DATA LOGGER

EXAMPLE 1: WEATHER STATION

Incoming sample lines from a serial device:

2025-11-21 08:00:00,TEMP,23.5 2025-11-21 08:01:00,HUM,45.2 

Extracted parser variables:

• DATE_TIME_STAMP = “2025-11-21 08:00:00”
• TEMP = 23.5
• HUM = 45.2

Export binding:

• DATE_TIME_STAMP → left top cell A2, orientation: vertical, filling mode: move, cells to fill: 1
• TEMP → left top cell B2, orientation: vertical, filling mode: move, cells to fill: 1
• HUM → left top cell C2, orientation: vertical, filling mode: move, cells to fill: 1

Result in Excel (columns B and C will show). The plugin writes the last actual value to a fixed cell:

A                   | B    | C 2: 2025-11-21 08:00:00 | 23.5 | 45.0 

EXAMPLE 2: POWER METER

Incoming data stream:

2025-11-21 08:00:00,METER_ID=12,POWER=105.4,VOLT=230.1 2025-11-21 08:01:00,METER_ID=12,POWER=104.9,VOLT=229.9 

Parser variables:

• DATE_TIME_STAMP = “2025-11-21 08:00:00”
• METER_ID = 12
• POWER = 105.4
• VOLT = 230.1

Export configuration:

• Workbook naming: Prefix “MeterData_”, date pattern YYYY-MM-DD_HH.
• Worksheet naming: “Meter_{METER_ID}_{DATE_TIME_STAMP:yyyy-mm-dd}” to create per-meter daily sheets.
• Bindings: POWER to column B, VOLT to column C, and DATE_TIME_STAMP to column A.

Sample exported worksheet rows:

A2: 2025-11-21 08:00:00 | B2: 105.4 | C2: 230.1 A3: 2025-11-21 08:01:00 | B3: 104.9 | C3: 229.9 

KEY FEATURES

• Real-time export to Excel, OpenOffice Calc, or LibreOffice Calc via OLE.
• Row or column writing with FIFO and Clear modes.
• Custom start cell for multiple parser items.
• Automatic workbook and worksheet creation with datetime naming.
• New file creation using a template.
• Format dates and numbers the way you want them to be for your needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The Direct Excel Connection plugin exports parser variables to spreadsheet applications in real time using OLE, with flexible bindings, templates, and filename rules based on a timestamp. Configure workbook and worksheet creation, filling modes, and formats to match your monitoring and reporting workflow.

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