create csv file with multiple channels

[nickemp1996]

I am currently writing a program that uses the Keithley 705 scaner and 580 ohm meter. What I need to do is create an excel file that includes a timestamp MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM:SS as one column and then a new column for every channel (1-10 in the case of the keithley 705). Each channel column will contain the resistance reading of that specific channel at the timestamp. The timastamp needs to be when the first scan was executed; for example if we scan channels 1 and 2 their resistance values will be associated with the same timestamp. 

My question is how can I format such an excel file.

[BowenM]

LabVIEW project files are actually just xml files containing the project information.  Please attach the actual VIs you have written with your attempts at creating the csv file and we'll be far more able to help you 🙂

[nickemp1996]

Sorry about that. I think you should only need to view the main VI

[Bob_Schor]

I assume you know that a .csv file is not an "Excel" file.  Excel does know how to open them and arrange them in a spreadsheet, but the cells don't have "Excel" functionality.

Do you know about the Write Delimited Spreadsheet function in the File I/O Palette?  Most people who write spreadsheets seem to use this.  [I, myself, prefer to write .xlsx files using the Report Generation Toolkit, but that's another story ...].

Bob Schor

[nickemp1996]

Sorry, yes I do know that a .csv is not an excel file that is just what I have been using. And no I have not heard of the Write Delimited Spreadsheet function. I will look into that.

[PalanivelThiruvenkadam]

Write delimited spreadsheet function will write the data with delimiter separating each values, which takes array of strings or an array of numeric values
Hope this pallets are available in LV 2015
In earlier versions in was with the name "write to spreadsheet file"

[PalanivelThiruvenkadam · Accepted solution]

Answer to your original query
Fix the number of channels (1-10)
Arrange your array value in such a way that it will form first column with time stamp and proceeding with channel values then write into spreadsheet string
You can include header for your values1

[nickemp1996]

The problem with that is this code will eventaully need to work with 100 channels and literally months of logging values. The array would be too large.

[GerdW]

Hi Nick,

no need to collect ALL data in a big array before writing to file!

You can also write chunks of data and append to existing files… (This should be explained in the LaVIEW help for that function!)

[Blokk]

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@nickemp1996 wrote:

The problem with that is this code will eventaully need to work with 100 channels and literally months of logging values. The array would be too large.

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I really advice you NOT to use ascii file for such purpose. Learn how to use TDMS files in LAbVIEW, you will see lots of benefits doing so. Moreover TDMS files can be opened directly from Excel using a plugin. Even better, you can easily handle your data using NI DIAdem ( http://www.ni.com/diadem/ )

Some more hints: limit the file size, so after some time you can close the file, and automatically create a new, etc...

TDMS files: http://www.ni.com/white-paper/3727/en/