How to Customize DataPlugIn for Excel Using DIAdem DataPlugIn Wizard

Issue Details

• When I import Excel(.xls) file to DIAdem, It lose some channel data. How can I change the DataPlugIn? 
• How can I define channel name/data from certain cells in my Excel file?

Solution

Basically, importing Excel file into DIAdem, the ExcelTDM DataPlugIn installation is required. Afterwards, the Excel file can be imported and automatically converted to a TDMS format by dragging it to the data portal of DIAdem. The DataPlugIn applied will follow the DataPlugIn priority set in DIAdem. See this document for how to prioritize. (How to Set Priorities of the Multiple DataPlugIn for the Same Extension)

When Excel's cell data (ex. A2,B3,C5..) imported into DIAdem, classifying these into TDMS formats, Groups, Channels, Channel data. The classification for each data can be DataPlugin Wizard for Spreadsheet Files. This wizard can create your own DataPlugin. The function can be found in DIAdem like below : 

1. In File Structure,
   • Group Properties and Channel Properties can only import horizontal Cell data.
   • Channel Data can only import vertical Cell data.
   • 
2. In order, Group Properties and Channel Properties can have Ignore in the middle row of Excel, but not the Channel Data.
3. Cells merged in Excel appear to have duplicate values as individual cells in DIAdem.
   • In Excel, 
   • In DIAdem, 
   • Group property is a 1-on-1 match between Property and Value. To avoid repetition of duplicate values, cell numbers can be assigned directly to Value values
   • 
4. If the channel data value contains characters, it cannot be read unless the type is set by Text.

Additional Information

Let's see the example for the customer DataPlugIn process. Below is the excel file to import from DIAdem. In Wizard , Step 5 of configuration to correctly import this Excel file to DIAdem is as follows.

1. Step 1 : Define the type of file structure as follows.
   • 
2. Step 2 : Change Value B2 to $C2, which is paired with $A2 Properties.
   • 
3. Step 3 : Check the values to be named for each channel.
   • 
4. Step 4 : Check the values that will be the channel data.
   • 
5. Step 5 :  Save Dataplugin with the name you want.

Finally, an example of an Excel file imported from DIAdem is as follows :