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PLX-DAQ Version 2.11 is a free, macro-enabled Excel tool that enables real-time data acquisition and graphing from microcontrollers like Arduino, featuring enhanced stability, higher baud rates, and automatic timestamping. Developed by the community as an upgrade to the original Parallax software, this version offers a user-friendly solution for direct data logging into spreadsheets. Download the software and view documentation at GitHub. PLX-DAQ-v2.11.xlsm - GitHub
RFID_Excel/PLX-DAQ-v2. 11/PLX-DAQ-v2. 11. xlsm at master · InfinityWorldHI/RFID_Excel · GitHub. Gravity: Jurnal Ilmiah Penelitian dan Pembelajaran Fisika
PLX-DAQ Version 2.11 is a sophisticated data acquisition add-on for Microsoft Excel that enables real-time serial communication between microcontrollers, like Arduino, and spreadsheets. A standout "deep feature" in this version is the AUTOSCROLL functionality, which significantly improves live monitoring by automatically moving the Excel sheet to keep the newest data rows visible as they arrive. Core Features of PLX-DAQ v2.11
This version, which was actively updated through 2021 by Parallax Inc and the developer "NetDevil" on the Arduino Forum, includes several advanced capabilities:
Extended AUTOSCROLL Command: Users can trigger AUTOSCROLL_XY via their microcontroller, where "XY" defines how many additional lines to show above the current data row during scrolling (Office 2013 and newer only).
Dual Trace Transfer: Facilitates the simultaneous transfer and visualization of two distinct data streams within Excel.
64-Bit Office Support: Unlike older versions, v2.11 is fully compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Excel and Windows 10.
Enhanced COM Port Range: Supports COM ports from 1 up to 256 and baud rates up to 250,000 for high-speed data logging.
Direct Debug Window: A customizable window that allows developers to log incoming, outgoing, or system data with optional timestamps for easier testing.
GetRandom(min,max) Function: Returns a random number from Excel to the microcontroller, useful for initializing functions like randomSeed() in Arduino. Download and Installation
The software is distributed as a macro-enabled Excel workbook (.xlsm) rather than a traditional .exe installer. Plx-daq Version 2.11 Download -2021-
Official Source: Available for download at Parallax Inc (last updated Dec 2021).
Community Source: The latest revised versions and a comprehensive "Beginners Guide" are maintained by NetDevil on the Arduino Forum.
Requirements: Requires Windows 10 and a modern version of Microsoft Excel with Macros and Active-X enabled to function.
The "story" of PLX-DAQ Version 2.11 is one of a community-driven revival that kept a classic engineering tool alive for the modern era. The Origin: A Tool Left Behind Originally, PLX-DAQ was a free software tool created by Parallax Inc.
to bridge the gap between microcontrollers and Microsoft Excel. It allowed users to send data from an Arduino or BASIC Stamp directly into an Excel spreadsheet in real-time, effectively turning Excel into a powerful data acquisition system. However, as Windows and Excel evolved (moving to 64-bit systems), the original Parallax version became incompatible and stopped being updated. The Revival: NetDevil’s Version 2.x
The "story" changed in the mid-2010s when a member of the Arduino community, known as , took it upon himself to rewrite the tool from scratch. Version 2.11
, specifically associated with the 2021 timeframe in many user guides and repositories, represented the refined peak of this "v2" branch.
It solved the "64-bit problem" by using modern VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) macros that could run on the latest versions of Microsoft Office. A key feature of the release was its support for Dual Trace
and high-speed data transfer, allowing engineers and hobbyists to graph two sets of data simultaneously in Excel. The 2021 "Download" Context
, PLX-DAQ v2.11 became the gold standard for "Quick Start" DAQ systems in the maker community. It is frequently downloaded from community hubs like the Arduino Forum GitHub repositories rather than an official corporate site. Why People Still Use It The tool remains popular because of its simplicity: No specialized software : It uses the Excel interface everyone already knows. Direct Control : Users send simple Serial.print commands from their Arduino (e.g., Serial.println("DATA,TIME,TIMER,VAL1,VAL2"); ) and the spreadsheet automatically fills the rows. Real-time Analysis PLX-DAQ Version 2
: It allows for immediate graphing and mathematical analysis of sensor data without needing to export files after an experiment [0.29]. to work with Version 2.11? PLX-DAQ-v2.11.xlsm - GitHub
RFID_Excel/PLX-DAQ-v2. 11/PLX-DAQ-v2. 11. xlsm at master · InfinityWorldHI/RFID_Excel · GitHub. She Lives! 8-Bit CCD Driver Circuit TCD1304DG…
PLX-DAQ Version 2.11 (2021 Update) is a powerful tool designed to bridge the gap between microcontrollers and Microsoft Excel. Originally developed by Parallax and later updated by the community (notably by NetDevil), this version allows for seamless, real-time data acquisition and visualization. Key Features of Version 2.11
Direct Excel Integration: Stream data from any microcontroller with a serial port (Arduino, Basic Stamp, etc.) directly into an Excel spreadsheet.
Enhanced Performance: Optimized for 64-bit Excel versions and modern Windows operating systems.
Real-Time Graphing: Use Excel’s native charting tools to visualize sensor data as it arrives.
Interactive Control: Send commands from Excel back to your microcontroller to toggle pins or change variables.
User-Friendly Interface: Features a simplified control panel for selecting COM ports and baud rates. Download and Installation To get started with the 2021 release of PLX-DAQ v2.11:
Download: Locate the official distribution (typically hosted on the Arduino Forum) to ensure you have the latest .zip file.
Extract: Unzip the folder and open the included Excel macro file (.xlsm). Download PLX-DAQ_v2
Enable Macros: You must click "Enable Content" in Excel for the interface to function.
Connect: Select your microcontroller's port, set the baud rate, and click Connect to begin logging data. Why Use PLX-DAQ?
It is the go-to solution for hobbyists and researchers who need a lightweight, no-cost way to perform data analysis without professional-grade DAQ hardware. Whether you are monitoring temperature, pressure, or motion, PLX-DAQ transforms Excel into a robust data logger.
To this day (2026), PLX-DAQ 2.11 is still downloaded by makers who discover that sometimes the simplest tool is the right tool.
Quick start:
PLX-DAQ_v2.11.xlsmTo test if the software is working, upload this simple sketch to your Arduino:
void setup()
// Start serial communication
// Ensure the baud rate in PLX-DAQ matches this number (9600 or 115200)
Serial.begin(9600);
// Print the column headers (Row 1 in Excel)
Serial.println("CLEARDATA");
Serial.println("LABEL,Time,Timer,RandomValue");
void loop()
// Print data to Excel
// Format: ROW,SET,DATA,DATA...
Serial.print("DATA,TIME,TIMER,");
Serial.println(random(0, 100)); // Send a random number
delay(1000); // Update every 1 second
Don't just download it—test it. Copy this code into your Arduino IDE:
void setup() Serial.begin(9600); Serial.println("CLEARDATA"); // Clear the sheet Serial.println("LABEL,Time,Temperature,Humidity");
void loop() Serial.print("DATA,"); Serial.print(millis()); Serial.print(","); Serial.print(random(20,30)); // Fake temp Serial.print(","); Serial.println(random(40,60)); // Fake humidity delay(1000);
Click Connect in the PLX-DAQ toolbar. If you see numbers dancing in Row 2, you are live.
Cause: USB cable disconnect or wrong baud rate. Fix: Check Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT). Unplug/replug. Ensure no other software (Arduino IDE Serial Monitor) is using the same COM port.