Virtual Instruments in Excel?

May 12th, 2005

From Monitor #81, an e-mail newsletter from Windmill Software, Ltd.

A virtual instrument is a computer-based representation of a real measurement instrument. For example, as a temperature changes a PC thermometer would rise and fall. Excel isn’t the ideal software for this type of application, but you can create some interesting effects using its charting features. For instance, you can depict a liquid level as a part-filled tube. Here is a brief guide to get you started. It assumes you have a cell with a live data link to Windmill, which automatically updates a level reading.

1. Select the cell holding the level reading.
2. Insert a chart.
3. Choose column as the chart type, and clustered
   column as the sub-type (the default option)
4. Click Next twice to arrive at step 3 of the Chart
   wizard.
5. Remove the x axis label, choose not to show the legend,
   set oC as the Title of the Y axis and under Data Labels
   select Show Value.
6. Click Next and Finish the chart.
7. Double-click the column and from the Patterns tab select
   Fill Effects. A vertical graduated fill looks good, giving
   a cylindrical 3D appearance.
8. In Options set the Gap width to 0. If this makes your
   column too wide, resize the chart. (You may then have to
   alter the font of the axis. Double-click the Y axis and
   select the Font tab.)

You can take this further. For examples of a range of thermometer styles, see the AJP Excel Information site.

Another way to show information is with a gauge or speedometer. You can achieve this with a combination of a donut chart and one or more scatter chart series. For how to do this see the Peltier Technical Services website.

Further Reading

• Charting tips
• Tips on designing a user interface

Entry Filed under: Test Software