Realtime Excel Logger for Hielscher Sonicator XML Data
How It Works
Upon execution, the script prompts the user to enter the XML source address of their sonicator xml data (e.g., http://192.168.233.233/mdata.xml). It then creates a structured header row and starts fetching data every second. Each new data point is appended to the table, and a scatter-line chart displays power, amplitude, and energy trends over time. Any sensor error values (e.g., if no sensor is connected) are automatically filtered out.
Instructions for Windows Users
Open the Visual Basic Editor in Excel, insert a new module, and paste the full script. After running the InitLogger macro, the logger will start automatically. Ensure that macros are enabled and that Excel has permission to access your network.
Instructions for macOS Users
Open the Visual Basic Editor in Excel. Insert a new module, and paste the full script. Simply run the same macro, and the data will be fetched using the provided IP. MacOS users must allow Excel to run AppleScript and may need to grant network access under system preferences if prompted.
Run Excel VBA code to load sonicator XML data into spreadsheet.
Updates, Disclaimer and License
Depending on the device type and on the software version delivered, the xml data string may vary. It may contain a different number of values and in a different order or format. Hence, you may need to adjust the script below, accordingly. There are no obligations for technical support, bug fixes, or future updates. This tool is provided without any guarantees or warranties of any kind. This explicitly excludes implied warranties like merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Hielscher Ultrasonics is not responsible for any damages, including direct, indirect, or consequential damages, arising from the software’s use. This is an example, only. It is free to use for non-commercial and research purposes only. Redistribution is permitted with proper attribution. Commercial resale or inclusion in proprietary systems is strictly prohibited without prior written consent.
Sonicator XML Data to Excel Spreadsheet
' ==============================================================================
' Realtime Excel Logger for Hielscher Sonicator XML Data
'
' Description:
' This VBA module fetches XML data from a Hielscher sonicator over the network
' (typically from a local IP like http://192.168.233.233/mdata.xml), parses it,
' logs real-time data into Excel, and visualizes selected parameters (Power, Amplitude,
' and Energy) using a live updating scatter-line chart.
'
' Disclaimer & License:
' This script is provided "as is" without any warranty. It is free for non-commercial
' use, and redistribution is permitted only with attribution. Resale or inclusion in
' commercial software is strictly prohibited without explicit permission.
' (c) Hielscher Ultrasonics GmbH (Germany), 2025. All rights reserved. https://www.hielscher.com
' Last Update: June 17th, 2025, for sonicator software version 25.0.1
' ==============================================================================
' === Realtime Excel Logger Module ===
Dim nextRow As Long ' Row index for logging the next data point
Dim chartObject As chartObject ' Reference to the live chart object
Dim isRunning As Boolean ' Controls whether logging continues
' === MAIN ENTRY POINT ===
Sub InitLogger()
Dim ws As Worksheet
Set ws = Sheet1 ' Use the first worksheet
ws.Cells.Clear ' Clear all existing content on the sheet
' Request and store the XML source IP address
ws.Cells(1, 1).Value = "XML Source"
ws.Cells(1, 2).Value = InputBox("Enter device IP address", "XML Source", "http://192.168.233.233/mdata.xml")
' Create header row starting at row 2
ws.Cells(2, 1).Resize(1, 14).Value = Array( _
"Timestamp", "Status", "Total Power (W)", "Net Power (W)", "Amplitude (%)", _
"Energy (Ws)", "ADC", "Frequency (Hz)", "Temperature (°C)", "Time (s)", _
"ControlBits", "LimitType", "SetPower (%)", "Cycle (%)")
nextRow = 3 ' Start logging at row 3
isRunning = True ' Enable logging loop
Application.OnTime Now + TimeSerial(0, 0, 1), "LoggerTick" ' Schedule first data fetch
End Sub
' === PERIODIC TIMER CALLBACK ===
Sub LoggerTick()
If Not isRunning Then Exit Sub
FetchOnce
Application.OnTime Now + TimeSerial(0, 0, 1), "LoggerTick" ' Schedule next fetch
End Sub
' === FETCH AND LOG DATA ===
Sub FetchOnce()
Dim ipAddress As String, rawData As String
Dim dataFields() As String, mStart As Long, mEnd As Long
Dim ws As Worksheet: Set ws = Sheet1
ipAddress = Trim(ws.Cells(1, 2).Value) ' Get IP from input cell
If ipAddress = "" Then Exit Sub ' Exit if IP is missing
rawData = GetMDataXML(ipAddress) ' Fetch the raw XML from device
If rawData = "" Then Exit Sub ' Exit if fetch failed
' Extract only the content inside ...
mStart = InStr(rawData, "")
mEnd = InStr(rawData, " ")
If mStart = 0 Or mEnd = 0 Then Exit Sub ' Exit if tag not found
rawData = Mid(rawData, mStart + 7, mEnd - mStart - 7)
dataFields = Split(rawData, ";") ' Parse by semicolon delimiter
If UBound(dataFields) < 12 Then Exit Sub ' Ensure all fields are present
' Determine next available row
nextRow = ws.Cells(ws.Rows.Count, 1).End(xlUp).Row + 1
' Write parsed values into worksheet
With ws
.Cells(nextRow, 1).Value = Format(Now, "yyyy-mm-dd HH:nn:ss") ' Timestamp (rounded to seconds)
.Cells(nextRow, 2).Value = Val(dataFields(0)) ' Status
.Cells(nextRow, 3).Value = Val(dataFields(1)) / 10 ' Total Power (W)
.Cells(nextRow, 4).Value = Val(dataFields(2)) / 10 ' Net Power (W)
.Cells(nextRow, 5).Value = Val(dataFields(3)) / 10 ' Amplitude (%)
.Cells(nextRow, 6).Value = Val(dataFields(4)) ' Energy (Ws)
.Cells(nextRow, 7).Value = Val(dataFields(5)) / 10 ' ADC
.Cells(nextRow, 8).Value = Val(dataFields(6)) ' Frequency (Hz)
.Cells(nextRow, 9).Value = IIf(Val(dataFields(7)) = 2550, "", Val(dataFields(7)) / 10) ' Temperature (°C), blank if 255
.Cells(nextRow, 10).Value = Val(dataFields(8)) / 10 ' Time (s)
.Cells(nextRow, 11).Value = Val(dataFields(9)) ' ControlBits
.Cells(nextRow, 12).Value = IIf(Val(dataFields(10)) = 0, "", Val(dataFields(10))) ' LimitType, blank if 0
.Cells(nextRow, 13).Value = Val(dataFields(11)) / 20 ' SetPower (%)
.Cells(nextRow, 14).Value = Val(dataFields(12)) / 10 ' Cycle (%).Value = Val(dataFields(12)) / 10 ' Cycle (%)
End With
UpdateChart
End Sub
' === CREATE / UPDATE SCATTER-LINE CHART ===
Sub UpdateChart()
Dim ws As Worksheet: Set ws = Sheet1
Dim lastRow As Long: lastRow = ws.Cells(ws.Rows.Count, 1).End(xlUp).Row
If lastRow < 4 Then Exit Sub
' Format timestamp column to display yyyy-mm-dd HH:mm:ss
ws.Columns(1).NumberFormat = "yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss"
' Create chart if not already initialized
If chartObject Is Nothing Then
Set chartObject = ws.ChartObjects.Add(Left:=ws.Cells(2, 16).Left, Top:=ws.Cells(2, 16).Top, Width:=500, Height:=300)
chartObject.Name = "LiveChart"
End If
' Configure the scatter line chart with latest data
With chartObject.Chart
.ChartType = xlXYScatterLines
Do While .SeriesCollection.Count > 0: .SeriesCollection(1).Delete: Loop
' Plot Total Power
.SeriesCollection.NewSeries
.SeriesCollection(1).Name = "Power (W)"
.SeriesCollection(1).XValues = ws.Range("A3:A" & lastRow)
.SeriesCollection(1).Values = ws.Range("C3:C" & lastRow)
' Plot Amplitude
.SeriesCollection.NewSeries
.SeriesCollection(2).Name = "Amplitude (%)"
.SeriesCollection(2).XValues = ws.Range("A3:A" & lastRow)
.SeriesCollection(2).Values = ws.Range("E3:E" & lastRow)
' Plot Energy
.SeriesCollection.NewSeries
.SeriesCollection(3).Name = "Energy (Ws)"
.SeriesCollection(3).XValues = ws.Range("A3:A" & lastRow)
.SeriesCollection(3).Values = ws.Range("F3:F" & lastRow)
.HasTitle = True
.ChartTitle.Text = "Hielscher Sonicator: Live Chart"
.Axes(xlCategory).HasTitle = True
.Axes(xlCategory).AxisTitle.Text = "Time"
.Axes(xlValue).HasTitle = True
.Axes(xlValue).AxisTitle.Text = "Value"
' Format the X-axis to show MM:SS
.Axes(xlCategory).TickLabels.NumberFormat = "mm:ss"
End With
End Sub
' === FETCH XML VIA PLATFORM-SPECIFIC METHOD ===
Function GetMDataXML(ip As String) As String
Dim os As String: os = Application.OperatingSystem
' macOS: use AppleScript shell call to curl
If InStr(1, os, "Mac", vbTextCompare) > 0 Then
Dim script As String
script = "do shell script " & Chr(34) & "curl -s " & ip & Chr(34)
On Error Resume Next
GetMDataXML = MacScript(script)
If Err.Number <> 0 Then GetMDataXML = ""
' Windows: use MSXML2.XMLHTTP request
Else
Dim http As Object
Set http = CreateObject("MSXML2.XMLHTTP")
On Error Resume Next
http.Open "GET", ip, False
http.Send
If Err.Number = 0 And http.Status = 200 Then
GetMDataXML = http.responseText
Else
GetMDataXML = ""
End If
End If
End Function