How to Log Modbus Data to Microsoft Access and Excel

Name: How to Log Modbus Data to Microsoft Access and Excel
Rating: 4.6 (157 reviews)

Set up the Winlog Lite HMI Development application to log data from a Modbus slave to Microsoft Access and Excel

Created byEmile Ackbarali

Last updated 5/2026

English

What you'll learn

Have an appreciation for the basic Structured Query Language commands
Build a Human Machine Interface to capture a Modbus data point
Configure a Human Machine Interface to log data to a Microsoft Access database
Configure a Human Machine Interface to log data to a Microsoft Excel file
Have an introductory appreciation for HMI scripting

Course content

7 sections • 19 lectures • 1h 9m total length

Introduction & Course Guide3:54
Accessing Attached Resources and Setting Optimal Video Resolution2:23
An Overview of What We Are Going To Build3:13
Using a schematic, the architecture of the software configuration that will be used in the course.

Downloading Modsim32 and Virtual Serial Port Kit3:33
Modsim32 is a Modbus slave simulation application. It will be used to provide data values that will be read by the HMI application and logged to Access and Excel.
Downloading Winlog Lite2:22
Winlog Lite is an HMI Development Application. It will be used to build an HMI application that will read data from the Modbus slave and then constantly log those data values to Access and Excel.
Downloading the Winlog Lite Documentation2:51

Configuring Virtual Serial Port kit and Modsim325:15
Modsim32 is configured as a Modbus slave device with only 1 Input Register. A single virtual port pair is configured in Virtual Serial Port kit.
Configuring Channels, Devices and Gates in Winlog Lite5:34
Channels, Devices and Gates are configured in the application to acquire data from a single input register in Modsim32.
Configuring Templates and Running the HMI Application3:37
A template screen is configured with a single object to view the value. The HMI application is then run.

Configuration of the ODBC Channel3:40
A new channel (#2) is configured to link to the ODBC DSN, which is connected to the MS Access database.
Configuration of a new Gate and Modification of the INSERT SQL Query5:31
A gate is created, whose value will be written to the VALUESP column of the database table.
Writing a Code Script to copy the Modbus value3:10
A code script called "Main'" is written with periodically copies the value of LINE_PRESSURE to LINE_PRESSURE_DB.
Running the HMI application and Logging Data to MS Access2:55
The HMI application is run and the Modbus value is changed in Modsim32. The database is then opened to check for logged data.
Modifying the HMI application to Log Data to Excel3:50
The HMI application is modified and then run again to see if data is being logged to the excel file.

Requirements

Basic working knowledge of the Modbus RTU protocol.
Familiarity with the installation of software applications on the Windows OS platform
Familiarity with Microsoft Access and Excel

Description

Archival of process control data is paramount to tracking of process performance and troubleshooting of issues with the process plant. Modbus is used heavily to acquire process data via the use of Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs). HMI's typically have the ability to not only read real-time data but also to archive that data for further analysis. A frequent drawback of HMIs is that archived data is usually stored in a proprietary format, which can make porting data to other system for further analysis problematic.

This course details the use of the Winlog Lite HMI in archiving process data directly to a Microsoft Access database as well as a Microsoft Excel workbook. By being able to do this type of archival, porting of data becomes much easier and faster.

The course uses a Modbus slave simulator from which the HMI acquires a single data point which is deemed a line pressure. The HMI is then configured to have this data point archived every 10 seconds a Microsoft Access database as well as a Microsoft Excel file. Structured Query Language (SQL) is introduced to the student as well as an example of HMI scripting.

The course is very practical and the student can perform all tasks that are shown in the videos. In fact, throughout the course, students are strongly encouraged to do all that is show in the videos for maximum learning effect.

Who this course is for:

Electrical Engineers
Electrical Technicians
Electrical Tech or Engineering Students
Process Control Technicians and Engineers
Process Automation Engineers

How to Log Modbus Data to Microsoft Access and Excel

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction3 lectures • 10min

Downloading the Software Applications3 lectures • 9min

Building a Basic Single Master / Slave Modbus Network3 lectures • 14min

Configuring Microsoft Access and Excel for Data Logging2 lectures • 8min

Using SQL for Reading from and Writing to the Databases2 lectures • 8min

Configuration of the Logging to the MS Access and Excel5 lectures • 19min

Bonus Section - How to Always get the Lowest Prices for my Courses1 lecture • 2min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: