How to Program Microsoft Excel as a Modbus Master HMI

Name: How to Program Microsoft Excel as a Modbus Master HMI
Rating: 4.6 (281 reviews)

Learn how to use Microsoft Excel to communicate Serially or via TCP/IP with any Modbus Slave

Created byEmile Ackbarali

Last updated 5/2026

English

What you'll learn

Have an understanding of how ActiveX controls work with Microsoft Excel
Install the MBAXP Modbus ActiveX control in Microsoft Excel
Write VBA code to read Modbus data from a Modbus Slave/Server
Write VBA code to write Modbus data to a Modbus Slave/Server
Use Modsim32 as a Modbus Test Slave and Server
Establish both Modbus Serial and TCP/IP Communications using Microsoft Excel

Course content

7 sections • 17 lectures • 1h 24m total length

Introduction4:17
Accessing Attached Resources and Setting Optimal Video Resolution2:23

MBAXP Modbus ActiveX Control4:50
MBAXP is a Modbus ActiveX control that will give Microsoft Excel the ability to communicate via Modbus.
Modsim32 Modbus Slave/Server Simulator and Virtual Serial Port Kit3:33
Modsim32 is a Modbus slave/server application will be used as a simulator.
How the Software Applications Work with Each Other2:36
A very simple and brief overview of how the software downloaded will all work together.

Setting up the Developer Tab in Excel3:10
The developer tab in excel is not shown by default. It must be explicitly selected.
Changing Excel Security Settings to handle Macro-Enabled Files3:45
To enable Modbus on Excel, Macro-Enabled files have to be used. The security settings in Excel must therefore be changed.
Setting up the Software Applications to Establish Modbus Communications7:02
Modsim32, Virtual Serial Port and the MBAXP ActiveX control are all configured to create the very first Modbus connection in the course.
A Look at the VBA code that Implements the Modbus Master Functionality in Excel10:31
A look is taken at the various controls used in the Excel file and the properties and methods associated with them.

Reading a Block of Holding Registers7:55
The example from the previous section is expanded. It is moved from reading a single holding register memory address to a block of 5 addresses.
Reading Input Registers6:17
The Excel application is modified to read input registers.
Reading Coils4:14
The Excel application is modified to Read Coils.
Read Input Statuses4:35
The Excel application is modified to read input statues.

Requirements

Basic working knowledge of the Modbus RTU protocol.
Familiarity with the installation of software applications on the Windows OS platform
Elementary understanding of the "BASIC" programming language

Description

If you design and implement projects in the area of Process Automation or SCADA, you will know from your experience that "one size does not fit all" when it comes to data acquisition and Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs). There is always some type of customization to be done. Always some feature that the standard HMI software does not offer.

And sometimes, using a very expensive HMI with all sorts of bells and whistles for a small project can just be overkill. There are times when you just need a very simple application that acquires a few data points from a Modbus network and displays them on a computer screen.

These are the reasons for this course!

I teach you how to use Microsoft Excel to create your own Modbus Master application and Human Machine Interface.

If you apply yourself in this course and execute all that I ask you to do, then at the end, you would be essentially be creating an application with all of the superb data analysis capabilities of Microsoft Excel and applying it to Modbus data!

This is the start of your journey into a whole new area of Process Automation / SCADA and one that is increasingly in very high demand!

Looking forward to seeing you on the inside!

Who this course is for:

Electrical Engineers
Electrical Technicians
Electrical Tech or Engineering Students
Process Control Technicians and Engineers
Process Automation Engineers
Programmers working in the Process Automation field

How to Program Microsoft Excel as a Modbus Master HMI

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction2 lectures • 7min

The Software We Will Be Using3 lectures • 11min

Quick Start - Our First Excel Modbus Master HMI Application4 lectures • 24min

Expanding the Quick Start Excel Modbus Master Example4 lectures • 23min

Adding Modbus Write Commands to the Excel Application2 lectures • 11min

Changing from Modbus Serial Communications to Modbus TC/IP Communications1 lecture • 7min

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

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: