What products are involved?
TDMS files generated by Rheonics Inksight and SlurryTrack.
What is the purpose of this article?
This article describes the procedure for installing an Excel TDM Add-In for to read TDMS files.
1. Overview
TDMS files are a binary file format developed by National Instruments (NI) for storing and managing large volumes of measurement data. Rheonics Inksight and SlurryTrack log job data in this format. One way to access this data is by using the TDM Add-in for Excel. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to download, install, and use the TDM Add-in for Excel from NI.
2. TDM Add-In Download
The TDM Add-In for Excel can be downloaded from National Instruments website, however an account is needed.
Figure 1. National Instruments TDM Excel Add-In Download: Account Needed
After creating the account, the download option becomes available. Since the NI Package Manager is necessary to install the Add-In, it is recommended to select the “Install Offline” option (see Figure 2). This option will install both the Package Manager and the Add-In for Excel one after the other.
Figure 2. National Instruments TDM Excel Add-In Download: Install Offline
After Clicking Install Offline, select the version to download and click Download.
Figure 3. TDM Add-In Version download
The downloaded file is an ISO file.
Figure 4. Ad-In iso file
3. TDM Add-In Installation
The downloaded ISO file needs to be "mounted" first. To do this, right-click the ISO file and select "Mount."
Figure 5. Mounting ISO File
A mounted ISO file acts as a virtual drive. Double-click the mounted drive to access the contents of the ISO file.
Figure 6. Installer Virtual Drive
Click “Install” to begin the installation process.
Figure 7. Installation Executable
Two installations will take place: NI Package Manager and the TDM Excel Add-In. The NI Package Manager will be first. Read and accept the license agreement, then proceed with the installation of the NI Package Manager.
Figure 8. NI Package Manager Installation
Once its finished, the TDM Excel Add-In installation will begin. Read and accept the license agreement, then proceed with the installation Add-in installation.
Figure 9. TDM Excel Add-In Installation
No additional configuration is required after the installations.
Figure 10. Installation Complete
4. Open TDM Files
With the Add-In installed, the Add-Ins tab should now be visible in the Excel Ribbon, as shown in Figure 11.
Figure 11. Excel Add-Ins tab
To open a TDMS file, select the TDM Importer option inside that Add-ins tab. From there, you can browse and open a TDMS file
Figure 12. TDM Import option in Excel
The Add-In can be set as the default application to open TDMS files. To do this, right-click on a TDMS file, select Properties, and click Change under the Opens with section. Then, select “niskyline_exceladdinimporter” as the default application, as shown in the image.
Figure 13. Add-In as default application
A Rheonics TDMS file contains specific application-logged data, including measurements, alarms, events, and diagnostic information.
Figure 14. TDMS file.