How to export an EV3 data file (*.rdf) to Excel

To open an EV3 data file (*.rdf) in Excel (or equivalent application), the trick is to convert it to a (*.csv) file using the the Tools > Export Datasets menu option in the EV3 Software.

If you need more help, read on…

Collect data

To get started, you will need some data. If you’d like some help getting started with datalogging, see Light and Dark Scavenger Hunt.

If the EV3 brick was connected to your computer when you ran the experiment, the collected data should already be visible in the Dataset Table…

Some collected data

If the EV3 brick wasn’t connected to your computer, you will need to upload the data. You can either select Tools > Data Log File Manager or select the Upload button…

Upload logged data

Export data

To export the collected data, use the menu option: Tools > Export Datasets

This will create a comma separated values (*.csv) file that can be open normally in Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet software (or even text-editing software such as Notepad or Microsoft Word).

Experiment data that has been imported into Excel
Experiment data that has been imported into Excel

For a basic introduction to datalogging, see Light and Dark Scavenger Hunt.

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Rob Torok

I'm a teacher in Tasmania, Australia, and have been using LEGO MINDSTORMS with my students since 2001. I'm the editor in chief for LEGO Engineering (this site) as well as the content editor for LEGO Education Australia (LEGOeducation.com.au).

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