Sequence Maker, a command send/receive add-in for Excel

V1.70 Dec 06, 2024

The copyright to the executable program file and associated documents is owned by HIOKI E.E. CORPORATION. This utility may not be bundled with software or other publications which are sold for profit without the express written permission of the copyright owner.
Further, this product may not be modified without the express written permission of the copyright owner.

HIOKI disclaims any and all responsibility for any consequences arising out of use of this software.

Application (SequenceMakerSetupV1.70.zip)
Excel Sample (Excel Sample.zip)

○ Latest software is posted. Keep the instruction manual up-to-date.
○ Do not perform the following operations during the upgrade. Repair is required.
・ Turn off the main unit.
・ Remove the media.

About Sequence Maker

Click here for Sequence Maker special page

Sequence Maker is an add-in for Microsoft Excel that allows you to send and receive communication commands for measuring instruments. It supports all common communication interfaces and allows you to control multiple instruments. In addition, since measurement sequences can be freely configured, automatic control and measurement of measuring instruments can be realized immediately.

How to install and uninstall

How to install
-1. Close Excel if it is running.
-2. Download and extract the Sequence Maker software.
-3. Run the installer.
-4. Start Excel after installation.
(If the Microsoft Office Customization Installer screen appears, click "Install".)
-5. Confirm that "SEQUENCE MAKER" has been added to the tabs of the ribbon.
(If the "SEQUENCE MAKER" tab disappears from the Excel ribbon, please try reinstalling Sequence Maker.)

How to uninstall
-1. If Excel is running, close all of them.
-2. Open "Apps and Features" in Windows.
-3. Select "HIOKI Sequence Maker" from the list of applications, and click "Uninstall".

How to use

-1. Connect the PC to the measuring instrument
-2. Launch Excel and select the "SEQUENCE MAKER" tab
-3. Configure the interface #1. (①)
-4. Enter the communication command in the Excel sheet. (②)
-5. Select the cell of the command you want to send and press the "Start" button. (③)

Automatically send and receive down to blank cells. If the command contains ? is included in the command, the received data will be output to the right of the command.
Click on the "Manual" of the add-in to see detailed usage instructions.

Click here for more details.

Specifications

* Supported interfaces
 - RS-232C (USB virtual COM)
 - LAN (socket communication)
 - GPIB (GPIB controller from National Instruments and CONTEC)
 - VISA (USB TMC, LAN LXI)
* Control of up to 12 measuring instruments
* Timeout time, wait time before transmission, and number of repetitions can be set.
* Time stamp and communication time can be output.
* Received data can be divided by commas and semicolons.
* Sequence Maker commands can be used (see manual).
* Required runtime library
 - .NET Framework 4.6.1
 - Visual Studio 2010 Tools for Office Runtime 10.0.40820

* Operation check environment
 - OS (Windows 10 32bit/64bit, Windows11 64bit)
 - Excel (Excel 2013 32bit/64bit, Excel 2016 32bit/64bit, Excel 2019 32bit/64bit, Excel 2021 32bit/64bit, Excel 365 32bit/64bit)
 - GPIB controller (NI GPIB-USB-HS, NI GPIB-USB-HS+, CONTEC GP-IB(USB)FL, CONTEC GPIB-FL-LPE, Keysight 82357B)
 - VISA instrument driver (National Instruments NI-VISA 20.0, Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2020 Update 1, KIKUSUI KI-VISA 5.5.0.275, R&S VISA 7.2.3)
 - Digital I/O controller (CONTEC DIO-0808LY-USB, CONTEC DO-16TY-USB, etc.)

* Measuring instruments with confirmed communication (Check only the response of *IDN?)
 Note: Optional communication board or communication package is required depending on the measuring instrument.
 - HIOKI IM7580A IMPEDANCE ANALYZER(RS-232C,USB,LAN,GPIB)
 - HIOKI IM3590 CHEMICAL IMPEDANCE ANALYZER(RS-232C,USB,LAN,GPIB)
 - HIOKI IM3570 IMPEDANCE ANALYZER(RS-232C,USB,LAN,GPIB)
 - HIOKI IM3536 LCR METER(RS-232C,USB,LAN,GPIB)
 - HIOKI IM3533 LCR METER(RS-232C,USB,LAN,GPIB)
 - HIOKI IM3523 LCR METER(RS-232C,USB,LAN,GPIB)
 - HIOKI IM3523A LCR METER(USB,LAN)
 - HIOKI 3504 C HiTESTER(RS-232C,GPIB)
 - HIOKI 3504-40 C HiTESTER(RS-232C,GPIB)
 - HIOKI 3504-50 C HiTESTER(RS-232C,GPIB)
 - HIOKI RM3542A RESISTANCE HiTESTER(RS-232C,GPIB)
 - HIOKI DM7275 PRECISION DC VOLTMETER(RS-232C,USB,LAN)
 - HIOKI 3238 DIGITAL HiTESTER(RS-232C)
 - HIOKI SW1001 SWITCH MAINFRAME(RS-232C,USB,LAN)
 - HIOKI BT4560 BATTERY IMPEDANCE METER(RS-232C)
 - HIOKI BT3554 BATTERY TESTER(USB)
 - HIOKI BT5525 BATTERY INSULATION TESTER(RS-232C,USB,LAN)
 - HIOKI 3561-01 BATTERY HiTESTER(RS-232C,GPIB)
 - HIOKI SM7420 SUPER MEGOHM METER(RS-232C,USB,GPIB)
 - HIOKI DSM-8104 DIGITAL SUPER MEGOHMMETER(RS-232C)
 - HIOKI ST4030A IMPULSE WINDING TESTER(USB,LAN)
 - HIOKI 3174 AC AUTOMATIC INSULATION/WITHSTANDING HiTESTER(RS-232C)
 - HIOKI 3153 AUTOMATIC INSULATION/WITHSTANDING HiTESTER(RS-232C,GPIB)
 - HIOKI 3159 INSULATION/WITHSTANDING HiTESTER(RS-232C)
 - HIOKI 3158 AC WITHSTANDING VOLTAGE HiTESTER(RS-232C)
 - HIOKI ST5540 LEAK CURRENT HiTESTER(RS-232C,USB)
 - HIOKI ST5520 INSULATION TESTER(RS-232C)
 - HIOKI ST5680 DC HIPOT TESTER(RS-232C,USB,LAN,GPIB)
 - HIOKI DT4254 DIGITAL MULTIMETER(USB)
 - HIOKI 3331 POWER HiTESTER(RS-232C,GPIB)
 - HIOKI PW3335 POWER METER(RS-232C,LAN)
 - HIOKI PW6001 POWER ANALYZER(RS-232C,LAN,GPIB)
 - HIOKI PW8001 POWER ANALYZER(LAN)
 - HIOKI MR6000 MEMORY HiCORDER(LAN)
 - HIOKI ST4200 PARTIAL DISCHARGE DETECTOR(LAN) NEW
 - RM3545A RESISTANCE METER(RS-232C,USB,LAN) NEW

Version Upgrade History

V1.70 December 2024
・Addition of dedicated commands. (#SENDBIN, #POLLINBIT?, #POLLINBYTE?, #CAMERA?, #CAMERAFILE?, #SPLITDELIMITER)
・Addition of API. (SendBinary, GetContecDigitalIoDeviceName, GetCameraDeviceName)
・Correspond virtual communication interface.
・Improved split processing.
・Improved stop processing.
・Fixed minor bugs.

V1.60 June 2024
・Addition of dedicated commands.
・Support for CONTEC USB GPIB communication driver (API-GPIB(WDM)).
・Expand the number of controllable measuring instruments to up to 12.
・Fixed minor bugs.

V1.50 December 2023
・Addition of dedicated commands.
・Addition of ability to send and receive single commands.
・Fixed minor bugs.

V1.40 December 2023
・Addition of detailed settings for option.
・Addition of dedicated commands.
・Correspond saving and loading settings.
・Addition of VBA linkage function.
・Fixed minor bugs.

V1.30 June 2022
・Support for Windows11.
・Added Xon/Xoff setting for RS-232C.
・Added EOM setting for VISA.
・Improved communication speed.
・Modified the small bug.

V1.20 December 2021
・Addition of detailed settings for option.
・Addition of dedicated commands.
・Modified the small bug.

V1.10 November 2021
・Addition of detailed settings for the interface.
・Addition of dedicated commands.
・mprovement of split option.
・Add command monitor tool.
・Modified API for VISA communication.

V1.00 June 2021
・First release

Precautions

When using USB or GPIB, it is necessary to install a device driver. For details, please refer to the instruction manual of each product.
To use the latest version of the check function, an Internet connection is required.
This add-in can send and receive communication commands with various measuring instruments, but it does not guarantee communication of communication commands with all measuring instruments. Depending on the specifications, data size, or combination of communication commands, it may not be possible to communicate properly. For details of communication commands, please contact the manufacturer of each measuring instrument.
The names of companies and products appearing on this site are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.