← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

Copying a micro:bit data log into a spreadsheet

The file on the MICROBIT USB drive that opens the data log. Use its Download CSV button, then open the CSV in a spreadsheet and check the column headings.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Acquiring and Storing Data — Module 23

Understanding Copying a micro:bit data log into a spreadsheet in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What it does: Once it is plugged in, the micro:bit shows up as a drive named MICROBIT. The data log file MY_DATA.HTM is stored there. A .csv file is plain text with values separated by commas. A spreadsheet opens it and puts each reading in its own cell. Open MY_DATA.HTM to see the logged readings in your web browser. The headings, such as time and temperature, tell you what each column holds. Check they match the data you logged. The micro:bit program names the columns when it logs, and these names become the headings in the CSV. The micro:bit stores the log as MY_DATA.HTM. The CSV only exists after you click Download CSV.

Common mistakes: The Delete log button erases the readings. To save them as a file you click Download CSV. The micro:bit is connected to the computer with a USB cable, not Wi-Fi. This is what makes the MICROBIT drive appear.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 204–236) and word search (Modules 189–236).

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Learning
Duo
How do you connect a micro:bit to a computer to get its data log?
Hold it next to the screenPlug it in with a USB cable
Matches
Open MY_DATA.CSV on the MICROBIT drive
↓
The file on the drive is MY_DATA.HTM, not a CSV. You open it, then use Download CSV to make the CSV file.
Applying
Meanings
Term
MY_DATA.HTM
Meaning
The file on the MICROBIT USB drive that opens the data log. Use its Download CSV button, then open the CSV in a spreadsheet and check the column headings.
Practice
time (seconds),Temperature
Testing
Gaps
datalogger.("time", "temp")
Check Answer
Spots
33. Open MY_DATA.HTM
44. Click Delete log

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Quick Questions

1. How do you connect a micro:bit to a computer to get its data log?
A. Hold it next to the screen
B. Plug it in with a USB cable ✓
The micro:bit shows up as a USB drive called MICROBIT when it is plugged in with a USB cable.
2. Which file on the MICROBIT drive opens the data log?
A. MY_PHOTO.PNG
B. MY_DATA.HTM ✓
Open MY_DATA.HTM to see the logged readings in your web browser.
3. What do you click on the MY_DATA.HTM page to save the readings as a file?
A. Download CSV ✓
B. Delete log
Download CSV saves the readings as a .csv file you can open in a spreadsheet. Delete log would erase the data.
4. Which file type can a spreadsheet open to show the micro:bit log in rows and columns?
A. A CSV file ✓
B. An MP3 file
CSV stores data as plain text with commas between values, and spreadsheets read it into cells.
5. After opening the CSV in a spreadsheet, what should you check first?
A. The column headings in row 1 ✓
B. The colour of the cells
The headings, such as time and temperature, tell you what each column holds. Check they match the data you logged.

Match the Pairs

MY_DATA.HTM → The file on the MICROBIT USB drive that you open to see the data log and download it as a CSV file
Download CSV → The button that saves the logged readings as a .csv file you can open in a spreadsheet
The micro:bit appears as a USB drive after you connect it with a USB cable → MICROBIT (drive)
After downloading, open the data log file in a spreadsheet so the readings fill rows and columns → datalog.csv
Open MY_DATA.CSV on the MICROBIT drive → The file on the drive is MY_DATA.HTM, not a CSV. You open it, then use Download CSV to make the CSV file.
Open the CSV and start graphing without looking at row 1 → The column headings were not checked. Row 1 should hold the headings, such as time and temperature, before using the data.

Key Term

MY_DATA.HTM
The file on the MICROBIT USB drive that opens the data log. Use its Download CSV button, then open the CSV in a spreadsheet and check the column headings.

Fill in the Blanks

1. datalogger.setColumnTitles("time", "temp")
Hint: Type the datalogger function that sets the column headings.
2. 1. Open MY_DATA.HTM on the MICROBIT drive
Hint: Type the name of the file on the MICROBIT drive that opens the data log.
3. 2. Click the Download CSV button
Hint: Type the file format that a spreadsheet can open.
4. Check the headings in row 1 of the sheet
Hint: Type the row number where the column headings sit.
5. Connect the micro:bit with a USB cable
Hint: Type the kind of cable that connects the micro:bit to the computer.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A 1. Plug micro:bit in by USB
B 2. Open the MICROBIT drive
C 3. Open MY_DATA.HTM
D 4. Click Delete log
Line D — The Delete log button erases the readings. To save them as a file you click Download CSV.
Question 2
A 1. Link micro:bit by Wi-Fi
B 2. Open the MICROBIT drive
C 3. Open MY_DATA.HTM
Line A — The micro:bit is connected to the computer with a USB cable, not Wi-Fi. This is what makes the MICROBIT drive appear.
Question 3
A 1. Plug in the micro:bit
B 2. Open the Downloads folder
C 3. Open MY_DATA.HTM
D 4. Click Download CSV
Line B — MY_DATA.HTM is stored on the MICROBIT drive, so you open that drive. The Downloads folder only holds the file after you download it.
Question 4
A 1. Download the CSV file
B 2. Open Excel or Sheets
C 3. Open the HEX file
D 4. Check the headings in row 1
Line C — A HEX file is the micro:bit program, not the data log. You need to open the CSV file in the spreadsheet.
Question 5
A Open the CSV in a spreadsheet
B Look at row 99 for headings
C Headings should name columns
Line B — Column headings are in the first row (row 1) of the spreadsheet, not row 99. Check row 1 to see if the columns are named properly.

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