Nick,
You can output to excel. All you have to do is use a Type 65c online printer. Create a blank xls file. Go into the type 65c, select the external files tab, select browse, and go to the directory of the file you created.
I have not called data from excel, I have called data from a txt file. For example to save on simulation time of a geo thermal system, I simulated the building loads first and saved them to a txt file formatted with each hourly load in a single column. Then I used a Data reader to call that data. My advice is to play with the data reader, in my opinion the options are not all that intuitive, but without too much time, you should be able to figure out how to extract the data you want and use it in TRNSYS.
-Aaron
From: Nicholas LaHam [mailto:ndlaham@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 1:00 PM
To: TRNSYS-users@cae.wisc.edu
Subject: [TRNSYS-users] excel question
I looked at the examples for calling excel but I think what I am trying to achieve is different, maybe someone can help or tell me if it's possible.
Is it possible to have TRNSYS actually use inputs or parameters (as strings) from an excel spreadsheet. For instance, say I set a parameter in TRNSYS for volume to a string, V_Tank. Then I have a certain cell in my spreadsheet with the number I want to use in my simulation. Is it possible to use the excel component to set V_Tank to whatever my cell in excel is set at?
Also, it is possible to go in reverse? Can I have outputs of TRNSYS go to excel?
I tried a few things and can't seem to get the component to work.
Thanks,
Nick