## Opening CSV files in Microsoft Excel ### Illuminance Map If an IDF file has an Illuminance Map (as well as zone loads for lighting and daylighting controls), the simulation results will contain a CSV file with the Illuminance Map data. This file will be in the same directory as the IDF file. In this case the file is called "GeometryTest-OutputIlluminanceMap.csv". You can select the map data for a specific time (4:00 p.m. shown) and create a contour chart to view the map. (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) The resulting Excel chart follows. You can save this via a screenshot or image export from Excel to use elsewhere. For example, you can return it to the OpenStudio file. (If you save it to the OpenStudio file, it remains there for your current session only. It will not be there when you reopen the IDF.) (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) To overlay the map image on the OpenStudio Illuminance Map, go to File Import and check the button for "Use as Image" to bring the image in as its own object. To place it, click first on the minX,minY of the Illuminance Map, and then click on the opposite corner. . (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) The resulting image object should appear something like this. Again, this will not be saved with the IDF file, it is only a viewing reference for your current OpenStudio session. (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) ### Report Variables If Report Variables is checked when the simulation is run, EnergyPlus will create a file with the same name as your IDF but with a ".csv" extension, in this case "GeometryTest.csv". This contains all the data available to use in the OpenStudio results viewer, as well as additional data that OpenStudio may not have access to. You can open this file in Microsoft Excel and export the data or create charts to present or analyze the data. The following screenshot shows a bar chart that uses the values for the Daylighting Reference Point in "DORM ROOMS AND COMMON AREAS" over the course of the day on June 21. (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL)
Back to Top |

U.S. Department of Energy