Development of an Excel VBA library for the Internet of Things

Abstract

The objective of this project is to create a library of functions and procedures for Microsoft Excel. This library is used to treat data generated by Internet of Things devices. To accomplish this goal, it’s necessary to bridge the gap existing between the data generated and the spreadsheet program of choice that could easily handle this data, in this case Microsoft Excel. This missing link comes in the form of a library written in “Visual Basic of Applications” (VBA), the language that Microsoft Excel uses for user defined operations. This project contains the background and state of the art of the technologies involving the “Internet of Things” at the moment of its conception. An Evaluation Board is used to emulate the behavior of different possible devices that could belong to the Internet of Things category. The project contains explanations of the main concepts related to the “Internet of Things”, it also explores and discusses how to best approach the conception of the library. Once the objectives are narrowed, it presents the code implemented with detailed explanation of the structures used. The main objective is to properly retrieve and present data obtained with the evaluation board. This is accomplished by structuring a library with four modules related to each other. These modules are used to: (1) retrieve the data information using Http requests, (2) format the data in a way that is useful to treat and interpret, (3) create a program that automates these procedures and presents data reports that make it easy to manage data, and finally (4) present library description and provide help to the user so doubts and issues encountered can be solved. After the library code is explained, validation tests are made to demonstrate the performance of the processes and functions contained in the library. The result of the project is a solid library written in “Visual Basic for Applications”, composed by four modules that can be upgraded or changed individually to perform new custom applications. This library accomplishes the objective of providing a useful tool to both users and researchers.