Installing LabChart Extensions (for Windows)

Downloading and Installing LabChart Extensions for Windows

LabChart extensions let you add specific functionality to LabChart. They can be easily added and turned on or off, allowing you to customize LabChart to suit your own requirements.

• LabChart Extensions increase software functionality. They provide data visualisation, analysis and storage.


• Chart 5 Extensions provide additional data formatting, filtering, visualisation, measurement and calculation features for the Chart program. Extensions are available to download from the software updates pages of this web site.


• Chart 4 Extensions are available to download from the software updates pages of this web site. Some extensions are also installed in the 'Unused Extensions' folder when Chart 4 is installed. They are not used by Chart, however, until they are put in the 'Extensions' folder. When you launch Chart 4 it automatically loads any extensions that are in the Chart 4 'Extensions' folder.

Extension Compatibility

LabChart extensions for Windows do not work with LabChart for Macintosh. Likewise, you cannot use LabChart extensions for Macintosh with LabChart for Windows. Chart 5 extensions require Chart v5.x and Chart 4 extensions require Chart v4.x.

Downloading Extensions

The latest versions of extensions are available as downloads from the software updates pages of this web site.

1. To download an extension, click the appropriate link.
2. In the File Download dialog select the option ‘save the program to disk’.
3. Choose a location on you computer to save the download to, such as your desktop.

Installing Extensions

1. The extension will download as a self-extracting compressed file with an ".exe" file extension.
2. To extract the file, double-click on the “.exe” icon.
3. Choose the location that you wish the file to be extracted to. By default, this will be the same as the compressed file location. A LabChart extension file with a ".cfwext" file extension is created.
4. Put the ".cfwext" file into your 'Extensions' folder. By default, the ‘Extensions’ folder is located at C:\Program Files\ADInstruments\LabChart.

Note: Some recently released extensions are now available as Installers.

1. The extension will download as an Installer.
2. Double-click the extension Installer icon.
3. Read the information in the Installer window, and choose the location of the version of LabChart with which you would like to use the extension.
4. Click the Install button to begin installation, and follow the instructions.

Newly installed extensions will be loaded the next time you launch LabChart. To confirm which extensions are installed with LabChart, go to the 'Help' menu in the main LabChart window and choose 'Configuration'. Select the 'Extensions' tab to show a list of installed extensions.

Removing or Updating Extension Functionality in LabChart

Ensure that you exit LabChart before removing extensions. To remove an extension, take it out of the 'Extensions' folder. You may want to store unused extensions in the LabChart 'Extensions (unused)' folder for future use.

To update an extension copy the new version into the LabChart 'Extensions' folder and replace the old version. You should never have two versions of an extension in the LabChart 'Extensions' folder at the same time. Sometimes it may be necessary to delete an old extension, for example if the extension has had a name change.

Troubleshooting

If you are having problems downloading or installing extensions there are a several things you can do:

1. Check that you have a reliable Internet connection. If you cannot get a reliable connection, or download times are so long that the connection is timing out, then files may be damaged. If this happens, try downloading again or contact your local IT or computer technician for help. If you are still unable to download the files you require, ask your local ADInstruments Distributor about getting a disk or CD image of the software you need.
2. Check that the extension you want to use is compatible with the version of LabChart you are running. There will be information about this available on the appropriate download page.
3. Check that the extension has not been not been removed from the 'Extensions' folder.

For more information about LabChart extensions or ADInstruments software in general, please contact your local ADInstruments distributor.

If you are still having problems, send us a technical assistance request detailing your query.