Inputs to trigger VBA code

Hi everyone.

I am hoping to build a budget timing system. I have found pages on how to build a photocell detector, with a laser, so when the beam is broken it can activate buttons on a stopwatch or when connected to a printer port be connected to a piece of budget timing software.

My question is if I build one can I write VBA code to accept an input from the photocell if it is connected to the computer? If not, by way of just connected wires to a printer port or such like, then what if I was to use Arduino?

Excel would be much better as I can then play with the data and also drop it straight into our results sheet. If this is just not possible though I will have to look at software instead.

Thanks for your help. KAL

Arduino would be a good choice for this application. It will provide the real world interface you need to connect the sensors to your computer. You might even be able to get the information to Excel via USB! I've been working on getting Arduino to interface with Excel. If anyone is interested, drop me a message!

Thank for the reply. I came to a dead end with this and so haven't done anything. Would still be interested if you have any info on how to integrate with excel.

Not sure how to build and connect either but I think there was a lot of guides on the web last time I looked.

Thanks, KAL

http://www.instructables.com/id/Send...d-plotting-it/

https://www.hackster.io/rayburne/ard...g-v-usb-cbf701

A couple quick search links. It's really early post holiday and I'm still waking up!

I have some other links I'll pull out later. I have not worked this up yet, Currently doing VBA programming to automate Excel, so the external interface with Arduino is on the back burner for a few. Once I get something going, I'll be sure to follow up here!

Double post removed

This is the program I was thinking about. Have yet to test it...

http://www.robertovalgolio.com/siste.../arduino-excel