There are a variety of ways to move data from LabQuest to a computer or other device. Options include connecting LabQuest to a computer via USB, saving the data to a USB thumb drive, or e-mailing the data. The list below shows the steps for the most commonly used methods.

1. Transfer data via a USB flash drive or SD card

You can save the LabQuest file to an SD card (original LabQuest or LabQuest 2 only) or a USB flash drive, then open the file on the computer using Graphical Analysis app or Logger Pro software.
How do I save a LabQuest experiment file to a USB flash drive or SD card?

2. Transfer data via email

You can email the data to yourself and members of your lab group. (This option is not available with the original LabQuest.) From the “File” menu in LabQuest App, there are four “email” options:

  • Data File—sends a .qmbl file, preserving all of your settings and analysis. This file can be opened in Graphical Analysis app (computer, Chromebook, phone, or tablet) or in Logger Pro (computer only).
  • Graph—sends a PDF of the graph only (as opposed to everything on the LabQuest screen). This is best for when students want to insert a copy of the graph into a lab report.
  • Text File—sends a tab-delimited text file (*.txt) that contains only the numeric portion of the data. This format is the best choice if if you plan to move the data into Excel, Google Docs, MatLab, or another program.
  • Screenshot—takes a screenshot of everything that was on screen at the time the option was selected and sends a .png image file. This is most commonly used when students have already analyzed the data on LabQuest, annotated the graph, or wish to include an exact copy of what is on screen in a lab report.

Here are some additional details about emailing:
● How do I set up LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 to email data with labquest@vernier.com instead of my own email account?
● How do I set up LabQuest 2 to email data with a Gmail account?
● How do I set up LabQuest 3 to email data with a Gmail account?
● How can I setup email on my LabQuest using a Yahoo mail account?

3. Transfer Data via Data Share

TRANSFER USING LABQUEST WEB APP
You can Data Share from a LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 using the LabQuest Web app. This option is not available with the original LabQuest.

  1. Connect both the LabQuest and the computer, Chromebook or mobile device to the same WiFi network.
  2. On the receiving device, open a browser and enter the LabQuest’s URL.
  3. Once the data have populated, you can continue to work with the data in the web app.
  4. To export the data to use with other software such as a spreadsheet or Graphical Analysis app, click or tap export, ⤓, and select download data.
  5. Give the file a name, select the appropriate decimal separator, then click or tap Download CSV.

TRANSFER TO GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS APP
You can Data Share from a LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 to Graphical Analysis app running on a computer, phone or tablet. This option is not available with the original LabQuest and cannot be used with a Chromebook or the progressive web app version of Graphical Analysis https://graphicalanalysis.app).

  1. Download Graphical Analysis app to your computer or mobile device.
  2. Connect both the LabQuest and the computer/device to the same WiFi network.
  3. In Graphical Analysis, start a New Experiment, select Data Sharing, and select the Local tab.
  4. Select the LabQuest from the list of devices, or manually enter the LabQuest device’s URL.
  5. Once the data have populated the software, you can continue to work with the data in Graphical Analysis.
  6. To export the data to use with spreadsheet software, click the file icon in the upper-left corner of the Graphical Analysis app, select Export, and then choose “.CSV”.

For more detailed instructions see:
How do I set up LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 and Graphical Analysis app to work together via wireless Data Sharing over Wi-Fi?
Can I use a USB cable to Data Share my LabQuest 3 with a computer or Chromebook?

4. Transfer Data via USB to Logger Pro

TRANSFER NEW DATA
If you wish to transfer data you have just collected (or from a saved file that you have just opened) to Logger Pro (or Logger Lite) computer software, follow this procedure:

  1. Connect LabQuest to the USB port on a computer.
  2. Start Logger Pro. When the software successfully connects, the LabQuest screen will show two arrows, indicating that LabQuest is connected.
  3. The computer program will offer to import the data. Note: When you answer “Yes,” you will be asked if you want to import the data into the current session or into a previously saved file.
  4. Once the data have populated the software, you can continue to work with the data in Logger Pro.
  5. You may choose to save the file by choosing Save As from the File menu. To export the data to use with spreadsheet software, select Export ▶ CSV… from the File menu.

TRANSFER SAVED DATA
If you have already saved the data to the internal memory on LabQuest, the procedure is a little different:

  1. Connect LabQuest to the USB port on the computer.
  2. Open Logger Pro. When the software successfully connects, the LabQuest screen will show two arrows, indicating that LabQuest is connected.
  3. Choose LabQuest Browser from the File menu, and then choose Open.
  4. A dialog box will be displayed that shows a list of the files stored on the LabQuest. Select your file and click the Open button. Note: Only one LabQuest file can be opened at a time.
  5. Once the data have populated the software, you can continue to work with the data in Logger Pro.
  6. You may choose to save the file by choosing Save As from the File menu. To export the data to use with spreadsheet software, select Export ▶ CSV… from the File menu.

Note: Another method for manually transferring data from LabQuest to Logger Pro is to choose LabQuest Browser from the File menu in the computer software, and then choose Import. Import differs from Open in that only the data in the LabQuest file are added to the current computer session. This allows you to compile data from multiple LabQuest sessions into a single Logger Pro for graphing and comparison. For further details, see
Can I get data from multiple LabQuest App files into a single Logger Pro file?

Additional Information

Published: February 23, 2017. Updated: February 24, 2025.