How to convert a scanned graph into real data

Have you ever had to pull data from an image of a graph? Maybe a supplier faxed you a 1940s era scan of the variable viscosity of peanut butter. Or, maybe your 401k administrator just sent you a glossy brochure showing historic portfolio performance (yay) and recent changes (boo).

Or, maybe you need to pull data off a chart like this one:

graph

You could get out a ruler and start measuring just like you did in high school. Or, you could download an incredibly useful (and totally free) software tool to do the work for you.

Engauge Digitizer converts any image of a graph into numbers. The image can come from a scanner, digital camera, or screenshot. The tool lets you mark key numeric locations on the image, define the axes, and select the desired points/curves. Then, it magically converts everything into x/y point data that you can bring into Microsoft Excel for re-use.

Enjoy!

  • mitesh
    thank you for this, so... much thanks... i cant say in words for this help.... thank you ...
  • Jeff Waters
    Hi Jeff, great to hear! Is it enough to win me a Bose noise canceling headset? (Just kidding)
  • Jeff
    Thanks for posting this! I regularly use charts from spec. sheets and this is going to save me a TON of time and effort.
  • Wow, my pleasure! Glad it helped.
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