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File handling

Batch converting PicoScope (.psdata) files to CSV

Native .psdata captures are stored in a protected container that only PicoScope can open. CSV exports load instantly in WaveWrench Pro — and you can convert an entire folder in one command.

1. Put your captures in one folder

Copy every .psdata file you want to analyze into a single folder, for example C:\Captures. Sub-folders are not converted, so flatten them first.

2. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell in that folder

In File Explorer, hold Shift, right-click empty space inside the folder and choose Open in Terminal (or Open PowerShell window here). You can also type cmd in the Explorer address bar and press Enter.

3. Run the batch conversion

This converts every capture in the folder to a matching .csv file:

picoscope /c "*.psdata" /f csv

To convert a single capture and name the output yourself:

picoscope /c filename.psdata /f csv /o output.csv

If Windows reports that picoscope is not recognized, the PicoScope install folder isn't on your PATH. Call it with the full path instead:

"C:\Program Files\Pico Technology\PicoScope 7\picoscope.exe" /c "*.psdata" /f csv

PowerShell: convert a whole folder

If the wildcard form doesn't pick up every capture, loop over the folder in PowerShell so each file is passed by its full path:

Get-ChildItem *.psdata | ForEach-Object { picoscope /c $_.FullName /f csv }

Run it from inside the capture folder (for example C:\Captures), or add -Path "C:\Captures" to Get-ChildItem to target it from anywhere. Add -Recurse if your captures are spread across sub-folders.

Output file naming

Converted files keep the original filename and only swap the extension — 2018_F150_CrankSync.psdata becomes 2018_F150_CrankSync.csv, saved next to the original. Name your captures by vehicle and test before converting and you can drop the whole batch straight into WaveWrench Pro without renaming anything.

4. Upload the CSV files

Drop the resulting .csv into the analyzer. WaveWrench Pro handles captures up to 100 MB, keeps full resolution for the diagnostic math, and downsamples only what's drawn on screen.

Manual export (no command line)

In PicoScope 7, open the capture and choose File → Save As, then pick CSV (*.csv) or Text file. Keep all channels enabled so timing comparisons stay intact.

Tips for clean exports

  • Export the full capture buffer, not just the visible window.
  • Keep the sync / cylinder-1 trigger channel in the export.
  • Use seconds or milliseconds for the time column — both are parsed automatically.
  • Avoid renaming channel headers; they drive channel mapping.