What is the GAMBL file format?
A .gambl file is a project created by Vernier Graphical Analysis, the data-collection and graphing app used in school and university science labs. It stores one or more recorded data sets organized into tables and graphs, together with graph display settings, curve fits, and the calibration details for the sensors that produced the readings. Projects made in Graphical Analysis Pro can also include video for motion analysis.
GAMBL is the project extension for Graphical Analysis and Graphical Analysis Pro version 5.0 and newer, introduced around 2018. It replaced the older .ambl extension used by version 4.x, and the switch accompanied the app's video features. Under the hood a .gambl file is an XML text document, so its contents are readable in any editor even though the app presents them far more clearly.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWA .gambl file is plain XML holding experiment data and graph settings, with no scripting or macro capability, so opening one carries little risk. Only open files from sources you trust, and be aware that browsers may display the XML as raw text; use Save Link As to download it correctly.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open GAMBL files
Windows2 apps
Vernier Graphical Analysis
Free Install the free Graphical Analysis desktop app, then choose File > Open and select the .gambl project to view its data sets, tables, and graphs.
Any text or XML editor (Notepad++, VS Code)
Open-source Open the .gambl file to inspect the underlying XML markup when you need to read raw values rather than the rendered graphs. 
macOS1 app
Vernier Graphical Analysis
Free Download the free Mac app, then use File > Open to load the .gambl project. 
Linux1 app
Graphical Analysis web app (graphicalanalysis.app)
Free Open the progressive web app in a browser and use File > Open to load a .gambl file, since there is no native Linux build. 
Android1 app
Vernier Graphical Analysis
Free Install the free app from Google Play and open the shared .gambl file to review the saved data and graphs.
Vernier Graphical Analysis
Free Install the free app on iPhone or iPad and open the .gambl file through the app or the Files app.
Graphical Analysis progressive web app
Free Use the browser-based app on Chromebook or any modern browser and choose File > Open to load a .gambl project. Technical details
deep spec| Encoding | UTF-8 text (XML) |
| Byte order | N/A (text) |
| Container | Single XML document; not a zip package |
| Compression | None by default; an optional binary/compressed variant can be enabled in Vernier settings |
| Typical size | Tens of kilobytes to several megabytes depending on data-set length and any embedded video |
| Structure | XML tree describing one or more data sets, each organized into tables and graphs, plus graph display settings, curve fits, sensor metadata and calibration. Graphical Analysis Pro projects can also reference video used for motion analysis. |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, iOS, Android |
| Notes | GAMBL is the project extension for Graphical Analysis and Graphical Analysis Pro 5.0 and newer. It replaced the earlier AMBL extension used by version 4.x and was introduced to support video features. Graphical Analysis 5.0+ can still open older AMBL files and can export back to AMBL for use with Logger Pro and version 4.x. Because the format is XML, browsers sometimes render a downloaded .gambl file as raw text instead of downloading it. |
| Released | 2018 (with Graphical Analysis 5.0) |
| Specification | www.vernier.com |
GAMBL conversions
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about GAMBL files.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open a GAMBL file?
.gambl file. On Chromebook you can use the browser version at graphicalanalysis.app.Can Logger Pro open a GAMBL file?
Why does my GAMBL file show up as a page of code in the browser?
.gambl file, then open it in Graphical Analysis.
