Installation
ERPLAB is an open-source Matlab package for analyzing event-related potentials (ERPs). The original version of ERPLAB, now called ERPLAB Classic, is a plugin that operates within the EEGLAB package. ERPLAB Studio is a standalone application that implements the same underlying ERPLAB and EEGLAB code from a more user-friendly GUI.
- You must have a recent version of Matlab (2021a or later)
- Version 2023b or later is required if you are using a Mac with Apple Silicon
- Versions beginning with Matlab 2018a may work with ERPLAB Classic
- Your Matlab installation must include the Matlab Signal Processing Toolbox
- You must have EEGLAB installed (2024.0 or later)
- Download EEGLAB here
- Versions 2019 or later may work with ERPLAB Classic
- The EEGLAB folder must be contained within the Matlab path
- You must have read/write access to the folder containing EEGLAB and ERPLAB
There are two ways to install ERPLAB.
- Use the EEGLAB Plugin Manager
- Manually place the ERPLAB folder in the plugins folder within the EEGLAB folder
From EEGLAB v2019.0, the EEGLAB Plugin Manager includes ERPLAB.
First, run Matlab, and confirm that EEGLAB is in the Matlab path.
The command
which eeglab
will reveal the current path to EEGLAB.
If this path is empty, run addpath('C:\your_eeglab_path_here')
Start EEGLAB by typing eeglab (followed by Return/Enter) in the Matlab Command Window.
In the new EEGLAB window, select File > Manage EEGLAB extensions.
In the EEGLAB Plugin Manger, select ERPLAB and select install/update
Save the path if you plan to use ERPLAB Studio: quit from EEGLAB, select Set Path in the Matlab GUI, and click Save in the PATH window that appears. This is necessary to make sure that ERPLAB remains in your path after you quit from Matlab.
First, run Matlab, and confirm that EEGLAB is in the Matlab path.
The command
which eeglab
will reveal the current path to EEGLAB.
If this path is empty, run addpath('C:\your_eeglab_path_here')
In your file manager, navigate to that EEGLAB path.
Unzip the ERPLAB folder (download here) and place it in the /eeglab/plugins folder.
Ensure that the path is formatted correctly, such that something like C:\your_path_here\EEGLAB\plugins\erplabX.X\eegplugin_erplab.m exists. With that folder path, the folder should look something like:
Save the path: Launch EEGLAB (by typing eeglab in the Matlab Command Window), let it load, and then quit EEGLAB. Then select Set Path in the Matlab GUI, and click Save in the PATH window that appears. This is necessary to make sure that ERPLAB remains in your path after you quit from Matlab.
To start ERPLAB Studio, type estudio (followed by Return/Enter) in the Matlab Command Window. You will then see messages in the Command Window while ERPLAB Studio is loading (which can take 20-30 seconds or even longer). If Matlab tells you that it can't find estudio, make sure that you followed the instructions above for saving the path.
Start EEGLAB by typing eeglab (followed by Return/Enter) in the Matlab Command Window.
Once EEGLAB is running, you should see confirmation that ERPLAB is installed in the Matlab Command Window:
EEGLAB: adding "ERPLAB" v11.0 (see >> help eegplugin_erplab)
In the EEGLAB window, you should see a menu entry for ERPLAB.
Note that ERPLAB has a “working memory” file named memoryerp.erpm that it uses to store various settings (e.g., so that it can remember whether you like to plot positive or negative upward). This file is stored in the folder that contains the ERPLAB code, which is itself stored inside the folder that contains the EEGLAB code. You must have permission to write to that folder. This is not a problem on most personal computers, but it can be an issue on computers that are shared by multiple people (especially large-scale servers). If you are having a problem launching ERPLAB because you don’t have write permission, just install EEGLAB and ERPLAB inside a folder that you own rather than installing it in a folder that is used by multiple people.
For information about other common installation problems, see our Frequently Asked Questions page.