diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index e8a6d9ae..a13791ba 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@
 
 changes since 0.17.0
 ===================================
+NEW 2016-04-28 msr2data gets a new option: paramList which allows to 
+               extract a subset of all the parameters of a collection
+               of msr-files.
 NEW 2016-04-22 Added the theory function muMinusExpTF for mu minus fits
 NEW 2016-02-23 It is now possible to export the averaged data/Fourier
 CHANGED 2016-04-26 start-/endTimeBin are now class members. This reduces 
diff --git a/src/classes/PMsr2Data.cpp b/src/classes/PMsr2Data.cpp
index f5e19160..39752f9d 100644
--- a/src/classes/PMsr2Data.cpp
+++ b/src/classes/PMsr2Data.cpp
@@ -1643,13 +1643,23 @@ bool PMsr2Data::PrepareNewSortedInputFile(unsigned int tempRun) const
  * - -2 if a fit has not converged (and the data is not appended to the output file)
  *
  * \param outfile name of the DB/ASCII output file
+ * \param paramList parameter list which shall be written to the output file
  * \param db DB or plain ASCII output
  * \param withHeader write output file header or not
  * \param global global mode or not
  * \param counter counter used within the global mode to determine how many runs have been processed already
  */
-int PMsr2Data::WriteOutput(const string &outfile, bool db, unsigned int withHeader, bool global, unsigned int counter) const
+int PMsr2Data::WriteOutput(const string &outfile, const vector<unsigned int>& paramList, bool db,
+                           unsigned int withHeader, bool global, unsigned int counter) const
 {
+  // make sure that the parameter number of the parameter list stays within proper bounds
+  for (unsigned int i=0; i<paramList.size(); i++) {
+    if (paramList[i] > fMsrHandler->GetMsrParamList()->size()) {
+      cerr << "msr2data: **ERROR** found parameter " << paramList[i] << " which is out of bound (>" << fMsrHandler->GetMsrParamList()->size() << ")." << endl;
+      return -1;
+    }
+  }
+
   if (!to_lower_copy(outfile).compare("none")) {
     fRunVectorIter++;
     return PMUSR_SUCCESS;
@@ -2008,7 +2018,7 @@ int PMsr2Data::WriteOutput(const string &outfile, bool db, unsigned int withHead
 
       if (fDataHandler) {
         for (unsigned int i(0); i < dataParamLabels.size(); ++i) {
-         outFile << dataParamLabels[i] << endl;
+          outFile << dataParamLabels[i] << endl;
         }
       }
 
@@ -2022,22 +2032,26 @@ int PMsr2Data::WriteOutput(const string &outfile, bool db, unsigned int withHead
       if (global) {
         string tempName;
         for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumGlobalParam; ++i) {
-          outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data() << endl;
+          if (InParameterList(i, paramList))
+            outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data() << endl;
         }
         for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumSpecParam; ++i) {
-          tempName = (*msrParamList)[fNumGlobalParam + fNumSpecParam*counter + i].fName.Data();
-          string::size_type loc = tempName.rfind(curRunNumber.str());
-          if (loc == tempName.length() - fRunNumberDigits) {
-            outFile << tempName.substr(0, loc) << endl;
-          } else {
-            cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The run index of some parameter does not match the run number being processed!";
-            cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The output will be flawed!";
-            cerr << endl;
+          if (InParameterList(fNumGlobalParam + fNumSpecParam*counter + i, paramList)) {
+            tempName = (*msrParamList)[fNumGlobalParam + fNumSpecParam*counter + i].fName.Data();
+            string::size_type loc = tempName.rfind(curRunNumber.str());
+            if (loc == tempName.length() - fRunNumberDigits) {
+              outFile << tempName.substr(0, loc) << endl;
+            } else {
+              cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The run index of some parameter does not match the run number being processed!";
+              cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The output will be flawed!";
+              cerr << endl;
+            }
           }
         }
       } else {
         for (unsigned int i(0); i < msrNoOfParams; ++i) {
-          outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data() << endl;
+          if (InParameterList(i, paramList))
+            outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data() << endl;
         }
       }
 
@@ -2073,22 +2087,26 @@ int PMsr2Data::WriteOutput(const string &outfile, bool db, unsigned int withHead
       if (global) {
         string tempName;
         for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumGlobalParam; ++i) {
-          outFile << " " << (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data();
+          if (InParameterList(i, paramList))
+            outFile << " " << (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data();
         }
         for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumSpecParam; ++i) {
-          tempName = (*msrParamList)[fNumGlobalParam + fNumSpecParam*counter + i].fName.Data();
-          string::size_type loc = tempName.rfind(curRunNumber.str());
-          if (loc == tempName.length() - fRunNumberDigits) {
-            outFile << " " << tempName.substr(0, loc);
-          } else {
-            cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The run index of some parameter does not match the run number being processed!";
-            cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The output will be flawed!";
-            cerr << endl;
+          if (InParameterList(i, paramList)) {
+            tempName = (*msrParamList)[fNumGlobalParam + fNumSpecParam*counter + i].fName.Data();
+            string::size_type loc = tempName.rfind(curRunNumber.str());
+            if (loc == tempName.length() - fRunNumberDigits) {
+              outFile << " " << tempName.substr(0, loc);
+            } else {
+              cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The run index of some parameter does not match the run number being processed!";
+              cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The output will be flawed!";
+              cerr << endl;
+            }
           }
         }
       } else {
         for (unsigned int i(0); i < msrNoOfParams; ++i) {
-          outFile << " " << (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data();
+          if (InParameterList(i, paramList))
+            outFile << " " << (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data();
         }
       }
 
@@ -2132,61 +2150,67 @@ int PMsr2Data::WriteOutput(const string &outfile, bool db, unsigned int withHead
       string tempName;
       unsigned int idx;
       for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumGlobalParam; ++i) {
-        outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data() << " = ";
-        if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent) {
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fValue, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, outFile.width(), db);
-          outFile << ", ";
-        } else {
-          outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fValue << ", ";
-        }
+        if (InParameterList(i, paramList)) {
+          outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data() << " = ";
+          if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent) {
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fValue, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, outFile.width(), db);
+            outFile << ", ";
+          } else {
+            outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fValue << ", ";
+          }
 
-        if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent)
-          outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError << ", ";
-        else
-          outFile << fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep) << ", ";
-        outFile << fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep) << ",\\" << endl;
+          if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent)
+            outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError << ", ";
+          else
+            outFile << fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep) << ", ";
+          outFile << fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep) << ",\\" << endl;
+        }
       }
       for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumSpecParam; ++i) {
         idx = fNumGlobalParam + fNumSpecParam*counter + i;
-        tempName = (*msrParamList)[idx].fName.Data();
-        string::size_type loc = tempName.rfind(curRunNumber.str());
-        if (loc == tempName.length() - fRunNumberDigits) {
-          outFile << tempName.substr(0, loc) << " = ";
-          if ((*msrParamList)[idx].fPosErrorPresent) {
-            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fValue, (*msrParamList)[idx].fPosError, outFile.width(), db);
-            outFile << ", ";
-          } else {
-            outFile << (*msrParamList)[idx].fValue << ", ";
-          }
-          if ((*msrParamList)[idx].fPosErrorPresent) {
-            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fPosError, (*msrParamList)[idx].fPosError, outFile.width(), db);
-            outFile << ", ";
-          } else {
+        if (InParameterList(idx, paramList)) {
+          tempName = (*msrParamList)[idx].fName.Data();
+          string::size_type loc = tempName.rfind(curRunNumber.str());
+          if (loc == tempName.length() - fRunNumberDigits) {
+            outFile << tempName.substr(0, loc) << " = ";
+            if ((*msrParamList)[idx].fPosErrorPresent) {
+              WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fValue, (*msrParamList)[idx].fPosError, outFile.width(), db);
+              outFile << ", ";
+            } else {
+              outFile << (*msrParamList)[idx].fValue << ", ";
+            }
+            if ((*msrParamList)[idx].fPosErrorPresent) {
+              WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fPosError, (*msrParamList)[idx].fPosError, outFile.width(), db);
+              outFile << ", ";
+            } else {
+              WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fStep, (*msrParamList)[idx].fStep, outFile.width(), db);
+              outFile << ", ";
+            }
             WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fStep, (*msrParamList)[idx].fStep, outFile.width(), db);
-            outFile << ", ";
+            outFile << ",\\" << endl;
           }
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fStep, (*msrParamList)[idx].fStep, outFile.width(), db);
-          outFile << ",\\" << endl;
         }
       }
     } else {
       for (unsigned int i(0); i < msrNoOfParams; ++i) {
-        outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data() << " = ";
-        if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent) {
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fValue, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, outFile.width(), db);
-          outFile << ", ";
-        } else {
-          outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fValue << ", ";
-        }
-        if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent) {
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, outFile.width(), db);
-          outFile << ", ";
-        } else {
+        if (InParameterList(i, paramList)) {
+          outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data() << " = ";
+          if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent) {
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fValue, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, outFile.width(), db);
+            outFile << ", ";
+          } else {
+            outFile << (*msrParamList)[i].fValue << ", ";
+          }
+          if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent) {
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, outFile.width(), db);
+            outFile << ", ";
+          } else {
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fStep, (*msrParamList)[i].fStep, outFile.width(), db);
+            outFile << ", ";
+          }
           WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fStep, (*msrParamList)[i].fStep, outFile.width(), db);
-          outFile << ", ";
+          outFile << ",\\" << endl;
         }
-        WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fStep, (*msrParamList)[i].fStep, outFile.width(), db);
-        outFile << ",\\" << endl;
       }
     }
 
@@ -2221,30 +2245,38 @@ int PMsr2Data::WriteOutput(const string &outfile, bool db, unsigned int withHead
     string s;
     if (global) {
       for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumGlobalParam; ++i) {
-        s = (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data();
-        length = s.length();
-        if (length > maxlength)
-          maxlength = length;
-      }
-      for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumSpecParam; ++i) {
-        s = (*msrParamList)[fNumGlobalParam + fNumSpecParam*counter + i].fName.Data();
-        string::size_type loc = s.rfind(curRunNumber.str());
-        if (loc == s.length() - fRunNumberDigits) {
-          length = s.length() - fRunNumberDigits;
+        if (InParameterList(i, paramList)) {
+          s = (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data();
+          length = s.length();
           if (length > maxlength)
             maxlength = length;
-        } else {
-          cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The run index of some parameter does not match the run number being processed!";
-          cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The output will be flawed!";
-          cerr << endl;
+        }
+      }
+      unsigned int idx;
+      for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumSpecParam; ++i) {
+        idx = fNumGlobalParam + fNumSpecParam*counter + i;
+        if (InParameterList(idx, paramList)) {
+          s = (*msrParamList)[idx].fName.Data();
+          string::size_type loc = s.rfind(curRunNumber.str());
+          if (loc == s.length() - fRunNumberDigits) {
+            length = s.length() - fRunNumberDigits;
+            if (length > maxlength)
+              maxlength = length;
+          } else {
+            cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The run index of some parameter does not match the run number being processed!";
+            cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The output will be flawed!";
+            cerr << endl;
+          }
         }
       }
     } else {
       for (unsigned int i(0); i < msrNoOfParams; ++i) {
-        s = (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data();
-        length = s.length();
-        if (length > maxlength)
-          maxlength = length;
+        if (InParameterList(i, paramList)) {
+          s = (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data();
+          length = s.length();
+          if (length > maxlength)
+            maxlength = length;
+        }
       }
     }
     if (maxlength < 13)
@@ -2274,31 +2306,39 @@ int PMsr2Data::WriteOutput(const string &outfile, bool db, unsigned int withHead
       // in the GLOBAL mode write only global parameters and those which belong to the actual run - in the NORMAL mode write all parameters
       if (global) {
         for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumGlobalParam; ++i) {
-          s = (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data();
-          outFile << setw(maxlength) << left << s \
-                << setw(maxlength + 6) << left << s + "PosErr" \
-                << setw(maxlength + 6) << left << s + "NegErr";
-        }
-        for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumSpecParam; ++i) {
-          s = (*msrParamList)[fNumGlobalParam + fNumSpecParam*counter + i].fName.Data();
-          string::size_type loc = s.rfind(curRunNumber.str());
-          if (loc == s.length() - fRunNumberDigits) {
-            s = s.substr(0, loc);
+          if (InParameterList(i, paramList)) {
+            s = (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data();
             outFile << setw(maxlength) << left << s \
                     << setw(maxlength + 6) << left << s + "PosErr" \
                     << setw(maxlength + 6) << left << s + "NegErr";
-          } else {
-            cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The run index of some parameter does not match the run number being processed!";
-            cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The output will be flawed!";
-            cerr << endl;
+          }
+        }
+        unsigned int idx;
+        for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumSpecParam; ++i) {
+          idx = fNumGlobalParam + fNumSpecParam*counter + i;
+          if (InParameterList(idx, paramList)) {
+            s = (*msrParamList)[idx].fName.Data();
+            string::size_type loc = s.rfind(curRunNumber.str());
+            if (loc == s.length() - fRunNumberDigits) {
+              s = s.substr(0, loc);
+              outFile << setw(maxlength) << left << s \
+                      << setw(maxlength + 6) << left << s + "PosErr" \
+                      << setw(maxlength + 6) << left << s + "NegErr";
+            } else {
+              cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The run index of some parameter does not match the run number being processed!";
+              cerr << endl << ">> msr2data: **ERROR** The output will be flawed!";
+              cerr << endl;
+            }
           }
         }
       } else {
         for (unsigned int i(0); i < msrNoOfParams; ++i) {
-          s = (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data();
-          outFile << setw(maxlength) << left << s \
-                  << setw(maxlength + 6) << left << s + "PosErr" \
-                  << setw(maxlength + 6) << left << s + "NegErr";
+          if (InParameterList(i, paramList)) {
+            s = (*msrParamList)[i].fName.Data();
+            outFile << setw(maxlength) << left << s \
+                    << setw(maxlength + 6) << left << s + "PosErr" \
+                    << setw(maxlength + 6) << left << s + "NegErr";
+          }
         }
       }
       s.clear();
@@ -2340,46 +2380,52 @@ int PMsr2Data::WriteOutput(const string &outfile, bool db, unsigned int withHead
     // in the GLOBAL mode write only global parameters and those which belong to the actual run - in the NORMAL mode write all parameters
     if (global) {
       for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumGlobalParam; ++i) {
-        if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent)
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fValue, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, maxlength, db);
-        else
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fValue, maxlength);
+        if (InParameterList(i, paramList)) {
+          if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent)
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fValue, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, maxlength, db);
+          else
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fValue, maxlength);
+
+          if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent)
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, maxlength, db);
+          else
+            WriteValue(outFile, fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep), (*msrParamList)[i].fStep, maxlength, db);
 
-        if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent)
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, maxlength, db);
-        else
           WriteValue(outFile, fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep), (*msrParamList)[i].fStep, maxlength, db);
-
-        WriteValue(outFile, fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep), (*msrParamList)[i].fStep, maxlength, db);
+        }
       }
       unsigned int idx;
       for (unsigned int i(0); i < fNumSpecParam; ++i) {
         idx = fNumGlobalParam + fNumSpecParam*counter + i;
-        if ((*msrParamList)[idx].fPosErrorPresent)
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fValue, (*msrParamList)[idx].fPosError, maxlength, db);
-        else
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fValue, maxlength);
+        if (InParameterList(idx, paramList)) {
+          if ((*msrParamList)[idx].fPosErrorPresent)
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fValue, (*msrParamList)[idx].fPosError, maxlength, db);
+          else
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fValue, maxlength);
+
+          if ((*msrParamList)[idx].fPosErrorPresent)
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fPosError, (*msrParamList)[idx].fPosError, maxlength, db);
+          else
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fStep, (*msrParamList)[idx].fStep, maxlength, db);
 
-        if ((*msrParamList)[idx].fPosErrorPresent)
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fPosError, (*msrParamList)[idx].fPosError, maxlength, db);
-        else
           WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fStep, (*msrParamList)[idx].fStep, maxlength, db);
-
-        WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[idx].fStep, (*msrParamList)[idx].fStep, maxlength, db);
+        }
       }
     } else {
       for (unsigned int i(0); i < msrNoOfParams; ++i) {
-        if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent)
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fValue, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, maxlength, db);
-        else
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fValue, maxlength);
+        if (InParameterList(i, paramList)) {
+          if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent)
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fValue, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, maxlength, db);
+          else
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fValue, maxlength);
+
+          if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent)
+            WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, maxlength, db);
+          else
+            WriteValue(outFile, fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep), fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep), maxlength, db);
 
-        if ((*msrParamList)[i].fPosErrorPresent)
-          WriteValue(outFile, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, (*msrParamList)[i].fPosError, maxlength, db);
-        else
           WriteValue(outFile, fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep), fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep), maxlength, db);
-
-        WriteValue(outFile, fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep), fabs((*msrParamList)[i].fStep), maxlength, db);
+        }
       }
     }
 
@@ -2505,6 +2551,24 @@ int PMsr2Data::GetFirstSignificantDigit(const double &value) const
   return prec+1;
 }
 
+//-------------------------------------------------------------
+/**
+ *
+ */
+bool PMsr2Data::InParameterList(const unsigned int &paramValue, const vector<unsigned int> &paramList) const
+{
+  // if paramList.size() == 0, i.e. use ALL parameters
+  if (paramList.size() == 0)
+    return true;
+
+  for (unsigned int i=0; i<paramList.size(); i++) {
+    if (paramValue+1 == paramList[i])
+      return true;
+  }
+
+  return false;
+}
+
 //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // end
 //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/include/PMsr2Data.h b/src/include/PMsr2Data.h
index 7974d99a..54ad1262 100644
--- a/src/include/PMsr2Data.h
+++ b/src/include/PMsr2Data.h
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ class PMsr2Data
     bool PrepareNewInputFile(unsigned int, bool) const; // template
     bool PrepareGlobalInputFile(unsigned int, const string&, unsigned int) const; // generate msr-input file for a global fit
 
-    int WriteOutput(const string&, bool, unsigned int, bool global = false, unsigned int counter = 0) const;
+    int WriteOutput(const string&, const vector<unsigned int>&, bool, unsigned int, bool global = false, unsigned int counter = 0) const;
 
   private:
     bool PrepareNewSortedInputFile(unsigned int) const; // template
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ class PMsr2Data
     void WriteValue(fstream &outFile, const double &value, const unsigned int &width) const;
     void WriteValue(fstream &outFile, const double &value, const double &errValue, const unsigned int &width, const bool &db) const;
     int GetFirstSignificantDigit(const double &value) const;
+    bool InParameterList(const unsigned int &paramValue, const vector<unsigned int>&) const;
 
     string fFileExtension;
     vector<unsigned int> fRunVector;
diff --git a/src/msr2data.cpp b/src/msr2data.cpp
index 58babb8b..75321a73 100644
--- a/src/msr2data.cpp
+++ b/src/msr2data.cpp
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@
 using namespace std;
 
 
+#include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
 #include <boost/algorithm/string/case_conv.hpp> // for to_lower() in std::string
 using namespace boost::algorithm;
 
@@ -84,14 +85,10 @@ bool isNumber(const string &s)
 void msr2data_syntax()
 {
   cout << endl << "usage 0: msr2data [--version] | [--help]";
-  cout << endl << "usage 1: msr2data <run> <extension> [-o<outputfile>] [new] [data] [[no]header] [nosummary] [global[+[!]]]";
-  cout << endl << "                  [fit [-k] [-t] | fit-<template>[!] [-k] [-t] | msr-<template>]";
-  cout << endl << "usage 2: msr2data <run1> <run2> <extension> [-o<outputfile>] [new] [data] [[no]header] [nosummary] [global[+[!]]]";
-  cout << endl << "                  [fit [-k] [-t] | fit-<template>[!] [-k] [-t] | msr-<template>]";
-  cout << endl << "usage 3: msr2data \\[<runList>\\] <extension> [-o<outputfile> ] [new] [data] [[no]header] [nosummary] [global[+[!]]]";
-  cout << endl << "                  [fit [-k] [-t] | fit-<template>[!] [-k] [-t] | msr-<template>]";
-  cout << endl << "usage 4: msr2data <runlist> <extension> [-o<outputfile>] [new] [data] [[no]header] [nosummary] [global[+[!]]]";
-  cout << endl << "                  [fit [-k] [-t] | fit-<template>[!] [-k] [-t] | msr-<template>]";
+  cout << endl << "usage 1: msr2data <run> <extension> options";
+  cout << endl << "usage 2: msr2data <run1> <run2> <extension> options";
+  cout << endl << "usage 3: msr2data \\[<runList>\\] <extension> options";
+  cout << endl << "usage 4: msr2data <runListFileName> <extension> options";
   cout << endl;
   cout << endl << "       <runList> can be:";
   cout << endl << "         (i)   <run0>, <run1>, <run2>, ... <runN> : run numbers, e.g. 123 124";
@@ -99,7 +96,12 @@ void msr2data_syntax()
   cout << endl << "         (iii) <run0>:<runN>:<step> : a sequence, e.g. 123:127:2 -> 123 125 127";
   cout << endl << "               <step> will give the step width and has to be a positive number!";
   cout << endl << "         a <runList> can also combine (i)-(iii), e.g. 123 128-130 133, etc.";
+  cout << endl << "       <runListFileName> : an ASCII file containing a list of run numbers and optional";
+  cout << endl << "                           external parameters is passed to msr2data. For details see";
+  cout << endl << "                           the online documentation: http://lmu.web.psi.ch/musrfit/user/MUSR/Msr2Data.html";
   cout << endl << "       <extension> : msr-file extension, e.g. _tf_h13 for the file name 8472_tf_h13.msr";
+  cout << endl;
+  cout << endl << "options:";
   cout << endl << "       -o<outputfile> : specify the name of the DB or column-data output file; default: out.db/out.dat";
   cout << endl << "                        if the option '-o none' is used, no output file will be written.";
   cout << endl << "       new : before writing a new output file, delete the contents of any existing file with the same name";
@@ -109,6 +111,10 @@ void msr2data_syntax()
   cout << endl << "              If either none or both of the header options are given, the file header will be written";
   cout << endl << "              if a new file is created, but not if the output file exists already!";
   cout << endl << "       nosummary : no additional data from the run data file is written to the output file";
+  cout << endl << "       paramList <param> : option used to select the parameters which shall be exported.";
+  cout << endl << "               <param> is a list of parameter numbers to be exported. Allowed lists are:";
+  cout << endl << "               1-16 will export parameters 1 to 16. 1 3 5 will export parameters 1 3 5.";
+  cout << endl << "               A combination of both is possible, e.g. 1-16 19 31 62, and so on.";
   cout << endl << "       fit : invoke musrfit to fit the specified runs";
   cout << endl << "              All msr input files are assumed to be present, none is newly generated!";
   cout << endl << "       fit-<template>! : generate msr files for the runs to be processed from the <template> run";
@@ -149,6 +155,10 @@ void msr2data_syntax()
   cout << endl << "          will use 2045_tf_histo.msr as templete, and subsequently generating msr-files from the run-list:";
   cout << endl << "          2047 2049 2051 2053 2056 (2047_tf_histo.msr etc.) and fit them.";
   cout << endl;
+  cout << endl << "       msr2data 2046 2058 _tf_histo paramList 1-12 data -o fitParam.dat";
+  cout << endl << "          will export the parameters number 1 trough 12 in a column like fashion of the runs 2046 to 2058,";
+  cout << endl << "          collected form the msr-files 2046_tf_histo.msr and so on.";
+  cout << endl;
   cout << endl << "    For further information please refer to";
   cout << endl << "       http://lmu.web.psi.ch/musrfit/user/MUSR/Msr2Data.html";
   cout << endl << "       https://intranet.psi.ch/MUSR/Msr2Data";
@@ -208,7 +218,8 @@ string msr2data_validArguments(const vector<string> &arg)
     if ( (!iter->compare("header")) || (!iter->compare("noheader")) || (!iter->compare("nosummary")) \
       || (!iter->substr(0,3).compare("fit")) || (!iter->compare("-k")) || (!iter->compare("-t")) \
       || (!iter->compare("data")) || (!iter->substr(0,4).compare("msr-")) || (!iter->compare("global")) \
-      || (!iter->compare("global+")) || (!iter->compare("global+!")) || (!iter->compare("new")) )
+      || (!iter->compare("global+")) || (!iter->compare("global+!")) || (!iter->compare("new")) \
+      || !iter->compare("paramList") )
       word.clear();
     else if (!iter->substr(0,2).compare("-o")) {
       word.clear();
@@ -393,6 +404,92 @@ int msr2data_doInputCreation(vector<string> &arg, bool &inputOnly)
   return temp;
 }
 
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+/**
+ * <p>
+ *
+ */
+int msr2data_paramList(vector<string> &arg, vector<unsigned int> &paramList)
+{
+  paramList.clear(); // make sure paramList is empty
+
+  unsigned int idx=0;
+  // check if paramList tag is present
+  for (unsigned int i=0; i<arg.size(); i++) {
+    if (!arg[i].compare("paramList")) {
+      idx = i+1;
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (idx == 0) { // paramList tag NOT present
+    return 0;
+  }
+
+  // make sure there are parameter list elements to follow
+  if (idx == arg.size()) {
+    cerr << endl << "**ERROR** found paramList without any arguments!" << endl;
+    msr2data_syntax();
+    return -1;
+  }
+
+  // paramList tag present and further elements present: collect them
+  vector<string> str;
+  unsigned int idx_end=0;
+  size_t pos=string::npos;
+  for (unsigned int i=idx; i<arg.size(); i++) {
+    cout << i << ": " << arg[i] << endl;
+    pos = arg[i].find("-");
+    if (pos == 0) { // likely something like -o, -k, etc.
+      idx_end = i;
+      break;
+    } else if (pos != string::npos) { // looks like a parameter list like n0-n1
+      boost::split(str, arg[i], boost::is_any_of("-"));
+      if (str.size() != 2) { // something is wrong, since the structure n0-n1 is expected
+        cerr << endl << "**ERROR** found token " << arg[i] << " in paramList command which cannot be handled." << endl;
+        msr2data_syntax();
+        return -1;
+      }
+      if (!str[0].compare("fit") || !str[0].compare("msr")) {
+        idx_end = i;
+        break;
+      }
+      if (!isNumber(str[0]) || !isNumber(str[1])) {
+        cerr << endl << "**ERROR** found token " << arg[i] << " in paramList command which cannot be handled." << endl;
+        msr2data_syntax();
+        return -1;
+      }
+      unsigned int start=boost::lexical_cast<unsigned int>(str[0]);
+      unsigned int end=boost::lexical_cast<unsigned int>(str[1]);
+      for (unsigned int j=start; j<=end; j++)
+        paramList.push_back(j);
+    } else if (isNumber(arg[i])) { // a single number
+      paramList.push_back(boost::lexical_cast<unsigned int>(arg[i]));
+    } else { // likely the next argument not related to paramList
+      idx_end = i;
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+  if (idx_end == 0)
+    idx_end = arg.size();
+
+  // remove all the paramList arguments for arg
+  arg.erase(arg.begin()+idx-1, arg.begin()+idx_end);
+
+  // go through the parameter list and make sure the values are unique
+  for (unsigned int i=0; i<paramList.size(); i++) {
+    for (unsigned int j=i+1; j<paramList.size(); j++) {
+      if (paramList[i] == paramList[j]) {
+        cerr << endl << "**ERROR** the parameter list numbers have to be unique. Found " << paramList[i] << " at least 2 times." << endl;
+        msr2data_syntax();
+        return -1;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return paramList.size();
+}
+
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 /**
  * <p>msr2data is used to generate msr-files based on template msr-files, automatically fit these new msr-files,
@@ -441,6 +538,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
   vector<unsigned int> run_vec;
   string run_list;
   string msrExtension;
+  vector<unsigned int> param_vec;
 
   try {
     if (arg[0].at(0) == '[') { // In case a list of runs is given by [...]
@@ -557,7 +655,14 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     return -1;
   }
 
-// check the validity of the command line given command line arguments
+  // check if parameter list is given
+  int noParamList(msr2data_paramList(arg, param_vec));
+  if (noParamList == -1) {
+    arg.clear();
+    return -1;
+  }
+
+  // check the validity of the command line given command line arguments
   string wrongArgument(msr2data_validArguments(arg));
   if (!wrongArgument.empty()) {
     cerr << endl;
@@ -567,18 +672,18 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     return -1;
   }
 
-// check if the output format is DB or data
+  // check if the output format is DB or data
   bool db(msr2data_useOption(arg, "data"));
 
-// check the arguments for the "-o" option and set the output filename
+  // check the arguments for the "-o" option and set the output filename
   string outputFile(msr2data_outputfile(arg, db));
 
-// introduce check, if no output should be generated - in that case we do not need msrfile and rundata handlers later
+  // introduce check, if no output should be generated - in that case we do not need msrfile and rundata handlers later
   bool realOutput(true);
   if (!to_lower_copy(outputFile).compare("none"))
     realOutput = false;
 
-// create the msr2data-object and set the run numbers according to the runTAG above
+  // create the msr2data-object and set the run numbers according to the runTAG above
   PMsr2Data *msr2dataHandler = new PMsr2Data(msrExtension);
 
   int status;
@@ -615,7 +720,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
   run_vec.clear();
 
-// check if fitting should be done and in case, which template run number to use
+  // check if fitting should be done and in case, which template run number to use
   int temp(0);
   bool chainfit(true), onlyInputCreation(false);
   string musrfitOptions;
@@ -635,7 +740,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
   }
 
 
-// check if any options should be passed to musrfit
+  // check if any options should be passed to musrfit
   if (temp) {
     if (!msr2data_useOption(arg, "-k"))
       musrfitOptions.append("-k ");
@@ -643,9 +748,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
       musrfitOptions.append("-t ");
   }
 
-// if no fitting should be done, check if only the input files should be created
-
-  if(!temp) {
+  // if no fitting should be done, check if only the input files should be created
+  if (!temp) {
     temp = msr2data_doInputCreation(arg, onlyInputCreation);
     if (onlyInputCreation) {
       // if only input files should be created, do not write data to an output file (no matter, what has been determined earlier)
@@ -672,8 +776,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     globalMode = 2;
   }
 
-// At this point it should be clear if any template for input-file generation is given or not.
-// Therefore, the number of digits in the run number format is determined only here.
+  // At this point it should be clear if any template for input-file generation is given or not.
+  // Therefore, the number of digits in the run number format is determined only here.
   if(temp > 0) {
     status = msr2dataHandler->DetermineRunNumberDigits(temp, setNormalMode);
   } else {
@@ -685,7 +789,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     return status;
   }
 
-// Check if all given run numbers are covered by the formatting of the data file name
+  // Check if all given run numbers are covered by the formatting of the data file name
   status = msr2dataHandler->CheckRunNumbersInRange();
   if(status) {
     cerr << endl;
@@ -736,7 +840,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     }
   }
 
-// GLOBAL MODE
+  // GLOBAL MODE
   if (!setNormalMode) {
     ostringstream strInfile;
     strInfile << msr2dataHandler->GetPresentRun() << "+global" << msrExtension << ".msr";
@@ -798,7 +902,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
       while (msr2dataHandler->GetPresentRun()) {
         // write DB or dat file
-        status = msr2dataHandler->WriteOutput(outputFile, db, writeHeader, !setNormalMode, counter);
+        status = msr2dataHandler->WriteOutput(outputFile, param_vec, db, writeHeader, !setNormalMode, counter);
         if (status == -1) {
           msr2data_cleanup(msr2dataHandler, arg);
           return status;
@@ -842,7 +946,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
           }
         }
 
-      // and do the fitting
+        // and do the fitting
         if (!onlyInputCreation) {
           // check if MUSRFITPATH is set, if not issue a warning
           string path("");
@@ -866,12 +970,12 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         }
       }
 
-    // read msr-file
+      // read msr-file
       if (realOutput) {
         status = msr2dataHandler->ReadMsrFile(strInfile.str());
         if (status != PMUSR_SUCCESS) {
           // if the msr-file cannot be read, write no output but proceed to the next run
-          status = msr2dataHandler->WriteOutput("none", db, writeHeader);
+          status = msr2dataHandler->WriteOutput("none", param_vec, db, writeHeader);
           if (status == -1) {
             msr2data_cleanup(msr2dataHandler, arg);
             return status;
@@ -881,12 +985,12 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         }
       }
 
-    // read data files
+      // read data files
       if (writeSummary)
         status = msr2dataHandler->ReadRunDataFile();
 
-    // write DB or dat file
-      status = msr2dataHandler->WriteOutput(outputFile, db, writeHeader);
+      // write DB or dat file
+      status = msr2dataHandler->WriteOutput(outputFile, param_vec, db, writeHeader);
       if (status == -1) {
         msr2data_cleanup(msr2dataHandler, arg);
         return status;
@@ -899,7 +1003,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
   // Unfortunately, this can be done in a coherent way only on that level
   // Unfortunately, there are also problems with boost::filesystem::exists(outputFile)
   // Therefore, first try to open the file for reading and if this works, write to it - not clean but it works
-  if(realOutput) {
+  if (realOutput) {
     fileOutput = new fstream;
     fileOutput->open(outputFile.c_str(), ios::in);
     if (fileOutput->is_open()) {