Difference between revisions of "Data Sources Overview"

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(Created page with "==Understanding Data Sources== MultiCharts is a data feed neutral trading platform, it doesn’t come with any prebuilt real-time data feed. We believe that our customers sh...")
 
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# Select the data source using the keyboard or mouse and click the '''Delete''' button.
 
# Select the data source using the keyboard or mouse and click the '''Delete''' button.
 
<br>
 
<br>
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==Operating Symbol List==
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Symbol List is a list of commonly used financial instruments. Modern-day investors need easy access to any of the trading vehicles.
 +
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<br>QM has been developed based on those needs, the basic requirements being:
 +
 +
* The program must function with numbers of symbols in tens of thousands
 +
* Rapid data access, which means powerful search, sorting, and selection capabilities
 +
* Convenient adding and editing of data
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* Simple data backup and restore
 +
* Minimal setup and maintenance effort
 +
<br>
 +
 +
== Adding Symbol(s) to Symbol List ==
 +
To start working with a symbol, the symbol must be added to the symbol list. Adding can be done manually or from a list, downloaded from the data vendor.
 +
 +
Adding symbols manually is appropriate when the exact symbol name is known and the list of symbols is not available from the data vendor. For instance, with DDE there is no way to download a list, and the user is supposed to know the exact name for the query.
 +
 +
In all other cases, adding symbols manually is <i>not recommended</i>, as parameters in addition to the symbol name may be required by the <i>data vendor</i>. When a symbol is added from a list, provided by the data vendor, all required parameters are set automatically.
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For details on specific data vendor symbols, see [[:Category:Built-in_Data_Sources|Built-in Datafeeds]]
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<br>
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=== Adding Symbols in Manual Mode ===
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To add a symbol:
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# Open '''QuoteManager''' window
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#* see [[:Category:QuoteManager#Opening QuoteManager|how]]
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# On the '''Symbol''' menu, select '''Add Symbol''', then click '''Manually''', or <br>Click the '''Add Symbol''' http://www.multicharts.com/img/wiki/toolbar/QM/01_AddSymbol.png icon on the toolbar.
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# Select a '''Data Source''' from the list. If the desired data vendor is not listed, it could be that the vendor is not installed. See [[Operating_Data_Sources|Data Sources]] for additional information.
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# Enter the '''Symbol''' name.
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# Select the '''Category''' from the list.
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# Select the '''Exchange''' from the list. If the desired exchange is not listed, see the [[Setting_Exchanges_%26_ECNs|Exchanges]] section.
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# Click '''OK'''.
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# Enter the symbol '''Root'''. <br><span style="background-color: #E5F6FF;">Tip: Stock root is the same as the stock's name.</span>
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# Click '''OK''' to add symbol with current properties or set [[Setting_Properties|Symbol Properties]].
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<br>
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=== Adding Symbol from Data Vendor Supplied List ===
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To add a symbol:
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# Open '''QuoteManager''' window
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#* see [[:Category:QuoteManager#Opening QuoteManager|how]]
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# On the '''Symbol''' menu, select '''Add Symbol'''.
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# Select '''From Data Source'''.
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# Choose a data source from the '''Data Source '''list; the '''Insert Symbols into Portfolio''' window will open.<br>If a data vendor is not in the list:
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#* data source does not support a symbol list (the symbol must be [[Operating_Symbol_List#Adding Symbols in Manual Mode|added manually]])
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#* data source is currently deactivated (the data source should be [[Operating_Data_Sources#Activating Data Sources|activated]])
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#* data source is not supported ([[:Category:Built-in_Data_Sources|Built-in Datafeeds]] should be used).
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# Select a tab, corresponding to the type of symbol to be added.
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# Enter all or part of the symbol name into the '''Symbol''' box and click '''Lookup'''.<br><div style="background-color: #E3FBE5;">Note: Additional search options may be available depending on data source selected.</div>
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# Select the desired symbol(s).
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# Click '''Add'''. A message that you have added it to your database should appear.
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:: <div style="background-color: #E3FBE5;">Note: If there is a message “You must create *** exchange first”, it means that a symbol that is added has an exchange that is not in the list of exchanges in QuoteManager. All that you need to do is to add the required exchange to the list with correct corresponding abbreviation (see [[Setting Exchanges & ECNs]]). </div>
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# Click '''Close''' or continue to search for symbols. <br><div style="background-color: #E3FBE5;">Note: If necessary, [[Setting_Properties|Symbol Properties]] can be changed (not recommended).</div>
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<br>
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=== Selecting Symbol(s) in Symbol List ===
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Symbols can be selected by using the keyboard or a mouse.
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Using the keyboard, move the selection pointer to the line containing the symbol. If the selection is not visible, press the '''Down Arrow''' button twice, the selection will be visible on the uppermost symbol; selection with the mouse is simpler and can be achieved by left-clicking the line once.
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To select several sequential symbols at once keep '''Shift''' pressed and select with '''Up''' or '''Down Arrow '''buttons.
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To select several sequential symbols at once with the mouse keep '''Shift''' pressed, scroll using the '''Vertical Scroll Bar''' to the required position, and click it.
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To select many sequential symbols at once, select the starting symbol, keep '''Ctrl '''pressed and move the selection with the '''Home/End '''or '''Page Up/Page Down '''buttons, then release '''Ctrl''', press '''Shift '''and press '''Up/Down '''arrow buttons depending on the direction of selecting.
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To select many sequential symbols at once with the mouse keep '''Ctrl '''pressed and click the symbols.
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If you need to select several non-sequential symbols using the keyboard, start on the first symbol, press and keep down '''Ctrl '''and move the selection border to the desired position using the '''Up/Down Arrows''', '''Home/End''' or '''Page Up/Page Down''', then press '''Space'''. To perform such selection with the mouse keep '''Ctrl''' pressed and click the symbols to be selected.
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<div style="background-color: #E3FBE5;">Note: To select all symbols, select '''Edit''' in the main menu and then click '''Select All''', or use the '''Ctrl+A''' keyboard shortcut.</div>
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<br>
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=== Deleting Symbol(s) from the Symbol List ===
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To delete one or more symbols:
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# Open '''QuoteManager''' window
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#* see [[:Category:QuoteManager#Opening QuoteManager|how]]
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# Select the symbols to be deleted.
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# Selected symbols can be deleted by one of the following methods:
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#* Click the '''Delete Symbol''' http://www.multicharts.com/img/wiki/toolbar/QM/03_DeleteSymbol.png icon on the toolbar
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#* Right-clicking on the selected symbols and then clicking '''Delete Symbol'''
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#* Selecting '''Symbol''' on the main menu and then clicking '''Delete Symbol'''
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#* Pressing the '''Delete''' key on the keyboard
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<br>
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=== Sorting the Symbol List ===
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The list is sorted based on the contents of one of the available columns. For example, text data is sorted alphabetically, but months in calendar order.
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For sorting:
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# On the '''View''' menu, click '''Sort By'''.
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# Select the column to sort by, i.e. '''Symbol'''.
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# Select the sorting direction - '''Sort Ascending''' or '''Sort Descending'''.
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or:
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# Click the corresponding column heading to sort by that column.
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# The arrow on the heading indicates the sorting direction; click the column to reverse the sorting direction.
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# Right-click a column heading to call up a context menu with sorting options. See [[#Selecting Symbol(s) in Symbol List|Selecting Symbol(s) in Symbol List]] section.
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<br>
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=== Finding Symbol(s) in Symbol List ===
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Two types of a search can be performed: an Incremental search and a Full String search.
 +
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An <i>Incremental</i> search locates a symbol as the symbol name is typed. Please note that an incremental search can be performed by the signal name only, and not by any other attributes.
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To perform an <i>Incremental</i> search:
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# Select <i>All Symbols</i> in the left panel to search a list of all symbols, or select a particular symbol category.
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# Click on any symbol in the right panel.
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# Start typing the symbol name; as the name is being typed, the selection will move between symbols seeking for a match.
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<div style="background-color: #E3FBE5;">Note: Each consecutive character in a symbol name must be typed with an interval of no more the one second; if you pause for more then one second, a new search will be started, for a symbol name beginning with the first character that was typed after a pause of more than a second.</div>
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To start a new search without waiting for the second to be over, simply press the ESC key.
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<div style="background-color: #E5F6FF;">Example: To search for AMD, type '''a m d''' with an interval of less than a second between each character; if you pause for more than a second after typing '''a''', once you type '''m''', the first symbol, beginning with the character "m", will be located instead.
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</div><br>
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A <i>Full String</i> search can be used to find multiple symbols that satisfy the search criteria.
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<br>
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To perform a <i>Full String</i> search:
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<ol>
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# Select <i>All Symbols</i> in the left panel to search a list of all symbols, or select a particular symbol category.
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# Select '''Edit''' in the main menu, and then click '''Find''', or use the CTRL+F keyboard shortcut; a '''Find''' dialog box will open.
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# In the '''Find what''' text box, enter a string to search for.
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# In the '''In column''' list box, select the column to search in.
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# Click '''Find Next''' to begin the search.
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# To continue the search, click '''Find Next''' again.
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</ol>
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A previously performed search can be repeated by simply pressing the F3 key, without opening the '''Find''' dialog box.
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=== Customizing the Symbol List ===
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The program supports workspace customization. The user can select the data columns and set their widths, including: Symbol, Description, Exchange Listed, Data Source, Contract Month, Price Scale, CUSIP, Root, Margin, Contract Year, Expiation Date, Expiration Rule, Expiration Status, Daily Limit, Min. Movement, Big Point Value, Strike Price, and Option Type.
 +
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To customize the Symbol List:
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# On the '''View '''menu, click '''Columns'''.
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# Select the checkboxes, corresponding to the columns to be displayed.
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# Use the '''Move Up '''and the '''Move Down '''buttons to change the order in which the columns are displayed.
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# Enter the desired width, in pixels, in to the '''The selected column should be N pixels '''box.
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<br><div style="background-color: #E3FBE5;">Note: Column width can also be resized by using the mouse.</div>
  
  
 
[[Category:Setting Data Sources]]
 
[[Category:Setting Data Sources]]

Revision as of 14:11, 26 April 2012

Understanding Data Sources

MultiCharts is a data feed neutral trading platform, it doesn’t come with any prebuilt real-time data feed. We believe that our customers should be able to choose a data provider that suits their needs best. The only data feed available right after the installation is Free Quotes, free end-of-day historical daily data coming from Yahoo, Google and MSN (see Free Quotes). To connect to a live data feed a customer needs to have an account with any of data providers. Since MultiCharts supports multiple data vendors and multiple brokers it is important to understand that in MultiCharts data feed and broker connections are separate. To establish connection to a broker one should set up the corresponding broker profile in MultiCharts (see Broker Profiles). Data feed connection settings are configured in QuoteManager.

Operating Data Sources

This tool is used for managing data sources. It allows adding/removing data sources, editing their settings, names and abbreviations, receiving data source information, their states and versions.

Adding Data Sources

Data sources are added automatically. The system auto-adds a data source as soon as the data feed's DLL is placed in the DataFeeds folder.

This data source appears in the data sources list but it is still inactive.

To activate the data source press Activate button (see Activating Data Sources section).

Contact us to receive further information concerning the API for developers.

Activating Data Sources

Activation/deactivation is used to set the list of daily used data sources or for activating a newly added data source.

For full access the data source must be activated. If the data source is present in the list but marked in red, this data source must be activated.

To activate a Data Source:

  1. Open QuoteManager window
  2. On the Tools menu, click Data Sources, or click the Data Sources 07_DataSources.png icon on the toolbar.
  3. Select the data source using the keyboard or mouse and click Activate. The data source is now marked in green and the Settings, Name and Abbr parameters can now be edited.

Deactivating Data Sources

If a data source is not used, it can be deactivated. In this case, it will not be displayed in the list of available data sources when a symbol is added; if necessary, the data source can be reactivated later.

To deactivate a data source:

  1. Open QuoteManager window
  2. On the Tools menu, click Data Sources, or click the Data Sources 07_DataSources.png icon on the toolbar.
  3. Select the data source using the keyboard or mouse and click Deactivate. The data source is now marked in red and the Settings, Name and Abbr parameters cannot be edited.

Configuring Data Sources

Most data sources have unique parameters, e.g. server IP address, port, user name/login information, etc. See the Built-in Data Sources section for more detailed descriptions.

All the parameters for the integrated data sources are described there.

To edit a data source's settings:

  1. Open QuoteManager window
  2. On the Tools menu, click Data Sources, or click the Data Sources 07_DataSources.png icon on the toolbar.
  3. Select the data source using the keyboard or mouse and click the Settings button.

Cloning Data Sources

To use a data source with different sets of settings it must be cloned. Cloning creates a virtual copy of the data source with modified parameters.

For instance, to receive data from several DDE data vendors one needs to have several DDE templates.

In this case for every DDE data feed a unique data source must be created. If there are two DDE data feeds, Universal DDE and Universal DDE 2 must be created and a DDE template selected for each.


To clone a data source:

  1. Open QuoteManager window
  2. On the Tools menu, click Data Sources, or click the Data Sources 07_DataSources.png icon on the toolbar.
  3. Select the data source using the keyboard or mouse and click the Clone button.
  4. Enter a Data Source Name (up to 3 characters).
  5. Enter a Data Source Abbr (up to 3 characters).
Note: Only Universal DDE data source can be cloned with different from original Universal DDE settings. All other data vendors will be simply duplicated and use the same connection settings.

Editing Data Sources

  1. Open QuoteManager window
  2. On the Tools menu, click Data Sources, or click the Data Sources 07_DataSources.png icon on the toolbar.
  3. Select the data source using the keyboard or mouse and click the Edit button.

Deleting Data Sources

  1. Open QuoteManager window
  2. On the Tools menu, click Data Sources, or click the Data Sources 07_DataSources.png icon on the toolbar.
  3. Select the data source using the keyboard or mouse and click the Delete button.



Operating Symbol List

Symbol List is a list of commonly used financial instruments. Modern-day investors need easy access to any of the trading vehicles.


QM has been developed based on those needs, the basic requirements being:

  • The program must function with numbers of symbols in tens of thousands
  • Rapid data access, which means powerful search, sorting, and selection capabilities
  • Convenient adding and editing of data
  • Simple data backup and restore
  • Minimal setup and maintenance effort


Adding Symbol(s) to Symbol List

To start working with a symbol, the symbol must be added to the symbol list. Adding can be done manually or from a list, downloaded from the data vendor.

Adding symbols manually is appropriate when the exact symbol name is known and the list of symbols is not available from the data vendor. For instance, with DDE there is no way to download a list, and the user is supposed to know the exact name for the query.

In all other cases, adding symbols manually is not recommended, as parameters in addition to the symbol name may be required by the data vendor. When a symbol is added from a list, provided by the data vendor, all required parameters are set automatically.

For details on specific data vendor symbols, see Built-in Datafeeds

Adding Symbols in Manual Mode

To add a symbol:

  1. Open QuoteManager window
  2. On the Symbol menu, select Add Symbol, then click Manually, or
    Click the Add Symbol 01_AddSymbol.png icon on the toolbar.
  3. Select a Data Source from the list. If the desired data vendor is not listed, it could be that the vendor is not installed. See Data Sources for additional information.
  4. Enter the Symbol name.
  5. Select the Category from the list.
  6. Select the Exchange from the list. If the desired exchange is not listed, see the Exchanges section.
  7. Click OK.
  8. Enter the symbol Root.
    Tip: Stock root is the same as the stock's name.
  9. Click OK to add symbol with current properties or set Symbol Properties.


Adding Symbol from Data Vendor Supplied List

To add a symbol:

  1. Open QuoteManager window
  2. On the Symbol menu, select Add Symbol.
  3. Select From Data Source.
  4. Choose a data source from the Data Source list; the Insert Symbols into Portfolio window will open.
    If a data vendor is not in the list:
    • data source does not support a symbol list (the symbol must be added manually)
    • data source is currently deactivated (the data source should be activated)
    • data source is not supported (Built-in Datafeeds should be used).
  5. Select a tab, corresponding to the type of symbol to be added.
  6. Enter all or part of the symbol name into the Symbol box and click Lookup.
    Note: Additional search options may be available depending on data source selected.
  7. Select the desired symbol(s).
  8. Click Add. A message that you have added it to your database should appear.
Note: If there is a message “You must create *** exchange first”, it means that a symbol that is added has an exchange that is not in the list of exchanges in QuoteManager. All that you need to do is to add the required exchange to the list with correct corresponding abbreviation (see Setting Exchanges & ECNs).
  1. Click Close or continue to search for symbols.
    Note: If necessary, Symbol Properties can be changed (not recommended).


Selecting Symbol(s) in Symbol List

Symbols can be selected by using the keyboard or a mouse.

Using the keyboard, move the selection pointer to the line containing the symbol. If the selection is not visible, press the Down Arrow button twice, the selection will be visible on the uppermost symbol; selection with the mouse is simpler and can be achieved by left-clicking the line once.

To select several sequential symbols at once keep Shift pressed and select with Up or Down Arrow buttons.

To select several sequential symbols at once with the mouse keep Shift pressed, scroll using the Vertical Scroll Bar to the required position, and click it.

To select many sequential symbols at once, select the starting symbol, keep Ctrl pressed and move the selection with the Home/End or Page Up/Page Down buttons, then release Ctrl, press Shift and press Up/Down arrow buttons depending on the direction of selecting.

To select many sequential symbols at once with the mouse keep Ctrl pressed and click the symbols.

If you need to select several non-sequential symbols using the keyboard, start on the first symbol, press and keep down Ctrl and move the selection border to the desired position using the Up/Down Arrows, Home/End or Page Up/Page Down, then press Space. To perform such selection with the mouse keep Ctrl pressed and click the symbols to be selected.

Note: To select all symbols, select Edit in the main menu and then click Select All, or use the Ctrl+A keyboard shortcut.


Deleting Symbol(s) from the Symbol List

To delete one or more symbols:

  1. Open QuoteManager window
  2. Select the symbols to be deleted.
  3. Selected symbols can be deleted by one of the following methods:
    • Click the Delete Symbol 03_DeleteSymbol.png icon on the toolbar
    • Right-clicking on the selected symbols and then clicking Delete Symbol
    • Selecting Symbol on the main menu and then clicking Delete Symbol
    • Pressing the Delete key on the keyboard


Sorting the Symbol List

The list is sorted based on the contents of one of the available columns. For example, text data is sorted alphabetically, but months in calendar order.

For sorting:

  1. On the View menu, click Sort By.
  2. Select the column to sort by, i.e. Symbol.
  3. Select the sorting direction - Sort Ascending or Sort Descending.

or:

  1. Click the corresponding column heading to sort by that column.
  2. The arrow on the heading indicates the sorting direction; click the column to reverse the sorting direction.
  3. Right-click a column heading to call up a context menu with sorting options. See Selecting Symbol(s) in Symbol List section.


Finding Symbol(s) in Symbol List

Two types of a search can be performed: an Incremental search and a Full String search.

An Incremental search locates a symbol as the symbol name is typed. Please note that an incremental search can be performed by the signal name only, and not by any other attributes.

To perform an Incremental search:

  1. Select All Symbols in the left panel to search a list of all symbols, or select a particular symbol category.
  2. Click on any symbol in the right panel.
  3. Start typing the symbol name; as the name is being typed, the selection will move between symbols seeking for a match.
Note: Each consecutive character in a symbol name must be typed with an interval of no more the one second; if you pause for more then one second, a new search will be started, for a symbol name beginning with the first character that was typed after a pause of more than a second.

To start a new search without waiting for the second to be over, simply press the ESC key.

Example: To search for AMD, type a m d with an interval of less than a second between each character; if you pause for more than a second after typing a, once you type m, the first symbol, beginning with the character "m", will be located instead.


A Full String search can be used to find multiple symbols that satisfy the search criteria.
To perform a Full String search:

    1. Select All Symbols in the left panel to search a list of all symbols, or select a particular symbol category.
    2. Select Edit in the main menu, and then click Find, or use the CTRL+F keyboard shortcut; a Find dialog box will open.
    3. In the Find what text box, enter a string to search for.
    4. In the In column list box, select the column to search in.
    5. Click Find Next to begin the search.
    6. To continue the search, click Find Next again.

A previously performed search can be repeated by simply pressing the F3 key, without opening the Find dialog box.

Customizing the Symbol List

The program supports workspace customization. The user can select the data columns and set their widths, including: Symbol, Description, Exchange Listed, Data Source, Contract Month, Price Scale, CUSIP, Root, Margin, Contract Year, Expiation Date, Expiration Rule, Expiration Status, Daily Limit, Min. Movement, Big Point Value, Strike Price, and Option Type.

To customize the Symbol List:

  1. On the View menu, click Columns.
  2. Select the checkboxes, corresponding to the columns to be displayed.
  3. Use the Move Up and the Move Down buttons to change the order in which the columns are displayed.
  4. Enter the desired width, in pixels, in to the The selected column should be N pixels box.


Note: Column width can also be resized by using the mouse.