Operating Symbol List

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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 Sources      Adding Symbols in Manual Mode

To add a symbol:

1. On the '''Symbol''' menu, select '''Add Symbol''', then click '''Manually''', or Click the '''Add Symbol''' icon on the toolbar.
2. 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.
3. Enter the '''Symbol''' name.
4. Select the '''Category''' from the list.
5. Select the '''Exchange''' from the list. If the desired exchange is not listed, see the Exchanges section.
6. Click '''OK'''.
7. Enter the symbol '''Root'''. {| class="DIVtabT" | class="DIVtd" width=10% | Tip: | class="DIVtd" | Stock root is the same as the stock's name. |}
8. Click '''OK''' to add symbol with current properties or set Symbol Properties.

     Adding Symbol from Data Vendor Supplied List

To add a symbol:

1. On the '''Symbol''' menu, select '''Add Symbol'''.
2. Select '''From Data Source'''.
3. 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).
4. Select a tab, corresponding to the type of symbol to be added.
5. Enter all or part of the symbol name into the '''Symbol''' box and click '''Lookup'''. {| class="DIVtabN" | class="DIVtd" width=10% | Note: | class="DIVtd" | Additional search options may be available depending on data source selected. |}
6. Select the desired symbol(s).
7. Click '''Add'''.
8. Click '''Close''' or continue to search for symbols. {| class="DIVtabN" | class="DIVtd" width=10% | Note: | class="DIVtd" | 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. {| class="DIVtabN" | class="DIVtd" width=10% | Note: | class="DIVtd" | 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. Select the symbols to be deleted.
2. Selected symbols can be deleted by one of the following methods:
   • Click the '''Delete Symbol''' 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.

{| class="DIVtabN" | class="DIVtd" width=10% | Note: | class="DIVtd" | 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. {| class="DIVtabT" | class="DIVtd" width=10% | Example: | class="DIVtd" | 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.

{| class="DIVtabN" | class="DIVtd" width=10% | Note: | class="DIVtd" | Column width can also be resized by using the mouse. |}

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