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Bloomberg User Guide

This is a guide for getting started with our Bloomberg terminal.

Using Excel Add-In

The Bloomberg Excel Add-In is a tool that delivers Bloomberg data and analytics into an Excel spreadsheet on the user’s desktop. 

To use the Excel Add-In, you must be logged into the Bloomberg terminal.  

Bloomberg also allows users to export data into Excel. This add-on is for more intense research.

***Please note: There are download limits. Bloomberg will stop permitting downloads and show things with N/A if limits are reached. ***

1. In Bloomberg

  • You can use Field Finder (type FLDS < GO>). You can drag and drop the fields from Bloomberg to Excel.
  • Two sources of data - API and BQL 
    • API
      • Is a legacy tool and limited what can pull
      • DAPI < GO> (help page)
    • BQL (recommended)
      • can pull more data and customize more
      • doesn't allow drag and drop by can copy and paste query
      • BQLX < GO> (help page)

2. In Excel

  • Spreadsheet Builder
    • Spreadsheet Builder makes it easy to import Bloomberg data into a spreadsheet by automatically generating the appropriate functions through an easy step-by-step process.
    • You can launch the Import Data wizard by, selecting Spreadsheet Builder from the Bloomberg Menu or by clicking on the Import Data icon on Excel toolbar. 
    • Select the type of data you want download, then follow the steps. 
  • Worksheet Functions
    • Bloomberg’s worksheet functions provide intermediate to advanced Excel users flexibility to construct their own formulas to customize the way Bloomberg data is delivered and organized in the spreadsheet. 
    • In the Excel Add-in, Bloomberg functions are consolidated with flexible optional parameters:
      • BDP (Bloomberg Data Point) is for current data.
      • BDH (Bloomberg Data History) is for historical end of day and historical intraday data.
      • BDS (Bloomberg Data Set) is for large data sets/ bulk data. 
    • When using any of the formulas, you must specify the security for which you want to retrieve data (Security), and you must specify the data item you want to retrieve (Field). The Security must be represented as (Ticker) (Market Sector), for example F Equity.

Use the Field Search tool in Excel to search by category or keyword.