Simple functions in Datastream

Using the Excel version of Datastream it is fairly easy to search using functions. You can also combine searches to get the original data as well as the calculated data. A combination download for the Total Return of an equity and also the lOG of the Total Return would look like this: *LOG#(14352P(RI)), *14352P(RI)

Note: The asterisk is required otherwise this search will not work!
 
You can also search for the LOG of two or more equities or indexes by combining it in a single search as follows: *LOG#(14352P(RI)), *LOG#(865169(RI))

If you want to download calculated values for a larger number of equities the best way to do this is:

1) Make a selection of the equities using the Datastream Navigator

2) Export these equities to get a list of codes (the export button to Excel in the Navigator may be handy here). The codes that can best be used are DS Codes (Datastream codes) or ISIN codes (International Securities Identifying Number).

3) Add the necessary functions in Excel. The example here is the LOG function and the Data type I am using here is the Total Return = RI. Save the new list in Excel as a text file (tab-delimited) and open it again in Excel. The sample movie shows how this can be done in Excel:

4) Next use the Datastream List wizard Tool to create a local list from this. The list would then look similar to this example:

LOG#(14352P(RI))
LOG#(865169(RI))
LOG#(887189(RI))
LOG#(154629(RI))
LOG#(312367(RI))
LOG#(982095(RI))
LOG#(749382(RI))
LOG#(314926(RI))

Note: Use the list picker button to select the local list. Select the period and frequency you need and start downloading. In this case you do not need to select a data type because this is part of the functions in the list that was uploaded.

Author information: LinkedIn

11:23 PM - 14 October 2009