Getting started FAQs. Where can I find access to a Datastream terminal? Access from all computers at BI. Select Datastream from Start - All Programs.

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1 Getting started FAQs Where can I find access to a Datastream terminal? Access from all computers at BI. Select Datastream from Start - All Programs. Where can I obtain a User guide? You can find online user manuals on both Excel and Advance interfaces. In Advance Check Help > Online manuals > Getting started/user guide/preference. In Excel See Datastream > Help > AFO User Guide. Which is best interface Advance or Excel access? This is a matter of personal preference. In Advance you can see all the parameters of the search and set it up to download into the display screen. You can then export it to the Excel or other format you desire by right-click the results window and choose Transfer > Excel. In Excel the data come straight into your spreadsheet and so are dynamic and refreshable. You can use the Static Request, Time Series Request, or Company Accounts Request (accessed from Manage Request > Company Accounts Request) to create your search. What sort of data will I find on Datastream? Financial data Datastream is the financial statistical database providing historical and current financial information covering a wealth of asset classes, estimates, fundamentals and indices. Key data sets include Equities and company financials, market equity indices, unit and investment trusts, warrants, bonds, interest rates, exchange rates, commodities, and macroeconomic data. The macroeconomic data are sourced from IMF, OECD and government agencies. Available frequencies include daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly for data that go back up to 50 years of history. (Note: in some cases, the financial information sourced would be in form of raw data) Economic data Datastream also provides national accounts, money and finance, labour market indicators, consumer sector data, industry sector data, and government sector financials. Finding codes How do I search for data on Datastream? There are several ways of retrieving data from Datastream. Datastream advance interface can be used to perform sophisticated analysis across a broad range of financial instruments in one place. On Excel access Data can be searched through Datastream menu by

2 using DS Mnemonic codes. There are three modes of searching; Static, Time Series and Company Account Request, where each has different request boxes. The first code you need is for the time series or the company you require. This applies for all options; Static, Time Series or Company Account Request. In the pop-up search box, you can find the series/lists name code by using the Navigator button, In both Excel and Advance interface, the Navigator button is an Orange Find Series button. In the Excel: In the Advance: The correct data category has to be chosen to find the series you want. Some of the categories include equities, equities indices, constituent companies, unit trusts, investment trusts, warrants, economic series, exchange rates, interest rates, or futures and options, commodities, convertibles or bonds. In addition to this, the type of analysis has to be selected as well such as single series (overview, chart, report or data) and multiple series How do I find the series codes on Datastream? In the search box, the Datastream Navigator will show you a search screen (Criteria Search). You can enter a company name or select a series such as ABC, on advanced search you can also choose the appropriate criteria for your search. The symbol indicating that you can display a list of available items to search and choose from. For example, you can display all the Exchanges and then select those to include into your searching criteria. When you click on the DS Mnemonic Code of the series, it will automatically paste into your Request box. Note: Make sure the settings in Data category at the top of the screen are the correct ones for the series you are looking from, such as Equities, Equity indices, or Exchange rates. How do I find company accounts and financial information? In a Company Account Request use the Navigator to choose Equities as the Data Category according to the previous procedure or type in a specific Mnemonic Code if it is already known to you. You will need to select a format code by either using Company Account Request Code Picker (click on the symbol ), such as Industrials Income Statement Detailed, or you can define your own format. How do I find codes for exchange rates or economics codes? Under Time series, change the Data Category on the Navigator to Exchange Rates or Economics etc and carry out a search for relevant codes using the Explorer or Advanced Search.

3 Datatypes How do I select datatypes? On Excel access, there are datatype codes for financial items you are searching for. Once you have chosen the series code, select from the drop menu or type into a searching box a specific datatype of relevance to your search or click on the Datatypes button to for a more advanced search On advanced search, you will need to set the Data category at the top of the search screen (e.g. Equities, Equity Indices, etc). Then in the Find search box type in the name of the data you need, and select from the list those which apply to your search. Click on these to obtain them for your search box. You can put in more than one code, by separating them with a comma. e.g. MV, PI, RI. How can I find out how the datatypes are calculated? Click on the small open book icons to the left of the datatype to find a definition and explanation of how these are calculated. There are more definitions in the Help > Definitions. How can I automatically update data? If you tick the Embed option in the Request box your data will automatically refresh each time you load it. It will update itself to today's value. Can I make a list of datatypes for a Company account request? (Creating "User created company account formats") To create a list of company account items for use in Excel Company Account Request follow these steps: 1. Use the Advance interface and select Equities. 2. Choose a sample company. 3. Select Single Series -Data from the left-hand side menu 4. Choose Company Accounts Data 5. Click on the Settings button (top right-hand corner) to see the formats available. 6. To create your own format change the drop down to User created Company Accounts Formats 7. Click on the Create button to create a new one. 8. Use the Datatypes Navigator to choose the items you require in your list. Click on the DS Mnemonic code to add to your Datatypes list. 9. Give the format a description and click ok. 10. Note the number you are given. 11. Switch to Excel to pick up your format in the Company Account Request. 12. Select the company code. 13. Click on the CA button and Tab for User created company account format and find your format search number.

4 Can I find Beta measures on Datastream? You can get Beta measures from Datastream. To do this, import your list into the time series and select the beta measure from the Datatype button marked fx. This screen can be searched using Beta and the various measures will appear. Company lists How do I create a list of frequent used series or companies? (Create local list) To create a list of series or companies for use in Excel Time Series Request follow these steps: 1. Use the Excel interface and select Time Series Request. 2. Check List Picker button under Find Series button (click on the symbol ). 3. Click the Datastream List Wizard button (click on the symbol ) from the List Picker box. 4. Choose Create A New List > Next and this will bring you to the following box. 5. You will need to set the Data category at the top of the search screen (e.g. Equities, Equity Indices, etc). Then in the Find search box type in the name of the series you need or use Find Series button to search

5 for the DS Mnemonic code of the series. Click Explorer to find series and tick the empty cell to choose the series. If you wish to choose all the companies, the most convenient way is to tick the top empty cell (in front of the title of DS Mnemonic, then click on the orange button of Use Selected, which will appear on the left of the top cell once clicked. 6. Name the List Description and click on Save As Local List Only. 7. Click on Finish. 8. To find and use the created local lists, click on User Created from Advanced Version; or click on List Picker on Excel interface. Help Who can I contact for help? The Datastream Guidance Desk is located in the Library on the 6 th floor. Check the day and time on the library homepage under Training and support where you also find several links to helpful information. Use the online help form: com/sc/contactus/simple/trdefault.aspx 18. August 2014