Bloomberg: Getting Started

The Bloomberg Excel Add-In is a powerful 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 Bloomberg. 

1. Use the Import Data Wizard

The Import Data Wizard 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 Import Data 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. 

2. Use Worksheet Functions in Excel

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 retreieve (Field). The Security must be represented as (Ticker) (Market Sector), for example TGT Equity.

Fields are represented by mnemonics. Use the Field Search tool in Excel to search by category or keyword. 

For more information about the using Excel Add-in

• Watch the Bloomberg Essentials  video (Bloomberg Data in Excel) BESS <GO>
• Download the Getting Started Guide for Students
• Download the Bloomberg Excel Desktop Guide
• Download the Function Reference Guide

Copying and pasting tables from Bloomberg to Excel

1. Place cursor at the corner of table in Bloomberg.
2. Click and drag the data you would like to copy.  Bloomberg will copy text/data automatically without Ctrl + C.
3. In Excel, press Ctrl + V to paste the data.
4. Click on Data menu from the top in the Excel screen and select "Text to Columns..."
5. Select "Fixed width-general."

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