Datastream is a vast database of economic, company, and finance data. The database and the programs used to access the data are held on Datastream Research Service's mainframe computer in London, England. DPLS currently has two public-use PCs connected to the database. Because of the subscription restriction only one user has access to Datastream at any given time. There are three different user interfaces for accessing the database. In this quick guide we will discuss how to use a Microsoft Windows based interface, Advance.
Datastream Advance Interface:
There are several key areas in this window: I: Output Window, II: Data Categories,
III: Output Programs, IV: Date Ranges and V:Data Types. This guide serves as
a quick introduction to the Advance interface. It will provide some basic information
about each area. Please refer to the online Help for more information about
a particular feature in Advance.
I. Output Window:
This area displays data, charts and graphs from your query result. Click on
the down-arrow on the lower right corner to maximize this area.
II. Data Categories:
In this area data are grouped into categories: Equity, Index, Constituents,
Local Lists, Unit Trust, Invest[ment] Trust, Warrants, Bond Index, Int[erest]
Rate, Ex[change] Rate, Commodity, Economics, and Econ[omic] Views. Select any
Data Category tab. Click on the BLUE triangle on the lower left corner to view
additional data categories. Users can scroll up and down to view a list of available
data series in that category. You can also scroll left and right to view the
variables of each series. The common variables are title/name, mnemonic code,
market ,base date, currency and frequency. The Find feature allows you
to enter any text string to search the data list. You can also check the Find
by Mnemonic box, if you know the mnemonic. To refine a search, you can use
a data filter. A filter allows you to subset the data list according to a set
of criteria provided by you. Filtering options include countries, currencies
and commodity types.
III. Output Programs:
In this area you will see six different tabs for output programs. They are Overviews,
Charts, Reports, Data Format (Spreadsheet), Find and Comparison. On each tab
available output programs are listed. Simply click on a program you want to
use. The output settings change according to the data category and output program
you have specified.
The list below describes different features for each output program. Select an output program to present your requested data in the way you prefer.
Forward to Part 2: Datastream Advance: A Quick Guide
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