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Bloomberg Guide

Learn how to access and use Bloomberg at NYU Libraries.

What is the Bloomberg Excel API?

The Bloomberg Desktop API is a suite of Excel tools that allows you to query Bloomberg's underlying data for further custom analysis. Use the DAPI command to access the API's support documentation, including video tutorials.

Data downloaded using the API should not, under any circumstances, be removed from the Bloomberg terminal (i.e. local PC). Only your analysis of the data can be removed. Review the "Desktop API Guidelines" document (via the DAPI command) to ensure that you are in full compliance with Bloomberg's rules.  If these restrictions do not match your use case, you must use another data source such as Datastream or WRDS. If you have questions about whether you are in compliance, please email the Business Library team using our form.

Before You Use the API: Understanding Data Limits

Data accessed through the Bloomberg terminals, including the Excel API, is subject to daily and monthly download limits. The limits are associated with each terminal, not your personal account, and cannot be reset. Be judicious when downloading so as to avoid reaching the limits, especially during busy times of year when Bloomberg assignments are due.

How do I tell if a terminal has reached its data limit?

There is no direct way to view how much of the data limit has been used at a terminal. When a terminal's data limit has been reached, you will receive error messages in Excel or no results. In some cases, an API query may come back incomplete. In the terminal software, data in spreadsheets may also not display.

How do I report when the data limit has been reached?

Please email the Business Library team using our form and indicate which terminal is affected. We will place a sign on the terminal.

When does the data limit reset?

The daily data limit resets at midnight and the monthly data limit resets at midnight on the last day of the month. These limits are controlled by Bloomberg: library staff cannot reset the limit and Bloomberg staff will not reset the limit under any circumstances.

How can I reduce or optimize my data consumption to prevent reaching the limit?

  • Carefully build API queries to only download what you need. The Equity Screener command (EQS) is particularly useful for this task.
  • Use Bloomberg Query Language (BQL), which helps reduce data consumption.
  • Perform very large queries on the last few days of the month to reduce the impact of reaching data limits on other users.
  • Perform very large API queries during slower times of year (summer, breaks) as opposed to when classes are in session.
  • Consider using alternative financial data sources that allow very large queries: DatastreamWRDS.

This terminal is maxed out and I still need to do my Bloomberg assignment. What should I do?

  • The only solution is to move to another terminal whose data limit has not yet been reached.
  • Consult the strategies above when making new API queries.
  • If you have an assignment due that requires Bloomberg data, but all the NYC-based library-owned terminals are exhausted, we can explain the limits to your instructor: email the Business Library team using our form.

Installing the Excel API Add-In

At Bobst Library in-person terminals, every time a user logs on to Windows they must install the Excel add-in on their account. (Virtual access will prompt you to install the Excel add-in at the login screen.)

  1. Click the start menu icon in the lower-left corner of Windows.
  2. Under "B" select the "Bloomberg" folder.
  3. In the resulting drop down, select "Install Office Add-Ins".
  4. Follow the prompts for the "Bloomberg" tab to appear in Excel.
  5. If the process fails, try again.

To confirm if non-library terminals have the Excel add-in, open Excel. If the add-in is installed, there will be a "Bloomberg" tab.

Template Library (XLTP)

Use the XLTP command to access hundreds of visually appealing Excel templates that allow you to quickly perform custom analysis. Templates are organized by market sector, role (trader, analyst, broker, etc.), and region. Templates require the Bloomberg Excel API to display and update data.

Screenshot of the template library interface.
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