The Downloader®
Downloader® and MetaStock®
Are Trademarks of Equis®
International
Metastockusergroup@hotmail.com
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
1
Disclaimer
This group is intended only for educational purposes.
Nothing in this group, or, at any of the websites which
may be posted within this group, should be construed as
an investment or trading advice. No representation or
warranty as to the accuracy of any information provided
is implied. It is up to each person to do proper due
diligence before making any investment or trading
decisions.
The risk of loss in trading stocks or commodities can be
substantial. You should therefore carefully consider
whether such trading is suitable in light of your financial
condition. Past performance is not indicative of future
results.
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
2
Downloader Functions
1. Create MetaStock Security Files (Collect Data)
2. Edit Security Files (Fix Data)
3. Convert files from one format to another
4. Update security files (Collect Recent Data)
5. Test the integrity of security files (Look for Errors)
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
3
Data Format Specifics
1. Format is limited to 6 digits of precision
2. Data for up to 6000 securities stored in each folder
3. 32,500 records can be displayed
4. 62,500 records maximum in data file record can be
saved for each security
5. Will not recognize bar intervals greater than 60
6. End of Day Data only (No intra-day data collection)
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
4
Downloader Files
1. Master
2. Emaster
3. XMaster
4. Fn.dat (F1.dat)
5. Fn.dop (F1.dop)
6. Fn.mwd (F1.mwd)
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
5
MetaStock Files/Formats
1. Master Index Files up to 255 Files (Symbols)
2. Emaster Index Files with up to 255 Files (Symbols)
3. XMaster for folders with up to 6,000 Files (Symbols)
4. Fn.dat (Fxxx.dat) - Data Stored Here– (Where xxx =
1…..255)
5. Fn.dop (F1.dop) – Variable Length records (No longer
used)
6. Fn.mwd (Fxxxx.mwd) – Data Stored Here - (Where xxxx
= 256…..6000)
7. Cx.mws – In the MSSmart Folder
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
6
Master and Emaster
The MASTER file lists the names, trading symbols
and miscellaneous information about securities data
files of the directory in which it is located.
EMASTER is a similar file (Extended Master file)
maintained by MetaStock as an extension to the
original Computrac format. The original format had
a limit of 255 security files per directory.
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
7
Master file contains the following information
1. Total Record Number Highest Record Used
2. Copyright Info
3. Chat values usage
4. File Number
5. Number of Fields, Auto Flag
6. Record Size
7. Symbol, File Name
8. Time Frame (I, D, W, M) Time Interval
9. First Date on Record, Last Date on Record, Present date
…
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
8
Fx.dat and Fx.mwd files contain
Date
Time
Open
High
Low
Close
Volume
Open Interest
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
9
Data Format
TICKER,PER,DTYYYYMMDD,TIME,OPEN,HIGH,LOW,CLOSE,VOL,OPENINT
MSFT,D,19900102,000000,0.6045,0.6152,0.5967,0.6152,530352,0
….
MSFT,D,20040922,000000,27.2300,27.7400,27.0700,27.1200,684116,0
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
10
File Command
1. New Security/New Composite (Browse, Look-Up,
Name, Symbol, First Date, Periodicity {Intra-day,
Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Units, Optional Fields}
2. Open
3. Print
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
11
View Command
1. Toolbar
2. Status Bar
3. Last Collection Report
4. Last Conversion Report
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
12
Tools Command
1. Down Load Prices
2. Express Download
3. Adjust (First Date, Date for Multiple
Securities, Start and End Times)
4. Convert (Source File to Destination File)
5. Convert Options (Date Range, Message
Limits, Append/Replace)
6. Copy
Continued on next page
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
13
Tools Command (Cont’d)
8. Delete (Security/Data)
9. Merge
10. Sort (Security/Data)
11. Test Data
12. Update Symbol Data Base
13. Application Options
14. Vendor Options
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
14
Sorting Data Files
1. Close All Open Files In MetaStock
2. Open the DownLoader
3. Select Tools, Sort, Data
4. Click The Options Button
5. Check Remove Duplicate Dates
6. Find the appropriate security
7. Click to highlight
8. Click the sort button
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
15
Help
1. The DownLoader Help
2. What’s This
3. About The DownLoader
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
16
Test the Securities for Errors
1. A. Open DownLoader.
B. Tools | Test.
C. Click Browse.
D. Change to one of your folders. ex. C:\Equis\Data\A.
E. Click The Test Button.
F. You should see a message "No securities selected Test All
Securities".
H. Click Yes.
I. To view a description of the error Click Help and Test
Error Messages.
From the Test Report window.
J. Run the test on the next folder and so on until you have
tested all of the folders.
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
17
Downloader Hints
1. How To Use The Short Cut Keys (Alt + Key)
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
18
Automatic Data Update
1. Go to Accessories, System Tools, Scheduled Tasks
2. Double Click “Add Scheduled Task”
3. Select “Express Download”
4. Perform this task “Daily”
5. Start time 6:05 PM
Chicago MetaStock User Group 105-04
19