Understand data coverage and delays
Check symbols, market sessions, exchange permissions, reporting periods, and refresh timing.
A data value can be current, delayed, end-of-day, or unavailable. The expected result depends on the function and your access to the requested market.
Check the symbol
Use the symbol format that the function expects. A security listed outside the United States might require an exchange suffix. Share classes, preferred shares, options, and indices can also use provider-specific symbols.
For functions beginning with QM_, use QuoteMedia's international symbol format. Use the canonical colon suffix, such as :CA for TSX and TSXV listings, so the workbook works on both add-ins.
A correct suffix identifies the listing, but it doesn't grant real-time access to that exchange. International real-time feeds can require a separate entitlement and can have different professional and non-professional pricing.
When an international symbol doesn't work, include the company name, country, exchange, expected listing currency, and required data speed in a support request. A ticker alone can refer to different securities on different exchanges.
Test the same function with a common symbol such as MSFT. If that works, the issue is more likely to be the original symbol or its coverage.
Check the time period
- Real-time values change while the relevant market is trading.
- Pre-market and post-market values use separate QuoteMedia metrics. Use the corresponding extended-hours function instead of assuming that the regular-session last price represents that session.
- End-of-day values update after the provider processes the market close.
- Fundamentals update after the source publishes and processes a company filing.
- Historical functions need a valid date or period for which data exists.
Weekends and market holidays normally show the most recent available trading value.
If you need US extended-hours values, use the exact pre-market or post-market QuoteMedia function. A thinly traded security can have no eligible trade for a particular extended-hours metric.
Some functions intentionally behave differently. QuoteMedia-sourced historical functions return NA for a non-trading date instead of rolling back to the previous session. Options also need an exact listed contract and a date on which that contract existed. Read Use current and historical options data for those cases.
A split, dividend, spinoff, or ADR ratio change can also update an older adjusted value. Read Understand splits, dividends, and adjusted prices before you compare raw and adjusted history.
Check exchange access
Real-time exchange data can require a separate agreement and subscriber classification. If your subscription uses QuoteMedia, confirm your QuoteMedia setup.
Check the formula
Open the formula reference and confirm:
- The function supports the security type.
- The function is available on your platform.
- Every required parameter is present.
- Dates use a supported Excel date value.
For a value that still looks wrong, follow Fix stale, delayed, or unexpected data.