Fix QuoteMedia real-time data
Diagnose QuoteMedia formulas that show Loading, NA, delayed values, or no live updates.
Start with a blank workbook and one common symbol. This separates the QuoteMedia connection from workbook size, option-symbol formatting, and copied formulas.
1. Confirm that the formula streams
Use the correct test for your add-in:
| Add-in | Test formula |
|---|---|
| Windows desktop | =QM_Stream_Last("MSFT") |
| Mac or Excel for the web | =mxls.QM_Stream_Last("MSFT") |
An on-demand function such as QM_Last or mxls.QM_Last doesn't continuously update. Read Use QuoteMedia functions by platform if you're unsure which family you use.
2. Check your plan and exchange access
- Open MarketXLS pricing.
- Confirm that your plan includes real-time data for the asset. For non-professional users, Advanced includes real-time US and Canadian stocks, ETFs, and US options; Business also includes real-time forex and indices.
- Confirm that your subscription is active.
- Complete any required exchange agreements.
- If you are a professional subscriber on Windows, confirm that Quotemedia - Professional User Mode is selected.
Not Entitled, Rejected, or an authorization error usually points to the subscription, exchange permissions, subscriber classification, or credentials. Repeated refreshes don't add an entitlement.
For a Canadian or international listing, check the QuoteMedia symbol, plan coverage, and exchange add-ons. Professional users are subject to different entitlements and exchange fees.
3. Turn streaming on
- On Windows, the MarketXLS ribbon button must say Streaming is ON.
- On a Mac or in Excel for the web, the task pane must say Streaming: On, not Streaming: Paused or Streaming: Off.
Read Turn real-time streaming on or off for both procedures.
Capture the Windows streaming button in its On state.
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Capture Streaming: Off or a safe error state with Why? visible.
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4. Fix Streaming: Off on Mac or Excel for the web
The Microsoft 365 add-in connects to QuoteMedia automatically. You don't enter or correct a QuoteMedia password, choose a data center, or reset a local QuoteMedia cache.
If the task pane remains at Streaming: Off after you sign in, common causes include:
- The account is active in Excel on another computer or in another Excel instance.
- The MarketXLS subscription doesn't include the requested streaming access.
- The MarketXLS account doesn't have an active QuoteMedia session available.
- QuoteMedia has restricted or blocked the provider account.
Try these steps:
- Close Excel and MarketXLS on every other computer that uses the same account.
- Close extra Excel instances and browser workbooks on the current computer.
- Reopen one blank workbook, open the MarketXLS task pane, and sign in.
- Wait for the task pane to check the account and open the stream.
- If it still shows Streaming: Off, select Why? to copy the diagnostic report.
- Email the report to support@marketxls.com.
MarketXLS support can check whether the account lacks provider credentials or QuoteMedia has restricted it. Don't send a password; there is no QuoteMedia password field to fix in the Microsoft 365 add-in.
5. Check the market session and metric
A valid stream can remain unchanged when no new trade or quote occurs.
- Confirm that the exchange is open.
- Confirm that the symbol is valid for QuoteMedia.
- Use a pre-market or post-market function when you need the corresponding extended-hours metric.
- Test
MSFTduring an active US market session before you test a thinly traded security. - For options, confirm that the contract hasn't expired.
Last trade, bid, and ask are different events. A last price can remain unchanged while the bid or ask changes.
6. Interpret the cell result
For a complete lookup that also covers Windows Please Refresh, Refreshing, service, and symbol-limit messages, read Fix Please Refresh, Loading, and NA.
| Result | What to check |
|---|---|
Loading | The Microsoft 365 function is waiting for its first value. Check that the stream is on and the symbol is active. |
NA | No value arrived for that symbol and metric during the initial wait. Check the market session, symbol, entitlement, and metric. |
Login to MarketXLS plugin to use streaming functions. | Open the task pane and sign in. |
Invalid Symbol | Check the ticker, canonical QuoteMedia exchange suffix, or option-symbol format. |
Expired | Use a current option contract. |
Not Entitled or Rejected | Check the plan, agreements, professional status, and exchange access. |
| A value appears but stops changing | Confirm that streaming isn't paused and that the market is producing that metric. The Microsoft 365 add-in keeps the last known good value through a temporary gap. |
7. Check connection limits and symbol usage
If either add-in reports a connection-limit or authentication error, close other Excel instances and computers that use the same QuoteMedia account, and then reopen one workbook.
The Microsoft 365 task pane can show current real-time symbol usage for eligible non-professional accounts. If you reach the displayed limit, remove unused streaming formulas or close workbooks that subscribe to those symbols.
8. Run the platform diagnostic
Windows
Open the QuoteMedia settings and select Test Connection. If it fails, follow Unable to Authenticate on Windows.
Mac or Excel for the web
If the task pane shows an error or remains off after you sign in, select Why?. The add-in runs account, subscription, backend, session, and connection checks and copies the results.
Capture Test Connection and its success message with credentials redacted.
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Capture the Why? copied confirmation or safe diagnostic result with identifiers redacted.
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If the issue continues, contact MarketXLS support. Include the exact formula, the visible streaming status, the affected symbol and market session, and the diagnostic result. Don't include a password.