Use the QM_Change Function to Retrieve Stock Price Change

The QM_Change function (fn_00045) in MarketXLS is designed to effortlessly fetch the change in a stock’s price directly into your Excel spreadsheet. By entering your chosen ticker symbol, you can pull the “change” metric, which is crucial for tracking performance, comparing day-over-day movements, and making informed decisions.

This function works in tandem with MarketXLS’s data provider configuration, enabling you to stay up to date with just a single formula. It can handle various edge cases like invalid symbols or freshly updating data in real time.

Why Use This Function?

• Stay Informed: Keep an eye on daily or intraday price changes to gauge market momentum.
• Quick Analysis: Combine QM_Change with standard Excel functions to create custom dashboards.
• Reduce Manual Work: Eliminate the need to check external sources for price changes.
• Data Integrity: MarketXLS ensures data accuracy and retrieves values reliably.
• Real-Time Updates: When MarketXLS is refreshing data, the function returns a clear status, so you know when to recalculate or wait.

How to Use in Excel

=QM_CHANGE("AAPL")

1. Enter the function into any cell in Excel.
2. Replace "AAPL" with the stock symbol you want to track.
3. Press Enter to see the returned change value.

If the symbol is recognized and data is cached or newly fetched, the cell will display the stock price change. Depending on MarketXLS’s current data refresh state, different messages may appear (e.g., “Refreshing” or “Please Refresh”).

Parameters Explained

Example Usage

Basic Examples

1. =QM_CHANGE("AAPL")

   • Retrieves the real-time or last known intraday price change for Apple Inc.
   • If data is available, it shows a numeric value (e.g., +2.35).
   • If the symbol is invalid, it displays “NA.”

2. =QM_CHANGE("MSFT")

   • Displays Microsoft’s price change.
   • If MarketXLS is refreshing data, the function returns “Refreshing” until data is ready.

Advanced Scenarios

1. Combine with Other Functions

   • =ROUND(QM_CHANGE("TSLA"), 2)
   • This example returns Tesla’s price change rounded to two decimal places, helping you display neat, consolidated values.

2. Portfolio Performance Tracker

   • Use QM_CHANGE alongside other MarketXLS functions (e.g., QM_LAST, QM_VOLUME) within a table listing multiple tickers (AAPL, AMZN, NFLX, TSLA).
   • Build an automated portfolio tracker that highlights intraday performance changes at a glance.

3. Multiple Refresh States

   • When MarketXLS is busy updating data, the function may temporarily return “Refreshing.” Once the data is refreshed or retrieved from the cache, you’ll see the actual price change.
   • If the data is missing after a refresh, the output may read “Please Refresh” or “NA,” indicating MarketXLS could not retrieve a valid value for that symbol.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

1. “Why am I seeing ‘NA’?”

   • An unrecognized or invalid symbol triggers “NA.” Verify that the symbol is correct and recognized by the data provider.

2. “What if I see ‘Refreshing’?”

   • MarketXLS is updating its cache or calling APIs. The final value will appear once the data refresh completes.

3. “Why does it say ‘Please Refresh’?”

   • The data seller configuration might be active, but the requested data isn’t yet retrieved. Clicking the “Refresh All” in MarketXLS or waiting for the automatic refresh can resolve this.

4. “License Invalid or Configuration Errors”

   • If your MarketXLS license is invalid, you’ll see an error message indicating a license issue. If QuoteMedia (the data provider) isn’t configured, a specific configuration message is displayed. Ensure your subscription is active and properly set up.

5. “Understanding Data Delays”

   • Depending on your subscription type, data might be real-time or delayed. The function, however, updates automatically when new data is fetched by MarketXLS.

By leveraging QM_Change, you can instantly assess stock performance right inside Excel with minimal effort. Combine it with other MarketXLS features and Excel functions to build comprehensive dashboards and enhance your trading strategies.