Retrieve Historical Stock Data with QM_GetHistory

QM_GetHistory is designed to simplify how you download end-of-day historical data directly into Excel. By providing a valid stock symbol, the function fetches the specified company’s historical pricing information (e.g., open, high, low, close, etc.) in a tabular format, ready for analysis.

This function helps traders, analysts, and investors quickly access historical price movements to make more informed decisions without leaving their Excel workflow.

Why Use This Function?

• Easily incorporate real historical market data for US symbols into your Excel models.
• Automate your data retrieval process, saving time on manual downloads or copying from websites.
• Validate or test your trading strategies over a historical timeframe.
• Streamline fundamental or technical analyses by having historical candlestick data in one place.
• Combine with other Excel calculations or MarketXLS functions for detailed financial modeling.

How to Use in Excel

=QM_GetHistory("AAPL")

• Make sure you have a valid MarketXLS subscription with QuoteMedia data service configured.
• Enter the function in a cell (e.g., =QM_GetHistory("IBM")).
• When executed, the function writes the historical data starting from the active cell downward and across columns.

Parameters Explained

• Symbol is mandatory for fetching data.
• If the symbol is invalid or blank, the function returns a suitable warning or empty data set.
• The function automatically appends new rows and columns in the Excel sheet.

Example Usage

Basic Examples

1. =QM_GetHistory("AAPL")
   Retrieves Apple Inc.’s historical end-of-day data. The results include columns such as Date, Open, High, Low, Close, Volume, etc.

2. =QM_GetHistory("MSFT")
   Returns historical data for Microsoft. If you need to chart or run calculations on an extended date range of MSFT, simply place the function in a cell and let MarketXLS populate the rows and columns below.

Advanced Scenarios

• Analyzing multiple symbols over time:

• Enter =QM_GetHistory("AAPL") in Cell A1. Then in Cell D1, enter =QM_GetHistory("MSFT"). You’ll get Apple’s historical table starting in columns A/B/C… and Microsoft’s data in D/E/F…, letting you compare performance side by side.

• Building a backtest model:

• If you’re developing a trading strategy that needs daily price points, place =QM_GetHistory("SPY") in a dedicated tab and then reference its cells for your signals or threshold calculations.

• Combining with Excel statistical functions:

• After retrieving historical data, use built-in Excel functions like AVERAGE, STDEV, etc., directly on the downloaded columns to compute volatility measures or average returns.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

• “Why am I seeing a ‘No Data Retrieved’ message?”

• Possible Reasons: Invalid or misspelled symbol, no data available for the symbol, or an expired subscription/license.

• “Will this overwrite existing cells?”

• Yes, cells below the active cell are overwritten to accommodate the table. Ensure you have enough space or insert new rows as needed.

• “What if I need older or more recent data?”

• The function automatically fetches the maximum available data from the provider for core historical requests. If you need alternative intervals, check other MarketXLS functions or advanced historical data features, if available in your subscription.

• “My function returns ‘ERR’ or ‘Canceled.’ What do I do?”

• Check that your MarketXLS license is active and that the data subscription (QuoteMedia) is properly configured. Confirm your symbol is valid and recognized.

Remember, QM_GetHistory is a quick way to fetch historical price data for a single symbol. By combining it with other MarketXLS tools and Excel’s native formulas, you can build both simple comparisons and advanced trading models right in your spreadsheet. Enjoy faster, real-time accessible analysis with minimal manual work.