Quickly Retrieve Lowest Historical Values with CUSTOM_DATES_LOW

The CUSTOM_DATES_LOW function helps you extract the lowest (minimum) historical value for a given stock symbol and data field (close, volume, etc.) between two specified dates, all directly within Excel using the MarketXLS add-in. This saves you time by automating data retrieval and computation without manual lookups or external platforms.

Why Use This Function?

• Quickly finds the lowest historical price (or other metrics like volume or dividend) of a stock over a defined date range.
• Flexible data field input (e.g., “close,” “high,” “low,” “volume,” “returns,” etc.) lets you target exactly the metric you need.
• Automates data gathering—no need to open multiple websites for historical data.
• Integrates seamlessly with other MarketXLS Excel functions for further analysis or strategy-building.
• Ideal for US stock market analysis in everyday trading, investing, or backtesting scenarios.

How to Use in Excel

=custom_dates_low(Symbol, StartDate, EndDate, [DataField])

• Symbol: The ticker symbol of the stock or instrument (e.g., "AAPL", "MSFT").
• StartDate: The start of the date range as an Excel date.
• EndDate: The end of the date range as an Excel date.
• DataField (optional): The type of data you want the lowest value of (default is "close").

Simply type the formula into any cell, ensuring you reference valid cell ranges or type the parameters directly. Press Enter, and MarketXLS will fetch and compute the lowest historical value according to your specifications.

Parameters Explained

Example Usage

Basic Examples

1. Find the lowest close price of Apple (AAPL) from January 1, 2023 to February 1, 2023:

   =custom_dates_low("AAPL", "1/1/2023", "2/1/2023")

   This returns the minimum closing price of AAPL in that date range.

2. Return the lowest adjusted close price of Microsoft (MSFT) between March 1, 2022 and April 15, 2022:

   =custom_dates_low("MSFT", "3/1/2022", "4/15/2022", "adj_close")

   This retrieves the lowest adjusted closing price in that period.

Advanced Scenarios

1. Low Trading Volume Check:
   If you want to see the minimum trading volume for Tesla (TSLA) from June 1, 2023, to July 31, 2023, set the DataField to “volume.”
   =custom_dates_low("TSLA", "6/1/2023", "7/31/2023", "volume")

   It returns the single lowest volume day in that span, helpful for liquidity checks or volatility analysis.

2. Working with “returns”:
   If you specify "returns" as the DataField, the function will retrieve daily returns data and report the most negative daily return over the chosen period.
   =custom_dates_low("SPY", "1/1/2023", "3/1/2023", "returns")

   This can quickly highlight the single worst daily performance in that range.

3. Integrating with Other Functions:
   You might combine CUSTOM_DATES_LOW with other MarketXLS functions (e.g., CUSTOM_DATES_HIGH) to compare a security’s extreme moves in a single spreadsheet, or use Excel’s built-in logic (AVERAGE, IF statements, etc.) for a complete trading strategy model.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

• What if I enter an invalid symbol?
– The function returns “NA.” Double-check the ticker or use MarketXLS’s symbol validation features.

• What if the date range has no data?
– You’ll get “NA.” Ensure there are trading days or relevant data in the selected date range.

• Can I use StartDate and EndDate references to Excel cells?
– Yes, just feed the cell references (e.g., A2 for the start date and B2 for the end date) into the function.

• Why might the function return “Refreshing”?
– This can occur if data is still being updated. Wait briefly, then try again.

By leveraging the CUSTOM_DATES_LOW function, you can easily pull the lowest historical data for a variety of financial metrics or indicators. It is a powerful time-saver for traders, analysts, and investors who need quick answers in Excel without manual data wrangling.