Tip #2000-11: Change instruments and fields on the fly
It is a drawback that DDE does not allow cell references within
DDE formulas. If you want to change the instruments or fields
referred to by a DDE request within Excel, you have to edit
the formula in the cell or run a routine like the Reuters Tools
to rebuild your request. Wouldn't it be convenient to just reference
a cell and then you could change Reuters instrument codes (RICs)
and fields (FIDs) at will?
Fortunately, the RtGet function in the new PowerPlus32 pack gives you this
ability. Let's see it in action below.
The only drawback is that you have to change all your live data
references from =REUTER|'etc....' to =RTGET(etc... ) And you
can't simply use Excel's Find and Replace feature to do it.
If you have a lot of spreadsheets with many DDE real-time references,
you will need to go through the process of deleting the DDE
formulas and replacing them with the RtGet function. Maintaining
and updating the real-time data in the worksheets will be easier,
but the initial changeover could be a time consuming process.
Our DDE Converter to the rescue!
To simplify and speed up the process of switching and converting
from standard DDE requests to using the RtGet function, Willow
Solutions has written a DDE conversion utility. It automates
the process of switching your data from the =REUTER|IDN formula
to RtGet function.
The Converter offers you the option of entering either RICs and
FIDs or cell references in the RtGet function. It can convert
multiple ranges and even offers you the option of converting
RtGet formulas back to DDE formulas. If you already have a table
of RICs and FIDs on your worksheet, you can use the DDE
Converter to create a real-time list using the RtGet function.
There is no need to first create a list using DDE formulas and
then convert them to RtGet formulas.
The DDE Converter allows you to convert one cell or multiple tables
of real-time data from DDE real-time formulas to RtGet formulas.
You select the DDE formulas which you want converted and add
the ranges to a list. You can then have them all converted with
a single mouse click.
Contact us to order your copy of the DDE Converter.
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