Find Stock Index Names and Codes for Excel Stocks Data Types
Question details
Find search terms and official names for market indices to use with Excel’s Stocks data type.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel Stocks data type
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user wants to identify market indices such as the S&P/TSX Composite and Dow Jones in an Excel spreadsheet.
- Observed behavior
- The goal is to select the matching index from Excel’s Stocks data type results.
Make sure your version of Excel supports the Stocks data type and that you have an internet connection. Have the familiar name of the index ready for an initial search.
Search for the Official Index Name and Match It in Excel
Use a web search to find a more precise index name, then select the matching Stocks data type result in Excel.
In Bing, search for the index name you know, such as S&P/TSX Composite or Dow Jones. Look for the full index name in the search results.
Copy the name from the search result, paste it into an Excel cell, and select the cell.
On Excel’s Data tab, select Stocks. If Excel displays a Data Selector, compare the available results with the index name and select the appropriate match.
If the result is unclear, try another variation of the full name in the cell or Data Selector. For example, search for Dow Jones Industrial Average rather than only Dow Jones.
Work With Market Data Spreadsheets in WPS Office
WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative with a familiar spreadsheet interface and support for Microsoft Excel formats, making it easy to move existing workbooks. Excel’s Stocks linked data type is a Microsoft feature, so check linked data behavior when opening those files in WPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I search for if Excel does not recognize Dow Jones?
Try the full name Dow Jones Industrial Average. Enter it in a cell, select Data > Stocks, and compare the results in the Data Selector.
How can I find the S&P/TSX Composite in Excel?
Search Bing for the full index name, copy it into an Excel cell, and select Data > Stocks. If multiple matches appear, choose the result that corresponds to the index.
Why does Excel show several possible matches?
A short or approximate name can match multiple instruments. Use a more complete index name and compare the results in the Data Selector before choosing one.
Can I use Excel’s Stocks linked data type in WPS Office?
WPS Office can open Excel XLS and XLSX files, but Excel’s Stocks linked data type is a Microsoft feature. Check whether linked data is displayed and updated as needed after opening the workbook in WPS.
