Getting Started

XLQ's website has been updated to include information on the different aspects of using xlq. You may access these pages from the menu at the top of the site. Most help would be found under the resources menu. Hopefully you will find all information needed to quickly get the most out of xlq.

If you find there is information missing, or would have liked to see included on any of the pages, send me an email and I will see if I can add it.

To familiarize yourself with xlq, choose from the following:

If you are a new user and have just installed xlq, you may use all the functionality of xlq2Lite for around 3 weeks without limitations and  for free.

After the trial period is over, to continue using xlq you would need to register.

xlq2 requires a valid license to run. A 3 week trial license may be requested by email.

XLQ does not provide market data but supports 3rd party services. You would need to choose the services you wish to work with, and if needed subscribe directly with them. All data processing and requests are directly between you, as end user, and the feed.

xlq2Lite supports the following services:

  • AAII Stock Investor Pro - provide a vast amount of financial and fundamental data for over 7000 companies. If you are subscribed to Stock Investor Pro, in addition to working directly with it, you can also access all the data via xlq.
  • CoinMarketCap - provide information on cryptocurrencies including marketcap and rank. If you are subscribed for Basic (free) or higher API access you may use this data via xlq.
  • InteractiveBrokers - provide streaming real-time and historic data for the many worldwide exchanges and products they cover, including for equities, indexes, options, futures, forex. You would need an account with them. Any data for which you are subscribed for real-time data with them would also be available via xlq.
  • IQFeed - provide streaming real-time (millisecond precision)  and historic data for the many exchanges and products they cover, including for equities, indexes, options, futures, forex. You would need to subscribe with them.
  • TDAmeritrade - provide streaming real-time data for US equities and indexes. You would need an account with them. If you are a TDAmeritrade account holder (not ThinkOrSwim), there are no costs or fees for using their real-time and historic data via xlq.
  • Tiingo - provide snapshot real-time data for US and Chinese equities and funds, as well as historic data and cryptocurrencies. You would need an account with them (free) and enter your token in xlq. Data is either free or subscription depending on your needs.
  • Yahoo Finance, allowing you to work with the data they provide for download. Symbols would be the same as on their webpages, although not all symbols and data are available for download. There is no additional subscription etc. for these services.

xlq2, in addition supports the following services:

  • EOD Historical Data - provides subscription data for historic, financials, dividends, earnings, target. Data for over 60 exchanges (also options,  cryptos, forex, commodities) including bulk data and upcoming events with special pricing for xlq2 users
  • Financial Modeling Prep - provides subscription data for realtime snapshot data, historic, financials, dividends, earnings, targets and a lot more for over 50 exchanges (cryptos, forex, commodities are also available). Supports bulk requests and upcoming events. Special pricing for xlq2 users
  • Norgate Data - provides subscription based historic data for US and Australian equities, indexes, futures and forex. Depending on your subscription may also cover delisted symbols and historic index constituents
  • Stockwatch - provides subscription based historic data for US and Canadian equities, indexes and options. Downloads being per exchange per market day. At least an Intermediate subscription is required.
  • XLQ2 - real-time x-minute snapshots for US equities provided free to xlq2 users from its own servers.
    Data provided by IEX Cloud: (https://iexcloud.io)

Unlike most programs that are limited by design of a pre-defined user interface, or most add-ins that are limited due to them being add-ins, xlq's core design is a data engine, running independently managing the retrieval of market data and real-time streams from the internet on one side, and on the other managing user interfaces.

This allows xlq to work simultaneously with different data sources and update multiple user interfaces efficiently with the latest data, allowing you to choose your interface and the data you wish to work with in the format you want. The most common interfaces are Microsoft Excel, xlqCompanion and xlq's COM interface.

Whenever a data request is made from any interface (such as excel or xlqCompanion) it will automatically start the xlq data engine, and close it on exit. But it is also possible to start and use the engine independently (from windows start). If xlq is already running, any request from excel (etc.) will connect with the already running xlq and not start a new one, in which case you cannot close xlq until all connections are closed.

When the xlq data engine is running a Q is shown in the task bar next to the windows date / time. If it is not visible you should click the ^ arrow to see hidden icons (left of Q in image) and drag it to the task bar. The Q, which is usually green (xlq2), or orange (xlq2Lite), will change color depending on its status, e.g. when the center is red, historic data is being requested or calculated, when the Q is yellow there is a problem with a data connection.

You may also hover the mouse over the Q for quick information on the status, for example to know how many symbols still need updating, and if you right click the Q, a menu is shown allowing giving access to all kinds of features from managing symbols, viewing data, setting preferences and seeing in-depth status views. it is also here, via About, that you enter your registration code.

You should familiarize yourself with features from the Q menu as it usually allows you to quickly solve any problems, with help from messages in the status view, or viewing the underlying data being used in formulae, calculations etc. and via the stock manager allowing you to see all symbols being used per source, their status, update information etc. You may also delete symbols to have the data be re-requested etc. For more detailed information you can consult the help file - also accessible from the Q menu.

Using xlq with excel has virtually no limits in terms of performing market research, custom analysis, creating portfolio management with the details and layout exactly as you want. It provides you complete control of your user interface and access to full use of all the features of Microsoft Excel including charting.

If you are familiar with excel and have worked with imported and pasted data, or dde / rtd, the advantages of xlq are quickly seen as replacing that data with xlq formulae means the analysis you have set up is always up to date, changes as the market changes, and research you have prepared for one symbol can be used for another by simply changing the symbol and leaving xlq to redisplay all the results.

As xlq formulae work like any other excel formula you can combine them, using xlq formulae within excel formulae, or xlq formulae within excel formulae, within VBA or reference them like any other.

You may design your layout cell by cell but make full use of copy / pasting, dragging and excel relative and absolute cell referencing. You may use xlq simultaneously in multiple workbooks, multiple instances of excel even multiple versions of excel with all sharing the same data.

As xlq is digitally signed, allowing you to work with heightened security and all connecting automatic, using xlq with Excel is actually quite simple, i.e. you can start by typing something simple like =xlqPrice("msft") into a cell and pressing enter

You can also open xlqDemo.xlsx included with the install for examples on using xlq and a list of all formulae. Many use this as the basis for their first workbook. For more formulae and examples see xlq2Demo.xlsx.

Whether you are an experienced excel user or just starting out you will find that xlq will help you learn excel or improve on your skills as you learn there is always something more you can do with it.

Other than entering some xlq formulae into your existing workbooks, or playing with xlqDemo, you should also consult the Formulae pages from the site's Resource menu and look at xlq's help file for more info

xlqCompanion is included with an xlq2Lite/xlq2 license. It is a standalone program, which like Excel can connect with the xlq data engine to work with the data.

Unlike excel which allows you to create your interface as you wish cell by cell, xlqCompanion is row / column based, allowing you to enter a symbol, and choose the columns you wish to work with.

This allows for quick and simple portfolio managements, for tracking trailing stops, or just simple keeping 'watch lists'.

In addition to being row /column based it is also possible to create multiple tabs (like worksheets) or multiple files (like separate workbooks).

To use xlqCompanion, launch it from Windows Start, and open your data file, or enter a symbol to start a new one.

You may enter the data directly in the grid, or in the fields view. Along with symbol and source you may also enter purchase and sell information. All trailing stop and gain/loss information will automatically be updated with the Summary view providing totals per portfolio.

Some first time users are surprised to see the trailing stop as a negative value as they expect to see a dollar value being the price they should sell at. xlqCompanion displays the real trailing stop, i.e. the % off the highest close since date of purchase. Calculated on last close or latest price depending on your preference

For example if the highest close since purchasing is $20, and the current price is $18 the trailing stop will be -10%
i.e. (last price – highest close) / highest close * 100
or (18 – 20) / 20 * 100 = -10

This tells you that the current price is 10% off its highest close. And if the value was -25, an alert would be shown as the default trailing stop alert in the program is 25%, but may be changed per row.

For additional information you should consult the help file, available from within xlqCompanion.

xlq also includes a COM (Component Object Model) interface allowing you to also work with xlq and all the data programmatically via any program or programming language supporting COM.

This allows you to connect with xlq (starting it if needed) and via requests obtain data for any formula passing parameters such as symbol, source etc.

It is assumed, if you wish to use xlq this way, that you are already familiar with COM.

To get started, you should consult the xlq help file, which explains the interface, the requests, required parameters etc. along with different examples from different languages / programs.

Feedback

XLQ has been in constant development for over 20 years with plenty of new features and functionality still planned.

All feedback is important and considered in the development of xlq.

If there is something you like, don't like, would like to see included, would like to see changed, let me know.

You may either send an email to leov@qmatix.com or click on the envelope (top right of the webpage).

Beta Testing

If you wish to be notified when Beta versions are released and participate in testing please send me an email.

New Tips and Tricks Page
  • A quick reference guide to using xlq with excel including shortcuts, tips etc.

  • Examples and explanations for all user levels.
Also available via the Resource menu above, along with references for formulae, symbols etc.

LATEST NEWS:

5 December 2023

XLQ2 23.7 released

  • Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) added as new source
    • covers Multiple markets
    • Realtime Snapshot data
    • Historic day / week / month (may be dividend adjusted)
    • Financials
    • Earnings
    • Dividends, splits
    • Historic intraday
    • Insider transactions
    • Subscriptions start at $14.25 per month
    More >>
  • Yahoo - xlqhName and xlqhExchange are now supported.
  • Tiingo - xlqName and xlqExchange are now supported.
  • More. >>

Current Offers

1 year of upgrades included
Purchase xlq2Lite for $159
Purchase xlq2 for $299

Pleased with the service and support
or feel extra has been earned?

Your acknowledgement is appreciated.
Thank you

User Comments

It is so uncommon in this day and age to receive top-level, human support and I appreciate that immensely. The quality, breadth and utility of your product is incredible, but even more impressive is the level of support you provided to me, just one individual customer. You may quote me on that. Thank you.

- C.B.

Wow, you did a lot of work on this version. New interface and other things as well. I must give you credit for being the most responsive software engineer that I've ever encountered. Every question that I've sent you over the many years (since 2003!!!) has been answered quickly and professionally. I just wanted to let you know that it is appreciated.

- M.N.

I have to say Leo that the last two versions have made some tremendous improvements to what has been for years an outstanding application. Thank you for your continued efforts.

- C.A.

Just to let you know that, the new version works much better & faster than the older one. I like it a lot, fantastic job you did!!!

- R.S.

Many thanks indeed for your clear and very rapid reply. I am not used to this type of quality service - I thought it went out of fashion years ago !!

- P.G.

In only 40 some days XLQ has helped me with a number of research projects I couldn't possibly have done without it and I'm now using it to help manage and track current trades and to alert me to potential new trades.

- D.P.

I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for creating XLQ. I use it regularly for scanning/monitoring securities in Excel 2007.  I have programmed in trailing stops for securities I own and numerous techniques using indicators for securities on my watch list. The combination of Excel 2007 and XLQ has opened up nearly an unlimited capability that is only constrained by my imagination.

- E.H.

Thank you for the amazing package -- I use it daily and it's ridiculously useful! Others (.....) have added some of the features you have, but none of them even comes close to matching what you've built.

- R.B.

Your product is fantastic, amazing, and really strong. It has real enabling capability. Thank you for putting this into the market!

- R.G.

You have an exceptional customer service, you have always answered my questions, I thank you for that, made it really easy to use this software, will be your long term customer. Thanks.

- A.D.

I was halfway resigned to have to program something like this myself. Only it would have taken me forever, and I couldn't have done it half as well. Thanks!

- M.S.

I also want to thank you for making the XLQ program. It is something that is very useful and incredible helpful. Like it was made for my needs.

- J.T.

I have already modified your demo sheet to fit my needs.  Your program allows me to turn my excel spreadsheet into a total information center that updates automatically. It's elegant.

- W.H.

First, I want to say that your program is probably the finest piece of work I have ever seen. The depth is simply amazing. Congratulations and thanks.

- D.B.

Thanx, Leo.  You're a great sport.  By the way, partially because of the application of xlq in my screen, I have passed 30% up in the market this year!!!!

- B.H.

This is a wonderful product -- simple to use and just plain useful!

- C.B.

I want to say you have created THE ULTIMATE data interface software for traders like me who prefer to use Excel for everything. Thanks a bunch.

- M.Y.

I just wanted to say, that I very much like your xlq package. I have tried many similar products and this is by far the best I have come across. Simple, fuss-free setup, integrates well with Excel, and has its own stand alone interface to track your portfolio throughout the day. Since I am from Europe, and trade US, European and Japanese securities, the ability to use a variety of feeds simultaneously and transparently is particularly valuable to me.

- H.S.

I really appreciate your quick responses. And your program is terrific. The Plus version adds a lot with it‘s AAII interface. I’ll definitely register it since in the last week it has become an indispensable part of my stock analysis.

- R.S.

I found XLQ yesterday afternoon – and I am blown away by how useful it is. You really need to market this thing because it is AWESOME!!!

- D.B.

Your explanation was very good. I understand now and find it very useful. If you always reply so quickly to questions, I will have to believe that you supply the best and fastest support of any software company.

- D.H.

I have “dabbled” for several years creating many of the things you present in this great program. I first began using the “*.iqy” external query (update times horrendous), then Excel VBA and lately attempting to learn “C” or “C++” in order to have smoother, faster updates as well as a great appearing “front end”. Your program certainly is, by far, the leader and has the greater edge over any I have seen, or tried to accomplish. Thank you for such a great program.

- R.H.

You are a very special person to reply so quickly and I want to thank you again. I enjoy your program. It gives me everything I need, and I know there is so much more functionality that I'm not even exploiting.

- F.D.

I love your program. XLQ combined with the power of Excel brings limitless possibilities to manipulate data for better trading. I recommend it to everyone I know interested in trading.

- P.S.

Thanks for such a great program. I have no programming experience and was trying to find a way to do just what you have done. Only you did much more. It’s fantastic and reasonably priced too!

- D.T.

Thank you so much for your help and your phenomenal programming. XLQ is awesome.

- T.K.

I use your XLQ product all the time. Some of the best money I've ever spent on software.

- L.S.

First, a thank you for the excellent and useful adjunct to EXCEL. I seem to discover a new use every day – and I’m sure I haven’t even scratched the surface to utilize XLQ’s full potential. The new version is really great.

- W.H.

First let me say that I feel XLQ is terrific. I really appreciate the versatility you have made possible with this package. I have set up a few worksheets and find it easy to learn and use with the aid of the included demo sheets. This application has the potential in my opinion to be unmatched in power, efficiency and productivity.

- C.A.

Your software is on its way to becoming the only window that I need to the market’s numbers. With the ability to arrange thing EXACTLY the way I want them, and the use of conditional formatting to trigger alarms and display changes to suit my needs, I am gradually replacing all of the other market tools I’ve been using. I can’t be a more enthusiastic supporter of what you are doing. Thanks.

- W.G.

I'm wowed by your software!! I used to enter data in my spreadsheet for two hours for each update, and therefore only did it once or twice a week. Now I do it with the close each day - in about 30 seconds!!! And I've added some data points to help with my analysis that I just could not manage to maintain before. Thanks again for a great program, a great deal, and great support!!!!!

- R.K.

Your software is great. I'm hooked on the info I can generate for stock purchasing and selling using your program. In two weeks I've become an XLQ junkie.

- V.D.

Please let me tell you how much I have come to depend on XLQ in a short period. This is a great product!! You have made my job significantly more streamlined, and my tasks simpler and more elegant. Many, many thanks!

- L.D.

I have been evaluating XLQ for the past few weeks and am thoroughly impressed with the product. It is versatile, easy to use, accurate and very intuitive. It is a real bargain compared to competitive products plus it runs right from within Excel. Based on this I just entered my purchase order.

- M.M.

I ADORE your program. It has really helped me to learn about how the markets work, and building my own system indicator by indicator is the best way to learn.

- B.K.

Leo: count me as a satisfied customer. I gave it a good workout for a month, decided to buy it when it saved me 5 hours of administration the first week, and helped me do some studies I had been postponing for months due to slow data retrieval. Your product is smooth, fast and elegant with a very clean presentation. Well done!

- K.L.

The more I work with XLQ, the more I like it. It is fast! And so rich... I like it so much I have decided to adopt it as my #1 tool for the long term.

- S.C.

Thanks very much for writing XLQ - I like it very much as it gives me the opportunity to manipulate data as I want without a very steep learning curve.

- T.B.

I just downloaded a trial of XLQ and have been "playing" with it for hours. I am so impressed. I wish I would have known about your program years ago.

- D.F.

I just purchased your software and think it is the next best thing since the spreadsheet.

- R.D.

Thanks for the best (and least complicated) investing software out there!!

- F.B.

Your software is simply brilliant, for the last week that I have been trying it, I have been impressed no end.

- G.R.

Thanks, Xlq is a great piece of software, its actually saving me a heap of time and time is the precious commodity in these hectic days.

- J.P.

The XLQ interface with Excel is excellent. I have been waiting for this capability for years.

- H.A.

Please accept my thanks for your wonderful product - it is a pleasure to use.

- D.L.

Your software is just what I have needed. It provides me with the capability to customize data and construct charts which give me the views I like - not just what someone thinks I would like.

- D.E.

Firstly, let me say that the philosophy and idea behind XLQ is exactly what I am looking for.

- S.P.

The more I use XLQ the more I appreciate what can be done with it.

- S.M.

Just like to say, excellent work. A potentially good bit of software for me.

- M.C.

I love your product so far. ... Thank you for making such product available.

- A.T.

Thanks for the Tip. You know, your program is really super.

- P.B.

Great software! Simple, elegant, well-thought-out and fast.

- R.M.

I am always finding new ways to use your program in my investment / speculative Market endeavors.

- S.S

Thanks for such a wonderful product. It certainly does handle my most precious need which is to monitor the market realtime..

- W.B

It is a pleasure doing business with such a responsive person who obviously understands the value of good customer service. I have just registered and intend to make good use of this program.

- E.D.

Your fast and thorough answer is more than what I expected. Your service is awesome and your product is very stable. Keep up with your good work. Sincerely appreciated :)

- V.P.

Just a note to let you know that I really like you software. It's a wonderful interface that has been of great utility to me.

- J.B.

Join the XLQ Users Group

Books

xlq has been recommended in the following:

Definitive Guide to Position Sizing

Van Tharp

Paul King