Data accessed through the Bloomberg terminals, including theExcel API, is subject to daily and monthly download limits. The limits are associated with each terminal, not your personal account, and cannot be reset. Be judiciouswhendownloading so asto avoid reaching the limits,especially during busy times of year when Bloomberg assignments are due.
How do I tell ifa terminal has reached itsdata limit?
There is no direct way to view how much of the data limit has been used at a terminal. When a terminal's data limit has been reached, you will receive error messages in Excel or no results.In some cases, an API query may come back incomplete.In the terminal software, data in spreadsheets may also not display.
How do I report when the data limit has been reached?
Pleaseemail the Business Library team using our formand indicate which terminal is affected.We will place a sign on theterminal.
When does the data limit reset?
The daily data limit resets at midnight and the monthly data limit resets at midnight on the last day of the month. These limits are controlled by Bloomberg: library staff cannot reset the limit and Bloomberg staff will not reset the limit under any circ*mstances.
How can I reduce or optimize my data consumption to prevent reaching the limit?
- Carefully build API queries to only download what you need. TheEquity Screener command (EQS) is particularlyuseful for this task.
- Use Bloomberg Query Language (BQL), which helps reduce data consumption.
- Perform very large queries onthe last few days of the month to reduce the impact of reaching data limits on other users.
- Perform very large API queriesduring slower times of year(summer, breaks) as opposed to when classes are in session.
- Consider usingalternative financialdata sources that allow very large queries:Datastream,WRDS.
This terminal is maxed out and Istill needto do my Bloomberg assignment. What should I do?
- The only solution is to move to another terminal whose data limit has not yet been reached.
- Consult the strategies above when making new API queries.
- If you have an assignment due that requires Bloomberg data, but all the NYC-based library-owned terminals are exhausted, we can explain the limits toyour instructor:email the Business Library team using our form.
