Kobra Getting Started

Reuters Kobra 5.
0 Getting Started Guide

Document Number 500101.4
8 June 2005
Copyright © 2005 Reuters. All Rights Reserved.
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Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide, Document Number 500101.4, 8 June 2005
Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
Document History
History
Document Date Comments
Number
500101.4 8 June 2005 Minor update. Published as an Adobe PDF file packaged with
Reuters 3000 Xtra 5.0, and published on the Reuters
Customer Zone.
500101.3 1 April 2005 Published as an Adobe PDF file packaged with Reuters 3000
Xtra 5.0, and published on the Reuters Customer Zone.
500101.2 1 March 2005 Updated for Reuters 3000 Xtra 5.0. Second draft for internal
review. Published as an Adobe PDF file.
500101.1 6 December 2004 Updated for Reuters 3000 Xtra 5.0. First draft for internal
review. Published as an Adobe PDF file.
8 June 2005 3
Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
4 8 June 2005
TA B L E O F C O N T E N TS
Part I: Overview
Chapter 1 Introducing the Kobra Documentation ............................................................................................. 11
Using This Guide ........................................................................................................................................ 12
Conventions Used in The Online Help ........................................................................................................ 13
Kobra Guides and Online Help ................................................................................................................... 14
Performing a Full Text Search .................................................................................................................... 16
Run, Link, and VBA Modes ......................................................................................................................... 18
Chapter 2 First Steps With Kobra .......................................................................................................................... 21
Starting and Exiting Kobra .......................................................................................................................... 22
Using Data Store and Links Bar .................................................................................................................. 26
Opening and Closing Kobra Files ............................................................................................................... 30
Saving Kobra Files ...................................................................................................................................... 33
Introducing Reuters XMS Models (only available in Reuters 3000 Xtra) .................................................... 34
Moving Between Open Flex Documents and Books ................................................................................... 36
Moving Between Sheets in Books .............................................................................................................. 37
Kobra Modes: Run, Link and VBA .............................................................................................................. 38
Customizing the Workspace ....................................................................................................................... 39
Chapter 3 Basic Kobra Tasks ................................................................................................................................. 41
Adding Kobra Objects to Flex Frames ........................................................................................................ 42
Selecting an Object ..................................................................................................................................... 49
Moving Between Frames in Flex Documents ............................................................................................. 50
Working With Flex Frames in Flex Documents and Flex Viewers .............................................................. 51
Adding and Removing Flex Frames ........................................................................................................... 54
Opening and Closing Browsers .................................................................................................................. 57
Changing Fonts and Colors of Objects ....................................................................................................... 59
Printing Sheets and Objects ....................................................................................................................... 60
Chapter 4 Using Kobra in Link Mode ................................................................................................................... 63
8 June 2005 5
Table of Contents Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
Switching Between Run Mode and Link Mode ........................................................................................... 64

Working with Objects in Link Mode ............................................................................................................. 66
Selecting Objects in Link Mode .................................................................................................................. 67
Setting Properties in Link Mode .................................................................................................................. 68
Part II: Viewing Market Data, News, and Information

Chapter 6 Retrieving and Displaying Information............................................................................................. 71
Using Kobra Command Line to Retrieve Information ................................................................................. 72
Dragging and Dropping Data Between Objects .......................................................................................... 75
Copying and Pasting Data Between Objects .............................................................................................. 77
Linking Objects in Flex Documents to Retrieve Information ....................................................................... 79
Searching for News Categories and Item Codes by Sector ....................................................................... 81
Searching for Item Codes ........................................................................................................................... 84
Searching for Items, Issues, and Issuers with Reuters Search ..................................................................86
Displaying Information on the Web ............................................................................................................. 87
Chapter 7 Viewing Market Data .............................................................................................................................. 89
Viewing Full Quotes and Chains in Records and Pages ............................................................................ 90
Using the Matrix to View Quotes for a Portfolio of Instruments .................................................................. 92
Editing Instrument Portfolios ....................................................................................................................... 95
Formatting Instrument Portfolios ................................................................................................................. 98
Changing Fonts and Colors in the Matrix .................................................................................................... 99
Setting a Record Alert to Monitor Instrument Prices ................................................................................. 102
Activating, Deactivating, and Deleting Alerts ............................................................................................ 105
Displaying Records, Headlines, Graphics, or Company Data Related to an Alert .................................... 106
Displaying a Scrolling List of Quotes and Chains Using the Ticker .......................................................... 107
Chapter 8 Viewing Headlines and News ............................................................................................................ 111
Overview of the News Object ................................................................................................................... 112
Viewing News ........................................................................................................................................... 113
Viewing Cross-Referenced Information .................................................................................................... 116
Displaying Related Information ................................................................................................................. 117
Using News Search Expressions to Filter Headlines ................................................................................ 118
Creating and Saving Search Expressions Using the News Expression Builder ....................................... 121
Narrowing the Focus of Searches to Specific Words or Phrases ............................................................. 125
Combining Search Expressions ................................................................................................................ 127
Modifying How Headlines Are Displayed .................................................................................................. 129
Part III: Analyzing Data in Graphs and Spreadsheets

Chapter 10 Analyzing Data in a MetaStock Chart .............................................................................................. 133
6 8 June 2005
Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide Table of Contents
MetaStock Chart Object Tools and Menus ................................................................................................ 134

Creating a Chart ....................................................................................................................................... 141
Changing the Instrument .......................................................................................................................... 144
Changing the Interval ................................................................................................................................ 146
Changing the Range ................................................................................................................................. 147
Changing the Analysis Type ..................................................................................................................... 148
Zooming and Scrolling .............................................................................................................................. 149
Displaying Cursors and Gridlines ............................................................................................................. 151
Adding an Annotation ............................................................................................................................... 153
Using the Properties Editor ....................................................................................................................... 155
Chapter 11 Analyzing Data in a Spreadsheet ..................................................................................................... 159
Creating a New Worksheet and Opening an Existing Worksheet ............................................................. 160
Saving a Worksheet in a File .................................................................................................................... 161
Entering Cell Data ..................................................................................................................................... 162
Adding a Function to Formulas in Worksheet Cells .................................................................................. 163
Viewing Realtime Data in Cells ................................................................................................................. 164
Viewing Reuters TS1 Historical Data in Cells ........................................................................................... 166
Viewing Fundamental and Reference Data in Cells ................................................................................. 169
Editing Cells Containing Text, Numbers, or Formulas .............................................................................. 172
Specifying How Numeric Data is Displayed in Selected Cells .................................................................. 173
Defining when Recalculations are made .................................................................................................. 174
Resizing Rows and Columns .................................................................................................................... 176
Changing Fonts and Colors ...................................................................................................................... 179
Chapter 12 Transferring Data to an Excel Spreadsheet................................................................................... 181
Dragging and Dropping Data .................................................................................................................... 182
Copying and Pasting Data ........................................................................................................................ 183
8 June 2005 7
Table of Contents Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
8 8 June 2005
PART I:
OVERVIEW
This part includes:
• Introducing the Kobra Documentation

• First Steps With Kobra
• Basic Kobra Tasks
• Using Kobra in Link Mode
Overview Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
10 8 June 2005
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCING THE KOBRA
D O C U M E N TA T I O N
Contents • Using This Guide

• Conventions Used in The Online Help
• Kobra Guides and Online Help
• Performing a Full Text Search
• Run, Link, and VBA Modes
8 June 2005 11
Chapter 1 Introducing the Kobra Documentation Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
Using This Guide
Using This Guide

What this guide The Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide explains how to:
explains • use the Kobra environment
• design Flex documents for financial applications
Intended The Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide is intended for users with Run Mode licenses who
audience create or use Flex documents in Kobra. Users must be familiar with the Windows operating system,
as well as financial information services.
How this guide is The Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide is organized in three parts that give an overview of
organized Kobra, explain how to view market data, news, & information, and how to analyze data in MetaStock
Charts and spreadsheets.
How to use this First read “Conventions Used in The Online Help” on page 13 to familiarize yourself with the manner
guide in which information is presented and the terminology used in this guide. Then read the parts in the
order they are presented.
12 8 June 2005
Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide Chapter 1 Introducing the Kobra Documentation
Conventions Used in The Online Help
Conventions Used in The Online Help

Text
Convention Explanation
italics Menu names and items, command buttons, and titles of guides.
“Text in quotation marks” References to chapters or sections.
Messages displayed.
bold words or phrases Emphasizes an explanation.
1. Numbered bold text A series of actions that you perform in the defined order.
◆ Bold text A one-step procedure to perform.
courier font User input, directories, file names, and contents.
<courier_italics> Site-specific variables or parameters.
➤ Sequence of menu items to choose.
root# The user that you must be to enter a command.
any_other_user$
Terminology
Term What You Do
Activate Place the cursor over the item and click.

Choose Make a choice from two or more available menu items.
Click Quickly press and release the mouse button while the cursor is over the item.
Double-click Quickly press and release the mouse button twice in succession while the cursor
is over the item.
Drag and drop Press and hold the mouse button while the cursor is over the item, then move the
cursor to the required position, and then release the mouse button.
Enter Type in data.
Highlight Place the cursor over a row in a table (or a cell in a matrix) and quickly press and
release the mouse button while the pointer is over the item.
Press Press a key on your keyboard.
8 June 2005 13
Kobra Guides and Online Help

PDF files The Kobra guides are delivered as Adobe PDF files that you can display on screen and print using
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
They are available:
• in the \Reuters\Documentation\Kobra directory
• on the Reuters Customer Zone https://customers.reuters.com/support/products/index.asp
User guides
Title Document Number
Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide 500101

Reuters Search 5.0 User Guide 500114
Kobra 5.0 Quick Reference Guide 500115
Multimedia News Object for Kobra 5.0 Guide 500117
Reuters 3000 Xtra Metastock Chart Getting Started Guide 501208
Designer guides
Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide 500102

Kobra 5.0 Realtime Objects Designer Guide 500103
Kobra 5.0 Control Objects Designer Guide 500104
Kobra 5.0 Accessory Objects Designer Guide 500105
Kobra 5.0 Windows Objects Designer Guide 500106
Kobra 5.0 Spreadsheet Object Designer Guide 500107
Kobra 5.0 Database Objects Designer Guide 500108
Installation and
administration
guide Reuters 3000 Xtra Suite 5.0 Installation Guide 501211
14 8 June 2005
Customization
guides
Kobra 5.0 ActiveX Controls Integration Guide 500112
Kobra 5.0 Customizing With VBA 500113
Online help Kobra is delivered with context-sensitive and indexed online help for objects and dialog boxes. You
can either:
• choose Help ➤ Help Topics
• click the object or dialog box and press F1
Examples Example Links.kob in the Kobra \Reuters\Sample\Xtra directory contains working copies of an
example link for each of the Kobra objects.
8 June 2005 15
Performing a Full Text Search

Before you begin Reuters used Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Pro to create the .pdf and .pdx files in the Reuters 3000 Xtra Suite
documentation set. If you encounter difficulty using full text search with your version of Adobe
Reader, download Adobe Reader 6.0 from this URL
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/reader_archive.html on the Adobe web site.
You must also set up the index.
How to perform a
Step Action
full text search
1 Click in Adobe Acrobat.
2 Enter the text for your search inquiry, then click Search.
You can enter a number, word, phrase, or term using wild card characters (*, ?) and
operators (=, ~, !, Boolean, and comparison).
3 Choose a guide in Search Results by highlighting a guide and clicking View.
Adobe Acrobat highlights the first hit or hits that match your inquiry.
4 Navigate within a guide by clicking:
• to go to the next highlight (or press Ctrl+])
• to go to the previous highlight (or press Ctrl+[)
• to perform another search

5 Navigate from guide to guide in Adobe Acrobat version:
• 6, by pressing Ctrl+Space+]
• 5, by pressing Ctrl+Shift+]
6 Choose another guide in Adobe Acrobat version 5 by clicking (or pressing
Ctrl+Shift).
How to set up the

Step Action
index
1 Set up an index in Adobe Acrobat version:
• 6 by clicking (or pressing Ctrl+F)
• 5 by choosing Edit ➤ Search ➤ Select Indexes (or pressing Ctrl+Shift+X) and going to
step 4
2 Click Use Advanced Options.
16 8 June 2005
Step Action
3 Choose Select Index from the Look in drop-down menu.

4 Click Add.
5 Choose the following index file (*.pdx):
<install_directory>\Reuters\Documentation\xtra\x_index.pdx
6 Click Open.
Adobe Acrobat displays the name of the index (Reuters 3000 Xtra 5.0 Guides)
7 Remove any indexes in the list that you do not need and then click OK.
Removing indexes improves response time and avoids unnecessary search results.
8 June 2005 17
Run, Link, and VBA Modes

Modes You can use Kobra in a number of different modes; the features that you can use are sometimes
restricted to particular modes. See Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide.
What you can do

You can: In this mode:
in Flex
documents Run Link VBA
Add objects to frames

Delete, move, and resize objects
Duplicate and crop objects
Access all object functions
Make basic modifications such as change font and colors
Set properties that the designer has made available
Set properties for objects, sheets, files, and the Kobra environment
Link objects so that they share data
Integrate new objects and significantly alter the workspace environment
Make value-added links that for example, transform data and send commands
What you can do

in books
Run Link VBA
Use objects that are added to sheets

Add objects to sheets
Delete, duplicate, and crop objects
Access all object functions
Make basic modifications such as change font and colors
Set properties that the designer has made available
Set properties for objects, sheets, files, and the Kobra environment
18 8 June 2005
Run Link VBA
Link objects so that they share data

Integrate new objects and significantly change the workspace environment
Make value-added links that for example, transform data and send commands
8 June 2005 19
20 8 June 2005
CHAPTER 2 F I R S T S T E PS W I T H K O B R A
Contents • Starting and Exiting Kobra

• Using Data Store and Links Bar
• Opening and Closing Kobra Files
• Saving Kobra Files
• Introducing Reuters XMS Models (only available in Reuters 3000 Xtra)
• Moving Between Open Flex Documents and Books
• Moving Between Sheets in Books
• Kobra Modes: Run, Link and VBA
• Customizing the Workspace
8 June 2005 21
Chapter 2 First Steps With Kobra Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
Starting and Exiting Kobra

How to start
Step Action
Kobra
1 Click the Windows Start menu, and choose Programs ➤ Reuters ➤ Kobra.
If Reuters Login is enabled, Reuters Login opens. See “Starting Kobra with Reuters Login”
on page 22.
If not, Kobra starts.
2 If Reuters Login opens, enter your user name and password, and then click Log In.
After a few moments, Kobra starts.
If you are using:
• 3000 Xtra, the home page (Get Going) opens
• Kobra-standalone, the workspace opens
Starting Kobra When you start Kobra for the first time, Import Files Wizard opens. This wizard enables you to import
for the first time Kobra files you created with previous versions of Kobra into the Data Store. See “How to import
Kobra files into the Data Store” on page 28.
Starting Kobra Reuters Login is a permissioning service to access certain permissioned Reuters data sources and
with Reuters services. If Reuters Login is:
Login • enabled, you are prompted to log in when you start Kobra.
• not enabled, you are promted to log in whenever you attempt to access certain permissioned
data sources and services.
See “How to enable Reuters Login” on page 22.
How to enable
Step Action
Reuters Login
1 Choose Tools ➤ Options.
Options opens.
2 Choose Application ➤ General.
3 Set Enable Reuters Login at Startup to Yes.
4 Click OK.
22 8 June 2005
Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide Chapter 2 First Steps With Kobra
Double-clicking You can also start Kobra by double-clicking any Kobra file in Microsoft Windows Explorer. Kobra files
any Kobra file have .kof, .kob, or .kow filename extensions.
How to add an
Step Action
object to a Flex
frame 1 If the 3000 Xtra home page is displayed, choose File ➤ New.
The Kobra workspace opens.
2 Double-click an empty Flex frame.

The menu of available objects appears.
8 June 2005 23
Step Action
3 Choose an object from the menu.

For example, Quote, News, or Matrix.
The object appears in the empty frame.
You can now use the object to view data. See “Retrieving and Displaying Information” on
page 71.
How to change Full Screen mode maximizes the main Kobra window and Flex Viewer windows and temporarily
to Full Screen removes title bar, menu bar, status bars, and toolbars.
mode
Step Action
◆ Choose View ➤ Full Screen.

Kobra displays a Full Screen toolbar which is used to resort to normal screen display
mode.
Note: Move the mouse to the top (or side) of the screen to activate the menu bar, and
toolbar.
24 8 June 2005
How to change
Step Action
back from Full
Screen mode ◆ Click Close Full Screen on the Full Screen toolbar.
If the Full Screen toolbar is closed, either:
• Press Alt V, then U and Enter.
• Move the cursor to the top of the screen to display the menu bar, and then choose
View ➤ Full Screen.
How to exit a
Step Action
Kobra session
◆ Choose File ➤ Exit.
8 June 2005 25
Using Data Store and Links Bar

Overview Data Store and Links Bar are two complementary tools that enable you to save, organize, and
access saved Kobra files and objects, as well as lists of available XMS models, and Quick Charts.
You can store Kobra files in Data Store and then add your favorite ones to the Links Bar for easy
access.
Note: The Data Store stores creates ‘links’ to Kobra files and objects saved in you file system.
However, we continue refering to the ‘links’ as files because, if you delete an item from the
Data Store it also deletes the file from you file system.
Data Store
1
2
3 4 5
Item Name Description
Links Bar Contains links to saved documents added from the Data Store
1
26 8 June 2005
Data Store Stores Kobra files

2
My Store Contains saved Kobra files, and Kobra objects, and folders.
3
Reuters Store Contains a complete list Reuters XMS models, and Quick
4
Charts gathered in folders.
Find Enables you to search for Kobra files, and objects found in the
5 Data Store
Links Bar
1 2 3 4 5
Links Bar Opens Customize Links Bar to allow you to add Kobra files and
1
folders from the Data Store.
Xtra Menu Opens Xtra Menu, a comprehensive list of available data and
2 functionality for any instrument
Quick Charts Opens Quick charts:
3
• Technical Analysis
• Curve Chart
• Spread Chart
• Economic Indicator Chart
• FX Forecast Chart
Link to a saved Kobra An example of a link that opens the corresponding Kobra file
4 file
Link to a folder An example of a link to a folder containing Kobra files
5 containing Kobra files
8 June 2005 27
How to open the

Step Description
Data Store
◆ Choose View ➤ Data Store.
Alternatively, in the standard toolbar, click , or press Ctrl+F1 on your keyboard.
Data Store opens.
How to import
Step Action
Kobra files into
the Data Store 1 Choose File ➤ Import Files.
Import Files Wizard Step 1 opens.
Note: When you start Kobra for the first time, Import Files Wizard opens automatically.
2 Click Next.
Import Files Wizard Step 2 opens with a prepopulated list including:
• KOBRABOOKPATH value, if it exists
• My Documents folder as defined by the standard Windows API
3 Click Add Folder to add another folder where Kobra files are located.
Select Folder opens.
4 Select a folder and click OK.
Import Files Wizard Step 2 appears with the new folder(s) you selected in Select Folder.
5 To add more folders, repeat steps 3 to 4.
6 Click Next.
Import Files Wizard Step 3 opens listing all Kobra files found in the folders, and
sub-folders.
7 Click Import Files to add the Kobra files to the Data Store.
The Data Store opens in the workspace with the imported files.
28 8 June 2005
How to
Step Action
add/remove
documents and 1 Click the arrow in , and choose Customize Links.
folders in Customize Links Bar opens.
Links Bar
2 Choose an item from My Store, Reuters Store, or use Find to search for one.
3 Click Add > or Remove > to add or remove your selection.
The item you chose appears in Links Bar.
4 Click OK.
Kobra adds/removes your selection in Links Bar.
8 June 2005 29
Opening and Closing Kobra Files

Opening multiple When you open a Flex document, book, or workspace file, you do not have to close any Kobra file
files that you have open. You can open several files at a time provided there is enough memory available
on your PC.
Description of
This file type: With file Contains:
Kobra files
extension
Flex document .kof a collection of one or more Flex sheets.
Book .kob a collection of one or more sheets.
Matrix .mtx Matrix Object data, stored separately from the book or Flex
document. Its contents vary, depending on where you are in the
Matrix when you save the file. See Kobra 5.0 Realtime Objects
Designer Guide.
Worksheet .wko Spreadsheet Object data, stored separately from the book or
Flex document. See Kobra 5.0 Spreadsheet Object Designer
GuideReuters Kobra 5.0 Spreadsheet Object Designer
GuideSpreadsheet Object.
Workspace .kow all of the workspace information regarding selected books and
Flex documents open in the workspace. It contains the
following information for each open book and Flex document
file:
• its position in the workspace
• the size of the window it is displayed in
• its name and location
Saving the above information in a workspace file makes it
possible to quickly re-open an assortment of files and display
them in the same layout.
It also contains the complete description of browsers including:
• objects they contain
• data displayed in the objects
• size and position of the browser
30 8 June 2005
Important! If another user has already opened the book, Flex document or workspace file, you can
open the file for viewing only.
How to open files You can open books, Flex documents, and workspace files on your network, on another network, or
that are not in using your web browser which are not in Data Store.
the Data Store
Step Action
1 Choose File ➤ Open ➤ Browse.

Browse opens.
Note: The File Browser menu option also displays a list of all the saved Kobra files you
created.
2 Browse to find the file you want to open.
3 Click Open.
After a few moments, Kobra displays the book, Flex document or workspace file that you
specified. The file automatically appears in the Data Store for easy access in the future.
How to open
Step Action
recently opened
files 1 Choose File ➤ Recent Files.
Kobra displays a list of recently opened files.
2 Choose the file to reopen.
Kobra displays the chosen file.
How to close
Step Action
Flex documents
and books 1 Click the book or Flex document you want to close to select it.
2 Choose File ➤ Close.
Alternatively, click in the Kobra menu bar.
Kobra closes the file or prompts you to save it before closing it, if you modified the file but
have not saved your changes.
8 June 2005 31
How to set the

Step Action
current
workspace as ◆ Choose File ➤ Set as Startup Workspace.
the startup At startup, Kobra automatically reopens all the files currently open in the workspace
workspace (including Flex viewers, and browsers).
Note: For more information on the startup file. see “Setting a File to Open at Startup” in the
Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide.
32 8 June 2005
Saving Kobra Files
Saving Kobra Files

How to save a
Step Action
book or Flex
document under ◆ Choose File ➤ Save.
its existing name Alternatively, click . Kobra saves the file under its existing name.
How to save a
Step Action
book or Flex
document under 1 Choose File ➤ Save As.
a new name Save opens.
2 Type a new name and click OK.

Alternatively, click More Options>> to save it in another location, and/or enter a
description.
Note: For more information, see “Saving Files” in the Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide.
8 June 2005 33
Introducing Reuters XMS Models (only available in Reuters 3000 Xtra)

Default model Reuters provides a set of model books, called Reuters XMS models with Kobra. These books are
books tailored to meet the needs of specific markets and positions.
XtraNavigation The XtraNavigation toolbar allows you to access the Xtra Home page and various tools, as well as
toolbar quickly switching between opened documents. This example shows the XtraNavigation toolbar as
docked (see “Docked and floating toolbars” on page 39).
Icon Description
Opens the product homepage Get Going, a portal where you can, among
other things, search and open models, view product related articles.
Opens Xtra Menu, a comprehensive list of available data and functionality

for any instrument.
Opens a list of links to models related to the current model, presented in

categories. When you open a model from this list, Kobra populates the
model with the same instrument(s) / context as the current model.
Opens XMS User List, where you can view previously entered RICs, build
your own list of RICs, and enter previously-used codes into the current
model.
Opens User Preferences where you can personalize your XMS models by
entering preferences to be used as default settings on all models.
34 8 June 2005
Icon Description
Opens Xtra charts:

• Technical Analysis
• Curve Chart
• Spread Chart
• Economic Indicator Chart
• FX Forecast Chart
Attaches a screenshot of the of the current window in an E-mail or allows
you to save it as an image file. To configure your e-mail system to use this
button, see “How to configure your e-mail system to use the E-mail
Screenshot button” on page 35.
Brings forward the models that are already open. Every time you open a
model, Kobra creates a button.
How to show or
Step Action
hide the
XtraNavigation ◆ Choose View ➤ Toolbars ➤ XtraNavigation.
toolbar A checkmark next to XtraNavigation means that the toolbar is displayed.
How to configure
Step Action
your e-mail
system to use 1 In Microsoft Internet Explorer, choose Tools ➤ Internet Options.
the E-mail Internet Options opens.
Screenshot
2 Choose Programs.
button
3 In E-mail, choose your e-mail system.
4 Click OK.
8 June 2005 35
Moving Between Open Flex Documents and Books
Moving Between Open Flex Documents and Books

How to display
Step Action
the most recently
opened file ◆ Press Ctrl+Tab
Alternatively, press Ctrl+F6.
Important! Keyboard shortcuts are customizable. See your system administrator if the
above keyboard shortcuts do not work.
Kobra displays the last file on the list in the Window menu. This is the most recently
opened or created book or Flex document. The Window menu displays the open Flex
documents and books in the order you created or opened them during the current Kobra
session.
How to move to a
Step Action
specific file
◆ Choose a file by clicking one of the file icons in the XtraNavigation toolbar.
After a few moments, the chosen file is displayed.
Note: Alternatively, choose Window, then the desired file from the list.
File order and Whenever you create a new book or Flex document, or open an existing one, Kobra adds it to the
list size Window menu. This menu keeps a chronological list of the books and Flex documents you have
most recently created or opened during the current Kobra session.
36 8 June 2005
Moving Between Sheets in Books
Moving Between Sheets in Books

When some When the size of the Kobra screen display is not wide enough to show all sheet tabs in an active
sheet tabs do not book, Kobra displays scroll arrows at the right-hand edge of the sheet tab bar. Use these scroll
appear arrows to scroll to sheets for which tabs are not visible.
How to move to
Step Action
the previous
sheet ◆ Click the tab of the previous sheet.
Alternatively, press Ctrl+Page Up.
How to move to
Step Action
the next sheet
◆ Click the tab of the next sheet.
Alternatively, press Ctrl+Page Down.
How to move to a
Step Action
specific sheet in
an active book ◆ Click the tab of the desired sheet.
Kobra moves to the chosen sheet.
Alternatively, choose View ➤ Go to Sheet and double-click a sheet in the list.
8 June 2005 37
Kobra Modes: Run, Link and VBA
Kobra Modes: Run, Link and VBA

Three modes Three different modes exist in Kobra:
• Run mode
• Link mode
• VBA mode
Run mode Run mode enables you to insert realtime objects in Flex documents, consult data, such as
newsfeeds and quotes, or to analyze data. This is the “normal” operating mode.
Link mode Link mode enables you to:

• access a greater variety of objects
• design Flex sheets, Flex documents and books
• link objects
• customize Kobra to your requirements.
For more information, see “Using Kobra in Link Mode” on page 63.
VBA mode VBA mode enables you to:

• create and modify Kobra global projects, to reuse features in several books or Flex documents,
add document-independent features to the workspace, and publish Kobra code libraries for use
in other applications
• create VBA scripts to customize the Kobra workspace or automate processes, through the
Microsoft Visual Basic Editor
You must obtain a special support agreement to do the above with VBA in Kobra. However, you can
use global projects in Kobra without obtaining a special support agreement. See “Using VBA in
Kobra” in the Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide.
38 8 June 2005
Customizing the Workspace

Docked and By default, the standard application buttons are docked in the top left-hand corner of the application.
floating toolbars You can drag them down and leave them floating on the workspace using the left-hand side handle
of a set of buttons.
Hidden toolbar A double chevron at the right end of a toolbar indicates there is not enough room in the workspace to
buttons display all buttons.
How to display
Step Action
hidden toolbar
buttons ◆ Click the chevrons at the right end of the toolbar.
Kobra displays the hidden buttons and their tool tips in a list.
How to move a
Step Action
toolbar from its
default position ◆ Double-click anywhere in the docked toolbar except on its buttons.
The toolbar floats on the Kobra workspace. You can now move and resize it.
How to hide or
Step Action
display toolbars
◆ Right-click anywhere in the toolbar and choose a toolbar display option.
How to dock a
Step Action
toolbar
◆ Drag it to the area between the sheet area and the title bar, or between the sheet
area and the status bar.
How to set
Step Action
toolbar
properties ◆ Choose Tools ➤ Customize.
Customize opens.
8 June 2005 39
How to show or By default, the Kobra workspace shows the status bar (at the bottom of the screen).
hide the status
bar Step Action
◆ Choose View ➤ Status Bar.

When you hide the status bar, the check mark no longer appears next to it in the menu.
40 8 June 2005
CHAPTER 3 B A S I C K O B R A TA S K S
Contents • Adding Kobra Objects to Flex Frames

• Selecting an Object
• Moving Between Frames in Flex Documents
• Working With Flex Frames in Flex Documents and Flex Viewers
• Adding and Removing Flex Frames
• Opening and Closing Browsers
• Changing Fonts and Colors of Objects
• Printing Sheets and Objects
8 June 2005 41
Chapter 3 Basic Kobra Tasks Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
Adding Kobra Objects to Flex Frames

Flex frames A Flex frame is part of a Flex document. When you first open Kobra, you will by default see a Flex
document divided into three Flex frames.
Objects An object is a self-contained module of functionality that performs a specific function in the Kobra
environment.
Objects you can This table lists the objects that you can insert in Flex frames, along with the related object and
insert in Flex browser names used in Kobra.
frames
Flex Object Browser Book Object
Quote Quote browser Item Display Object

News News browser News Headline Object
MetaStock Chart MetaStock Chart browser MetaStock Chart Object
Matrix Matrix browser Reuters Matrix Object
Internet Explorer Internet Explorer browser Internet Explorer Object
Online Directory Online Directory browser
Note: For Reuters 3000 Xtra
users, this object opens as
Reuters Search.
Spreadsheet Spreadsheet browser Spreadsheet Object
Ticker Ticker browser Ticker Object
Alert Alert browser Alert Object
Intraday Viewer Intraday Viewer browser Intraday Viewer Object
What you can do Once you insert an object in a Flex frame, you can:
with objects • use its toolbar and menus to perform all of its basic tasks
• use its title bar and menu to perform other basic tasks
• customize the object
• link the object to other objects in Flex frames
42 8 June 2005
Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide Chapter 3 Basic Kobra Tasks
See also • The appropriate object user guide, for example, Kobra 5.0 Realtime Objects Designer Guide
• “Basic Links” in the Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide
• “Advanced Links” in the Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide
How to add an
Step Action
object to a Flex
frame 1 Double-click an empty Flex frame.
The menu of available objects appears.
For example, Quote, News, Matrix.
The object appears in the empty frame.
3 To add another object to the same Flex frame, right-click in the frame, and choose
Frame ➤ Insert.
For example, Quote, News, Matrix.
The object appears in front of the previous one, with tabs for each object to enable you to
select them.
Naming objects When you add a new object to a Flex frame, Kobra automatically assigns it a name and number.
The:
• name indicates the object type
8 June 2005 43
• number indicates the number of objects that are now on the Flex document
You can rename the object to reflect its function. For example, if you add a Quote to the Flex
document to view the top 100 stocks on the London stock exchange, you can name the object
Top 100 London (see “Basic Properties” in the Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide).
How to rename When you add more than one object to a Flex frame, Kobra automatically adds a tab to the top of
an object tab each object. The tab enables you to bring an object forward. Kobra automatically assigns names to
these tabs. To rename an object tab:
Step Action
1 Right-click the tab and choose Rename Tab.

Rename Title opens. By default Automatic is active.
2 Activate Custom and enter a name.
3 Click OK.
How to hide the By default, all objects have a toolbar within their frame, the object toolbar.
object toolbar You can hide the toolbar in:
• a selected object
• all the objects in the Flex sheet
• all future objects you insert in a Flex sheet
To hide a toolbar in a selected object:
44 8 June 2005
Step Action
◆ In the object title bar, click .

The object toolbar is hidden.
Alternatively, in the object title bar, click , and then deactivate Show Toolbar in the
menu.
To hide toolbars from all objects in a sheet:
Step Action
◆ Choose View ➤ Object Toolbars ➤ Hide All.

The object toolbars of all the objects in the Flex sheet are hidden.
To hide object toolbars in all future objects you insert:
Step Action

Options opens.
2 Choose Application ➤ Flex.
3 In Embedded Toolbar Visible, choose No.
The object toolbars are hidden in the objects you insert in Flex sheets from now on.
8 June 2005 45
How to hide the By default, all objects have a title bar displayed in their frame.
object title bar You can hide the title bar in:
• a selected object
• all the objects in the Flex sheet
• all future objects you insert in a Flex sheet
To hide the title bar in a selected object:
Step Action
◆ In the object title bar, click , and then deactivate Show Title Bar in the menu.
The object title bar is hidden.
To hide title bars from all objects in a Flex sheet:
Step Action
◆ Choose View ➤ Object Title Bars ➤ Hide All.

The object title bars of all the objects in the Flex sheet are hidden.
To hide title bars in all future objects you insert in a Flex sheet:
46 8 June 2005
Step Action

Options opens.
3 In Object Title Bars Visible, choose No.
The object title bars are hidden in the objects you insert in Flex sheets from now on.
How to delete an
Step Action
object
1 Click the frame containing the object to delete.
2 If there is more than one object in the frame, click the tab of the object you want to
delete to bring it forward.
3 Right-click the object title bar, or object tab if there is more than one object, and
choose Remove Object and click Yes at the prompt.
Kobra removes the object from the frame.
How to move an
Step Action
object to another
frame 1 Click the frame containing the object you want to move.
2 If there is more than one object, click the object tab to bring it forward.
3 From the object title bar or object tab, drag and drop the object into the target frame.
The object appears in the target frame.
How to copy
Step Action
objects
1 Click the frame containing the object you want to move.
2 If there is more than one object, click the object tab to bring it forward.
3 From the object title bar, press Ctrl while you drag and drop the object into the
target frame.
Kobra pastes the copied object into the target Flex frame.
If the target frame already contains an object the new object appears on top of the
previous one(s).
8 June 2005 47
How to
Step Action
resequence
objects within a ◆ Drag and drop the object tabs to resequence the objects.
frame
How to delete all

Step Action
the objects of a
frame 1 Click the frame to select it.
2 Choose Format ➤ Clear Frame.
Kobra prompts you to confirm that you want to delete frame contents.
3 Click OK.
Kobra removes all the objects from the frame.
48 8 June 2005
Selecting an Object
Selecting an Object
Purpose You must select an object to perform certain tasks on it. You can only select one object at a time.
When you select an object, you tell Kobra that subsequent commands apply to that chosen object
only.
Selected object When you select an object, Kobra displays a narrow, colored border around it. The menus and
buttons associated with that object (if there are any) are displayed on the toolbar and menu bar.
How to select an
Step Action
object
◆ Click the object.
8 June 2005 49
Moving Between Frames in Flex Documents
Moving Between Frames in Flex Documents

How to move to a
Step Action
particular frame
◆ Click the frame.
How to move to
Step Action
the next frame
◆ Press Ctrl+Space.
How to move to
Step Action
the previous
frame ◆ Press Ctrl+Shift+Space.
50 8 June 2005
Working With Flex Frames in Flex Documents and Flex Viewers

Overview Frame borders may not be entirely independent from the borders of adjacent frames. If the borders
of adjacent frames also move as you drag in the following procedure, it means that the borders are
dependent on each other. Dragging the border resizes all of the frames that share the border. When
borders behave this way, you cannot resize one frame without resizing the others. See “Dependent
borders” on page 51 and “Independent borders” on page 52.
Dependent The middle horizontal border in this example is dependent as it spans the entire Flex document from
borders left to right. This means that the top borders of the two lower frames are dependent. Changing the
height of one of the frames changes the height of the other frame.
The middle vertical border in the following example is dependent as it spans the entire Flex
document from top to bottom. This means that the left borders of the two frames on the right-hand
side of the Flex document are dependent. Changing the width of one of the frames changes the
width of the other frame.
8 June 2005 51
Independent The middle horizontal border in this example is independent as it spans only part of the Flex
borders document. This means that moving this border does not affect any frames you create on the
left-hand side of the Flex document.
The middle vertical border in the following example is independent, as it spans only part of the Flex
document. This means that moving this border does not affect any frames you create in the top part
of the Flex document.
How to hide
Step Description
frame separators
1 From the menu bar, choose View ➤ Frame Separators ➤ Hide/Show Separators.
Show/Hide Separators opens.
2 Click the separator(s) you want to show/hide, and then click OK.
Visible separators are in black and hidden ones are in gray.
52 8 June 2005
How to resize
Step Action
Flex frames
1 Place the pointer over the frame border to move.
The pointer icon changes as you place it over the border.
2 Drag the frame border to the new size.
The Flex frame assumes the new size.
• drag the frame at the top, bottom, left, or right edge of the Kobra screen, in addition to
resizing the Flex frame, you create a new Flex frame
• press Shift while dragging the frame at the top, bottom, left, or right edge of the Kobra
screen, you create a frame that spans the entire length or width of the Flex document
How to resize
Step Action
multiple frames
1 Place the pointer over the intersection of frame borders.
The pointer icon changes shape to show that you are resizing three or four objects. This
example shows you resizing four objects.
2 Drag the intersection to a new size.
8 June 2005 53
Adding and Removing Flex Frames

What happens When you add a frame to a Flex sheet, you change the size of the original frame, and create a new
when you add a frame. The size of the two frames equals the size of the original frame before you added it. You can
frame also see it as splitting one frame in two.
Default content You can set the object that Kobra displays by default in new Flex documents and in new frames you
of frames create.
Step Action

Options opens.
3 In Default Frame Content, choose the object you want Kobra to display by default in
new Flex documents and in new frames you create.
4 Click OK.
How to add You can add a frame to a sheet using two methods:
frames • using the Add Frame function
• dragging the frame border next to the edge of the sheet
To create a frame by using the Add Frame menu option:
Step Action
1 In the object title bar, click , and then choose Add Frame from the menu.
Alternatively, either:
• Right-click in the frame, choose Frame ➤ Add Frame.
• Choose Format ➤ Add Frame.
54 8 June 2005
Step Action
2 Choose either:
• Above
• Below
• Left Right.
Kobra resizes the original frame and creates a new frame. Kobra automatically displays
the default object set for the application.
Note: In a Flex Viewer, the Add Frame options are also displayed in the Flex Viewer
toolbar .
3 Drag the frame border to the desired size.
Kobra resizes the original frame and creates a new frame. Kobra automatically displays
the default object set for the application.
Important! If the background of the frame that you dragged changes color when you drag
it, releasing the mouse button does not create a new frame, it deletes the original frame.
To create a frame by dragging the frame border:
Step Action
1 Click the frame that touches any edge of the Flex sheet and beside which you want
to create a new frame.
Kobra displays a border around the chosen frame.
2 Place the cursor over the frame border that is at the edge of the Flex sheet.
The cursor changes as you place it over the frame border.
3 Drag the frame border inwards to the desired size.

• Drag from the top or bottom to create a horizontal division.
• Drag from the left or right edge to create a vertical division.
Kobra resizes the original frame and creates a new frame.
Important! If the background of the frame that you dragged changes color when you drag
it, releasing the mouse button does not create a new frame, it deletes the original frame.
8 June 2005 55
How to remove
Step Action
frames
1 Click the frame to select it.
Kobra displays a border around the frame you chose.
2 Right-click the frame and choose Frame ➤ Remove Frame.
Alternatively, drag the border of the frame to the opposite side, as if you were closing the
frame. The background of the frame that you drag changes color. Release the mouse
button to remove the original frame.
Kobra removes the frame including all the objects in it.
56 8 June 2005
Opening and Closing Browsers

Purpose A browser is an object in a moveable, resizable window that overlays the Kobra workspace.
Usage You can open browsers to quickly view information in objects that you do not want to keep on your
workspace for long periods of time. For example, you may want to always view the latest news
headlines on a certain topic in a News Object, but only read the occasional news story in a Quote
browser, which you close once you have read the story.
Browsers and Browsers have the same functionality as objects on sheets, except that:
objects • you can move, resize, and close browsers
• they have their own command lines
• they are never linked to other objects
• they overlay the book or Flex document you have open
Example of a This example shows a Quote browser.

browser
Using browsers You use browsers the same way you use objects. You can open browsers from objects, or using
keyboard shortcuts. Each browser contains:
• a command line, for requesting the items to display
• a toolbar, for carrying out basic object tasks
• scrollbars, for viewing off-screen information
• a display area, where the requested information appears
8 June 2005 57
Objects from You open a browser containing related information when you double-click an item in the following
which you can unlinked objects:
open browsers • Quote Object
• Reuters Matrix Object
• News Object
• Quote List Object
• Ticker Object
• Alert Object
How to open
Step Action
browsers from
objects 1 Click the object to select it.
2 Double-click the item in the object that you want to obtain more information on.
Kobra opens a browser displaying the available related information.
58 8 June 2005
Changing Fonts and Colors of Objects
Changing Fonts and Colors of Objects

Purpose You use Font and Colors to change:
• the color of objects and of the data they display
• the font, size, and style of text displayed in objects
Note: You can also change the colors and fonts used in an object using the Properties window.
How to change
Step Action
the font of an
object 1 Click the object to select it.
2 In the Formatting toolbar, click .
Font and Colors opens.
Note: The Formatting toolbar is not visible by default. To display it, right-click anywhere in
the toolbar area, and choose Formatting.
3 Choose the Font, Style, Size, and Effect in Font and Colors.
Click the dialog box and press F1 to display a description of each field.
4 Click Apply or OK.
Kobra applies the font to the selected object.
How to change
Step Action
the colors of an
object 1 Click the object to select it.
2 In the Formatting toolbar, click .
Font and Colors opens.
Note: The Formatting toolbar is not visible by default. To display it, right-click anywhere in
the toolbar area, and choose Formatting.
3 Set the Fore Color and Back Color.
Click the dialog box and press F1 to display a description of each field.
4 Click Apply or OK.
Kobra applies the colors to the selected object.
Note: Alternatively, you can change the font used in an object by right-clicking inside the object, and
choosing Properties ➤ Appearance.
8 June 2005 59
Printing Sheets and Objects

How to specify
Step Action
print settings
1 Choose File ➤ Print Setup.
2 Specify the desired settings.
3 Click OK.
How to set
Step Action
header and
footer text for 1 Choose Tools ➤ Options.
sheet printouts Options opens.
2 Choose Application ➤ Printing and enter the Header Text and Footer Text.
3 Click OK.
How to set
Step Action
header and
footer text for 1 Right-click the object and choose Properties.
object printouts Properties opens.
2 Click Printing and enter the Print Footer and Print Header.
3 Click OK.
Setting both If you set both the Options and object Properties, Kobra uses the object properties when you print
options and the object.
object properties
How to print a
Step Action
sheet
1 Choose the sheet you want to print.
Note: Make sure an object is not chosen by clicking anywhere else in the sheet.
2 Choose File ➤ Print.
Print opens.
60 8 June 2005
Step Action
3 Click Properties to set the page layout and paper size, and then click OK.
4 In Print Range, activate Sheet.
5 Click OK.
Kobra prints the displayed sheet and all objects on it.
How to print an
Step Action
object
1 Click the object you want to print.
Print opens.
4 In Print Range, activate Selection.
5 Click OK.
Kobra prints the object.
How to print
Step Action
Quote and Quote
List objects 1 Click the object you want to print.
Print opens.
4 In Print Range, activate Selection, and choose either:
• Entire Item to print all data loaded in the object, even if not visible on screen.
• View to print the current view only.
5 Click OK.
Using a print You can also print objects by sending a print command to a linked Workspace Object (see
command “Workspace Object” in the Kobra 5.0 Accessory Objects Designer Guide).
8 June 2005 61
62 8 June 2005
CHAPTER 4 USING KOBRA IN LINK MODE
Contents • Switching Between Run Mode and Link Mode

• Working with Objects in Link Mode
• Selecting Objects in Link Mode
• Setting Properties in Link Mode
8 June 2005 63
Chapter 4 Using Kobra in Link Mode Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
Switching Between Run Mode and Link Mode

What you can do Link mode enables you to:
in Link mode • access a greater variety of objects
• design Flex sheets, Flex documents and books
• link objects
• customize Kobra to your requirements
How to switch
Step Action
between Run
mode and Link ◆ Choose Tools ➤ Link Mode.
mode Alternatively, click , if it is displayed.
What happens
When you switch Result:
when you switch
from:
modes
Run mode to Link • The color of the frame border changes. The default frame color in Link
mode mode is cyan. However, the color may have been changed on your
system.
• The Designer toolbar opens. The toolbars appear in the positions
previously set in Link mode.
Link mode to Run • The color of the frame border changes. The default frame color in Run
mode mode is yellow. However, the color may have been changed on your
system.
• The Designer toolbar closes. The toolbars appear in the positions
previously set in Run mode.
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Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide Chapter 4 Using Kobra in Link Mode
How to put an While in Link mode, you can temporarily put an object in Run mode without actually switching out of
object in Link mode. This allows you to see how the object behaves in Run mode.
temporary Run
Step Action
mode
1 When in Link mode, double-click the object to put it in temporary Run mode.
Kobra displays a colored border around the object. The active object toolbar appears, the
object toolbar becomes active, and the Object menu appears.
2 Click another frame to return to Link mode.
8 June 2005 65
Working with Objects in Link Mode
Working with Objects in Link Mode

What you can do Once you insert an object into a Flex frame or a book, you can:
with an object in • customize the object (see “Setting Properties in Link Mode” on page 68)
Link mode • link the object to other objects
How to insert
Step Action
objects in Link
mode 1 Verify that you are in Link mode.
2 In the Designer toolbar, click , or choose View ➤ Toolbox.
Kobra displays Toolbox where the objects are presented in categories:
• Control
• Realtime
• Accessory
• Windows
• Database
• Messaging
Important! The Toolbox is customizable. See your system administrator if you cannot
locate the above objects.
3 Click the desired tab, double-click the icon, or drag and drop the object into the
frame, or book.
4 To add another object, double-click the icon from the Toolbox, or drag and drop the
object into the frame, or book.
In a Flex frame, the object appears in front of the previous one, with tabs for each object to
enable you to select them.
In a book, there are no tabs. The objects may overlap, or be superposed.
Linking an object Link mode offers many more possibilities for linking objects than Run mode. See:
to other objects • “Basic Links” in the Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide
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Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide Chapter 4 Using Kobra in Link Mode
Selecting Objects in Link Mode
Selecting Objects in Link Mode

Purpose In Link mode you can select one or more objects on a displayed sheet (in Run mode you can only
select one object at a time).
Selected objects When you select an object, Kobra displays a narrow, colored border around it. The color of the frame
in Flex sheets border in Link mode is different from that in Run mode.
Selected objects When you select an object, Kobra displays a series of squares, known as resize handles, around the
in books object.
How to select an
Step Action
object
1 Verify that you are in Link mode.
2 Click the object.
Testing objects You can see how an object behaves in Run mode, without actually switching from Link mode, by
in temporary Run placing the object in temporary Run mode (see “How to put an object in temporary Run mode” on
mode page 65).
How to select all

Step Action
objects on a
sheet 1 Verify that you are in Link mode.
2 Choose Edit ➤ Select All Objects.
8 June 2005 67
Setting Properties in Link Mode
Setting Properties in Link Mode

Purpose To be able to access and modify all object properties, you must be in Link mode, not Run mode.
Setting See Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide.

properties
Access to You can modify user access to properties (see “Setting Properties Access for Run Mode Users” in
properties the Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide).
Setting You can use the command line to set properties of some objects in Link mode.
properties using
command line
68 8 June 2005
PART II:
VIEWING MARKET
DATA, NEWS, AND
INFORMATION
This part includes:
• Retrieving and Displaying Information

• Viewing Market Data
• Viewing Headlines and News
Viewing Market Data, News, and Information Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
70 8 June 2005
CHAPTER 6 RETRIEVING AND DISPLAYING
INFORMATION
Contents • Using Kobra Command Line to Retrieve Information

• Dragging and Dropping Data Between Objects
• Copying and Pasting Data Between Objects
• Linking Objects in Flex Documents to Retrieve Information
• Searching for News Categories and Item Codes by Sector
• Searching for Item Codes
• Searching for Items, Issues, and Issuers with Reuters Search
• Displaying Information on the Web
8 June 2005 71
Chapter 6 Retrieving and Displaying Information Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
Using Kobra Command Line to Retrieve Information

Purpose The Kobra command line is the text box on the toolbar, and, in a Flex document, in the object
toolbar.
The command line is the main way in which you enter data in Kobra objects using the keyboard. You
use the command line to:
• enter data into objects
• enter criteria to search the Fundamental and Reference Database (FRD) for historical and
financial information
The data you enter depends on the type of object. For example, in a Quote, you can enter a RIC. In
a News, you can enter a news category code.
Note: You can drag data from other objects into the command line.
Command line This example shows all possible parts of the command line.
1 2 3
Part Description
Datafeed Editor A list of all of the datafeeds that Kobra can receive realtime data from.
1
Click the arrow to display the list of datafeeds and click an entry in the list
to request an item from a different datafeed.
Note: Kobra only displays this part of the command line when you choose
realtime objects for which you can choose a datafeed.
Item Code Editor An area in which to enter data. Type the item or story code to request, or
2
other data, and press Enter.
Important! If the Real Time Address Case Conversion option in the
Tools ➤ Options ➤ Application ➤ Main Command Line category is set to
Yes, Kobra converts text to upper case (not case-sensitive). If this option
is set to No, Kobra does not convert the case used to enter text
(case-sensitive).
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Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide Chapter 6 Retrieving and Displaying Information
Part Description
Reuters Search Opens Reuters Search to search for historical or financial information (see
3
Reuters Search online help).
History List A list of all previously entered data for each datafeed. Click the arrow to
4
display the history list, and then click an item in the list to recall it.
Note: The command line can automatically suggest code schemes for
searches. Choose Tools ➤ Options ➤ Application ➤ Main Command
Line and Tools ➤ Options ➤ Services ➤ Reuters Database Search
categories.
Example of use In this example, you choose a News, enter a search expression in the command line, and press
Enter.
8 June 2005 73
Command line The command line changes with the context. When you click some objects that display realtime
changes with items, the command line splits into the Datafeed Editor and Item Code Editor.
context
RICs A Reuters-specific item code is known as a Reuters Instrument Code (RIC).
How to search
Step Action
for a RIC using a
company name, 1 In the Item Code Editor, start typing a company name or instrument.
code, or bond A drop-down menu appears suggesting three kinds of search:
• Name search for: to search by company name
• Code search for: to search by instrument code
• Bond search for: to search by Ticker, Coupon, and Maturity
2 Choose an option, and continue typing the name or instrument.
3 Press Enter.
Reuters Search displays the results.
How to access The Kobra command line toolbar as well as the command line found in the object toolbar may be
the command hidden. Even though both are hidden, the command line is still active.
line when it is Note: This procedure does not apply to the Internet Explorer Object (see “How to access the hidden
hidden command line for the Internet Explorer Object” on page 74 ).
Step Action
1 Click the object to choose it.

2 Type the info you want, and then press Enter.
The command line appears and data is sent to the object when you press Enter.
How to access
Step Action
the hidden
command line 1 Click the Internet Explorer Object to choose it.
for the Internet
2 Type in a URL or choose one from the history list that opens, and press Enter.
Explorer Object
The command line sends the data to the object.
74 8 June 2005
Dragging and Dropping Data Between Objects

Introduction This section gives examples of the types of object you can drop data into. You can drop data into
other objects besides these shown here; the examples only show the most useful types of
destinations.
Important! The successful transfer of data depends on whether the data selected or copied from
one object is recognized by the target object or application into which the data is
dropped or pasted. See Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide.
Dragging from This table shows what data you can drag and drop between Kobra objects.
objects
This table explains what the symbols mean.
This symbol: Means that you can drag and drop:
Item data
A news category code
z A news headline
8 June 2005 75
How to drag and

Step Action
drop data
1 Click the object that you want to drag the data from to choose it.
2 Drag and drop the data into the destination object.
If the destination object:
• accepts the dropped data, it then processes it.
• does not accept the dropped data or does not process it, this can be due to one of
three things; the:
- target object’s property Accept Drop has been deactivated (in Link mode), or
- data you have dropped is incompatible with the data that the object accepts, or
- object does not accept dropped data
Quote Object or When in a Quote Object or Quote browser, you can choose the information to drag and drop
Quote browser using .
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Copying and Pasting Data Between Objects

Purpose You can also copy and paste data between Kobra objects and other applications. When you copy
and paste, you can either:
• use the default format
• choose another format that is shared by both the source and target objects
Copy and paste You can only copy and paste between objects that share at least one data format. See “Copy and
data formats Paste Data Formats” in the Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide for a list of data formats that each
object accepts for copy and paste operations.
How to copy and

Step Action
paste data
1 Click the object you want to copy the data from to choose it.
2 Choose the data you want to copy.
Skip this step if the object contains a single data item.
3 Choose Edit ➤ Copy.
4 Choose the object that you want to paste data into.
5 Choose where in the object you want to paste data.
If you cannot select an area in the object, then skip this step.
6 Choose Edit ➤ Paste.
If the destination object:
• accepts the pasted data it then processes it.
• does not accept the data or does not process it, this is because either the:
- data format used in the source object cannot be interpreted by the target object
- object does not accept pasted data
How to copy and

Step Action
paste data using
a specific format 1 Click the object you want to copy the data from to choose it.
2 Choose the data you want to copy.
Skip this step if the object contains a single data item.
8 June 2005 77
Step Action
4 Choose the object you want to paste data into.

5 Choose where in the object you want to paste data.
Skip this step if you cannot select an area in the object.
6 Choose Edit ➤ Paste Special.
Kobra opens Paste Special that displays the formats that are common to the source and
target objects.
7 Choose a format and click OK.
Kobra pastes the chosen into the target object using the format specified.
Copying data in To transfer data from a Spreadsheet Object to other applications, you copy and paste, instead of
the Spreadsheet dragging and dropping.
Object
Pasting images You can transfer an image of the news story if you copy the object, choose Edit ➤ Paste Special,
and choose the bitmap format.
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Linking Objects in Flex Documents to Retrieve Information

Purpose You can link objects in a Flex document so that objects can share data with each other as opposed
to being stand-alone entities. The communication channels that you set up allow you send data from
one object to another.
Creating When you link objects in a Flex document, Kobra suggests simple links that are most likely to be of
Advanced Links use to you. To set up more complex links, you must use Link mode. See:
• “Basic Links” in the Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide
Using links in a Once you have linked objects, data is transferred from the source to the target object when you
Flex document perform a specific task in the source object. More often than not, you double-click to request data
and see the requested data displayed in the target object.
Examples After linking two objects together, you double-click one to display data in the other. For example:
When you double-click: Kobra displays:
a news headline the news story in a Quote Object

an item in a Ticker Object related realtime data in a Quote Object
How to link
Step Action
objects
1 Add two objects to a Flex document.
See “Adding and Removing Flex Frames” on page 54.
2 Choose a source object.
3 Choose Tools ➤ Link To.
The cursor changes to show that you are about to link objects.
8 June 2005 79
Step Action
4 Choose a target object in the Flex document.

Kobra displays the link options available. This example shows the Quote Object as the
source and the News Object as the target.
5 Activate one or more link options.

6 Click OK.
When you perform the specified action in the source object, data is transferred to the
target object.
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Searching for News Categories and Item Codes by Sector

Reuters Speed This section explains how to use the Reuters Speed Guide to find news category codes and item
Guide codes by market sector or country.
How to access
Step Action
the Reuters
Speed Guide 1 Insert a Quote in the Flex document.
2 Click the Quote to select it.
3 Type the code reuters then press Enter.
The Reuters Speed Guide Welcome page appears in the Quote (see “Reuters Speed
Guide” on page 81). Page codes and item codes appear between chevrons (< >). News
category codes appear between square brackets ([ ]).
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How to view
Step Action
pages, item
codes, and news ◆ Double-click a code between chevrons or brackets.
categories in a The information appears in a:
browser • Quote browser if you clicked a page code or an item code (for example, <FTSE>)
• News browser if you clicked a news category code (for example, [FR])
Subsequent double-clicks allow you to view pages and item codes in the same Quote
browser.
How to view
Step Action
pages and item
codes in a ◆ Shift-double-click the page code.
different Quote The page appears in a different Quote browser.
browser
How to view
Step Action
pages and item
codes in another ◆ Select and drag the page code to another Quote.
Quote
How to select
Step Action
news categories
and view them 1 Insert a Quote and a News in the Flex document.
2 Select the Quote and choose Tools ➤ Link To.
3 Select the News.
4 In the Link dialog box, activate When I double-click a news reference, show
corresponding news headlines.
5 Click OK.
See “Linking Objects in Flex Documents to Retrieve Information” on page 79.
6 Display a Reuters Speed Guide page in the Quote.
7 Double-click a news category code in the page.
The news headlines from that category appear in the News.
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For additional For more details on using the Reuters Speed Guide, go to one the following pages (either
information double-click the code or type the code in the command line):
• user/help
• speed/guide1
• phone/help
8 June 2005 83
Searching for Item Codes

How to search
Step Action
for a RIC from
the command 1 In the command line, type a company name or instrument.
line A drop-down menu appears suggesting three kinds of search:
• Name search for: to search by company name
• Code search for: to search by instrument code
• Bond search for: to search by Ticker, Coupon, and Maturity
2 Choose an option.
3 Press Enter.
Reuters Search displays the results.
How to convert a
Step Action
code into a RIC
and insert it in a 1 Click a Quote to select it.
Quote Object
2 Enter the code in the command line.
For example, the ISIN code FR0007052782.
3 Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
• If it is a unique ID, Kobra populates the selected object
• It it is not a unique ID, Reuters Search opens displaying the results.
4 If Reuters Search opens, click the desired RIC.
Kobra populates the selected object.
How to search
Step Action
for a bond using
TCM (Ticket, 1 Click the Quote object to select it.
Coupon, and
2 Do one of the following:
Maturity)
• If you have a complete TCM, type it in the command line. For example IBM 2.75 05
(Ticker: IBM, Coupon: 2.75%, Maturity: 2005).
• If you have an incomplete TCM, in the command line, type the Ticker, or the Ticker and
either the Coupon or the Maturity. For example IBM >2 (Ticket: IBM, Coupon: greater
than 2%).
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Step Action
3 Press Enter.
• If it is a unique TCM, Kobra populates the selected object
• It it is not a unique TCM, Reuters Search opens displaying the results.
4 If Reuters Search opens, click the desired RIC.
Kobra populates the selected object.
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Searching for Items, Issues, and Issuers with Reuters Search
Searching for Items, Issues, and Issuers with Reuters Search

Purpose Reuters Search enables you to search for, retrieve, and display global and financial information from
the Fundamental and Reference Database (FRD). Reuters Search retrieves information based on
name, code as well as search criteria you enter. When you perform a search, the items that match
the search criteria are displayed in a results pane.
Fundamental FRD is the database containing historical data and financial instruments. A request for data by
and Reference Reuters Search from the FRD returns any relevant data found in the database, according to the
Database (FRD) search request criteria.
Usually the items you find in a market sector are instruments or quotes. If you type a name of a
company, Reuters Search returns a list of all related asset classes that match the name you entered.
By default, Reuters Search displays all the results that match the name. You can then choose:
• Companies/Issuers: all organizations that match the name you entered. You can drill down and
select any related instruments (Equity, Bonds, Warrants)
• FX/MM: all FX/MM instruments linked to the name you entered.
How to start
Step Action
Reuters Search
from Kobra ◆ Choose Edit ➤ Find Reuters Data.
Alternatively, click .
How to send
Step Action
search results to
an object 1 Click the object to select it.
2 Type a name or code in the command line.
3 Press Enter.
Reuters Search opens and displays the list of results.
4 As soon as you find the RIC you are looking for, click it.
Reuters Search closes, and the RIC displays in the selected object.
For more See Reuters Search 5.0 online help.

information
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Displaying Information on the Web

Internet Explorer You can view financial and other information on the web using the Internet Explorer Object. When
you add an Internet Explorer Object to a Flex document, you can navigate with the Internet Explorer
application from inside Kobra.
Note: The default home page displayed when you open the Internet Explorer is the same one as
you have configured in the Internet Explorer application.
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Toolbar You can move backwards and forwards, make a search, and display favorites using the toolbar that
is displayed when you select the object.
Button Description
Backwards
Forward
Stop
Refresh
Home
Search
Favorites
Reuters Customer Zone home page
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CHAPTER 7 V I E W I N G M A R K E T D A TA
Contents • Viewing Full Quotes and Chains in Records and Pages

• Using the Matrix to View Quotes for a Portfolio of Instruments
• Editing Instrument Portfolios
• Formatting Instrument Portfolios
• Changing Fonts and Colors in the Matrix
• Setting a Record Alert to Monitor Instrument Prices
• Activating, Deactivating, and Deleting Alerts
• Displaying Records, Headlines, Graphics, or Company Data Related to an Alert
• Displaying a Scrolling List of Quotes and Chains Using the Ticker
8 June 2005 89
Chapter 7 Viewing Market Data Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
Viewing Full Quotes and Chains in Records and Pages

Quotes and
Type of Quotation Description Example Item Code
chains
Full quote The complete quotation of an instrument. fte.pa
Chain A series of related quotes you can access 0#fte.pa

simultaneously with a single request. For equities this
could be an order book or market-maker prices.
Time & Sales A log of all trades for a particular instrument for up to tfte.pa
the last 14 days.
How to view
Step Action
quotes and
chains 1 Insert a Quote in the Flex document.
2 Click the object to select it.
3 Choose a datafeed from the drop-down list in the command line.
4 Type the item code in the command line.
For example, type the item code fte.pa.
5 Press:
• Enter to view the full quote
• F3 to view a chain
• F8 to view time and sales data
The requested item is then displayed.
How to view time

Step Action
and sales data
for a specific 1 Type item_code\-no. of days in the command line.
date
2 Press F8.
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Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide Chapter 7 Viewing Market Data
Time and sales These examples show how to request time and sales data for France Telecom for a specific date
data examples and time.
To view time and sales data from: Enter: Then press:
Five days ago fte.pa\-5 F8

Seven days ago at 10:15 AM fte.pa\1015-7 F8
8 June 2005 91
Using the Matrix to View Quotes for a Portfolio of Instruments

How to create a
Step Action
portfolio in a
matrix 1 Insert a Matrix in the Flex document.
2 Type an item code in the command line and press Enter.
The instrument is added to the end of the matrix.
Note: You can also drag and drop item codes from other Kobra objects.
3 Repeat step 2 until you have entered all the item codes required for your portfolio.
Creating a matrix Rather than entering individual item codes, you can also add all the items of a chain record to a
from a chain matrix by entering a chain item code. For example, if you enter 0#.DJI, all the records that make up
the chain become the item list.
How to sort
Step Action
items in the
Matrix 1 Click the Matrix to select it.
2 Click .
The Sort dialog box opens.
3 Choose a field from the Sort By list and choose Ascending or Descending.
Note: You can sort by up to three columns by choosing other fields in the Then By lists.
92 8 June 2005
Step Action
4 Choose how often you want the data to be updated by choosing a time period from
the Sort Frequency list.
5 Click OK.
The data is automatically updated at the chosen sort frequency.
How to save a You can save the list of items used in a matrix as a Quote List.
Quote List
Step Action
1 Click the Matrix to select it.

2 Click and choose Save As.
Save Quote List opens.
3 Enter the filename under which you want to save your list of items.
Note: If you want to save the list in a different folder, click More Options ➤ Advanced.
4 Click OK.
How to save a You can save the information concerning the list of fields requested for each item in the item list (the
matrix template column headers) and display format settings as a Matrix Template.
Step Action

2 Click and choose Save Template As.
Save Matrix Template opens.
3 Enter the filename under which you want to save the matrix template.
Note: If you want to save the template in a different folder, click More Options ➤
Advanced.
4 Click OK.
8 June 2005 93
How to recall an
Step Action
existing Quote
List 1 Insert a Matrix in the Flex document.
2 If you want to keep the current template, click and activate Keep Current
Template.
3 Click and choose the Quote List you want to insert in the matrix.
How to recall an
Step Action
existing matrix
template 1 Click the Matrix to select it.
2 Click and choose the template you want to apply to the matrix.
94 8 June 2005
Editing Instrument Portfolios

How to modify a
Step Action
field name or
item code 1 Double-click the column or row header containing the field name or item code that
you want to modify.
Alternatively, right-click in the row header and choose Edit Item. The header switches to
edit mode.
2 Place the cursor at the desired position, and type the modification.
3 Press Enter.
How to specify a You can choose a datafeed for each row in the matrix. By default, a row uses the datafeed specified
datafeed for a in the Matrix Default Datafeed property.
row
Step Action

2 Choose Object ➤ General Appearance ➤ Row Header ➤ Key Letter and Code.
Alternatively, click and choose Key Letter and Code. The row header column changes
to include the key code.
3 Double-click a row header whose datafeed you want to specify.
4 Choose a datafeed from the Datafeed drop-down menu.
You can search for an available datafeed by entering its keyletter in Search Datafeed.
5 Press Enter.
How to specify a
Step Action
datafeed for
multiple rows 1 Click the Matrix to select it.
2 Choose Object ➤ General Appearance ➤ Row Header ➤ Key Letter and Code.
Alternatively, click and choose Key Letter and Code. The row header column changes
to include the key code.
3 Select the row headers whose datafeed you want to specify.
8 June 2005 95
Step Action
4 Keep the cursor over the row headers and double-click.

The Datafeed menu opens.
5 Choose a datafeed from the Datafeed menu.
The datafeed chosen by default is the datafeed that corresponds to the datafeed of the
top-most row selected. You can search for an available datafeed by entering its keyletter in
the Search Datafeed text box.
6 Press Enter.
How to insert,
Step Action
delete, or clear
rows ◆ Choose Object ➤ Row ➤ :
• Insert to insert a row before the selected row
• Delete to delete the selected row from the matrix
• Clear ➤ All to clear the selected row, leaving it empty
How to insert,
Step Action
delete, or clear
columns ◆ Choose Object ➤ Column ➤ :
• Insert ➤ Real-time Data to insert a column containing realtime data before the selected
column
• Insert ➤ Historical and Reference Data to insert a column containing historical or
reference data before the selected column
• Insert ➤ Free Text to insert a column containing your own text before the selected
column
• Delete to delete the selected column from the matrix
• Clear to clear the selected column, leaving it empty
How to resize You can resize columns and rows by clicking and dragging row or column separators in the same
rows or columns way as in Excel. Double-clicking a row or column separator will force the row or column to adjust its
size automatically to its content.
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Copying and The Matrix uses an intelligent copy and paste function. If necessary, the Matrix inserts new rows
inserting and/or columns. Regardless of where you copy data from, the object inserts (not pastes) it
differently depending on the menu you have chosen.
Right-click the: And choose: To insert the:
Matrix selection header Insert Item list and field list from the entire Matrix.
Row header Insert Copied Items List of items copied.
Column header Insert Copied Fields List of fields copied.
Important! You can paste information you copied from anywhere in a Matrix to a Spreadsheet or
another spreadsheet application, such as Excel.
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Formatting Instrument Portfolios
Formatting Instrument Portfolios

Templates You can view and access data easily using customized Matrix templates. A template contains the
definition of displayed columns, and formatting information such as column header label
preferences, sort criteria, font, and color settings. When you first add a Matrix to a sheet, the
displayed Matrix uses the default template.
How to format a
Step Action
portfolio
according to a 1 Click the Matrix to select it.
template
2 Choose Object ➤ Templates.
Kobra displays a list of templates you have created (if any) and templates provided with
the application.
3 Choose the template you want to apply to the matrix.
The Matrix applies the chosen template.
Note: To create your own templates, see “How to save a matrix template” on page 93.
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Changing Fonts and Colors in the Matrix

Fonts and colors You can modify the format of various parts of the Matrix. This table lists what you can modify.
Part of Matrix Colors Fonts
background
column header
row header
columns
rows
individual cells
(using the COLOR function)
changing information in
individual cells (using Flash colors)
Note: Sometimes there may be conflicting format information for the same cell. In this case, the
format defined for individual cells has the highest priority and the format defined for the
background has the lowest priority.
Example This example shows a matrix with various colors and fonts. For easier readability, alternate colors
have been used for the rows (light yellow for Back Color and yellow for Alternating Back Color).
Flash colors (red and blue) indicate changing changing information in realtime data.
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How to format You can modify the font, color and gridlines used for the background of the Matrix. You can also
the background choose alternate colors for the rows.
of the Matrix
Step Action

2 Choose Object ➤ General Appearance ➤ Font & Colors.
3 Use the tabs to access different categories of cell properties, and choose the
properties you want from the tabs in the dialog box.
4 Click OK.
The Matrix cells are modified according to the chosen format.
How to format
Step Action
row headers or
column headers 1 Click the Matrix to select it.
in the Matrix
2 Choose either:
• Object ➤ General Appearance ➤ Row Header ➤ Font & Colors
• Object ➤ General Appearance ➤ Column Header ➤ Font & Colors
3 Choose the properties you want from the tabs in the dialog box.
4 Click OK.
The cells in the row header or column header are modified according to the chosen
format.
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How to format
Step Action
specific rows or
columns in the 1 Select the row(s) or column(s) you want to format.
Matrix
2 Choose either:
• Object ➤ Row ➤ Format
• Object ➤ Column ➤ Format
3 Choose the properties you want from the tabs in the dialog box.
4 Click OK.
The selected Matrix cells change to the chosen format.
How to format You can modify the colors of individual cells using the COLOR function. See “Formatting individual
individual cells cells in the matrix” in the Kobra 5.0 Realtime Objects Designer Guide.
in the Matrix
How to highlight You can apply Flash colors to specific columns of the Matrix to highlight changes in realtime data.
changing Kobra analyzes the Master Column for changes in data. A lower value is indicated for a few seconds
information in by a red background in the master column and any slave columns. Similarly, a higher value is
realtime data indicated for a few seconds by a blue background.
Step Action

2 Choose Object ➤ General Appearance ➤ Flash Colors.
3 Activate Use Flash Colors.
4 Choose the Master column.
5 In Select the Slave Columns, activate any other columns you want to highlight
whenever changes occur in the master column.
6 Click OK.
8 June 2005 101

Setting a Record Alert to Monitor Instrument Prices

Purpose You can set an alert that warns you when an instrument price reaches a certain limit. You do this by
specifying a limit for the value of a field in a record. These types of alerts are called record alerts.
How to set a
Step Action
record alert from
a Quote or a 1 In the Quote or Matrix, right-click the field for which you want to set an alert. For
Matrix example, the Ask price for a specific RIC.
2 Choose Set Alert.
New Record Alert opens. Kobra fills in the parameters for you.
3 Modify the parameters if desired.

For example, you may wish to change the value.
4 Click the Action tab, and specify the action to be taken when the alert goes off.
For example, select Sound and default beep to emit a beep when the alert goes off. You
can set different sounds for upper and lower limits.
5 Click OK.
When the alert goes off, Kobra displays an Alert message. If specified, a beep will sound.
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How to set a
Step Action
record alert in
the Global Alert 1 Choose Tools ➤ Global Alert Manager.
Manager Global Alert Manager opens.
2 Choose the Record icon, and click New.
New Record Alert opens.
3 Set the Item Address and press Enter.

For example, choose Q as the datafeed keyletter and JPY= as the item code.
4 Click the Field Name drop-down menu to choose a field name, and click OK.
If the specified record is available, the current data field value is displayed in Current
Value. For example, specify ASK as the field name.
5 Choose a condition from the Condition drop-down list.
For example, choose Lower Than so the alert goes off when the value falls below a certain
limit.
6 Enter a Value.
7 Click the Action tab, and specify the action to be taken when the alert goes off.
For example, select Sound and default beep to emit a beep when the alert goes off. You
can set different sounds for upper and lower limits.
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Step Action
8 Click OK.
The Alert Manager displays details of the new alert.
9 Click Close.
When the alert goes off, Kobra displays an Alert message. If specified, a beep will sound.
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Activating, Deactivating, and Deleting Alerts
Activating, Deactivating, and Deleting Alerts

How to activate Deactivating an alert makes the alert inactive so it does not go off.
or deactivate
alerts Step Action
1 Choose Tools ➤ Global Alert Manager.

Global Alert Manager opens and displays a list of alerts.
Note: You may need to click on the + sign to left of Record to expand the list of alerts.
2 Click the alert to select it.
3 Click:
• Activate to activate an inactive alert
• Deactivate to deactivate an active alert
An icon to the left of an alert indicates whether the alert is active or inactive:
• indicates that the alert is active (or on)
• indicates that the alert is inactive (or off)
How to delete an
Step Action
alert
1 Choose Tools ➤ Global Alert Manager.
Global Alert Manager opens.
2 Choose the alert you want to delete.
3 Click Delete.
Note: Alternatively, right-click the alert and choose Delete.
How to clear the

Step Action
list of alert
messages 1 Choose View ➤ Global Alert List.
2 Click .
The alert messages displayed in the Alert are removed. The Alert remains empty until
alerts are set off again.
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Displaying Records, Headlines, Graphics, or Company Data Related to an Alert
Displaying Records, Headlines, Graphics, or Company Data Related to an

Alert
How to display a
Step Action
related record
from a record 1 Choose View ➤ Global Alert List.
alert
2 Double-click the record alert message.
The related record is displayed in a Quote browser.
How to display
Step Action
further related
information 1 Right-click an alert message to display the Alert menu.
(when available)
2 Choose from:
• Related Quote
• Related News (headlines)
• Related Graph
• Related Company Data
The related information is displayed in a browser.
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Displaying a Scrolling List of Quotes and Chains Using the Ticker

How to view
Step Action
quotes in a
Ticker 1 Add a Ticker to the Flex document.
3 Choose a datafeed from the drop-down list in the command line.
4 Type an item code in the command line and press Enter.
For example, type the item code fte.pa.
5 Repeat step 4 until you have entered all the item codes you want to display in the
Ticker.
Adding a chain Rather than entering individual item codes, you can also add all the items of a chain record to a
to a Ticker Ticker by entering a chain item code. For example, if you enter 0#.DJI, all the records that make up
the chain become the item list.
Changing You can change the scrolling direction by clicking .

scrolling Note: The image on the button indicates the scrolling direction applied after you click the button.
direction
Pausing and You can pause or resume scrolling by clicking:

resuming • (pause)
scrolling • (resume)
How to add,
Step Action
change and
remove items 1 Click the object to select it.
using the Ticker
2 Choose Object ➤ Ticker Manager.
Manager
Ticker Manager opens.
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Step Action
3 Add, replace, or remove items by:

• setting the Item Address, and clicking Add (for example, choose Q as the datafeed
keyletter and EUR= as the item code)
• selecting the item in the Displayed Items list, setting the Item Address, and clicking
Replace
• selecting the item in the Displayed Items list, and clicking Remove
• clicking Remove All
4 Click OK.
How to apply a Follow the procedure below to apply a filter in the Ticker so that an item only appears when certain
filter conditions are met.
Step Action
1 Click the Ticker to select it.

2 Choose Object ➤ Ticker Manager.
Ticker Manager opens.
3 Click Filter and choose an item from the Item Selected list.
4 Activate Display Only When.
Note: By default the Always Displayed check box is activated.
5 Choose a field from the Field Name list.
The Field Name list enumerates all the fields displayed in the Ticker.
Note: You set the fields displayed in the Ticker by setting the Field Names property. You
can identify fields by their name, FID number, or DDE acronym.
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Step Action
6 Choose the operator from the Operator list, and set the Value.
7 Activate Filter All Items if you want to apply the filter to all items.
8 Click Apply, then OK.
When you apply the filter to:
• a single item, the Ticker Manager displays an asterisk (*) next to the item in the
Displayed Items list
• all items, no asterisks are shown
8 June 2005 109

110 8 June 2005

CHAPTER 8 VIEWING HEADLINES AND NEWS
Contents • Overview of the News Object

• Viewing News
• Viewing Cross-Referenced Information
• Displaying Related Information
• Using News Search Expressions to Filter Headlines
• Creating and Saving Search Expressions Using the News Expression Builder
• Narrowing the Focus of Searches to Specific Words or Phrases
• Combining Search Expressions
• Modifying How Headlines Are Displayed
8 June 2005 111

Chapter 8 Viewing Headlines and News Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
Overview of the News Object
Overview of the News Object

Purpose The News Object displays headlines and alerts from different news services via the Kobra
newsfeed.
Available news In Kobra, you can access the following news services:
services • Reuters News 2000
• Reuters Financial News
• Factiva News Search
• Top News
Function Reuters News Reuters Factiva News Top News

2000 Financial News Search
Duration 1 day 13 months 2 years today
Realtime headlines
Historical headlines
Corporate newsfeeds
Local, national and
international papers
Pictures
112 8 June 2005

Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide Chapter 8 Viewing Headlines and News
Viewing News
Viewing News
How to view
Step Action
news headlines
1 Insert a News in a Flex document.
3 Type a news search expression in the command line.
You can enter a RIC as a news search expression. For example, type RTR.L for news
relating to Reuters shares traded on the London Stock Exchange. You can also enter
category codes. For example, to view headlines concerning France, type FR. See “Using
News Search Expressions to Filter Headlines” on page 118.
4 Press Enter.
Kobra displays a list of news headlines.
Scrolling You can scroll through a list of news headlines using the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard,
through a list of and the Page Up and Page Down keys.
news headlines
How to navigate
Step Action
to the latest or
the earliest 1 Right-click a headline.
headline in the A pop-up menu is displayed.
list
2 Choose either:
• Go to Latest to move to the most recent headline, or
• Go to Earliest to move to the least recent headline
Displaying You can quickly recall search expressions entered previously by choosing Object ➤ Display from
previously History (or clicking ). This displays a list of the last ten search expressions used.
requested Note: To save a search expression, see “How to save a search expression” on page 123. To recall a
headlines search expression, see “How to recall a search expression” on page 124.
8 June 2005 113

Viewing News
How to view When a list of headlines is displayed, you can toggle between Reuters News 2000/Reuters Financial
headlines using News and Factiva News Search.
Factiva News
Step Action
Search
◆ Click to search using Factiva News Search.
How to view a
Step Action
news story
associated with 1 Click the object to select it.
a headline
2 Double-click the headline (but not a cross-reference symbol in the headline).
Alternatively, select the headlines using the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard,
and press Enter.
The associated news story is displayed in a Quote browser, or in an Internet Explorer
browser in the case of Factiva News Search.
Note: You can also drag and drop, or copy and paste, a news headline to view the associated news
story in a Quote.
How to view You can access Top News at any time.

headlines using
Top News Step Action
◆ Click to access Top News.

Top News opens in an Internet Explorer window.
How to view a
Step Action
full news story
from Top News 1 Click the object to select it.
2 Click the Top News headline or the more ... link.
The associated news story displays in a Quote browser.
114 8 June 2005

Viewing News
How to start a
Step Action
Reuters
Messaging ◆ Double-click the Reuters Messaging address (ending with @reuters.net).
conversation
from a News
Story
8 June 2005 115

Viewing Cross-Referenced Information
Viewing Cross-Referenced Information

Purpose Cross-referenced information is a record, a page, or more headlines related to the displayed news
headline. You view this information by double-clicking cross-reference symbols inside news
headlines. The information is displayed in a browser or a linked object.
Drag and drop You can also view cross-referenced information using drag and drop. See Kobra 5.0 Workspace
Designer Guidefor a detailed description and an example of dragging and dropping data in Kobra.
Symbols
indicating
cross-referenced
information
1 2 3
Item Description
Record or page item codes or addresses

1
Chevroned item codes

2
Bracketed Reuters News 2000 category codes

3
116 8 June 2005

Displaying Related Information
Displaying Related Information

How to display You can display additional information (if available) related to the headlines displayed.
related
information Step Action
◆ Right-click a headline and choose:

• Related Quote
• Related News
• Related Graph
• Related Company Data
The related information displays in a browser.
8 June 2005 117

Using News Search Expressions to Filter Headlines

Purpose You can filter news headlines to view only those on topics that interest you. You filter headlines using
news search expressions.
News search News search expressions are made up of:

expressions • free text
• RICs
• category codes
• dates
• content-specific filters
Note: You can either use these items alone or in combination to view news headlines.
Category codes Category codes are short, easy-to-remember search expressions that let you choose topics for
which you receive headlines.
Useful category
This category code: Displays:
codes
A All headlines
NEWS General news
INT Interest rates
POL Politics
MRG Mergers and acquisitions
SPO Sports
Category code You can find details of category codes in the News Expression Builder. See Kobra 5.0 Realtime
list Objects Designer Guide.
Searching by Headlines from the Reuters News 2000 news service are stored for a maximum of 24 hours from the
date in Reuters time they appear. By entering appropriate codes in the command line, you can view headlines from
News 2000 any specified time or day within that 24-hour period.
118 8 June 2005

Searching by In Reuters Financial News, you have access to both realtime headlines and headlines from an
date in Reuters archive of approximately 13 months.
Financial News
Time and date This table describes the time and date formats you can use to access headlines in Reuters News
formats 2000 and Reuters Financial News.
This format: Example: Display headlines from:

@HH:MM:SS DD/MM/YY @22:30:00 11/06/01 22:30 on 11 June 2001
or
@HH:MM:SS DD/MM/YYYY
@HH:MM:SS @12:00 12:00 of the current day
Searching by You can use the News Expression Builder to view headlines from Factiva News Search:
date in Factiva • from before or after a specified date
News Search • within specified dates
Important! You cannot specify dates directly in the command line. You can choose to receive the
headlines from any given period within two years.
Reuters News You can filter headlines in Reuters News 2000 using content-specific filters.
2000
content-specific Use: To search for: Example:
filters %K= A specific news source %K=T displays all updates to all pages using the
keyletter T.
%P= Specific news page updates %P=T261 displays only updates to the page 261 from
the source identified by the keyletter T.
%S= Permanent items %S= displays all permanent items.
Language filters This table describes how to filter headlines by language in Reuters News 2000 and Reuters
Financial News.
Use: To search for: Example:

L A specific language LFR displays all headlines in French.
%L= A specific language %L=FR displays all headlines in French.
8 June 2005 119

Summary of filter
News Service Filter by:
criteria
Date Time Language
Reuters News 2000

Reuters Financial News
Factiva News Search
Further See Kobra 5.0 Realtime Objects Designer Guide.

information
120 8 June 2005

Creating and Saving Search Expressions Using the News Expression Builder
Creating and Saving Search Expressions Using the News Expression

Builder
How to open the
Step Action
News
Expression 1 Click a News to select it.
Builder
2 Choose Object ➤ News Expression Builder.
Alternatively, click . The News Expression Builder opens.
News
Expression
Builder 1 2 1 2
3 3
5 5
4 4
7 7
6 6
88 8
9 9
News 2000 and Reuters Financial News Factiva News Search
Item Description
Description or Allows you to search for a desired description or code by entering letter
1
Code Contains combinations containing a minimum of two letters. Results are listed in the
code search tabs.
8 June 2005 121

Item Description
Refresh Updates the list of codes in the code search tabs.

2
Important! You only need to use Refresh if Reuters adds a new code that
you want to use immediately.
Code search Click:
3
tabs • Subject to search for code by subject name
• Report to search for code by report name
• Both to search for code by either subject or report name
• Sources to search for code by source name, that is, newsfeed, news
agency, or language of publication
Add to News Adds the selected code to the search expression.
4
Expression
Boolean buttons Click:
5
• NEAR to search for headlines containing both expressions within a
space of ten words (this is only available in Factiva News Search)
• AND to search for headlines containing both expressions
• OR to search for headlines containing either expression (this is the
default Boolean operation if you do not specify one)
• NOT to search for headlines excluding an expression
See “Combining news search expressions” on page 127.
News Search Displays the search expression that is sent to the database as a search
6
Expression line command.
Erase Clears the News Search Expression line.
7
Time Span Choose:

8
drop-down • 1 week (default) to specify and select headlines from one week ago up
menu to the present time
• Since to specify and select headlines from a certain date up to the
present time
• Between to specify and select headlines between two dates
• Before to specify and select headlines from before a certain date
Note: You can only specify time parameters in Factiva News Search.
122 8 June 2005

Item Description
Commands Click:
9
• Save As to save the expression in the Data Store
• OK to send the results to the News and close the window
• Cancel
How to build a
Step Action
search
expression 1 Open the News Expression Builder.
See “How to open the News Expression Builder” on page 121.
2 Enter letter combinations/keywords in the Description or Code Contains box to
produce a list of possible codes.
3 Choose the desired code from the Subject, Report, Both, or Source tabs.
4 Click Add to News Expression.
Note: You can add the code to the News Expression by double clicking it.
5 Choose a Boolean operator using one of the buttons and insert it after the code.
6 Repeat steps 2 to 5 until you have included the desired number of codes.
7 Click either:
• OK to send your command and close the News Expression Builder
• Cancel if you do not want to send your command
Note: You can also enter partial search expressions in the command line, then complete them in the
News Expression Builder.
How to save a
Step Action
search
expression 1 From the News Expression Builder, click Save As.
Save News Expression or Save Factiva News Search opens.
2 Enter a Name by which you can easily identify the expression.
3 Click OK to save the expression.
8 June 2005 123

Step Action
4 Click either:
• OK to send your command and close the News Expression Builder
• Cancel if you do not want to send your command
How to recall a
Step Action
search
expression 1 Click a News to select it.
2 Choose Object ➤ Load.
3 Choose a search expression from the list.
Kobra displays a list of news headlines corresponding to the search expression.
How to edit a
Step Action
search
expression 1 Choose the search expression you want to modify.
2 Click .
The News Expression Builder opens.
3 Make desired changes to the search expression.
See “How to build a search expression” on page 123.
4 Click OK to confirm your changes to the search expression.
The News Expression Builder closes.
Note: You cannot replace an existing news expression in Data Store. However, you can save the
modified expression under a new name (see “How to save a search expression” on page
123). You can then delete the old news expression from the Data Store if desired.
How to rename
Step Action
search
expressions 1 In Data Store, right-click the search expression you want to rename.
A pop-up menu appears.
2 Choose Rename and modify the name.
3 Click anywhere outside the new name to validate it.
124 8 June 2005

Narrowing the Focus of Searches to Specific Words or Phrases

Word matching This table explains how to search for a match that contains any of the free text in the search
search expression.
expressions
What you enter Free text with no quotes or special characters
How it works This expression:

• finds results that match any of the words
• limits results to whole word only
• is not case-sensitive
Example urban plan
Possible results This search displays headlines containing either of the words urban or plan,
but not those containing:
• urbanized
• PLANNING
Partial word and This table below explains how to search for a character string match.
phrase matching
What you enter Free text with double quotes (“ “)
search
expressions How it works This expression:
• finds results that match the words in the exact sequence
• does not limit results to whole word only
Example “urban plan”
Possible results This search displays headlines containing the words or character string
urban plan, such as:
• Urban Plan
• urban planning
8 June 2005 125

Exact word and You can search for an exact match of a word or phrase.
phrase matching
What you enter Free text with single quotes (‘ ‘)
search
expressions How it works This expression:
• finds results that match the words in the exact sequence
• limits results to whole word only
• is case-sensitive
Example ‘urban plan’
Possible results This search displays headlines containing the words urban plan, but not those
containing:
• Urban Plan
• urban planning
Wildcard search In Reuters News 2000 and Reuters Financial News you can search for a partial match of a character
expressions string.
What you enter A word or phrase including an asterisk (*)
How it works This expression:

• finds words containing the character string
• requires a minimum of four characters before the asterisk, that is, use
quot* but not quot*n
Example major*
Possible results This search displays headlines containing the character string major, such as:
• Major
• MAJORETTE
• Major-domo
Note: You cannot use the wildcard search in Factiva News Search.
126 8 June 2005

Combining Search Expressions

Purpose You can combine different category codes, dates, free text, and filters to create search expressions
to pinpoint news on topics that interest you.
Combining news You combine category codes, dates, free text, and filters using parentheses () and standard
search Boolean operators.
expressions Important! You must place dates at the end of a combined search expression.
Type this between the search command components: For this operation:
NEAR NEAR
Note: This command is only available in Factiva News Search.
OR OR
Leaving a space between the search components is also taken by Kobra as
an OR operation.
AND AND
A hyphen (-) or ampersand (&) can also be used.
NOT NOT
An exclamation mark can also be used.
Example
This example: Displays headlines on:
combinations
(GB-POL) NOT (“BSE” OR “MAD COW”) British politics not containing the words BSE or mad cow.
MET AND “COPPER” @01/04/05 Non-precious metals containing the word copper that
appeared up to 1 April 2005.
INGE %P=QJOUR General news written in French or updates to the page
JOUR using the keyletter Q.
A NOT %S= All except permanent items.

VIO & (‘Atlanta’ OR ‘BOMB’) & Violence and terrorism containing the words Atlanta or
%L=EN @28/03/05 bomb that appeared up to 28 March 2004, and in
English.
8 June 2005 127

Note: The examples above that specify dates are not valid commands in Factiva News Search. You
must specify dates in Factiva News Search using the News Expression Builder (see “Creating
and Saving Search Expressions Using the News Expression Builder” on page 121).
128 8 June 2005

Modifying How Headlines Are Displayed

How to display The date always displays in Factiva News Search. You can also display the date next to headlines in
the date Reuters News 2000 and Reuters Financial News.
Step Action
1 Click a News to select it.

2 Choose Object ➤ Date.
Alternatively, click . The object displays the date next to each headline.
Note: To remove the date and the check mark next to the menu item, choose
Object ➤ Date again.
How to refresh You can refresh the data display by requesting the same headlines again from the headline database.
data display
Step Action
1 Click a News to select it.

2 Choose Object ➤ Refresh.
Alternatively, click . The object requests the same headlines again and refreshes the data
display.
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130 8 June 2005

PART III:
ANALYZING DATA
IN GRAPHS AND
SPREADSHEETS
This part includes:
• Analyzing Data in a MetaStock Chart

• Analyzing Data in a Spreadsheet
• Transferring Data to an Excel Spreadsheet
Analyzing Data in Graphs and Spreadsheets Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
132 8 June 2005

C H A P T E R 1 0 A N A L Y Z I N G D A TA I N A M E TA S T O C K
CHART
Contents • MetaStock Chart Object Tools and Menus

• Creating a Chart
• Changing the Instrument
• Changing the Interval
• Changing the Range
• Changing the Analysis Type
• Zooming and Scrolling
• Displaying Cursors and Gridlines
• Adding an Annotation
• Using the Properties Editor
8 June 2005 133

Chapter 10 Analyzing Data in a MetaStock Chart Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
MetaStock Chart Object Tools and Menus

Navigation Kobra provides a number of ways to navigate using the MetaStock Chart Object:
• toolbar
• shortcuts
• menus
• Item Code Editor (in the command line)
• In-place editing
Toolbar The MetaStock Chart Object has its own toolbar for quick access to insert analyses, and other
features. The toolbar can either be floating or embedded in the MetaStock Chart Object.
Icon types and The MetaStock Chart Object uses different types of icons for the toolbar.
descriptions
Icon type Descriptions Example
simple Always performs the same action. adds a text annotation.

dynamic Always displays a list of actions. The displays a list of intervals. The caption
drop-down caption of the icon displays the current displays the current interval.
selection.
split button Performs two actions: Insert Analysis :
• clicking the left-part of the icon to • click on to open Insert Analysis.
perform an action • click to display a list of ten popular
• clicking displays a menu analyses and actions available
dynamic Performs dynamic actions: Switch Analysis :
split button • clicking displays a list of • the first time you click , the drop-down
available options menu displays
• clicking the left-part of the icon • the icon image changes to if you
repeats the last action for the new choose Spline
item you choose • click to switch to Spline for another
Note: The image on the icon analysis you select
corresponds to the last selection you Note: The first time you click , the
made. drop-down menu displays.
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Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide Chapter 10 Analyzing Data in a MetaStock Chart
Icon type Descriptions Example
dynamic Performs dynamic functions based on opens X-Axis Properties when you select
the item you choose. the x-axis.
Note: Tooltips are available on the icons to help you navigate within a MetaStock Chart Object.
Toolbar icons The table below provides examples of the toolbar icons and shortcuts.
Icon Shortcut Tool
Allows you to switch analyses between Line, Bar and Candlestick plots. You
must first select an analysis to activate this icon. The image on the icon
corresponds to the most recently used analysis. For example, the analysis
icon changes to:
• for a Line
• for a Spline
• for an OHLC Bar
• for an HLC Bar
• for an HL Bar
• for a CandleStick Analysis
You can switch an analysis either by:
• clicking to choose an analysis from the drop-menu
• clicking the icon, for example, to switch to the last analysis type
used
Ctrl+a Allows you to add an analysis using Insert Analysis. Click to display a list
of actions available such as:
• insert an analysis for the selected analysis
• edit properties for the active or first analysis in the chart
• choose from a list of ten popular analyses
8 June 2005 135

Icon Shortcut Tool
Allows you to insert a line study into the chart. Click to display a list of
line studies available and the Delete All Trendlines option. The image on the
icon corresponds to your last line study selection. Click the following icons
to add a line study:
• for a Ray
• for a Reverse Ray
• for a Line
• for a Line Segment
• for a Horizontal Line
• for a Vertical Line
• for a Fibonacci Fan
• for Fibonacci Retracements
• for Fibonacci Projections
• for an Andrews Pitchfork
• for a Gann Fan
• for a Gann Line
• for a Trend Channel
• for a Speed Resistance Lines
• for a Regression Line
To add a line study, you can either:
• click to choose a line study from the drop-menu
• click the dynamic icon, for example, , to add this line study last used
Allows you to choose the range and data for your current session:
• Default Data or All Data
• This Session
• Today
• This Week
• This Month
• This Quarter
• This Year
• Custom...
To restore the defaults, you can deactivate the chosen range.
See “Changing the Range” on page 147.
136 8 June 2005

Icon Shortcut Tool
Page Up / Allows you to move up or down one time interval on the x-axis. The choices
Page Down are:
• Tick
• Minutes
• Hourly
• Daily
• Weekly
• Monthly
• Quarterly
• Yearly
Allows you to change the interval of the chart. The caption corresponds to
the current interval selection. For example, if you set a custom interval, the
icon displays Custom....
See “Changing the Interval” on page 146.
Ctrl+z Allows you to undo the last action performed in the MetaStock Chart Object.
Ctrl+y Allows you to redo the last action undone in the MetaStock Chart Object.
Ctrl+p Allows you to view or modify the properties of the MetaStock Chart Object
currently selected. For example, if you select the x-axis, then X-Axis
Properties opens when you click this icon.
See “Using the Properties Editor” on page 155.
Ctrl+k Allows you to add or remove a target cursor when you click the icon. You
can click to access the following options:
• add a target cursor
• add a vertical cursor
• add a horizontal cursor
• snap to a point on an analysis
Delete Allows you to delete the selected item on the chart.
Allows you to add an annotation to the chosen chart. To delete an
annotation, select it and press Delete.
Ctrl+right Allows you to zoom in on the x-axis.
arrow
8 June 2005 137

Icon Shortcut Tool
Ctrl+left Allows you to zoom out on the x-axis.

arrow
Ctrl+t Allows you to zoom in on a defined area of a chart.
Ctrl+ – If the Market Profile option is installed, this displays the analysis options in a
drop-down menu:
• Split No.
• Merge Next
• Merge Previous
• Split and Merge
• Split and Merge Reset
Multiple Menus Kobra provides the menus you need for editing, configuring and printing the MetaStock Chart
Object. Multiple menu options are available for example:
• when you right-click anywhere on the MetaStock Chart Object
• via the Object menu in Kobra
• when you click the object menu arrow on the title bar
Object Menu
Menu item Allows you to:
Insert Analysis Display a list of actions available for the current analysis. You can:
• insert an analysis for the selected analysis
• edit properties for the active or first analysis in the chart
• choose from a list of ten popular analyses
Insert Analysis of Insert an analysis on the selected analysis. Insert Analysis opens with the
Selected Analysis current analysis details for the instrument for example, BarOHLC (RTR.L,
Last Trade).
<Item> Properties Edit properties of a selected chart, including analyses, display options, title,
and axes. Context menus display for this item. For example, Object ➤
X-Axis Properties displays when you choose the x-axis.
Interval Increase or decrease the interval on the x-axis.
Range Choose the range and data for your current session.
138 8 June 2005

Add Add items to the MetaStock Chart Object, for example:

• analysis
• charts and empty subcharts
• symbols and shapes
• trendlines
• annotations
Edit Undo/redo the last action performed, copy/paste, and delete data. You can
clear or delete data for the:
• analysis
• axes
• charts and subcharts
Note: Context menus display for Delete only.
View View items on the MetaStock Chart Object for example:
• zoom on axes
• display statistics
• show/hide the marker labels, cursor, legend, grid, title, and scrollbar
Alert Allows you to add and manage alerts for an instrument.
Templates Manage your chart templates for example:
• apply templates
• create new templates in.reuters-chart-template format
• automatically load templates
Schemes Create and apply color schemes to the MetaStock Chart Object.
Chart • save and retrieve charts in.reuters-chart format
• change the properties for the active chart
Instrument Perform actions for all your instrument needs. For example,
Maintenance • view and modify instrument settings
(Ctrl - I) • add new instruments, composites, and yield curves
• define your favorite instruments
Command Line Set the Command Line Behavior to either add or replace an instrument. See
Behavior “Add Instrument and Replace Instrument modes” on page 144.
Show Toolbar 1 Display or hide the MetaStock Chart Object toolbar within the Kobra frame.
8 June 2005 139

Show Title Bar 1 Display or hide the title bar.

2
Properties Change the default properties for the current chart such as:
• default analysis type
• datafeed settings
• footer and header settings for printing
Print Print the selected MetaStock Chart Object.
1. Exclusive to the Object menu
2. Exclusive to the right-click menu
Context menus Kobra lets you navigate using context menus similar to the Object menu. You can activate these
menus by right-clicking anywhere on your MetaStock Chart Object. Kobra displays a menu related to
the item you select.
In-place editing Kobra lets you perform in-place editing on MetaStock Chart Object items. You can click on an item
in-place to change it, for example:
• currency
• analysis
• instrument
• time zone
• start and end date
140 8 June 2005

Creating a Chart
Creating a Chart
How to create an You can easily create an instant analysis for a single RIC. The default display type is Bar chart.
instant analysis
Step Action
1 Insert a new MetaStock Chart into a Flex document.

2 Choose a datafeed keyletter, type an instrument code in the Item Code Editor, and
press Enter.
For example, type RTR.L for Reuters shares traded on the London Stock Exchange.
8 June 2005 141

Creating a Chart
How to create an
Step Action
analysis with
Insert Analysis 1 Insert a MetaStock Chart into a Flex document.
2 Click .
Alternatively, click the immediately to the right of to display a list of ten popular
analyses.
Insert Analysis opens.
3 Choose an analysis type from the list.

For example, scroll down the list and choose Moving Average - Simple.
4 Click Interval, and choose an interval from the drop-down list.
You can choose the interval (for example, Tick, Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly) and a
multiplier value.
Note: The Tick interval is not available for some analysis types, such as Bar and Candle.
5 Click Feed, and either:
• choose a keyletter from the list of datafeeds
• enter a keyletter
142 8 June 2005

Creating a Chart
Step Action
6 Click Instrument, and either:

• choose an instrument from the list
• enter an instrument code
For example, type RTR.L to chart Reuters shares on the London Stock Exchange.
7 Either:
• choose a Field and an Action value from the list if you have used this instrument before
• leave the Field and Action values as Default if this is the first time you are using this
instrument
8 Change any other parameters if necessary.
For example, a Moving Average analysis has an averaging period, which you can change.
9 Click Add to complete the analysis.
The analysis is drawn on the chart, but Insert Analysis remains open. You can add another
analysis to the chart if you want.
10 Click Cancel.
8 June 2005 143

Changing the Instrument

Purpose You can change your charts and analyses quickly and easily:
• using the Item Code Editor, or
• by dragging an instrument code from another object, or another Windows application
How to change
Step Action
the instrument
using the Item 1 Select a MetaStock Chart or an analysis.
Code Editor If the chart has more than one analysis, but you want to change the instrument for only
one of them, select the analysis whose instrument you want to change. Otherwise the
change will be applied to all the analyses in the chart.
2 Type or choose a RIC in the Item Code Editor.
3 Press Enter.
In the selected analysis, or in all the analyses in the selected chart, the instrument
changes to the one you entered.
Note: You must be in Replace Instrument mode. See “Add Instrument and Replace Instrument
modes”.
Add Instrument When entering instruments in the MetaStock Chart Object using the item code editor, Kobra has two
and Replace modes:
Instrument • Add Instrument
modes • Replace Instrument
By default, the Replace Instrument mode is activated, so Kobra updates the existing analysis with
the new item code you enter in . You can only add new analyses when in Add
Instrument mode. You can change the mode by choosing either:
• Object ➤ Command Line Behavior ➤ Add Instrument
• Object ➤ Command Line Behavior ➤ Replace Instrument
144 8 June 2005

How to change You can copy an instrument code from another object. For example, a RIC from a news story in a
the instrument News Object.
using drag and
Step Action
drop
1 Click and drag the text from the source object to a chart in the MetaStock Chart.
If Kobra is minimized when you do this, drag the text onto the Kobra icon on the Taskbar,
wait until the Kobra window is displayed, then continue dragging.
2 Drag over an analysis so that it displays selection handles.
3 Release the mouse button.
The instrument in the selected analysis will change to the instrument from the source
application.
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Changing the Interval
Changing the Interval

Purpose You can use either the interval tools on the toolbar, or in-place editing, to change the chart interval.
This change affects all the analyses in the chart. Some intervals are not available for all analysis
types. For example, you cannot select the Tick interval for Bar or Candle charts.
How to change
Step Action
the interval using
the toolbar 1 Select a chart.
2 Click the arrow to the right of the Interval .
3 Choose the required interval from the list.
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Changing the Range
Changing the Range

Purpose You can change the range (time frame) of the data displayed. For example, you may want to view
data for this day, this quarter, or this year.
How to change
Step Action
the range
1 Select a chart.
2 Click the arrow to the right of the Range .
3 Choose the required range from the list.
How to display
data for the Step Action
current trading
1 Select a chart.
session
2 Click the arrow to the right of the Range .
3 Choose This Session from the list.
How to display You can rescale the x- and y-axes so that all available data for all analyses is displayed.
all available data
Step Action
◆ Choose Object ➤ Range ➤ All Data.

Alternatively press Shift+F4.
How to display You can rescale the x- and y-axes so that the default range of data, including the last value, is
default data displayed for all analyses. If the chart contains a Bar or Candle analysis, the default range of data
includes as much data as possible without losing the distinct display of bars or candles.
Step Action
◆ Choose Object ➤ Range ➤ Default Data.

Alternatively press Shift+F3.
8 June 2005 147

Changing the Analysis Type
Changing the Analysis Type

Purpose You can easily switch analyses between the Line, Bar and Candle display types. Remember,
though, that Bar and Candle charts cannot be displayed on a Tick interval.
How to change
Step Action
the analysis type
1 Select a line analysis in any chart.
Make sure the chart has an interval higher than Tick.
2 Click .
3 Choose one of the options:
• Line
• Spline
• Bar - Open High Low Close
• Bar - High Low Close
• Bar - High Low
• CandleStick
Some of the options may be grayed out, depending on the interval.
148 8 June 2005

Zooming and Scrolling

Purpose You can zoom in and out on the x- and y-axes at the same time, or on a specific area of a chart. You
can also zoom in or out on the x- or y-axis individually, and you can move backwards and forwards in
the chart.
How to zoom in
Step Action
on a specific
area 1 Choose Object ➤ View ➤ Zoom ➤ Zoom Area.
Alternatively, click . The mouse pointer changes to a magnifying glass shape.
2 Click and drag the mouse diagonally over the area you want to enlarge.
3 Release the mouse button.
The area you selected will be zoomed to fill the chart area.
4 Repeat steps 1 to 3 to zoom in further if necessary.
How to zoom in
Step Action
(expand x-axis)
1 Choose Object ➤ View ➤ Zoom ➤ Expand.
2 Repeat to zoom in further if necessary.
How to zoom out

Step Action
(contract x-axis)
1 Choose Object ➤ View ➤ Zoom ➤ Contract.
2 If you zoomed in more than once, zooming out takes you back one step at a time.
8 June 2005 149

How to zoom on
Step Action
the x-axis using
the arrow keys 1 Click the x-axis.
2 Press Ctrl+left arrow or Ctrl+right arrow to zoom in or out.
How to zoom on
Step Action
the y-axis using
the arrow keys 1 Click the y-axis.
2 Press Ctrl+up arrow or Ctrl+down arrow to zoom in or out.
How to scroll the

Step Action
x-axis
1 Click the x-axis.
2 Click the left or right arrow on the scrollbar to scroll in the corresponding direction.
Alternatively you can use the left arrow and right arrow keys.
How to scroll the

Step Action
y-axis
1 Click the y-axis.
2 Click the up or down arrow on the scrollbar to scroll in the corresponding direction.
Alternatively you can use the up arrow and down arrow keys.
150 8 June 2005

Displaying Cursors and Gridlines

Purpose You can optionally display cursors and gridlines on a chart. A cursor is a line or pair of crossed lines
that appears wherever you click on the chart and gives precise information about the date/time and
value at that spot.
Cursor styles Normally the chart legend displays the time or date and value of the latest data point. When there is
a cursor, the legend displays the time or date and value at its current position.
Cursor Type Example Description
Target A cross hair cursor with a label showing the time/date and value
at the point where the two lines in the cursor cross.
Vertical A vertical line with a label showing the time/date and value at
the point where the line crosses the x-axis.
Horizontal A horizontal line with a label showing the value on the Y-axis at
the point at its current position.
How to show a
Step Action
cursor
◆ Choose Object ➤ View ➤ Cursor and choose the cursor style from the list.
Note: When a cursor is displayed, you cannot select items on the chart. Each click of the
mouse simply moves the cursor to a new position.
8 June 2005 151

How to hide a Hide the cursor when you wish to select other items in the chart.
cursor
Step Action
◆ Choose Object ➤ View ➤ Cursor ➤ No Cursor.
Gridlines Gridlines can be drawn at each increment on the x- and y- axes. You can choose whether to display
gridlines, and you can change the color and appearance of these lines for each chart.
How to show or
Step Action
hide the grid
display ◆ Choose Object ➤ View ➤ Grid.
Alternatively, press Shift+F9.
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Adding an Annotation
Purpose You can add any number of text annotations to create labels, comments and notes anywhere on a
chart. The text is displayed in a box, and is connected to its starting point with a straight line. Once
you have typed the text, you can move the box anywhere within the chart. You can also edit the text,
change the color of the text and box, remove the line, and change or remove the box outline. Most of
these changes are made in the Properties Editor.
How to add an
Step Action
annotation
1 Select the chart in which you want to place the annotation.
2 Click .
The cursor changes shape.
3 Move the cursor to the position on the chart where you want the line connected to
the annotation to begin, and click.
A box appears, containing the word “Annotation”.
4 Move the cursor to a position on the same chart or sub-chart where you want to
place the annotation, and click again.
5 Type the text of the annotation.
The box expands to accommodate the amount of text you type. Press Ctrl+Enter if you
want to create a new line.
6 Click anywhere outside the box when you have finished.
The annotation is displayed.
8 June 2005 153

How to edit an
Step Action
annotation
1 Click inside the annotation to select it.
Markers appear at the beginning and end of the text.
2 Either:
• double-click a word to select it
• click to highlight the whole annotation, then select the part to be changed
You can then re-type the text.
Note: You can use drag and drop or Ctrl+v to insert text from another application, such as
Microsoft Word, into an annotation.
154 8 June 2005

Using the Properties Editor

Properties Editor You can use the Properties Editor to change the properties of any item in a MetaStock Chart:
• chart
• analysis
• x-axis
• y-axis
• trendline
• annotation
• statistics display
This feature is context-sensitive. The Properties depend on the selected item.
Note: You can only change the properties for one chart at a time.
How to modify
Step Action
properties
1 Click the item you want to modify to select it.
For example, the x-axis.
2 Double-click the item.
The Properties Editor opens, displaying the current properties for the selected item.
3 Use the tabs, and options available, to make the required changes.
4 Click Apply to update the chart with the changes.
You can continue making any other modifications to the properties of the chart.
5 When finished, click OK.
8 June 2005 155

Example: How to
Step Action
modify gridlines
1 Click the MetaStock Chart to select it.
2 Click .
Chart Properties opens.
3 Click General.
4 In Gridlines, activate Display Gridlines.
5 Click Display.
6 Click Element, and choose Grid Lines.
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Step Action
7 In Color, click to display the color selection available. Choose a new color for
the gridlines, and click OK.
8 Click Line Width, and choose a line width.

9 Click Line Style, and choose a line style.
10 Click Apply to update the chart with the changes.
You can continue making any other modifications to the properties of the chart.
11 When finished, click OK.
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158 8 June 2005

C H A P T E R 11 A N A L Y Z I N G D A TA I N A S P R E A D S H E E T
Contents • Creating a New Worksheet and Opening an Existing Worksheet

• Saving a Worksheet in a File
• Entering Cell Data
• Adding a Function to Formulas in Worksheet Cells
• Viewing Realtime Data in Cells
• Viewing Reuters TS1 Historical Data in Cells
• Viewing Fundamental and Reference Data in Cells
• Editing Cells Containing Text, Numbers, or Formulas
• Specifying How Numeric Data is Displayed in Selected Cells
• Defining when Recalculations are made
• Resizing Rows and Columns
• Changing Fonts and Colors
8 June 2005 159

Chapter 11 Analyzing Data in a Spreadsheet Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
Creating a New Worksheet and Opening an Existing Worksheet
Creating a New Worksheet and Opening an Existing Worksheet

Worksheet files Worksheet files have the extension .wko.
How to create a
Step Action
new worksheet
1 Click the Spreadsheet to select it.
2 Choose Object ➤ Worksheet File ➤ New.
A new, empty, untitled worksheet appears in the Spreadsheet.
How to open an
Step Action
existing
worksheet 1 Click the Spreadsheet to select it.
2 Choose Object ➤ Worksheet File ➤ Open.
Open Worksheet opens.
3 Choose the file you want to open.
4 Click Open.
The specified worksheet displays in the Spreadsheet.
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Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide Chapter 11 Analyzing Data in a Spreadsheet
Saving a Worksheet in a File
Saving a Worksheet in a File

Purpose Once you have finished creating a new worksheet or modifying an existing one, you can save your
work to a file. You can either save it under:
• its existing name (if it has one), or
• a new name
You can subsequently open the file in any Kobra document you want, not just in the book you
created it in.
How to save a This procedure explains how to save a new worksheet for the first time or to save an existing
worksheet under worksheet with a new filename.
a new name Step Action

2 Choose Object ➤ Worksheet File ➤ Save As.
Save Worksheet As opens.
3 Move to the folder where you want to save the worksheet, then enter the name
under which you want to save it.
4 Click Save.
Kobra saves the worksheet under the new filename, in the specified folder.
How to save a Follow the procedure below to save a worksheet under its existing name and in the same folder.
worksheet under Step Action
its existing name
2 Choose Object ➤ Worksheet File ➤ Save.
Kobra saves the file under its existing name.
8 June 2005 161

Entering Cell Data
Entering Cell Data

How to enter
Step Action
text, numbers,
and formulas 1 Click the Spreadsheet to select it.
into an empty
2 Select the cell that you want to contain the data.
cell
The selected cell is highlighted.
Important! If you cannot select the worksheet or the cell, this means that the person who
built the sheet has restricted your access to data.
3 Either enter the data:

• directly into the cell
• into the Spreadsheet command line
4 Press Enter.
The data you entered or the calculated formula value appears in the cell.
Dragging and You can also drag and drop data from other objects, such as a Quote or Ticker, into a Spreadsheet
dropping data cell.
into the
Spreadsheet
162 8 June 2005

Adding a Function to Formulas in Worksheet Cells
Adding a Function to Formulas in Worksheet Cells

Procedure You can enter a predefined Spreadsheet function into a cell using the Paste Function.
Step Action

2 Select the cell in which you want to insert the function.
The cell is highlighted.
Important! If you cannot select the worksheet or the cell, this means the person who built
the sheet has restricted your access to data.
3 Choose Object ➤ Insert ➤ Function.
Paste Function opens.
4 Choose a function type from the Function Category scrolling list.
All functions of that type are displayed in the Function Name scrolling list.
5 Choose the function you want from the Function Name scrolling list.
The function, and a list of its argument names, is displayed.
6 Click OK.
The function is displayed in the Spreadsheet command line, and in the selected cell.
7 Substitute the argument names for real values.
Important! To enter the arguments correctly, look up the Functions Reference in the
Spreadsheet online help. Make sure you do not delete the parentheses, or the commas
separating arguments.
8 Press Enter.
The function and its arguments are pasted into the Spreadsheet cell where the function
performs the required calculation and the result appears.
Note: If you know the correct name and syntax for a particular function, you can simply select the
cell, and type the function directly into the Spreadsheet command line, preceding it with an
equals sign.
8 June 2005 163

Viewing Realtime Data in Cells

Realtime The Spreadsheet can access, display, and manipulate realtime information. You can display the
information realtime values of record fields from record-based servers in the cells of a worksheet. You can then
integrate these values in user-defined formulas or predefined Spreadsheet functions, and display
the result in a worksheet cell. See Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide.
RECORD The RECORD function is one of the predefined realtime functions of the Spreadsheet. You use the
function RECORD function to view realtime data from any realtime server in worksheet cells.
Syntax =RECORD(RecordName,FidNameNum[,Datafeed])
Examples =RECORD("EUR=","BID")
=RECORD("ICI.L",34)
Mandatory
Argument Represents the: Data type
arguments
RecordName Name of the record that contains the data you want to display. Text string
Enclose this argument in double quotes.
FidNameNum Name or number of the record field whose value you want to Text string or
display. If you use the FID name, enclose it in double quotes. numeric value
Optional
argument
Datafeed Service keyletter to retrieve the realtime data from. When you Text string
do not specify a keyletter, the formula requests the realtime
data from the default datafeed. Enclose this argument in
double quotes.
How to display a
Step Action
field from a
realtime record 1 Click the Spreadsheet to select it.
164 8 June 2005

Step Action
2 Enter the RECORD function, preceded by an equals sign, in the cell where you want
the realtime data to appear, and enter the appropriate arguments.
See “Adding a Function to Formulas in Worksheet Cells” on page 163.

3 Press Enter.
The data in the specified record FID appears in the worksheet cell.
8 June 2005 165

Viewing Reuters TS1 Historical Data in Cells

SERIES function The SERIES function is one of the Spreadsheet’s predefined functions. You use the SERIES function
to view Reuters TS1 time series record data in worksheet cells.
Usage You use the SERIES function to display the time series data (TS1) for a record in a range of cells. The
top row in the range displays the FID names of data retrieved from the record. The rows below that
within the range contain the data values, separated by the time interval that you specify in the
function.
Note: A TS1 notes field, containing various information about the data, is also available for some
time series data. You can choose the cell in the worksheet that displays the TS1 Notes field.
Syntax =SERIES(RecordName,Period,Range,[InputRange],[Datafeed])
Examples =SERIES(".FCHI", "d", k4:k08)

=SERIES("EUR=", "w", a2:a2)
Mandatory
arguments
RecordName Name of the record for which you want to display historical data. Text string
Period Frequency with which you want to receive data: Text string
• d = daily
• w = weekly
• m = monthly
Range Range reference of the cells receiving historical data, and is only Range reference
used to specify the number of rows to display data. If Range is a
single cell (xn:xn) the Spreadsheet retrieves as much data as
exists in the TS1 database for that item.
Important! Do not use a single cell range (xn:xn) if you define
the START DATE and END DATE optional arguments in an input
range.
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Optional
arguments
InputRange Range of cells you use to enter certain optional arguments. You enter Range
the desired optional arguments and their corresponding values in the reference
input range, then you reference the input range in the formula.
Datafeed Service keyletter you want to retrieve the historical data from. If you do Text string
not specify a keyletter, the formula requests the historical data from the
default datafeed. Enclose this argument in double quotes.
How to display
historical TS1
data in cells
Step Action

2 Enter the SERIES function, preceded by an equals sign, in a cell and enter the
appropriate arguments.
See “Adding a Function to Formulas in Worksheet Cells” on page 163 and “Syntax” on
page 166.
8 June 2005 167

Step Action
3 Press Enter.
The time series data appears in the cells you specified.
In this example, columns b to h contain historical data, although only columns b to e were
specified in the Range argument. This is because the Range argument is only used to
specify the number of rows to display data. You can use the InputRange argument to
select the columns you want to display.
Note: The TIME and DATE columns returned by the SERIES function are always formatted
dd/mm/YYYY. If you want another format, you can use the SERIES2 function. This has exactly
the same arguments as the SERIES function, except that it does not automatically format the
DATE and TIME fields. You can therefore apply cell formatting to these columns.
168 8 June 2005

Viewing Fundamental and Reference Data in Cells

DESIMPLEUPDA The DESIMPLEUPDATE function is one of the Spreadsheet’s predefined functions. You can use this
TE function function to view Fundamental and Reference data in worksheet cells. DESIMPLEUPDATE retrieves a
value from a named data source specified by the keyword SOURCE in the DeMode argument. By
default, the data source is set to EQUITY. The result is displayed in the cell in which you entered the
function.
You can find the list of fields available for a given security in the Reuters Data Encyclopedia at:
http://rde.session.rservices.com/3000xtra.
Syntax =DESIMPLEUPDATE(Code, Field, [Conditions], [DeMode])
Example =DESIMPLEUPDATE("RTR.L","NUM_EMPLOYEES")
Mandatory
arguments
Code Instrument code for which the function returns data Text string
Field Field to retrieve Text string
Optional
arguments
Conditions Any extra information required to retrieve the desired data. This Text string
depends on the provider and the kind of request being made. It
identifies any required conditions and/or supplementary values
needed.
DeMode Data retrieval parameters. DeMode specifies the data source, update Text string
frequency, data filters/extrapolators for historical data, results format,
and specifies whether results are refreshed automatically. See
“DeMode Argument” in the Kobra 5.0 Spreadsheet Object Designer
Guide for a list of keywords and their default values.
8 June 2005 169

How to display
Fundamental
and Reference
Data in cells
Step Action

2 Enter the DESIMPLEUPDATE function, preceded by an equals sign, in a cell and enter
the appropriate arguments.
See “Adding a Function to Formulas in Worksheet Cells” on page 163 and “Syntax” on
page 169.
170 8 June 2005

Step Action
3 Press Enter.
The requested data appears in the cell in which you typed the function.
8 June 2005 171

Editing Cells Containing Text, Numbers, or Formulas
Editing Cells Containing Text, Numbers, or Formulas

How to edit cells
Step Action
containing text,
numbers, or 1 Click the Spreadsheet to select it.
formulas
2 Select the cell whose contents you want to edit.
The cell is highlighted and its contents are displayed in the command line of the
Spreadsheet.
3 Either click:
• in the command line of the Spreadsheet, or
• double-click in the selected cell
In both cases, a flashing cursor appears, and the data is ready for editing.
4 Either edit the contents of the:
• command line of the Spreadsheet, or
• contents of the cell
Note: If you make a mistake when editing data in a cell, press Esc to bring back the
original cell data.
5 Press Enter.
The new data you entered or the calculated value of the edited formula appears in the cell.
172 8 June 2005

Specifying How Numeric Data is Displayed in Selected Cells
Specifying How Numeric Data is Displayed in Selected Cells

Number formats A number format determines how numbers in a worksheet are presented. For example, you can set:
• the number of decimal places (for example, 3.14 or 3.142)
• whether to group digits to make a number easier to read (for example, 2,234, or 2,897,633)
• a currency symbol to be displayed automatically in front of numbers (for example $3.14)
Important! If you want to change the symbols used to represent a decimal point, or to separate
groups of digits in a number (for example, the comma in 3,987), you must modify the
Regional Settings in the Windows Control Panel.
If the sheet designer has locked the worksheet displayed in the Spreadsheet, you cannot set any
number formats.
How to apply
Step Action
formats to
selected cells 1 Select the cell or range of cells that you want to format.
2 Choose Object ➤ Format ➤ Cells.
Format Cells opens.
3 Verify that the Number tab is selected.
4 Choose a format from the Category list to display the format options.
5 Set the format options that you want.
6 Click OK.
The number format options are applied to the selected cells.
Note: To apply number formats to every cell, select all cells on the worksheet (step 1) by clicking the
gray rectangle in the upper-left corner of the Spreadsheet.
8 June 2005 173

Defining when Recalculations are made

Purpose You can define when you want formula calculations in a worksheet to occur. You can set up a
Spreadsheet so that worksheet calculations occur:
• automatically (default)
• manually
• periodically
Three types of
Recalculation Definition Use When You
recalculation
Method
Automatic When any of the values used in a formula change, Need immediate updates of
the formula and all its dependent formulas are calculated information.
automatically calculated.
Manual When any of the values used in a formula change, no Do not need immediate
new result is calculated. The formula and all its updates of calculated
dependent formulas are only calculated when you information.
next choose Object ➤ Tools ➤ Calculation ➤
Calculate Now.
Periodic When any of the values used in a formula change, no Need regular (but not
new result is calculated. The formula and all its immediate) updates of
dependent formulas are only calculated every X calculated information.
seconds, where X is the period you define.
How to This procedure explains how to set a Spreadsheet to automatically recalculate its formulas
recalculate whenever any of the values in the displayed worksheet formulas change.
automatically
Step Action

2 Choose Object ➤ Tools ➤ Calculation ➤ Automatic.
How to
Step Action
recalculate
manually 1 Click the Spreadsheet to select it.
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Step Action
2 Choose Object ➤ Tools ➤ Calculation ➤ Manual.

The formulas in the displayed worksheet are recalculated.
How to
Step Action
recalculate
periodically 1 Click the Spreadsheet to select it.
2 Choose Object ➤ Tools ➤ Calculation ➤ Periodic.
3 Type the number of seconds you want to elapse between recalculations.
4 Click OK.
8 June 2005 175

Resizing Rows and Columns

Purpose You can change the way each of the worksheets looks when it is displayed in a Spreadsheet. For
example, you can customize a worksheet by changing the:
• width of some or all columns
• height of some or all rows
• cell display options, such as whether a formula or its value is shown
• font style, size, and color of data in cells
• data alignment in cells
You can also:
• remove gridlines from the worksheet
• hide components of the object, such as scrollbars
• customize a worksheet by changing the way numbers are displayed (see “Specifying How
Numeric Data is Displayed in Selected Cells” on page 173)
How to resize You can quickly change the size of a single row or column using the mouse (see “How to drag
selected rows column and row size” on page 177).
and columns Step Action

2 Select the column(s) or row(s) whose size you want to change.
In this example, to increase the width of column c, either:
• select the column letter to highlight the entire column, or
• select some cells in the column.
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Step Action
3 Choose either:
• Object ➤ Format ➤ Column ➤ Width
• Object ➤ Format ➤ Row ➤ Height
4 Enter a new value in Column Width or Row Height.
5 Click OK.
The corresponding column width or row height changes accordingly.
How to drag
Step Action
column and row
size 1 Click the Spreadsheet to select it.
2 Place the pointer above a row or column separator so the pointer changes to a
resize handle.
3 Drag the row or column to the new size.
Note: If you drag the separator so the row or column disappears from the sheet, you can restore the
row or column by again placing the pointer above the separator, and double-clicking.
How to change You can change the height or width of all cells in a worksheet except for those whose size is
size of all rows already set using Object ➤ Format ➤ Column ➤ Width, or Object ➤ Format ➤ Row ➤ Height.
or columns
Step Action
2 Choose either:
• Object ➤ Format ➤ Column ➤ Standard Width
• Object ➤ Format ➤ Row ➤ Standard Height
8 June 2005 177

Step Action
3 Enter a new value in the dialog box.

Important! The maximum value you can enter for row height or column width is 2000
pixels.
4 Click OK.
The height or width of all rows or columns except for those whose size is already set using
Column Width or Row Height change accordingly.
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Changing Fonts and Colors

Purpose You can change the font, size, and style of data in selected cells. You can also change the
background color and text/data color of worksheet cells.
How to change You can change the background color (back color) and data color (text color) of selected cells.
the font and
color of selected Step Action
cells 1 Click the Spreadsheet to select it.
2 Select the cell(s), column(s), or row(s) whose contents you want to format.
The cells are highlighted.

3 Choose Object ➤ Format ➤ Cells.
4 Use the tabs to access different categories of cell properties, and choose the
properties you want from the menus.
5 Click OK.
The selected cells are displayed with the new format.
How to change You can change the default background color (back color) and default text/data color (fore color) of
the default all cells in a worksheet, except for those whose color has already been set individually.
colors of all cells Step Action

2 Right-click anywhere inside the Spreadsheet and choose Properties.
8 June 2005 179

Step Action
3 Choose Appearance/Default Back Color, choose a color, and then click OK.
4 Choose Appearance/Default Fore Color, choose a color, and then click OK.
5 Click OK.
All cells in the worksheet, except for those whose color has already been set, display the
new colors.
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C H A P T E R 1 2 T R A N S F E R R I N G D A TA T O A N E X C E L
SPREADSHEET
Contents • Dragging and Dropping Data

• Copying and Pasting Data
8 June 2005 181

Chapter 12 Transferring Data to an Excel Spreadsheet Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
Dragging and Dropping Data
Dragging and Dropping Data

Purpose Dragging and dropping lets you transfer data using the mouse. It is a quick and easy way of moving
data from a Flex document to an Excel spreadsheet. You simply click on the data in the Flex
document, drag it to the Excel spreadsheet, then release the mouse button.
Realtime When you drag and drop, or copy and paste realtime data into Excel, the value in the Excel
updates spreadsheet also updates in realtime.
Versions of You can obtain realtime updates in Excel with Microsoft Excel version 5 and higher.
Excel
How to drag and

Step Action
drop data
1 Click the object you want to drag the data from to select it.
2 Press and hold down the mouse button on the data you want to drag.
3 Holding the mouse button down, drag the mouse pointer to the Excel spreadsheet.
4 When the mouse pointer is above the application window, release the mouse
button.
If Excel accepts the dropped data, it then processes it.
Realtime objects This table summarizes the results you obtain when you drag data from realtime objects (or their
corresponding browsers) in a Flex document and drop it into Excel.
Drag a: From a: Excel displays the:
News story Quote browser Text of the news story

News headline News browser Text of the headline
Field value Quote Value in a cell. The value updates in realtime. You can select the
data you want to drag and drop using .
Field value Ticker Value in a cell. The value updates in realtime.
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Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide Chapter 12 Transferring Data to an Excel Spreadsheet
Copying and Pasting Data

Purpose You can use Copy, Paste and Paste Special in the Edit menu to transfer data from one object to
another. For example, you select an object, copy the data it contains, and then select the Excel
spreadsheet and paste the data into it.
Copying and Some objects let you choose a format for the data you are transferring. You do this by copying data,
pasting using a then pasting it using Paste Special. For example, you can transfer an image of news headlines if you
special format copy data from a News story, choose Edit ➤ Paste Special, and choose the bitmap format.
How to copy and

Step Action
paste data
without 1 Click the object you want to copy the data from to select it.
modifying data
2 Select the data you want to copy.
formats
4 Select the Excel spreadsheet.
5 Select the cell into which you want to paste the data.
6 Choose Edit ➤ Paste.
If Excel:
• accepts the pasted data, it displays it
• does not accept the data or cannot display it, this is because it cannot interpret the
data format used in the source object
How to copy and

Step Action
paste data using
a specific format 1 Click the object you want to copy the data from to select it.
2 Select the data you want to copy.
4 Select the Excel spreadsheet.
5 Select the cell into which you want to paste the data.
8 June 2005 183

Chapter 12 Transferring Data to an Excel Spreadsheet Reuters Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide
Step Action
6 Choose Edit ➤ Paste Special.

Paste Special appears displaying the formats that are common to the source object and
Excel.
7 Select a format and click OK.
The selected data is pasted into Excel using the format specified.
184 8 June 2005

Kobra Getting Started

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Kobra Getting Started

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Reuters Kobra 5.

0 Getting Started Guide

Your comments are welcome

Switching Between Run Mode and Link Mode ........................................................................................... 64

Part II: Viewing Market Data, News, and Information

Part III: Analyzing Data in Graphs and Spreadsheets

MetaStock Chart Object Tools and Menus ................................................................................................ 134

This part includes:

• Introducing the Kobra Documentation

Contents • Using This Guide

Using This Guide

Conventions Used in The Online Help

Activate Place the cursor over the item and click.

Kobra Guides and Online Help

Kobra 5.0 Getting Started Guide 500101

Kobra 5.0 Workspace Designer Guide 500102

Performing a Full Text Search

• to go to the previous highlight (or press Ctrl+[)

• to perform another search

How to set up the

3 Choose Select Index from the Look in drop-down menu.

Run, Link, and VBA Modes

What you can do

Add objects to frames   

What you can do

Use objects that are added to sheets   

You can: In this mode:

Run Link VBA

Link objects so that they share data  

Contents • Starting and Exiting Kobra

Starting and Exiting Kobra

2 Double-click an empty Flex frame.

3 Choose an object from the menu.

◆ Choose View ➤ Full Screen.

Using Data Store and Links Bar

Item Name Description

Item Name Description

Data Store Stores Kobra files

Item Name Description

How to open the

Opening and Closing Kobra Files

1 Choose File ➤ Open ➤ Browse.

How to set the

Saving Kobra Files

2 Type a new name and click OK.

Introducing Reuters XMS Models (only available in Reuters 3000 Xtra)

Opens Xtra Menu, a comprehensive list of available data and functionality

Opens a list of links to models related to the current model, presented in

Opens Xtra charts:

Moving Between Open Flex Documents and Books

After a few moments, the chosen file is displayed.

Moving Between Sheets in Books

Kobra Modes: Run, Link and VBA

Link mode Link mode enables you to:

VBA mode VBA mode enables you to:

Customizing the Workspace

◆ Choose View ➤ Status Bar.

Contents • Adding Kobra Objects to Flex Frames

Adding Kobra Objects to Flex Frames

Quote Quote browser Item Display Object

1 Right-click the tab and choose Rename Tab.

◆ In the object title bar, click .

To hide toolbars from all objects in a sheet:

Add objects to frames

Use objects that are added to sheets

Link objects so that they share data