Historical Quotes Downloader

Using Historical Quotes Downloader Data in MetaStock

MetaStock reads its own binary data format, so text files downloaded with Historical Quotes Downloader are converted once with the MetaStock DownLoader utility that comes with MetaStock.

1. Download the data in MetaStock layout

On the Download Settings tab, check MetaStock. This sets the date format, field order and header for MetaStock’s converter.
Open a symbol list or add symbols, then click Update.

2. Convert the files

Start the MetaStock DownLoader and choose Tools > Convert. The Convert Securities dialog opens.

MetaStock DownLoader Convert Securities dialog with source and destination folders — Convert Securities: source and destination

Source – select the Historical Quotes Downloader data folder (by default Documents\Historical Quotes Downloader\Data) and set the file extension, for example *.txt. Click Browse to select the files. Hold Shift and use the arrow keys to select several files at once.
Destination – the folder for the converted MetaStock files, for example C:\MetaStock Data.

3. Set the conversion options

Click Options. Choose the date range, check Traverse folders and set the periodicity (Daily for EOD data).

MetaStock DownLoader Conversion Options dialog, Source tab — Conversion Options: Source tab

On the Destination tab choose whether to append the data to existing MetaStock files or to overwrite them.

MetaStock DownLoader Conversion Options dialog, Destination tab — Conversion Options: Destination tab

Back up your data before you choose an existing MetaStock folder as the destination, and check the append and overwrite options.

Click Apply, then OK in the Convert Securities dialog. The converted securities are ready to open in MetaStock.

More about output formats: Historical Quotes Downloader User Guide – using the data in charting software.