The following Excel Macro will convert the IBD XLS file into a MS SYM file automatically and save it in the Downloader directory. It creates a unique file for each date, but will overwrite an existing SYM file if the macro is run on the same set of data more than once. It does not adjust your original XLS file in any way. Feedback is welcome! Note: You will need to modify the 'targetFile' path to reflect your Downloader path. Note: You will need to modify the 'Selection.FormulaR1C1' line to remove the "us;" prefix if you do not receive QC data. [code:1:176658599e] Sub IBDConversion() ' Convert Investors Business Daily XLS to MetaSock SYM ' Written by G. Stockman, 2004-2006. All rights reserved. ' Updated: June 4, 2006 @ 2050 CST ' Supress screen updates Application.ScreenUpdating = False ' Remember date of market close Dim dString As String dString = Range("A2").Value Dim strSplit() As String strSplit = Split(dString, " ") dString = strSplit(3) ' Format date (remove string separators) Dim pos As Integer pos = InStr(dString, "/") dString = Left(dString, pos - 1) & Mid(dString, pos + 1) pos = InStr(dString, "/") dString = Left(dString, pos - 1) & Mid(dString, pos + 1) ' Copy raw source data to a new workbook Range("B7:C106").Select Selection.Copy Workbooks.Add ActiveSheet.Paste ' Create SYM compatible template Range("A1:A100").Select Selection.EntireColumn.Insert Selection.FormulaR1C1 = "=RC[1] & "","" & ""us;"" & RC[2] & "","" & ""N/A"" & "","" & ""0"" & "","" & ""0""" Selection.Copy Selection.PasteSpecial Paste:=xlPasteValues, Operation:=xlNone, SkipBlanks:=False, Transpose:=False ' Delete raw source code Columns("B:C").Select Selection.Delete ' Save new SYM file Dim targetFile As String targetFile = "C:\\Program Files\\Equis\ he DownLoader\\ibd100_" & dString & ".sym" Application.DisplayAlerts = False ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs Filename:=targetFile, FileFormat:=xlTextPrinter, CreateBackup:=False Application.DisplayAlerts = True ' Close temporary workbook ActiveWorkbook.Close False Range("A1").Select ' Resume screen updates Application.ScreenUpdating = True ' Completion alert MsgBox ("Conversion completed!") End Sub [/code:1:176658599e] Convert the XLS data: To SYM data:

Just tried to run the IBDConversion script -- Error Msg from Microsoft Visual Basic: Run-time error '1004'; Method 'Add' of object 'Workbooks' failed. THEN-I figured out that I should have SAVED the IBD100 spreadsheet to an *.xls file on my PC, and not try to convert the spreadsheet that was displayed in the HTML window to the *.sym file. Hope that helps if anyone runs into the same issue.

Thanks, Wabbit. I'll add this step to my next revision. I think Eric's feedback is great, cause it allows me to make the code all the more bulletproof. You know I appreciate your help (as always). :)

The original code is not ready to anticipate all possible errors since I developed it to meet my own requirements. In order for this function to work properly, a worksheet must be active in Excel. Wabbit's code is the foundation for doing something aside from reporting the error. e.g., if the worksheet is not active in Excel, start Excel and copy the online data. I will develop this soon. [code:1:4dae22e9d2]Sub IBDConversion() ' Convert local Investors Business Daily XLS to MetaSock SYM ' Written by G. Stockman, 2004. All rights reserved. ' Updated: July 29, 2006 @ 1430 CST ' Error handler On Error GoTo ErrorHandler ' Supress screen updates Application.ScreenUpdating = False ' Remember date of market close Dim dString As String dString = Range("A2").Value Dim strSplit() As String strSplit = Split(dString, " ") dString = strSplit(3) ' Format date (remove string separators) Dim pos As Integer pos = InStr(dString, "/") dString = Left(dString, pos - 1) & Mid(dString, pos + 1) pos = InStr(dString, "/") dString = Left(dString, pos - 1) & Mid(dString, pos + 1) ' Copy raw source data to a new workbook Range("B7:C106").Select Selection.Copy Workbooks.Add ActiveSheet.Paste ' Create SYM compatible template Range("A1:A100").Select Selection.EntireColumn.Insert Selection.FormulaR1C1 = "=RC[1] & "","" & ""us;"" & RC[2] & "","" & ""N/A"" & "","" & ""0"" & "","" & ""0""" Selection.Copy Selection.PasteSpecial Paste:=xlPasteValues, Operation:=xlNone, SkipBlanks:=False, Transpose:=False ' Delete raw source code Columns("B:C").Select Selection.Delete ' Save new SYM file Dim targetFile As String targetFile = "C:\\Program Files\\Equis\ he DownLoader\\ibd100_" & dString & ".sym" Application.DisplayAlerts = False ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs Filename:=targetFile, FileFormat:=xlTextPrinter, CreateBackup:=False Application.DisplayAlerts = True ' Close temporary workbook ActiveWorkbook.Close False Range("A1").Select ' Resume screen updates Application.ScreenUpdating = True ' Completion alert MsgBox ("Conversion completed!") ' Exit macro normally Exit Sub ' Handle abnormal situations ErrorHandler: Dim Response As Integer Response = -1 Dim ErrorMsg01 As String ErrorMsg01 = "Local IBD XLS file cannot be found!" Dim ErrorMsg99 As String ErrorMsg99 = "The following unexpected error has occurred: " Select Case Err.Number Case 1004 If Err.Description = "Method 'Add' of object 'Workbooks' failed" Then Response = MsgBox(ErrorMsg01 & vbNewLine, _ vbOKOnly + vbCritical, "Error: 1004") Exit Sub Else Response = MsgBox(ErrorMsg99 & vbNewLine & vbNewLine & Err.Description, _ vbOKOnly + vbCritical, "Error: 1004") Exit Sub End If Case Else Response = MsgBox(ErrorMsg99 & vbNewLine & vbNewLine & Err.Description, _ vbOKOnly + vbCritical, "Unexpected Error") Exit Sub End Select End Sub[/code:1:4dae22e9d2]

Wow. I think it's a compliment that one's work gets public attention. I sorta feel like I'm on stage in my underwear. [:$]