amibroker

HomeKnowledge Base

How to fix outdated web research links

Built-in Web Research window allows to browse symbol-related websites based on the active symbol selected in AmiBroker, so navigation is much more convenient than searching for symbols in regular web-browser. The following tutorial chapter explains this functionality in details: http://www.amibroker.com/guide/h_webresearch.html

Since AmiBroker stores pre-defined link templates, there is a possibility that given website changes the structure of their addresses and that would also require us to modify the link templates in AmiBroker configuration to match new website structure.

When the Web research window shows error 404 or other message indicating that the address may not be correct, then we would need to perform the following actions (this example discusses changes at MarketWatch).

First we need to check for a sample symbol’s web page directly at given website to see what address is being used. Let us search for AAPL and MSFT symbols profile at MarketWatch. The addresses are the following:

http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/msft/profile
http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/aapl/profile

Therefore, if we want AmiBroker to place the selected ticker name in the link, then we need to define the following template:

http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/{t}/profile

{t} item in the above address evaluates to the ticker symbol based on our selection in the program.

After that, we need to check what is the pre-defined template stored in Tools->Customize->Web Pages. If it is different than the link structure currently used at MarketWatch, then we need to update the stored address with the template shown above. The difference would mean that the website structure has changed since the link templates were added to AmiBroker configuration.

Customization dialog

Now the modified Profile page links match Marketwatch website and the company profile will work correctly in Web Research window.

How to move a window to another monitor

By default document windows like Charts, Analysis, Account Manager, Web Research all open inside of main AmiBroker frame window. In multi-monitor setups it may be useful however to move some of them to another screen.

Let us say we want to move Analysis window to second monitor screen. This can be done by switching the window to special “Floating” mode by using Window->Floating option from the menu after opening Analysis.

Window menu

Using floating mode detaches Analysis from the main frame and then the window can be moved outside of it.

Window menu

Exactly the same procedure works for Chart windows, Account Manager or Web Research windows.

The procedure (for chart window) has also been shown in this video:
http://www.amibroker.com/video/FloatAndLink.html