Importing Historical Security Prices
As a Canadian MoneyDance for Macintosh user with US and CDN securities, I used to be able to import historical security prices by downloading a .csv file from"https://ca.finance.yahoo.com". A couple of years ago, MoneyDance users lost this functionality, presumably because of a dispute between Yahoo and Infinite Kind. Initially I thought this was the cause of the problem. However, I tried downloading the historical prices for a US stock from Nasdaq. The download of the .csv file lloks fine. Importing the data into MoneyDance appears fine. However, when you close the MoneyDance application and reopen it, the downloaded historical security prices have disappeared. So the problem is not restricted to importing (and saving) historical security price data from Yahoo Finance but also from other sources (e.g. Nasdaq). This seems to be a "bug" in the MoneyDance application. I have experienced the same problem with both the 2017.8 (1691) and the 2019.3 (1880) versions of MoneyDance. Has anyone else experienced a similar problem. More importantly, has anyone found a workaround?
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1 Posted by derekkent23 on Mar 16, 2020 @ 08:08 AM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi dstephure
Can you post one of your CSV files so others can test?
You are probably aware there are two methods within Moneydance for obtaining security prices automatically.
The extension “Quote and Exchange Rate Updater found under EXTENSIONS – MANAGE EXTENSIONS. Check you are running the latest build v1024. For exchange rates use the source European Central Bank. Alpha Vantage covers the US as well as some securities outside the US, but is very, very slow. It’s my understanding that the source IEX Trading no longer works.
If the Quote and exchange rate updater does not work well for you try the extension Quote Loader under EXTENSIONS – MANAGE EXTENSION
For information see post 9 at https://infinitekind.tenderapp.com/discussions/investments/4914-the...
Download the PDF attached to posts 9 and have a read.
To get an overview take a look at the YouTube videos by using the links on page 1 and 2 of the PDF.
Let us know how you get on or if you need help just post.
Hope this helps.
2 Posted by dstephure on Mar 16, 2020 @ 04:36 PM
Hi Derek ... Thanks for your help. I have been using Alpha Vantage on a weekly basis to update current security prices for securities that I own/want to follow. As you and others have said, it is TEDIOUSLY slow but it works for me. But I haven't found a way to use Alpha Vantage to obtain older historical security prices (for example from October 2009 to present). To do this, on a security by security basis, I would download the historical security data from Yahoo Finance Canada or Nasdaq and then import this using MoneyDance>Tools>Securities>Currency/Security History>Import. Initially the data appears looks like it has been imported correctly but after closing MoneyDance and then reopening the application, the data has disappeared. I have been using MoneyDance 2017.8 (1691) because when I tried using MoneyDance 2019.3 (1880), the security price data files were corrupted. As per your request, I tried to attached a CSCO.csv file but the ik site will not allow me to do so ... The site blocks attaching the .csv file. Not sure if you have another suggestion for getting the .csv file to you? Thanks for your help!
3 Posted by dstephure on Mar 16, 2020 @ 04:37 PM
I will try to upload the .csv file again.
4 Posted by dwg on Mar 16, 2020 @ 08:13 PM
I'm a fellow user.
I have imported your price history into the latest preview version of Moneydance 2019.4 (1904) without problem. I can exit and restart Moneydance and the data is there as expected. I know of no changes in this space since Build 1880 so would expect it to work the same.
AlphaVantage is set so you get a few months of history only. Quote Loader will only bring in the current day.
5 Posted by dstephure on Mar 16, 2020 @ 08:27 PM
Interesting ... Are you working on a Microsoft version of MoneyDance or Mac? My PC is a MacBook Pro Early 2013 model running MacOS Mojave 10.14.6. Moving forward from here, if you were in my shoes, would you: Try to do a fresh install of MoneyDance 2017.8 (1691) or 2019.3 (1880). I can't think of anything else. Any other suggestions?
6 Posted by dstephure on Mar 16, 2020 @ 08:47 PM
Another thought ... Do you think Alpha Vantage or the Quotes and Exchange Rates Updater apps could be conflicting with importing old historical data using the process that I described above?
7 Posted by dwg on Mar 16, 2020 @ 09:09 PM
I'm using Windows.
I do not see any possibility of the Q&ER or Quote Loader extensions causing a problem here. I tried it on a test system that has both extensions installed.
I'm skeptical about a fresh install of the software having any effect. What I would try is creating a new empty data set. Quickly setting up and investment account and the security and try importing the csv file into that and see what the result is. That may answer the question about it being a software problem at any rate and it may also give an indication of where to look next. I did see a couple of things in the CSV file that I thought the importer could object to, so I was a little surprised that it did import.
8 Posted by dstephure on Mar 17, 2020 @ 12:34 AM
Thanks for the suggestions Derek. I set up an new investment account, added a couple of securities (1 CDN - Royal Bank of Canada; 1 US - Cisco Systems) and imported the data after downloading the .csv files (RY from Yahoo Finance Canada; CSCO from Nasdaq). Importing the data into MoneyDance as described previously worked perfectly ... Until I quit MoneyDance. When I reopen MoneyDance, the imported data is no longer present. Wierd, eh? Any suggestions about what to try next? Thanks so much for trying to help.
9 Posted by dwg on Mar 17, 2020 @ 12:49 AM
I meant create a completely new data set first (menu item File --> New), I'm not sure if you have done this. One of the objectives is to see if it could be something in your existing data set that is causing the issue. A new data set means existing software install but with no existing data.
10 Posted by dstephure on Mar 17, 2020 @ 01:47 AM
Derek, I followed your instructions as outlined in your post. Existing software instal but with no existing data. I imported the historical data for Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO) from Yahoo Finance Canada and Cisco Systems (CSCO) from Nasdaq. Importing the data via the path Tools>Securities>Currency/Security History>Import>CSCO.csv. All of the imported data initially appear in the Currency/Security History Window ... until you close MoneyDance and then reopen the application. The imported data have disappeared. Exactly as I described previously. Sorry to be such a difficult "client".
11 Posted by dwg on Mar 17, 2020 @ 02:27 AM
I'm about 14,000 miles from where Derek is :)
Hmm interesting and unusual. You are running 2017 so yes I would think a re-installation is a reasonable step to take. What I would do is firstly deinstall Moneydance. Download a fresh copy from:
https://infinitekind.com/download_2017
Install it and see what happens, you are running an older copy of MD2017 so updating to the last release in this version is not a bad idea in any case.
While I do not see how it could have an impact, but you do see some strange things at times, you could also try renaming your config.dict file. This is your Moneydance preferences file, so renaming it makes it look to Moneydance as if there is a fresh install and you can open your data set and see if the problem persists. You can rename the file back to its original name at a later stage.
12 Posted by dstephure on Mar 17, 2020 @ 03:55 AM
Hi dwg ... First, my apologies for referring to you incorrectly. Following your advice, I uninstalled all MoneyDance files on my MacBook Pro with the exception of my MoneyDance data file. Using the link imbedded in your post, I downloaded and installed a fresh copy of MoneyDance 2017.10 (1706). I reopened my MoneyDance datafile andI was able to upload and import the old historical security price data for RY.TO and for CSCO from Yahoo Finance Canada. After quitting the MoneyDance app and then reopening it, all of the imported data had been saved. Thank you so much for your patience, support and advice. You have eliminated one burr in my saddle. My sincere thanks. One final question: Now that we have finally solved this problem, can you think of any good reason why I should even consider upgrading the 2017.10 (1706) build to the 2019.3 (1880) build? David
13 Posted by dwg on Mar 17, 2020 @ 05:34 AM
I'm fellow user.
Glad to hear it is working.
The changes between the 2017 and 2019 versions, so far, are more evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The compelling reasons for considering an upgrade today in my view are:
1. There is a problem that MD2019 has the fix for e.g. fixes for some banks.
2. You are concerned about data size. The 2019 version is more efficient.
3. You intend upgrading to Catalina.
4. You want to have dark mode to match that feature in recent Mac releases,
Of the top of my head they are the highlights I can think of, there are a lot of little things.
14 Posted by derekkent23 on Mar 17, 2020 @ 08:55 AM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi dstephure
Glad dwg got you sorted whilst I was asleep in my time zone.
Have Fun.
dstephure closed this discussion on Mar 18, 2020 @ 02:28 AM.
dstephure re-opened this discussion on Nov 29, 2020 @ 11:48 PM
System closed this discussion on Nov 29, 2020 @ 11:50 PM.
dstephure re-opened this discussion on Nov 29, 2020 @ 11:51 PM
15 Posted by dstephure on Nov 29, 2020 @ 11:59 PM
I am a Canadian who until recently was using Moneydance Version 2017.10 (1706) without any problems whatsoever on a MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013) running MacOs Mojave Version 10.14.6 (18G6042). After updating to Moneydance 2020(2006) this week, any US securities denominated in $US no longer update or display correctly. Anyone having similar problems with securities in $US updating incorrectly?
16 Posted by dwg on Nov 30, 2020 @ 01:00 AM
I'm a fellow user.
The version of Java that is included in build 2006 has proven to have some Mac related issues - found after it started shipping.
The solution for these are in the preview version - Build 2008, Hence I would suggest you download and install this update:
https://infinitekind.com/preview
Then see if you problems persist.
17 Posted by dstephure on Nov 30, 2020 @ 02:45 AM
Thanks dwg. Thanks for your suggestions. The principle reason why I started to update from Moneydance Version 2017.10 (1706) to Moneydance 2020(2006) was not because I was having any problems. But, I anticipate I will be forced to update the MacOS from Mojave to at least Catalina. My understand is that Catalina and Moneydance 2017.10 (1706) are NOT compatible. Is this correct? If so, before I download Build 2008, would it be better for me to just upgrade to 2019.3 (1880) and if so, how do I do that? I believe 2019.3 (1880) is Catalina compatible? Thanks for your advice.
18 Posted by derekkent23 on Nov 30, 2020 @ 09:13 AM
I am not support staff, just a user
Hi dstepure.
I will let dwg answer your main question but just to add.
If you upgrade beyond Moneydance 2017 and won’t to use or have Quote Loader installed you need to upgrade Quote Loader to the 2019/2020/2021 version.
Since our last conversation the Quote Loader upgrade now supports obtaining historical price data.
For latest Quote Loader features and how to upgrade see post 63 at
https://infinitekind.tenderapp.com/discussions/investments/4914-the...
Read how to upgrade in post 63.
Download the PDF attached to posts 63 and have a read.
To get an overview take a look at the YouTube videos by using the links on page 1 and 2 of the PDF.
Let us know how you get on or if you need help just post.
Hope this helps.
19 Posted by dwg on Nov 30, 2020 @ 09:38 AM
The first version of Moneydance that was qualified on Catalina was indeed 2019.3 so you are correct there..
If you purchased Moneydance 2017, directly from The Infinite Kind, then the upgrade to 2019 is free but then again the upgrade from 2017 to 2020 is also free so I would see little benefit is just moving to 2019.3, 2020 would make more sense.
If you need to purchase an upgrade then you will not get a key for 2019/2020. The key would be for 2021 so installing 2021 build 2008 would make sense.
20 Posted by dstephure on Dec 04, 2020 @ 04:40 PM
The saga continues. I updated Moneydance Version 2017.10 (1706) to Version 2020.2 (1929). The attached screenshot shows what happens to all of my US securities. Please note, I had not run a Quotes and Exchange Rate update. This occurred after opening Version 2020.2 for the 1st time using a copy of my Moneydance data file. So, it appears to be a Moneydance issue and not something triggered by Alphavantage. I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions? Thanks David
21 Posted by derekkent23 on Dec 04, 2020 @ 06:29 PM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi dstephure
I presume you are talking about the Current and dated Price for the 11/30/2020 being wrong.
All I can say is I have transitioned from 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 and now 2021 and that’s never happened to me.
Are you sure Quotes and Exchange Rate update is not set to run when you open Moneydance? I agree even if it was its returned the wrong prices.
I can really comment on the strange things that Quotes and Exchange Rate update can do, I know it created problems for me and they went away when I switched to the extension Quote Loader. As a test I obtained price for your example security using Quote Loader.
Looks like you will have to manually delete the incorrect prices and obtain them again.
22 Posted by dstephure on Dec 05, 2020 @ 04:56 PM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi dwg and DerekKent23. Considerable progress has been made since my last post. As per your recommendations, I updated Moneydance from 2017.10 (1706) to 2020.2 (1929), installed the Quote Loader extension, deleted the Quotes and Exchange Rates Updater extension and ran an update this morning. With the exception of several Canadian Mutual Fund holdings, I think the system now runs correctly. One notable improvement, and something that both of you have commented on previously, is the speed of the update process, Quote Loader is MUCH faster than Alphavantage updater. I have one more request: Is there a "trick" to get Quote Loader to also update the current and historical prices of Canadian Mutual Funds? An example would be Mawer International Equity Fund (Fund Code: MAW102. Thanks very much to both of you for sharing your advice and technical expertise. David
23 Posted by derekkent23 on Dec 05, 2020 @ 07:19 PM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi David
Without a price as an indicator for your security I can be sure I have I have found the correct one. If it’s wrong let me know providing a current price. Not the ticker symbol is different to the one you provided.
Also, I am assuming your base currency is US Dollars?
In the first screen shot I have assumed you set up this Canadian Security in Canadian Dollars
Note I have also set up Quote Loader to return the exchange rate for Canadian Dollars.
In the second screen shot I assumed you set up this Canadian Security to be stored in US dollars in its Security price history table, hence you can see Quote Loader doing a currency conversion between Traded Currency and New Price using the exchange rate.
Quote Loader works both ways.
Hope this helps
24 Posted by dstephure on Dec 05, 2020 @ 09:08 PM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi Derek,
My base currency is in Canadian dollars. You did indeed find the correct mutual fund AND identified the problem. I have owned some of these funds for a long time and the ticker symbols must have changed over time ... I was using the incorrect one(s) for the fund(s).
Between the two of you, I think you have addressed the problems I was having. I am going to leave this discussion open for a week or two until I am sure that there are no other outstanding issues. This is going to save me a considerable amount of time on Saturday mornings when I usually run my portfolio update. Thanks sincerely to both of you. Have a great weekend and stay well!!!
25 Posted by derekkent23 on Dec 05, 2020 @ 09:32 PM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi David
Really glad we were able to help.
Have Fun, Stay Safe.
System closed this discussion on Mar 06, 2021 @ 09:40 PM.