Downloading TIC Data into Spreadsheets

TYPES of TIC files:

  1. (1) Most website data are contained in text files ("xxx.txt"). As explained below in more detail, such a file can be downloaded to a computer and then opened by a spreadsheet program as a "fixed-width txt" file.

  2. (2) html files. They can be downloaded and easily opened by spreadsheet programs. Alternatively, data can be selected and copied directly from the browser window and easily pasted into a spreadsheet.

  3. (3) PDF files. Data can be selected and copied directly from the browser window or from the PDF-reader window, and pasted into one column of a spreadsheet; then the data in that column can be spread out among the other spreadsheet columns with a spreadsheet command (in Excel, use Data/"text to columns").

  4. (4) CSV files and txt(tab-delimited) files. They are also text files, but are formatted specially so that they can be downloaded into a computer and easily opened by spreadsheet programs.

 

Detailed procedure:

  1. START by downloading the file.: With your internet browser, view the TIC data-page you want. Then save it (File/Save As) as a ".txt" file to the hard disk on your computer.

    If your browser will not allow you to "save as", then: go "back" in your browser to the previous webpage -- that webpage has the link to the file you want. Move the cursor over the file link, hold down the right mouse button, and select "save target as...". Finally, enter the destination directory on your hard disk where you want to place the file, and save the file.

  2. Case A: If you are using Lotus Development Corporation, LOTUS 1-2-3:
    1. Start Lotus 1-2-3, and open the file using the "automatic" choice.
    2. When the file is opened in a spreadsheet, you may have to retype or rearrange some words to place the titles correctly over the columns.
    3. Save the resulting spreadsheet file.
  3. Case B: If you are using Microsoft EXCEL:
    1. Start Excel and open the file as a ".txt" file.
    2. In the "Text import wizard" box, choose the "fixed width" file type.
    3. Go to the "Next" screen, where Excel will show, in the "data preview" pane, where it suggests putting the columns. Scroll down inside the pane until you can see numbers, and make sure that those columns are correct (if the column lines are incorrect, you will need to move the column lines with the mouse; or add a new column line by positioning the cursor after the number and clicking the mouse button; or remove a column line by using the mouse to move the line outside the pane).
    4. Then "finish" the Excel file-opening process.
    5. At this point, you will have an Excel spreadsheet with all the numbers properly lined up into columns. However, only the last one or two lines of each column title will be correctly placed.
    6. One way to correct the column titles is to type them in correctly. An easier way is to copy the titles to your spreadsheet from the appropriate "labels" template below (download and save the "label" file to your hard drive; then open it in the spreadsheet program as a "Text" file that is "Tab delimited"):
      1. claims labels.txt(Tab delimited), for data before February 2003.
      2. claims2003 labels.txt(Tab delimited), for data in a discontinued format as of February 2003 through August 2006, available in archived releases from April 2003 through October 2006.
      3. claims2006 labels.txt(Tab delimited), for data as of February 2003 and afterwards.
      4. liabilities labels.txt(Tab delimited), for data before February 2003.
      5. liabilities2003 labels.txt(Tab delimited), for data in a discontinued format as of February 2003 through August 2006, available in archived releases from April 2003 through October 2006.
      6. liabilities2006 labels.txt(Tab delimited), for data as of February 2003 and afterwards.
      7. long-term securities labels.txt(Tab delimited).
    7. Save the resulting spreadsheet file.