Importing a Portfolio

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There may be times when you want to import an existing portfolio into Unfair Advantage instead of creating a portfolio from scratch. The imported portfolio may be a UA portfolio that you created and saved using another version of UA (v 1.75 or higher), or perhaps a portfolio that a friend, colleague or software developer created for you, or one of the standard portfolios CSI has prepared for your use. This feature also lets create a UA portfolio that duplicates an existing portfolio of UA-compatible files already stored on your computer. These compatible files might be in the MS (MetaStock) format, the CSIM (MetaStock compatible) format or the CSI (QuickTrieve) format.

The specific list of commodities with their respective contracts, as well as stocks, funds, indices and options included in all of your portfolios is stored in a file called portfile.adm (in the ua\archives directory). This file is created and automatically maintained by Unfair Advantage.

When you import a portfolio, UA adds the new portfolio to your list of existing portfolios.

To import an existing portfolio, pull down the Portfolio menu (click it), go to "Import Portfolio" and then click the portfolio type as shown here:

If UA Portfolio is selected:

A screen similar to the following displays:

If the wrong directory displays, click the down arrow button to the right of the "Look in" box, then select your hard drive as shown:

Navigate through your directory structure to find the folder holding the portfolio you wish to import. Within each folder, UA will display a listing of the files that have the .adm extension. The portfolio file (portfile.adm) currently being used by your UA is stored in Archives folder. The portsave folder includes several pre-set portfolios including:

·	blank (No portfolio)

·	index (Index Sample Portfolio)

·	odat (One-Day-at-a-Time)

·	odatstk (One-Day-at-a-Time Stock)

·	odatvp (One-Day-at-a-Time and VantagePoint)

·	stdport (Standard UA Sample Portfolio)

·	stksamp (UA Sample Stock Portfolio)

·	vantpnt (VantagePoint portfolio)

When you find the portfolio file you wish to import, click on it, then click [Open]. The portfolio will be added to your UA screens.

If MS, CSIM or CSI Directory is selected

A screen similar to the following displays.

Click the drive designator (C: above) and navigate to the folder holding the data files you are currently using or wish to use with your third-party software. Click the folder and then click [OK]. UA will look for that folder's directory file, which will be either a MASTER file (for MS or CSIM format) or a QMASTER file (for CSI format). If the appropriate directory file is not found, UA will allow you to try again.

Import Tips:

·	Check the documentation supplied with your analysis software to find the name of the folder(s) holding your data files.

·	If you are uncertain of the folder to select, try first exploring your drive to find the location of the appropriate \MASTER or \QMASTER file(s). To explore your drive, click the "Start" button and then click "My Computer."

·

Note that the importation feature will only import stocks and commodities for which the correct symbol is stored within the directory file. For example, if a new IPO stock is listed in your CSI-format portfolio showing its symbol in the "name" column and "symbol not found" in the symbol column, UA will not include it in your portfolio list. The symbol must be correctly recorded in the symbol column for each issue. UA receives lists of new issues with each download, allowing you to manually add these new issues to your UA portfolio.

If ASCII Import

ASCII import is used to enter a list of stocks for inclusion in your portfolio. This is really handy if you have a computer file of your investment assets from your broker, or a recommendation list received in an e-mail.

Required ASCII stock list format:

File must be ASCII text format.

The stock symbol must be the first entry on each line.

Only one stock per line.

Anything after a space, tab, comma, colon or semi colon is treated as a comment, and is ignored.

Example:

IBM
GE; long 1,000 shares
GEECF, look for breakout
MSFT buy on weakness

The above list would import into a portfolio as: IBM, GE, GEECF and MSFT.

The "Edit Portfolio" screen displays, allowing you to name your portfolio and its destination directory. It also presents a full range of Portfolio settings that you may modify as desired. This process is exactly the same as Creating a Portfolio except that the list of symbols will be inserted automatically, based upon your index selection, and the portfolio format and date information will be entered through one additional screen:

These entries are normally listed on the stock selection screen. Click the links below for information on the choices, using the [Back] button to return to this screen.

Date Range
File Format
Portfolio Selection
Periodicity

When all choices have been selected, click [OK]. Your new portfolio will display in the Portfolio Manager panel.

If Stock Index Components

Importing a portfolio of stock index components is a great way to quickly load up your portfolio with popular, relevant stocks. For example, if your interests lie mostly with high volume NASDAQ computer stocks, importing the NASDAQ Computers Index components will likely get most of what you need. You can import the components of multiple indices by repeating this process, and can then fine-tune your portfolio by selectively adding and deleting stocks.

Clicking "Stock Index Components" selection produces this extensive list of indices:

Click the one stock index for which you wish to have the full range of component stocks placed in your portfolio. Click [OK] to begin the import. Once the list is downloaded, the "Edit Portfolio" screen displays, allowing you to name your portfolio and its destination directory. It also presents a full screen of Portfolio settings that you may modify as desired, just as when importing an ASCII portfolio list, described above.

In Case of Portfolio Duplications

If the imported portfolio includes issues that are already in your UA portfolio, a listing of all redundant items displays. You can choose between keeping the old listing or switching to the new by checking the appropriate boxes. If all looks well, click [Keep]. To change any entry, click [Edit], which will advance you to a normal portfolio selection screen.

After the Import

After a successful portfolio importation, your revised portfolio will display in the UA Portfolios box. You can repeat the procedure to add additional portfolios as desired.

In case of an unsuccessful import, please transmit the files requested by the Error Message screen, and call CSI as indicated.

Downloading Other Portfolios

CSI maintains replacement portfolios on the Support page of our website that may be used as directed by CSI Technical Support Staff.