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Frequently Asked Questions
Commodity analysis
Why can't I access Datagain help from Datagain?
What exchange rate does Datagain use for currency conversions?
Can I convert weight units to liquid units, eg kilograms to litres?
Why can't I move text on the graph to where I want it to be?
Is there an easy way to see the exact value of a data point on my graph?
The descriptions in Datagain are very short. What do all the abbreviations mean?
I cannot find the data I am looking for; can it be added to Datagain?
Does the direction of the arrows on the events timeline indicate a cost increase or decrease?
Why does the weekly value change on a daily basis?
How does Datagain calculate the monthly values from daily or weekly series?
What are File Associations?
File associations can be set up as part of the installation procedure and associate a file type with a corresponding application, for example .doc files are associated with Microsoft Word. Datagain graphs are saved as .sav files and setting up file associations means that Datagain graphs will always open in Datagain regardless of where they are saved. Now if you double-click to open a saved graph which is saved on your desktop or elsewhere on your computer, it will open in Datagain and will automatically update with the latest data. You can also email saved graphs to your Datagain using colleagues; they can detach it from the email and then use it as if they had created it. To use this feature, select Share from the File menu.
Why can't I access Datagain help from Datagain?
Datagain Help is provided with Datagain as a .chm file. Unfortunately security settings within Microsoft operating systems often prevent access to this type of file if you are using certain types of network. If you have added Datagain to your start group, then clicking Start, All Programs, Datagain will allow you to open the Help file. Datagain Help is also available on our website: www.mintec.ltd.uk/help using Internet Explorer.
What exchange rate does Datagain use for currency conversions?
Datagain uses the exchange rate prevailing on the day of the data for conversions, so for graphs showing spot prices, it will use the spot currency rate relevant to the date of the data. For graphs showing forward prices Datagain will convert using the forward exchange rate relevant to the date of the data.
What are CUP files?
In Datagain, series are grouped together according to market or commodity and the data that makes up those series are stored in cup files.
If you use the F1 search option in the Datagain Selection screen, you are given the option to search the commodities alphabetically or by cup. Alphabetically sorts the series by the first initial of the series description, and CUP sorts the series according to the internal series code.
Can I convert weight units to liquid units, eg kilograms to litres?
For many series in Datagain it is possible to automatically convert measurements from liquid units to solid units and vice-versa and, wherever possible, we have tried to ensure that Datagain uses accurate conversion factors. The conversions preset in Datagain are listed in Datagain Help (search for Liquid-Solid Conversion Factors). If you cannot find the particular conversion you require please contact us at support@mintec.ltd.uk and we will try and find the correct factor for you.
Why can't I move text on the graph to where I want it to be?
When you want to move text around your graph, click on your text and an arrow will appear. Now move the arrow to where you want to position the text. The arrow will point to where the bottom left corner of the text will appear, so you can position the text on a grid line for example. Once you have one of text positioned correctly, you can move further text entries using Display, Align Text.
Is there an easy way to see the exact value of a data point on my graph?
There are several ways in Datagain to view the data that makes up the series lines on your graph, but the easiest is Quick Values which can be found on the Series menu or on the right-click menu available from the graph. An information box will ask you to select the series and once that is done a yellow box will appear and the cursor on the screen will change to a crosshair. Now simply move the cross over the series line or along the time scale and you will see the data values appear in the box.
The descriptions in Datagain are very short. What do all the abbreviations mean?
Because the series description is displayed on the graph, the number of characters that can be shown is limited. As a result we do use a lot of abbreviations in Datagain. Some of these, like the country codes are easy to interpret, but others are not as obvious. A list of the abbreviations is available in Datagain Help, but you can request a copy from support@mintec.ltd.uk
I cannot find the data I am looking for; can it be added to Datagain?
If you have exhausted all the search options in Datagain and still cannot find the information you need, then please contact us at support@mintec.ltd.uk. We collect data from many different sources and it might be that the information is available and just needs to be added to your Datagain system. If we don’t have the data you require then we will do our best to provide you with market information and will pass your request to our Data Research team.
What is a series?
In Datagain, a “series” is the term used to describe a specific commodity which has pricing or fundamental information. Each series has a unique 4 character code which will identify it. An example would be RSOR which is the price of Rapeseed Oil in Rotterdam.
What is an index?
An index of a series rescales the graph to show percentage changes from a base index figure rather than the actual prices. The base index figure is 100 and this will be at the date you specify. All other values will be above or below this value, thus an index figure of 96 would represent 4% less than the reference date and an index figure of 102 would represent 2% more than the reference date.
Does the direction of the arrows on the events timeline indicate a cost increase or decrease?
The direction of the arrow on the events timeline has no relevance to the value of the series being displayed. The political (red) and series specific (green) event arrows point down, and the economic (blue) and other (brown) arrows point up. This is for clarity when events occur at the same time.
Why does the weekly value change on a daily basis?
In daily Datagain systems, the last value shown on a weekly graph will actually be the latest daily data available not the latest weekly value. It will, however, be shown on a Wednesday date as this is the format for weekly graphs. This means that when you plot a daily series in a weekly format the last data value will change every day until you file Thursday's update which contains the fixed weekly information. The weekly data is Wednesday's closing price.
How does Datagain calculate the monthly values from daily or weekly series?
For all the “futures” data, Datagain performs this calculation itself. In daily systems the average of the daily values is displayed and in weekly systems the average of the weekly values is displayed.
With increasing emphasis on the optimisation of resources, an independent, analytical approach to managing raw material prices and indirect services has become essential to effective procurement.
Mintec’s Datagain Service offers reliable, up-to-date information about a comprehensive range of commodities and raw materials, backed by the tools and services needed to support commodity decisions.