MNI / AlphaFlash DataLink

Overview

DataLink allows you to stream real-time macroeconomic data directly into Excel cells, giving you live access to economic releases, forecasts, and historical data without leaving your spreadsheet.

Before you install

There are two add-ins available in Microsoft AppSource. Install the one that matches your subscription:

If you cannot install the add-in from Excel or Microsoft AppSource, your organization may have disabled access to Office Add-ins.

In that case, contact your Microsoft 365 administrator and ask them to deploy the add-in for your organization or enable access to Microsoft AppSource.

Installation

For individual users

1. Open Excel.
2. Go to Insert → Get Add-ins.
3. Search for either:
   • MNI DataLink (for MNI Markets users), or
   • AlphaFlash DataLink (for AlphaFlash users).
4. Click Add.
5. Open the Home tab and click the corresponding ribbon button.
6. Sign in with your account credentials.

Can't install the add-in?

If the add-in is unavailable or installation is blocked:

• your organization may have disabled Office Store access;
• your Microsoft 365 administrator may need to deploy the add-in centrally.

See For administrators below.

For Microsoft 365 administrators

If your organization manages Microsoft Office add-ins centrally, deploy the appropriate add-in for your users.
Option 1 — Deploy from Microsoft AppSource

1. Visit the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
2. Navigate to Settings → Org Settings → User owned apps and services and ensure "Let users access the Office Store" is toggled on.
3. Navigate to Settings → Integrated apps → Add-ins.
4. Search for "DataLink" in Microsoft AppSource.
5. Deploy the add-in to your organization or specific users/groups.
6. Share these instructions with your team: Microsoft's deployment guide.

Option 2 — Deploy using a custom manifest

Step 1: Obtain the custom manifest

1. Download the MNI DataLink manifest XML file
2. Navigate to https://admin.microsoft.com
3. Sign in with your admin credentials.
4. Go to Settings → Integrated apps.
5. Click Upload custom apps.
6. Select Office Add-in.
7. Choose I have a manifest file on this device.
8. Browse and select the MNI DataLink manifest XML file.
9. Click Upload.
10. Choose your deployment scope
11. Review deployment settings.
12. Click Deploy.
13. The add-in will be available within minutes (may take up to 24 hours for full organization rollout).

How to Use

Stream real-time macroeconomic data directly into Excel cells using the task pane and built-in formulas.

Sign in

Click the MNI Markets button in the Home ribbon to open the task pane. Click Sign in with MNI Portal and authenticate with your MNI Markets account credentials.

Note: You need an active MNI Markets subscription. Contact your account manager if you need credentials.

Browse the data catalog

Once signed in, the task pane shows an economic calendar for the current week, grouped by day. Click any release to expand it and see the individual series it contains.

Use the ◀, Today, and ▶ buttons to navigate between weeks.

Insert data into cells

Select a cell in your spreadsheet, then click one of the insert buttons next to a series:

Insert release table: Click the table icon (⊞) on any release header to insert a fully formatted table at the active cell. The table includes one row per series in the release, with columns for Series Name, Forecast, Previous, and Actual — each pre-filled with the corresponding live formula. This is the fastest way to get a complete view of a release into your sheet.

Live (actual): Inserts =MNI(dataSeriesId, dataReleaseId) — shows the latest actual value if it was released within the last 4 days, or "N/A" when no recent release exists. Updates the cell automatically when a new release arrives.

Forecast: Inserts =MNI_FCST(dataSeriesId, dataReleaseId) — returns the forecast value for the next release. Pass an optional source name (e.g. "MNI") as a third argument to get that provider's forecast.

Prior: Inserts =MNI_PREV(dataSeriesId, dataReleaseId) — returns the previously published value for the series.

History: Expands a panel — choose a preset range (1M, 3M, 4M, 6M, 1Y) or set custom dates, then click Generate to write a historical table of values into the sheet.

Custom function reference

All three formulas require both a dataSeriesId and a dataReleaseId. Both are inserted automatically when you click a button in the catalog — you never need to type them manually.

=MNI(dataSeriesId, dataReleaseId)
Returns the latest actual value if released within the last 4 days. Shows "N/A" when no release has occurred in that window. Updates automatically when AlphaFlash publishes a new observation. Updates live: Yes.

=MNI_FCST(dataSeriesId, dataReleaseId, [source])
Returns the forecast value. Optional source parameter — a single provider name (e.g. "MNI"). Omit to use the first available forecast. Updates live: On reconnect.

=MNI_PREV(dataSeriesId, dataReleaseId)
Returns the prior period value for the series. Updates live: On reconnect.

Examples:

=MNI("US_CPI_YY", "42301") → actual value (or "N/A" if older than 4 days)
=MNI_FCST("US_CPI_YY", "42301", "MNI") → MNI's forecast for next US CPI release
=MNI_PREV("US_CPI_YY", "42301") → previous period value

• Note on "N/A" in formulas: When =MNI() returns "N/A", any arithmetic referencing that cell will produce an error. Use IF to handle it gracefully:
  =IF(B2="N/A", "", B2-C2) — leaves the Surprise column blank until a fresh actual is available.

Generate a live release sheet

Click Generate live release sheet in the task pane to create a new sheet with all releases for the current week pre-populated. Each row updates automatically when a new observation arrives via the live data stream.

Refresh formulas manually

If any cells show stale or missing values after a reconnect, click Refresh formulas in the task pane to force a re-fetch of all current values.

Sign out

Click Logout in the top-right corner of the task pane. This immediately clears all stored tokens. Streaming functions will stop updating until you sign in again.

Sharing & Platform Behavior

The behavior of MNI Markets DataLink depends on the environment in which the file is opened.

Supported environments

Files opened in Excel Desktop or Excel Online — whether shared via OneDrive or as a standard Excel file (.ods or .xlsx) — will retain full functionality.

Requirements:

• The add-in must be installed from Microsoft AppSource
• The user must signed in with a valid MNI Markets account

If these conditions are met:

• All formulas work correctly
• Data updates in real time

If not:

• Cells can display #NAME? (or equivalent)
• No data will load or update

Unsupported environments

Mobile (Excel Mobile versions)

Files can be opened in Microsoft Excel mobile apps, but:

• The add-in is not supported
• Functions will not execute
• Data will not load or update

Expected behavior:

• Cells may show #NAME? or equivalent

Static export formats

CSV

When exporting or sharing as .csv:

• All formulas are replaced by their current values
• No live updates are preserved
• Add-in functionality is removed

This format should be used only for static data sharing.

Need assistance?

For technical support or any questions, please contact us at: support@marketnews.com

Before you write, these steps resolve most common issues:

1. Refresh formulas — click Refresh formulas in the task pane to force a reconnect and re-fetch the latest values.
2. Reload the add-in — close the task pane, close and reopen Excel, then reopen the MNI Markets task pane.
3. Sign out and sign back in — click Logout, then Sign in with MNI Portal again. This refreshes your session token.
4. Create a new workbook — if formulas remain stuck or the add-in is unresponsive in a specific file, try creating a new workbook and re-inserting your formulas from the catalog.