A typical Bloomberg Professional terminal will have two monitors and a unique keyboard.

The dual monitors are helpful as they allow Bloomberg users to view multiple diplays simultaneously.  Upon logging in, 4 individual panels or windows will open. Similar to the dual monitors, multiple panels allow users to multi-task, by viewing or comparing up to 4 different sets of data simultaneously. The active panel will show a blue flashing cursor. You can switch between panels using the <PANEL> key or by clicking on the panel that you wish to work on. 

In addition to the monitors and panels,  Bloomberg Professional will also have a unique keyboard. This keyboard is developed to make using the menu-driven navigation in Bloomberg Professional easier. For more on the keyboard, keep reading. 

Getting Started on the Terminal

The Terminal Basics module in BMC provides an introduction to the Terminal and covers logging in, using panels, understanding the keyboard, finding information using menus and the command line, and getting help.  Learn more about BMC here. 

The Bloomberg keyboard is color-coded to provide users with quick access to data and functions. 

Yellow Keys - Market Sector Keys        

Green Keys  - Action Keys        

Red Keys - Cancel & Log Off Keys

Keys to know:

Esc/Cancel - Think of it like a normal Escape key. Striking it will stop whatever you are doing.

Enter/GO - Think of it like a normal Enter key. You will use this after every command that you enter.

Print - Press Print once to print the current page or enter number of pages you wish to print & Print (ex. 5 Print)

Menu - Press Menu to navigate from any function back to a menu of related functions (and ultimately back to the main menu).

End/Back - Will take you back to the key previous screen. 

Help - Press Help key once to display help function and a description of the current function that you are using. Press help two times to email the Bloomberg  24 hour help desk. 

For more assistance with the Bloomberg Keyboard, download the Getting Started Guide or complete the Bloomberg Essentials Training. 

The Bloomberg platform offers flexibility for searching, featuring two frequently used options: 

1. Browsing Menus

Bloomberg functions are organized by menus that are classified by market sector or product type. Each menu is part of a hierarchy. 

You can access menus using the Menu button on the screen, the Menu Key, or using a Yellow Market Sector Key.  This method is recommended for new users - It gives users a sense of the data and information available in Bloomberg and sees what functions are available.

2. Using Function Codes 

An alternative to using the menus is to search by function code. By entering codes directly into the command bar, users can eliminate the steps. This guide offers lists of frequently used codes. 

There are two types of function codes: Security Specific, for analyzing loaded securities, and Non-Security Specific, for locating information on a sector or news & events. 

To load a security, enter the ticker or identifier, hit the Market Sector key representing the asset type, and then click on the Enter/GO key.  

Not sure where to start? 

The auto-complete feature helps you find the security or function that you are searching for. 

• Begin typing a term in the command line at the top of the panel that you are working in. 
• As you type, a list of suggested functions & securities will be displayed. 

Full Search using Help

• Type a term in the command line at the top of the panel that you are working in.  
• Use the <SEARCH> key.
• Select the search result from the list.

Getting Started with Bloomberg: 

BPS: Bloomberg Resource Center - provides cheat sheets, guides, and overviews to help you learn more about the terminal.

FFM:   Functions for the Market features ideas for analyzing current events affecting the market, and is a great way to learn how to use advanced functions.
GRAB:   Email an image of the current page
LAST:  Displays previous functions used