How do I write a scan that excludes any blanks in the Sector field?

Delaneyslaw

I want to run a scan that only gives me results if there is an entry (of any kind) in the Sector field, without having to add every possible Sector. How would I create a scan that would be something like:

Group is not 'blank', or Group != "" (neither of those work, btw)

basically, is there a parameter for a blank or null field?

markd

As far as I know, you cannot test for a null or blank value - at least it didn't work when I've tried it either, although that was a while ago, so it may have changed. But here is the code for "any sector", adapted from an old scan of mine:


//and

[ // sectors open bracket

[group is EnergySector]
or [group is MaterialsSector]
or [group is IndustrialSector]
or [group is CyclicalsSector]
or [group is ConsumerStaplesSector]
or [group is HealthCareSector]
or [group is FinancialSector]
or [group is TechnologySector]
or [group is CommunicationServicesSector]
or [group is UtilitiesSector]
or [group is RealEstateSector]
] // sectors close bracket

"CyclicalsSector" still works, but "ConsumerDiscretionarySector" may also work.

lmkwin

I haven't been able to decipher the null or blank option either. The field properties would infer a text field so perhaps the scan engine makes the filter field type match the data field type. That's probably why it converts whatever you type into a quote.

I've tried as well as the null, blank, etc. Maybe it's spaces but it's probably 200 spaces or something longer than necessary.

Delaneyslaw

@markd thanks for the help. I actually wrote that scan as well, but was a little mystified on why ConsumerDiscretionarySector was not available... wtf?

Looks like I'll have to do it the hard way... thanks StockCharts...

markd

It seems like the programmers have a little housework to do in cleaning up their tables. It may be that someone - probably NOT the programmers - at some point decided "Cyclicals" was a better term for the sector, and then someone decided, no, let's go back to "Consumer Discretionary". Or, it could have been a data vendor decision. In any case, somebody needs to synchronize the data labels and the scan engine labels. Maybe there is already a ticket but it's low priority?