Hi Jim,
Yes I pay for my data (Reuters), although I do keep some data manually for the XJO, and some short data.
When you are just starting out, I suggest you use free data, either from a broker (like Comsec, or whoever you have as your broker), or some other free source (like ASX Historical Data
https://www.asxhistoricaldata.com/). Personally I would use the easiest free option to begin with, and see how the project goes, before spending any money.
For me, I started out making really basic simple charts over a few months, and that way I was able to learn and understand how the Excel charting function works.
I should just add, that I made my own charts because I wanted to do things that were mostly not available on the usual charting software and/or was waaaay too expensive for my liking (I am a cheapskate). I started the Excel charting journey because I wanted to make wave charts, and combined tick and wave charts, and also charts which showed short sales and short interest along with the regular chart info. Excel charts overall are pretty basic, so if you just want regular charts, that don't do anything different to normal charts, it is certainly quicker and easier to just buy some charting software (like Metastock for instance, it is about 500 bucks, and can do waaaaaay more things than Excel charts and is full programmable for more indicators etc if required).
Have you made any charts on Excel at all yet ??
If not, just grab a simple data set (high, low, close data is all you need for a bar chart, and open, high, low, close for a candlestick chart. then make a simple volume histogram as a separate chart, and just manually place it below the price chart (date and volume is all you need) and get started.
You could even just make up some random data set for a fake stock just to practice with if you wanted.
Explore, make some mistakes, and once you have done it a few times, incorporate some colours, changing the thickness of bars, hiding borders etc, so you are pretty familiar with how most chart functions work.
I am happy to offer some pointers if you choose to 'have a go'. When I was starting out, I had
@Bonehead1000 to bounce ideas off of. He was a big help at times. And
@roaminoz (Hot Copper moderator) is also very clever with Excel, much better than me, and would likely answer a question or two if asked. I am no excel expert (I hardly knew anything about Excel when I started making charts, and some of my problem solving is a bit simplistic I'm sure). Most of what I have learned is from just googling my issues (I did eventually need to pay for a couple of macros to be written for me - using online Indian Excel experts - as I had two issues which I could not solve, and both macros completed the task perfectly (which were done in one day, after I toiled for weeks trying to solve the issues manually).
Let me know what you think and if you continue, maybe we can start a new thread somewhere to discuss.
cheers
