FRED Add-In for Microsoft® Excel®

Provides access to over 820,000 economic data time series from national and international sources, enabling users to integrate macroeconomic data directly into Microsoft Excel for analysis and reporting

FRED Add-In for Microsoft Excel: Macroeconomic Data Access and Analysis

The FRED Add-In provides access to over 820,000 economic data time series from national and international sources, enabling users to integrate macroeconomic data directly into Microsoft Excel for analysis and reporting.

Publisher: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Detailed Description

FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data), maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, aggregates economic indicators from sources such as the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Census Bureau, OECD, and others. The free Excel Add-In allows users to download and update data within Excel, with tools for frequency conversion, growth rate calculations, and customizable data selection. The Add-In is designed to support economic forecasting, valuation modeling, financial reporting, and market analysis. Data can be refreshed automatically, and built-in features allow for seasonal adjustment and management of large datasets.

Key Features

Access to 820,000+ macroeconomic time series within Excel
Data sources include BEA, BLS, Census Bureau, OECD, and additional providers
One-click data download and automatic refresh within Excel
Tools for frequency conversion and growth rate calculations
Options for seasonal adjustment and frequency selection
Performance optimization for handling large datasets
Applicable for valuation, market analysis, economic forecasting, and research

Publisher: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Data Source

Source

The FRED Add-In for Microsoft Excel provides users with direct access to a vast array of economic data series through the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) database. This add-in facilitates the retrieval and analysis of macroeconomic data within Excel, streamlining the process for researchers, analysts, and economists.

Primary Data Sources

The FRED Add-In aggregates data from numerous reputable sources, including:

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA): Offers data on gross domestic product (GDP), personal income, and corporate profits.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Provides statistics on employment, unemployment rates, wages, and inflation.
U.S. Census Bureau: Supplies demographic data, housing statistics, and business activity metrics.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): Delivers international economic data and indicators.

These sources ensure that users have access to accurate and up-to-date economic information for their analyses.

Key Features of the FRED Add-In

Extensive Data Access: Retrieve over 820,000 economic time series directly within Excel.
Data Manipulation: Apply transformations such as growth rates, percentage changes, and logarithmic conversions.
Frequency Aggregation: Convert data frequencies (e.g., daily to monthly) to suit specific analytical needs.
Custom Date Ranges: Specify start and end dates to focus on particular time periods.
Graphing Tools: Generate charts and graphs within Excel to visualize data trends.

These features are designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of economic data analysis within Excel.

Available from: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Official FRED Add-In page:
https://fredhelp.stlouisfed.org/fred-add-in/

Or via Microsoft AppSource (Office Add-ins marketplace):
https://appsource.microsoft.com/en-us/product/office/WA104381006

How to install:
1. If using Excel 2016 or later / Microsoft 365:

Open Excel → Insert tab → Get Add-ins → Search “FRED” → Click Add → Installed into your Excel ribbon.

2. Or download installer / help documentation from the FRED Add-In page.