Scraping/MiddleValues

[carlosnorvik]

Hello:

 

Is using MiddleValues a correct way for scraping data from websites?

 

I built a small file that should update exchange rates daily (press the update button in the attachment).

It is failry simple and works, but I wonder if there is a better way of doing it.

Most of the rates are pulled from The European Central Bank, for the less commonn ones I had to look around.

 

One gotcha is that for any format change in the inserted URL's, The MiddleValues formula will have to change.

 

If anybody finds it useful, please feel free to use or modify it.

 

Carlos

exchange.fmp12.zip

[Lee Smith]

Is this file written in v11, 12 or 13?

 

Your Profile says 11

The file ext. says 12

and the question is posted to 13 General topic. 

 

I will be moving to the appropriate topic area once I know your answer.

Edited December 5, 2013 by Lee Smith
add to my reply

[carlosnorvik]

Hi Lee:

That is correct, I use 11, but I am testing 13.

This file would not work on 11 without using ScriptMaster and different formulas.

I created the file on the trial version of 13 and the extension says 12 (As far as I understand extension is 12 with 13? ).

 

Best regards

Carlos

[comment]

IIRC, the ECB provides an XML feed that you can import directly, given a suitable XSLT stylesheet. Search the Import/Export and/or the XML/XSL sections to find it.

[carlosnorvik]

Hi:

 

Thanks, sounds easier.

 

For the less common currencies (not in ECB, I guess I still have to use my method?)

 

Carlos

[comment]

Yes, unless you can find a decent (meaning XML/RSS/SOAP) source for them.