> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://michael-mao.gitbook.io/bloomberg/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://michael-mao.gitbook.io/bloomberg/bloomberg-terminal-basis/concepts.md).

# Concepts

### BQL: Bloomberg Query Language

### BDP: Bloomberg Data Point

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Description" %}
For static or real time current data

It returns data to a single cell in your Excel spreadsheet

This formula contains only one security and only one field.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Usage" %}
**Syntax:** `=BDP(security, field)`

**Example:** `=BDP("goog us equity","px last")` retrieves the price of  the last trade on Google Inc.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### BDH: Bloomberg Data History

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Description" %}
for historical end of day and historical intraday data. It returns the historical data for a selected security/set of securities and timeframe.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Usage" %}
**Syntax:** 

`=BDH(security,` \
     `field,` \
     `start date [mm/dd/yyyy],` \
     `end date [mm/dd/yyyy],` \
     `optional arguments)`

**Example:** `=BDH("goog us equity", "EBIT", "1/1/2005", "12/31/2009", "per=cy", "curr=USD")` retrieves the annual Earnings Before Interest and Tax of Google Inc. from 1/1/2005 to 12/31/2009 in USD.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### BDS: Bloomberg Data Set

* informational bulk data or multi-cell descriptive data to your Excel spreadsheet


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://michael-mao.gitbook.io/bloomberg/bloomberg-terminal-basis/concepts.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.