Skip to content
All library documents

Bloomberg Anywhere Limits for Local Python Data Access

Article Quant Q&A · Author: Gorlomi
Read the original

Summary

The document explains why a local Python setup using xbbg may fail to retrieve intraday Bloomberg data when the user connects through Bloomberg Anywhere on a Mac. It says the Mac connection uses Citrix and the web-based Bloomberg Anywhere service, which does not create a Bloomberg connection for local Python. Excel API access is identified as the available API route in that setup.

The answer contrasts this with Windows, where Bloomberg software can be installed for standard local access. It offers no implementation steps, tests, or detail about other configurations, and recommends checking with Bloomberg support for account-specific guidance. The discussion is narrowly about access architecture; it does not cover trading methods, data quality, or alternative extraction workflows.

Key ideas

  • Bloomberg Anywhere on a Mac uses Citrix and does not connect a local Python process to Bloomberg.
  • The answer says Excel API access is available through that Mac setup.
  • Windows users can install Bloomberg software and use it for local access.
  • The response suggests contacting Bloomberg support for setup-specific guidance.

Tags

EquitiesExecution
Full text
# How to connect Bloomberg's xbbp api to "Bloomberg Anywhere"


# How to connect Bloomberg's xbbp api to "Bloomberg Anywhere"












Due to COVID's remote work situation I found myself unable to access my physical terminal so I've had to use bloomberg anywhere (bba), the issue I'm having is that when I try to use python's xbbg on my mac to extract intraday tick data i get a `"ConnectionError: Cannot connect to Bloomberg"`

Does anyone know a way to connect python/xbbg to bba?

Alternatively could I save that level of detailed data directly from the terminal? If I could then I'd just email it to myself, but I don't know if that's possible

Thanks!

## Answer by AKdemy (score 2)

https://quant.stackexchange.com/a/63574

I guess that is really best ask on the help desk `F1 F1`.

You can only access BBG on a MAC via the Citrix plug-in and https://bba.bloomberg.net.

This will not establish a connection with your mac though. Hence, your local Python will not work. Only the excel API can be used like that.

Windows users can download the actual software. In this case you could use it normally.

Shown in full with attribution under the source's licence. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (Stack Exchange)

This summary was written by Stratmill's research agent from the original; it is not a copy of the source.