Below is a collection of frequently asked questions and answers. We hope you find these helpful as you get to know the system. If you do not see an answer to your question, please contact the help desk on 0203 107 0050 or email us – adviser@morningstar.co.uk
1. Question:
I double clicked on the name of the fund to open the fund factsheet, then I clicked on Print button, which opened another window, but in there was no Pint button anymore. How do I print this fund factsheet?
Answer:
To print the fund factsheet please double click on the name of the fund and then click on Print button (NOTE: this button will put together all of the tabs of this page). Once the second window is opened please click on CTRL +P on your keyboard.
HINT: To see the same kind of data but in a different one page report, please right click on the name of the fund and go to Reports and Investment Summary UK (NOTE: this report is in a PDF format)
2. Question:
It is already a 2nd day of the new month and I am not able to produce the reports\charts for the last month end. What are the reasons for that?
Answer:
It usually takes up to 5 working days for our database to process all last month end data. We kindly suggest trying to run the reports on at least 3rd working day of the new month.
3. Question:
I would like to change the name of one of my client portfolio. How would I do it?
Answer:
To change the portfolio name please kindly double click on the name of the portfolio and then please click on Profile/Settings and Portfolio Profile. Then in the box Portfolio Name type in the new name for your portfolio. To finish please click on OK on the right hand side bottom corner.
4. Question:
How can I change a benchmark which is assigned to my portfolio?
Answer:
To change a benchmark for your portfolio please double click on the name of you portfolio and then click on Profile\Settings and Portfolio Settings. Next to Primary Benchmark name click on the dropdown and choose Select Benchmark. Once the new window appears search for the desired benchmark. Once selected click on OK and then OK on Portfolio Setting tab.
5. Question:
How can I make a copy of my portfolio?
Answer:
To create a copy of your portfolio double click on the name of the client name, and then please tick the box next to portfolio name, then please go to Action\Edit\Copy Portfolio. In the new window which opens up you can change the name of the portfolio and the client for which the copy should be assigned to.
6. Question:
How to compare my client portfolio with a model portfolio?
Answer:
To compare a client portfolio with a model portfolio you can create a Compare with Model report. To do this report please double click on the name of the portfolio, then go to Reports tab and choose Analytical Reports\Compare with Model.
To run this comparison on the chart please go to Tools\Portfolio Graphs\Investment Growth. Once the chart is generated please click on Edit Investments and within Universes please click on the dropdown and select Model Portfolios. In the search box type in the name of the model portfolio and click on Go. Once the name of the model is showing under Available records please select the model and click on Add and OK.
7. Question:
I would like to compare two of the funds within my portfolio. How can I do it?
Answer:
To compare two funds against each other please tick the boxes next to fund names and then go to Action\Fund vs. Fund. This will generate a report which can be saved\printed in PDF format.
8. Question:
Where I can find a blank risk questionnaire that I can print?
Answer:
To access risk questionnaire please go to Client Management section and then double click on name of one of your clients. Then please go to Client Profile\Risk profile and click on Print Blank Questionnaire.
9. Question:
How can I change client name?
Answer:
To change a client name please go to Client Management section and double click on the name of the client, then choose Client Profile\General. Then type in the new details in Client name, First name and Last name boxes. To save the changes please click on Save button on the right hand side top corner.
10. Question:
How can I change the base currency of my Research area?
Answer:
To change a currency for Research area, please go to Home page\Settings and then double click on Preferences under Research. There you will be able to see box Currency. To change this currency please clicks on the dropdown a pick a currency of your interest and then click on OK.
11. Question:
I want to edit my quick portfolio, how can I do it?
Answer:
To make any changes to your quick portfolio please double click on the name of the portfolio and then click on Add Holding. Within this window you can make any changes to number of units or amounts invested for individual holdings. Once this change is made, please click on Finish.
12. Question:
I would like to add cash holding to my quick portfolio, how can I do it?
Answer:
To add cash to your portfolio please double click on the name of your portfolio then click on Add Holding. This will open a new window with three tabs at the top. Please click on Cash tab and then on magnifying glass. And hit on Go button. That will show you all cash holdings available in your Adviser Workstation. The standard cash used is Default Cash (UK). Once selected please click on Add and OK. In column Amount in Base Currency type in the amount you would like to include and click on Finish at the bottom.
13. Question:
Where can I find training related documents?
Answer:
To access training classes which are run on a daily basis and reoccur every week, please click on Home page\Support + Training. In the middle of your screen you will be able to see a list of classes to register. To sign up for a class please click on one of the links and select the date of when you would like to attend and fill in all of the below details and click on Register.
Training Videos are available under Home page\Articles + Commentary\Training\Click here for Adviser Workstation Training Videos. This will show you the list of various videos which are very useful.
14. Question:
I am new to the system. Can I get some guidance on how to use it?
Answer:
The best way to familiarise yourself with the system is to attend our online classes. To register for the classes which re-occur every week. Please go to Home\Support+ Training\List of classes to register. Then please click on the links under each class and fill in your details and click Register.
15. Question:
I would like to add a new client to Adviser Workstation.
Answer:
To add new clients please go to Client Management section and click on New\Individual Client. This will open General box where you will be able to enter client details. NOTE: Please make sure that all the fields written in blue are obligatory.
Once the details are filled in please click on Save button in the top right hand side.
16. Question:
I would like to fill in my clients risk questionnaire. How can I do it?
Answer:
To fill in risk questionnaire please double click on name of the client for whom you would like to fill in questionnaire. Then click on the Client Profile\Risk Profile\Questionnaire. Once the questionnaire is filled in click on OK and Save.
17. Question:
I am looking for a fund but don’t know the universe of it. What is the quickest way to tell if you have this fund in your database?
Answer:
The quickest way to find a fund is to click on New\Investment List and under Single Investment search box type in the ISIN code of the fund you are looking for. As you type in the search will be narrowing down and it will allow you to click on the fund of your interest.
18. Question:
I want to update my company address and telephone number. How can I do it?
Answer:
To change your company details please click on File\Update Profile. On Update User Profile please enter all new details and click on Continue.
19. Question:
I would like to add my company logo to the cover page of my reports.
Answer:
To add logo to your cover page please go to Home page\Settings\Portfolio Accounting System Settings\Preferences where you can load logo by clicking on magnifying glass next to Add Logo to Cover Page or Add Logo to Footer. Once the logo is uploaded please click on Save + Close.
20. Question:
I would like to report on all of my client portfolios together. Is there a simple way to do it?
Answer:
To show all of your clients holdings (from all portfolios) double click on the client name and tick the boxes next to portfolio names then go to Action\Utilities\Portfolio aggregate. This will show you a message: ‘Aggregate duplicate securities?’ click on Yes. This will create a list of all holdings available in the portfolios that were included in aggregate. Then you can click on Reports and run the reports as usual.
21. Question:
I would like to compare 10 portfolios at once. Is there is a way to do it?
Answer:
To compare few portfolios please tick the boxes next to portfolio names and go to Action\Portfolio Graphs\Investment Growth. You can compare up to 15 portfolios on one chart.
22. Question:
I would like to set an alert for one fund and I would like to receive it every time the price moves more than 5%.
Answer:
To set up an alert for a single security click on New\Alert\Security. Chose the alert type, i.e. price % movement threshold crossed. Find the security then chose the type of notification.
23. Question:
I want to change the default data points view to my own set, so when I go into my portfolio I do not see the snapshot data points.
Answer:
To save your own data point set to default for a portfolio you must first go into the desired portfolio click on Tools\Settings\Set Default View. Scroll through and find your custom data set. Please note, this will only be applicable for that particular portfolio.
To change the data points in an investment list you will need to go into the investment list click on the View Drop Down Box and select “My Data Set”. Chose the data set and click “OK”. Once this is done click “Save” to keep that data set as a default for that investment list.
24. Question:
I cannot find bonds or gilts, is there any way I can include these in my portfolios?
Answers:
Yes. To create your own type of security which is not covered in the Morningstar database is possible. To do this you will need to go into Tools\Edit Definition Master.
25. Question:
I have a fund which is not classified or the asset allocation is missing, what do I do?
Answer:
To check which of the funds in your portfolio is not classified you will need to check if it has Portfolio Data. To do this, firstly select the Data Point “Portfolio Data Ready”. The fund which is not classified will say “No” in the column.
To reclassify the fund please find instructions below.
To access, click Tools, then click Edit Definition Master.
Security Reclassification
To reclassify a security, follow the instructions below:
1. Select Reclassification in the left-hand panel menu.
2. Click Add, then locate and select the security you wish to reclassify.
3. Tick the box to the left of the security, the click Action.
4. Click on Reporting Asset Class drop-down and select an asset class. Click Save+Close
5. In the Classification Source column, click to select User Defined.
6. In the Classification column, click on the magnifying glass.
7. Select the Reporting Asset Class at the top of the page.
8. Enter the desired percentages for the asset classes, then click Save+Close.
9. Once complete, exit Definition Master and refresh Adviser Workstation
Note: You must enter percentages in the Classification dialog box in order for your reclassification to be recognized.
The changes you make to the composition of an asset class will affect the planning module, account asset allocation view, and the following reports: Current vs. Target, X-Ray, Snapshot, Performance by Asset Class, Performance History by Asset Class, and Portfolio by Asset Class. If you assign a new asset class but do not change the composition, the change will not be reflected.
26. Question:
How can I change my Clients email for the Web Portal?
Answer:
You cannot change the email address once submitted. If you mistakenly submit the wrong email address, you should immediately click the Disable button to disable access, remove any reports from the Client Web Portal for that Client, and contact Customer Support to reset the login for that Client.
27. Question:
When I add funds to an Investment growth chart it says “Cannot Retrieve Total Returns”
Answer:
The reason there may not be any performance data can be because the fund company currently do not provide with any performance data. To check this, within your portfolio, click on “Edit View” and select the data point “Performance Data Ready”.
28. Question:
There is no asset allocation, stock sector information or world region stats for the fund\portfolio report.
Answer:
A lack of portfolio data indicates that the fund company do not provide with portfolio data. To check this within your portfolio, click on “Edit View” and select the data point “Portfolio Data Ready”.
29. Question:
I don’t have an ISIN Code, how can I search by Sedol or MEX code?
Answer:
To search for funds with out an ISIN Code, go to the Research area, click on Life\Pension Funds then on “Search”. In the field name section you can select to search by a Sedol Code or Mex code. The results will show you the list of the funds for which you have included the MEX codes.
30. Question:
How can I understand the different risk profiles?
Answer:
To view the definitions for different Risk Profiles go to a clients account and click on “Client Profile” then on “Risk Profile”. Click on each risk profile to get a description about that profile.
31. Question:
How can I view a list of clients which hold a specific fund?
Answer:
Click on “Portfolio Management” then “Securities in Portfolios”. To view which clients hold a certain security, check the box, click on “Action” then “View portfolios with holdings”.
Investment trusts have gained a lot of popularity in the last year – partially thanks to the launch of Anthony Bolton’s Fidelity China Special Situations trust. If you’re looking for some plain-English explanations about investment trusts and how they might be used in client portfolios, join Morningstar analysts for this presentation. 
We’re quickly approaching “silly time” as I’ve heard some people refer to it – that time of year when Christmas lunches, Christmas drinks and snowy weather all start to take priority over the day-to-day of the business. It’s tough scheduling meetings, coordinating schedules and keeping on task when nobody is around to answer your calls or emails! So if you have some downtime this holiday season and you want to start preparing for the rush of the new year – or if you’re really ambitious, for ISA season – here are some things you can do in Morningstar to make your life easier come 2011.
We’ve had a flourish of Closed-end fund/investment trust posts of late so thought I would mix it up a bit with a look at what our European ETF analysts are talking about. The team, some based here in London, some back in Chicago, regularly write for Morningstar.co.uk. If you use ETFs or are considering their merits, check out the ETF tab of Morningstar.co.uk.
Today is Thanksgiving Day in the US and, working for an American firm, it’s hard to ignore, even though it’s not a public holiday here in the UK.
