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# Introduction

The ticker is a means of defining a contract for a given market data request. This will incorporate the symbol, security type, exchange, currency, and potentially more in some shape.

This can be achieved in a single string, known as [Simple Syntax,](/excel/rtd/ticker/simple-syntax) or through multiple definitions, known as [Complex Syntax](/excel/rtd/ticker/complex-syntax). While both are of equal value, some security types benefit from one structure over another.