How does Workspace differ from Eikon for Programmatic Workflows

Eikon technologies allowed desktop users access to financial data in several ways - UI and API - including:

• Eikon Desktop App for Windows
• Eikon Web App
• 32-bit based COM APIs for use in Microsoft Office / 32-bit based COM APIs for use in custom applications
• System Foundation Classes (SFC) - COM (Deprecated)
• Eikon 4 Desktop Data API (.NET)
• Eikon Data API for Python
• Refinitiv Data Platform Library for Python (Deprecated)
• Refinitiv Data Libraries (for .Net, TypeScript and Python - these also contain the previous Eikon Data API library)
• Eikon Side By Side API
• Eikon App Studio

Workspace uses the latest technologies to deliver lighterweight yet superior, more performant and open workflows in broader footprints including:

• LSEG Workspace Desktop App for Windows
• LSEG Workspace Desktop App for Mac
• LSEG Workspace Web App
• Refinitiv Data Platform Library for Python (Deprecated)
• Refinitiv Data Libraries (for .Net, TypeScript and Python - these also contain the previous generation Eikon Data API library)

What is happening?

From a data API perspective, Workspace will not ship with the following legacy API components:

• 32-bit based COM APIs for use in Microsoft Office / 32-bit based COM APIs for use in custom applications
• Eikon 4 Desktop Data API (.NET)

This means that users who use these components in programmatic workflows first need to identify affected workflows and then re-write affected workflows to code against our newer API interfaces. We have comprehensive guides to help you to re-implement old data and capabilities - as well as accessing exciting new capabilities that were not available in the previous generation. 

If you are using either the Eikon Data API, Refinitiv Data Pplatform Libraries or the Refinitive Data Libraries these will continue to work as expected with Workspace. However, you might want to look at updating to the latest Refinitiv Data Libraries as these contain the most content and capabilities coupled with a growing featureset.

What do I need to do?

Firstly users need to identify any workflows that might use the legacy components. In terms of usage there are 2 broad categories of workflow these components would have been used in:

• Inside of Microsoft Office (principally Excel based macro-enabled spreadsheet workflows) using VBA
  • In terms of sizing - probably the most numerous will be spreadsheets and users will need to check if there are any references to legacy API components in their VBA project or macro-enabled spreadsheet references.

• Custom apps created or used outside of the Eikon container
  • Though probably much less in number,  users also need to check whether any of their custom desktop apps are sourcing data from Eikon using the legacy APIs. If you did not write these apps - you may need to check with your IT team to confirm this.
  • Users also need to check whether any 3rd party apps used on their desktop source data from Eikon - examples could be Metastock, Updata or BlackRock Aladdin. You may need to upgrade to the latest or 'Workspace Ready' versions of such apps.

The good news is that both the legacy APIs and the newest APIs are available in Eikon so you are able to re-write any affected code BEFORE you migrate - to ensure you are satisfied all content and functionality is present and available.

Once you have identified the affected workflows - you can use the Upgrade guide page to help you re-write your code (data and capabilities) against our latest APIs. Please see the diagram below for a list APIs and Libraries that will work with Eikon and LSEG Workspace.

If you have any questions or need any help regarding upgrading to the new library, you can find an answer in existing questions or post your question in our LSEG Developer Community Q&A Forum, the fastest way to get help from our experts, all questions in this forum are constantly monitored and answered by our developers and subject matter experts. We look forward to seeing how the new library will bring positive changes to your experience with our services.

To learn more about LSEG Workspace capabilities, and benefits you’ll get from this upgrade, please feel free to check the related resources at the right section of this page.