Finding the Right Data Tag

"Which data tag should I use?"

Data tags are the standardized identifiers used throughout the Fundamentals API to specify exactly which financial metric you want to retrieve. Whether you're looking for revenue, net income, EBITDA, or a balance sheet item, choosing the correct data tag is the first step.

Fortunately, Intrinio provides several ways to discover the right tag.

Option 1: Search the Data Tags Endpoint (Recommended)

The easiest way to find a data tag is to search the Data Tags endpoints. These endpoints allow you to browse or search the complete catalog of available standardized financial metrics.

You can:

• Search by keyword (for example, "revenue", "assets", or "cash")
• Browse all available data tags
• View each tag's description and metadata

This is the fastest way to determine the exact tag name you'll need for your API request.

Option 2: Browse the API Documentation

The Intrinio API documentation includes a complete list of available Data Tag endpoints, making it easy to search for metrics by name or category.

If you're already logged into your Intrinio account, an even better workflow is:

1. Navigate to Account → Access or Account → Subscription.
2. Select the US Fundamentals data feed.
3. Click View API Documentation.
4. The documentation will automatically filter to the endpoints available with your subscription.
5. Use the endpoint search to locate the Data Tag endpoints and explore available metrics.

This approach saves time because the documentation is already filtered for the data you have access to.

Option 3: Ask the Intrinio MCP Server

If you're using AI-assisted development, the Intrinio MCP Server can help you find the correct data tag using natural language.

For example, you can ask:

• "What's the data tag for operating cash flow?"
• "How do I retrieve total shareholders' equity?"
• "What's the standardized tag for diluted EPS?"

The MCP Server understands your account permissions and can recommend:

• The appropriate dataset
• The correct API endpoint
• The correct data tag
• Alternative metrics if multiple options exist

This is often the quickest way to find the information you're looking for, especially if you don't already know the terminology used in financial statements.

Tips for Finding the Right Metric

Keep these best practices in mind:

• Search using common financial terms rather than abbreviations.
• If a search doesn't return the expected result, try a broader term (for example, search for income instead of net income).
• Read the data tag description to verify that it represents the financial metric you need.
• Remember that many metrics have standardized definitions, making them comparable across companies.

Need More Help?

If you're unsure which metric best fits your use case, the Intrinio MCP Server is usually the fastest way to get a recommendation. It can interpret your request in plain English and guide you to the appropriate data tag and API endpoint based on your subscription.

If you're exploring datasets that aren't included with your current plan, our team can also help determine the best option for your application.