Dear Paul, thanks for your answer.
Can you download Bloomberg data into Excel using the Bloomberg Add-in?
No, because I do not have MS Office, but just OpenOffice.org (for which no BBG plugin exists up to my knowledge).
If not, I'd guess you have some more bloomberg software to install, but I don't know what and I don't know how. I'd start by asking for help to get the Excel Add-In working using the chat feature with Bloomberg customer service.
I keep asking HelpHelp for advice, but no success yet :(
If you can download Bloomberg data into Excel, shutdown R, start the DDE Server by clicking on the lightening bolt icon in the Bloomberg section of your start menu, then restart R. I've never used Vista, so can't offer any other specific suggestions. Also, you might try upgrading R to 2.6.1. Good luck
Thank you, Thomas