Structured Data
Structured data follows clear rules about how information is arranged and labeled. Instead of free-form text, each data point has a defined place and meaning.
In the SEC context, structured data allows financial and filing information to be processed automatically. Numbers, dates, and categories are clearly identified instead of buried in documents.
This structure makes large datasets usable at scale. It turns filings from static reports into data that can be filtered, compared, and tracked over time.
Why It Matters
Structured data saves time and reduces errors when working with large amounts of information. It allows investors, analysts, and regulators to focus on insights instead of manual data cleanup.
How does structured data differ from unstructured financial documents?
Structured data uses predefined labels and formats that software can easily interpret. Unstructured documents, like PDFs or text filings, require manual reading or complex extraction. This difference affects speed, accuracy, and scalability. Structured data is built for automation from the start.
Why is structured data important for financial transparency?
Structured data makes disclosures easier to verify and compare. When information follows consistent rules, it’s harder to hide inconsistencies or omit key details. Regulators can monitor trends more effectively. Investors gain clearer visibility into company performance.
How does structured data support large-scale market analysis?
Structured data allows thousands of filings to be analyzed at once. Analysts can track metrics across industries, time periods, or reporting cycles. This enables broader research that would be impractical with manual review. It also supports real-time monitoring as new data is filed.
Real-World Example
A research firm tracks revenue changes across all public companies each quarter. Using structured data, they automatically update their models as soon as new SEC filings are released.
Structured Data and FinFeedAPI
FinFeedAPI’s SEC API delivers structured data extracted from official SEC filings. This allows users to work with standardized financial and filing information without parsing raw documents. It supports faster analysis and easier comparison across companies.