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EDGAR

Also written: EDGAR system

EDGAR is the SEC's system for receiving and processing public company filings.

In plain terms

EDGAR stands for Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval. It is a system run by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Public companies in the United States are required to submit their financial and other official reports to the SEC through EDGAR.

Think of it as the official digital filing cabinet for all public companies. When a company like Microsoft releases important news or financial updates, they file it with the SEC using EDGAR. This makes the information accessible to investors and the public.

The expert version

EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval) is the SEC's online database for all filings required by public companies. It serves as the primary mechanism for companies to submit documents such as annual reports (10-K), quarterly reports (10-Q), and current reports (8-K). The system standardizes data submission, enabling efficient analysis and public access to corporate information.

Why it matters now

EDGAR is the system where public companies file official reports. AI is increasingly used to analyze these filings for insights, as seen in legal tech applications that process legal documents. Companies like Microsoft file routine reports with the SEC, which are then available for AI analysis.

Where it shows up 3 items, newest first
How each company uses it
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft files routine reports with the SEC through the EDGAR system, which are publicly available for analysis.
OpenAI ChatGPT
OpenAI's technology can be used to analyze legal documents, which are often filed through systems like EDGAR.
Related terms

SECForm 8-K10-K10-QXBRLFinancial Reporting

Origin

EDGAR was developed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to modernize and streamline the filing process for public companies. It became fully electronic in 1996. Source ↗

Try this about 5 minutes

You can visit the SEC's EDGAR search page online. Search for a specific company, like Microsoft, and look at their recent filings, such as a Form 8-K or 10-K, to see the type of information companies disclose.

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Questions people ask

What kind of documents are filed on EDGAR?
Companies file various documents on EDGAR, including annual reports (10-K), quarterly reports (10-Q), current reports (8-K), proxy statements, and registration statements.
Is EDGAR information public?
Yes, all information filed on EDGAR is publicly accessible, allowing investors and the general public to review company disclosures.

First seen on Subvolts Oct 24, 2023. Updated Oct 19, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.