Compustat provides detailed historical financials for US public companies back to 1950 for annual data and 1962 for quarterly data.
To find more about how to find data, search a specific file, or see the database manual, simply go to the GET DATA or Support tabs at the top of the WRDS webpage which serves as a helpful guide to WRDS conventions.
WRDS now features useful curriculum guides and tutorials to help users find data and run analysis for common tasks using Compustat and linking it to other databases for output.
Look at at top of the WRDS webpage under Classroom and also under Support for video tutorials.
