Technical Studies Reference
This reference contains descriptions and instructions for the studies/indicators in the program. For more detailed information about the studies, refer to the many books available on technical analysis and technical analysis information on the Internet. The Sierra Chart Book Store is a good source for books. There is also a good resource on-line at www.tadoc.org.
See the Chart Studies documentation page for complete information on applying, setting inputs for and adjusting settings for the chart studies described here.
The default input values are not necessarily the recommended or optimized values to use.
Worksheet Study/System/Alert
See the Creating Custom Studies, Systems and Alerts documentation page for complete instructions to use this study.
1/P
Formula: 1 divided by the price graph bar. This is used for currencies. For example if currency chart is GBP per USD, then it will be converted to USD per GBP. Or the other way around.
Inputs
This study has no inputs
Accumulation / Distribution
Williams Accumulation/Distribution Index.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Accumulation / Distribution Flow
Cumulative sum of (close - open) / (high - low) * volume.
Inputs
PrevClose: If this input is set to 1 (yes), then the formula is: Cumulative sum of (close - previous close) / (high - low) * volume
AC/DC Histogram (Bill Williams Acceleration/Deceleration Oscillator)
This study calculates the Bill Williams Acceleration/Deceleration Oscillator.
Formula:
AvgDiff = Avg(InputData,Length2) - Avg(InputData,Length1)
Avg(AvgDiff - Avg(AvgDiff,Length4), Length3)
Inputs
Advance Decline Line
This calculates the advance decline line from a symbol that indicates advancing issues minus declining issues.
Data service symbols:
- MyTrack: N.PN (NYSE)
- DTN IQFeed Symbol: JINT.Z (NYSE)
- IB: AD-NYSE-I-NYSE (NYSE)
ADX
Average Directional Movement Index. This is calculated according to the Welles Wilder formulas.
Inputs
How ADX is calculated:
Given an open, high , low, close data for a graph. The True Range(TR), defined as the largest of 1) current high minus current low, 2) current high minus previous close, and 3) previous close minus current low, is calculated.
+DM is calculated as the largest part of the current range that is outside of the previous range if it is up.
-DM is calculated as the largest part of the current range that is outside of the previous range if it is down.
n equals DX Length.
A summation of the True Range values (STR) over n periods is calculated, by the formula:
current STR = Previous STR - (Previous STR/n) + TR.
A summation of the +DM values (+SDM) over n periods is calculated, by the formula:
current +SDM = Previous +SDM - (Previous +SDM/n) + (+DM).
A summation of the -DM values (-SDM), over n periods is calculated, by the formula:
current -SDM = Previous -SDM - (Previous -SDM/n) + (-DM).
The Plus Directional Indicator (+DI) is calculated by dividing +SDM by the True Range(STR) and rounding the result.
The Minus Directional Indicator (-DI) is calculated by dividing -SDM by the True Range (STR)and rounding the result.
The absolute value (DI DIFF) is calculated as +DI minus the -DI.
Similarly DI SUM is equal to the Sum of +DI and the -DI.
The Direction Movement Index (DX) is calculated by dividing the DI DIFF by the DI SUM.
The ADX is calculated by smoothing the Direction movement Index(DX) with a Wilder's Moving Average of length set by DX Mov Avg Length.
ADXR
Average Directional Movement Index Rating. This is calculated according to the Welles Wilder formulas.
Inputs
How ADXR is calculated:
The ADXR is calculated by adding the current ADX to the ADX n periods ago and dividing the result by 2 and rounding the result. Where n equals ADXR Interval.
ARMS Ease of Movement
ARMS Ease of Movement calculates the Arms' Ease of Movement Value (EMV).
Inputs
Volume Divisor: The value that the volume is divided by.
Aroon Indicator
This study calculates and displays the Aroon Indicator.
Inputs
Aroon Oscillator
This study calculates the difference between the Aroon Up and Aroon Down values from the Aroon Indicator.
Inputs
Ask Volume
The Ask Volume study displays the ask volume. Depending upon the data or trading service you are using, you may not receive historical AskVolume when historical data is downloaded from the service. Not all services will provide this. AskVolume is the volume of trades that occurred at the Ask price or higher.
Automatic Trendlines
This study will draw a trendline along the highs and a trendline along the lows over the Length bars at the end of the chart.
Inputs
Length: The number of bars at the end of the chart for this study to look at to identify the Highs and Lows to draw the Trendlines along.
Skip Last N Bars: The number of bars from the end of the chart that are ignored. If this is set to 2 and the Length is set to 50, then the study will look back 50 bars starting from the third bar at the end of the chart. The third bar will also be included.
Show Up Trendline: If this is set to Yes, the Up Trendline will be displayed.
Show Down Trendline: If this is set to Yes, the Down Trendline will be displayed.
Number of New Bars Before Auto-Adjustment: If this is set to 0, the Trendlines will automatically readjust at every chart update. If it is set to a number greater than 0, then the Trendlines will only readjust after the specified number of new bars are added to the chart.
Average of 2 Subgraphs
This study calculates the average of two subgraphs from the same or different studies on the chart. The studies to reference are set with the Input Study 1 and Input Study 2 Inputs. After setting these inputs to the studies that you want to use in the calculation, set the Study 1 Subgraph and Study 2 Subgraph Inputs to reference the specific Subgraphs within those studies that you want to average.
Inputs
Study 1 Subgraph: This input specifies the specific subgraph from the study specified with the Input Study 1 input, that you want to average with Study 2 Subgraph. Each subgraph has an ID and this ID can be seen on the Subgraphs tab of the Study Settings Window for each study.
Study 2 Subgraph: This input specifies the specific subgraph from the study specified with the Input Study 2 input, that you want to average with Study 1 Subgraph. Each subgraph has an ID and this ID can be seen on the Subgraphs tab of the Study Settings Window for each study.
Average True Range
This study calculates the True Range of the bars and a moving average of those true ranges.
Inputs
Awesome Oscillator / Bill Williams AO
This study calculates the Awesome Oscillator. By using the default settings it determines market momentum (the second of five market dimensions) at a given time on the last 5 bars, comparing them to the momentum on the last 34 bars.
Formula:
Median = (High+Low)/2
AO = MovAvg(Median,MovAvgLength1,Type)-MovAvg(Median,MovAvgLength2,Type)
Inputs
Bar Difference
This study calculates the difference between Input Data input 1 and Input Data input 2.
Inputs
Input Data 2 Offset: This input is used by the Bar Difference study. Bar difference is the difference between data item 1 and data item 2 inputs. Data item 2 offset input sets the number of bars before data item 1 to use for data item 2. For example: If data item 1 is set to high and data item 2 is set to low and the offset it is set to 1, then for each bar in the price graph, this study will graph the difference between the bar's high and the low of the prior bar.
Bar End Time
This study shows the bar ending time for time specific bars in an Intraday chart. It does not work properly with Tick, Volume or Range charts. By default, it has no visible subgraphs. Instead, you will look to the Window >> Tool Values window to see the values.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Bid Ask Volume Ratio
This study calulates the Bid Ask Volume Ratio. It is calulated as follows:
TotalVolume = BidVolume + AskVolume;
Ratio = 100.0f * (AskVolume - BidVolume) / TotalVolume;
MovingAverage (Ratio)
Inputs
Bid Volume
The Bid Volume study displays the Bid Volume. Depending upon the data or trading service you are using, you may not receive historical BidVolume when historical data is downloaded from the service. Not all services will provide this. BidVolume is the volume of trades that occurred at the Bid price or lower.
Bid Volume vs Ask Volume
This study displays the volume of trades that occurred at the ask and bid prices as individual volume bar lines. Each column is the bid and ask volume for the time period of the underlying bars.
BID trades are shown as negative volume and ASK trades as positive volume.
Inputs
Lower Volume Filter: Filters trades less than the specified value. For this input to work correctly, the Use Time & Sales input needs to be set to Yes.
Upper Volume Filter: Filters trades over the specified value. If you set the Upper Volume value to 0, then there is no upper limit. For this input to work correctly, the Use Time & Sales input needs to be set to Yes.
Use Time & Sales : If this is set to Yes, then the time and sales data will be used to build this study. You would only want to use time and sales data if you wish to use the Lower Volume Filter input and the Upper Volume Filter input. If you're using time and sales data you also need to be connected to the data feed and the Maintain Time and Sales option must be enabled under File >> Data/Trade Service Settings on the menu. Reconnect to the data feed after enabling that option. Time and Sales data is limited and is not saved between Sierra Chart sessions. In the Data/Trade Service Settings window you may want to increase the number of Time and Sales records to maintain in order to get more history with this study.
If Use Time and Sales is set to No, then Bid Volume and Ask volume is read from the chart data file. If you are using the chart data file, then you need to use the new SCID file format. By default the SCID file format is used for new files. To see what format you are using select Edit >> Adjust Data and look at the extension at the end of the file name displayed on that window. If you are using the old .MND format, then you can convert to new format by selecting File >> Convert .mnd to .scid. Before, you try converting to a SCID file be sure you disconnect from the data feed.
Bid & Ask Depth Bars
This study creates candlestick bars below the main chart region on the chart based upon the total Bid and Ask Market Depth data. This is the formula: Ratio = ((Total Ask Depth - Total Bid Depth)/ (Total Ask Depth + Total Bid Depth))*10. Total Ask Depth and Total Bid Depth are calculated every time there is a change with market depth. This creates a snapshot of Total Ask Depth and Total Bid Depth. The snapshots are then used in this formula. The Bid & Ask Depth candlestick bars display the highest and lowest values of the calculated Ratio for the time duration of the chart bar.
For the Bid & Ask Depth Bars study to work, it is necessary to enable some options.
Select File >> Data/Trade Service Settings on the menu. Enable the Maintain Time and Sales and Store Bid and Ask Data options.
Select Chart >> Chart Settings on the menu. Enable the Start Market Depth Updates option.
On the Subgraphs tab of the Settings window for this study, the color settings for the first 4 subgraphs control the candlestick colors. You can also choose another Graph Draw Type such as OHLC Bar.
Bill Williams AC
Inputs
Bill Williams Smoothed (0), Exponential (1) or Simple (2) Moving Averages: This input indicates whether a Bill Williams Smoothed, Exponential, or Simple Moving Average calculation should be used.
Bill Williams Alligator
Calculates and displays the Bill Williams Alligator study.
Inputs
Bill Williams Fractal Signals
Displays the Bill Williams Fractal Signals.
Inputs
Bill Williams MA
Inputs
Bill Williams Smoothed (0), Exponential (1) or Simple (2) Moving Averages: This input indicates whether a Bill Williams Smoothed, Exponential, or Simple Moving Average calculation should be used.
Bollinger Bands
Bollinger Bands are plotted at standard deviation levels above and below a moving average. Since standard deviation is a measure of volatility, the bands are self-adjusting, widening during volatile markets and contracting during calmer periods.
Inputs
Bollinger Bands: %b
%b is a study related directly to Bollinger Bands. It is a measure of where the last price is in relation to the bands. Bandwidth is given by the following formula:
%b = (Last - Lower Bollinger Band) / (Upper Bollinger Band - Lower Bollinger Band)
Inputs
Bollinger Bands: Bandwidth
Bandwidth is a study related directly to Bollinger Bands. It is a relative measure of the width of the bands. Bandwidth is given by the following formula:
BandWidth = (Upper Bollinger Band - Lower Bollinger Band) / Middle Bollinger Band
Inputs
Candlestick Patterns Finder
For complete information please refer to the Candlestick Patterns Finder documentation.
Chaikin Money Flow
The Chaikin Money Flow compares the closing price to the daily high-low range to determine how much volume is flowing into, or out of, a security, and then it compares this result to the total volume. It was developed by Marc Chaikin and is similar to the Chaikin Oscillator.
Inputs
Chaikin Oscillator
No information is currently provided.
Inputs
Divisor: The amount to divide formula result by.
Chande Momentum Oscillator
Calculates and displays the Chande Momentum Oscillator.
Inputs
Chikou Span
Calculates and displays the Chikou Span.
Inputs
Chop Zone
This study is used by the Woodies CCI system. For more information, see this support board subtopic.
Closing Lines - Weekly
Draws horizontal lines at the price level of the closing time you specify. There is a separate line for each day of the week that extends forward up until the same day in the next week. This study is for intraday charts.
Inputs
Time: The closing time.
Color Bar Based On Above/Below Study
This study compares the selected Input Data element (Open, High, Low, Last...) of the main price graph to the selected Study Subgraph (this is the study subgraph being referenced by this study). If the Input Data element is above the Study Subgraph value at the same bar, then the entire main price graph bar is colored this study's Primary color (the first color button of the Color Bar subgraph). If the Input Data Item is below the Study Subgraph value at the same bar, then the entire bar is colored the study's Secondary color (the second color button of the Color Bar subgraph). If the values are equal, then the bar is not colored. For this study to work correctly, the Color Bar subgraph Draw Style must be set to Color Bar.
Inputs
Input Data: The selected Study Subgraph, set through the Study Reference and the Study Subgraph inputs, is compared to this main price graph data.
Study Reference: The Study Reference input needs to be set to the study to compare to, all the studies on the chart are listed in the list-box.
Study Subgraph: The Study Subgraph input needs to be set to the study subgraph to compare to. This normally would be set to 1. The first line of a study is subgraph 1 and so on.
Mode: Set this to 0 to color bars where the Input Data is both above and below the study subgraph. Set this to 1 to color bars where only the Below condition is met. Set this to 2 to color bars where only the Above condition is met.
Output Input Data Values Instead of 1.0: Set this to Yes, if you want to output the Input Data Values. Set to No to output the value of 1.0. This input does not have any affect if you use one of the Color Bar draw styles.
Study Reference Displacement: Internally when the study is looking at the Subgraph of the study being referenced to compare it to the Input Data, it can look at displaced values of the Subgraph going forward or backward. Enter a positive value to displace it forward or a negative value to displace it backward.
Color Background Based on Alert Condition
Please refer to the Color Bar Based on Alert Condition section below.
Color Bar Based on Alert Condition
The information in this section applies to both the Color Bar Based on Alert Condition and Color Background Based on Alert Condition studies.
These are very powerful studies that color the bars or the chart background according to whether or not the specified Simple Alert Condition formula is TRUE for the corresponding bar. For information on how to define and set a Simple Alert Condition formula, please see the Alert Conditions and Scanning page.
The Simple Alert condition options for an alert condition: Reset Alert Condition on New Bar, Alert Only Once per Bar, do not apply with this study. Evaluate on Bar Close does apply.
One good use of this study is to test an Alert Condition formula. In this way you can instantly and clearly see if your Alert Condition formula works as expected because the bars or background will be colored at the bars where it is true. Alert Condition formulas can sometimes be complicated to resolve problems with. It's recommended that you use a step-by-step process to create a formula whereby you start simple and then add to it. The very first formula you should use to simply see how this study and how formulas work is =1 or =TRUE. This will color the bars or background in the chart and then you can go from there to a more advanced formula.
Coloring Bars Based on An Alert Condition from Another Study
To change the color of the main price graph bars at the corresponding location where a Simple Alert Condition on another study, is TRUE, please follow these steps:
- Add the Color Bar Based on Alert Condition study to the chart.
- Set the Use Alert Condition From... Input to the study name that you want the Color Bar Based on Alert Condition study to use the Simple Alert condition from.
- On the Subgraphs tab set the color for the Color Bar (SG1) subgraph to a unique color.
- Make sure that the Draw Style is Color Bar, which is the default.
- Press OK. Press OK.
- At this point, the corresponding bars where the Alert Condition formula is TRUE, from the study you are referring to, will be colored with the color that you set.
Inputs
Use Alert Condition From ...: This input specifies which study the Color Bar/Background Based on Alert Condition will use the Simple Alert condition formula from. By default it is the alert condition specified on the particular instance of the Color Bar/Background Based on Alert Condition you are working with. When it is set to Main Price Graph, it will use the Simple Alert from the Color Bar/Background Based on Alert Condition study. Or you can select another study from the list. This input will list all studies on the chart.
Number of Bars to Calculate: This input specifies how many bars in the chart, starting from the end of the chart, the Simple Alert Condition formula should be tested with and colored if the formula is TRUE on that bar. The reason for this input is that if you have a lot of bars loaded in the chart, this study can take some time to evaluate the Simple Alert Condition formula on all those bars and it will slow Sierra Chart. So you want to keep this to a small number. Maybe not more than 2000. You will have to experiment and see what is best and what you need.
Use -1 on False:. Normally the value for the subgraph data elements is zero when the Alert Condition formula is FALSE for bars. When this input is set to Yes, then the value is -1. This is for special use to perform coloring when using certain Draw Styles.
1 = 1.0, 2 = High, 3 = Low (Output When Condition Is True): The default for this is 1. When an Alert Condition formula is TRUE for a bar, the corresponding study subgraph element which is used to color a bar is set to 1. This causes the bar to be colored when using one of the Color Bar Draw Styles. When you set this input to 2, then the study subgraph element for the bar where the Alert Condition formula is TRUE, will be set to the High value of the bar. When you set this input to 3, then the study subgraph element for the bar where the Alert Condition formula is TRUE, will be set to the Low value of the bar. Using 2 or 3 is necessary when you want to use a Draw Style other than the boolean Draw Styles such as Color Bar. The other styles require an actual chart value to vertically position them on the chart.
High/Low Percentage Offset:. When the Output When Condition Is True input is set to 2 or 3 (High or Low), then this input specifies the percentage from the High or Low that the outputted value will have. This is useful to offset a particular Draw Style from the High or Low of a bar.
Color Bar Based on Slope
This study colors the bars according to whether or not the subgraph of the study that this study is Based On has a positive or negative slope. The primary subgraph color is used when the slope is positive and the secondary subgraph color is used when the slope is negative.
Inputs
Input Data: This input selects the subgraph from the Based On study that you want to base the coloring on.
Use +1 (+slope) and -1 (-slope) for Color Bar Values: When the slope is positive, the color bar value will be 1, and when it is negative the color bar value will be -1.
Color Bar HH/LL
This study will color bars based on whether or not the current bar's high is higher, or the current bar's low is lower, than the previous bar. The primary subgraph color will be used if the current bar's high is higher, and the secondary subgraph color will be used if the current bar's low is lower. If both the high and low are higher and lower, respectively, the average of the two colors will be used to color the bar.
Color Bar Open/Close
This study colors bars based on whether the bar closed higher or lower than it opened. The primary subgraph color is used when it closes higher, and the secondary subgraph color is used when it closes lower than it opened.
Commodity Channel Index
The Commodity Channel Index (CCI) measures the variation of a symbols price from its statistical mean. High values show that prices are unusually high compared to average prices, whereas low values indicate that prices are unusually low. It can be used with any type of symbol, not just commodities.
Inputs
Correlation Coefficient
Calculates and displays the Correlation Coefficient between Input Arrays 1 and 2.
Inputs
Countdown Timer
The Countdown Timer displays an advanced bar countdown timer on your charts. This study is highly configurable through the Inputs.
In the Study Settings window for the Countdown Timer study, on the Subgraphs tab, the font size of the Timer is controlled through the Size setting for the subgraph. The foreground color is controlled with the subgraph Primary color. The background color is controlled with the subgraph Secondary color.
When the countdown timer is used on a chart with time specific bars (ex: 5 min), the remaining time will only advance when trades occur. To overcome this set the Display Continuous Time Countdown Based on Real-Time Clock input to Yes. Although using this setting, may not always work properly.
The Countdown Timer can be displayed in any chart region by changing the Chart Region setting for the study to the region you want it displayed in. However, when you set it to a region other than Chart Region 1, you need to be certain you have properly set the Vertical Position Value input to the value you want the Countdown Timer displayed at in the chart region where it is displayed. Otherwise, it will not display.
Inputs
Bars from Left: This input specifies how many bars from the left side of the chart that the countdown timer will appear at. This input is ignored if Display in Fill Space is set to Yes.
% From Top: This input specifies how far down from the top of Chart Region 1 that the countdown timer appears. This value is a percentage. By default it is 10 and that means the countdown timer will be located 10% below the top as measured from the top to bottom of Chart Region 1. When you are using this setting instead of Vertical Position Value, then the countdown timer can only be displayed in Chart Region 1.
% From Top: This input specifies how far down from the top of Chart Region 1 that the countdown timer appears. This value is a percentage. By default it is 10 and that means the countdown timer will be located 10% below the top as measured from the top to bottom of Chart Region 1. When you are using this setting instead of Vertical Position Value, then the countdown timer can only be displayed in Chart Region 1.
Display in Fill Space: When this input is set to Yes, then the countdown timer will be located in the Fill Space on the right side of the chart.
Display Value Only: When this input is set to Yes, then the countdown timer value will be is displayed as a value only without any descriptive prefix.
Display Continuous Time Countdown Based on Real-Time Clock: When this input is set to Yes and the bars are based on a time specific period (not based on Ticks, Volume or a Range), then the Countdown Timer will display the remaining time for the bar up to the current second even if there is no trading activity. This setting is ignored during chart replays. Note: This setting requires that your computer's clock to be set 100% accurately and that the trades received from your connected data or trading service are accurately timestamped. Otherwise, the displayed remaining time will not be accurate. Please be aware of this. Therefore it's not necessarily a good option to use. For example, your computer's clock may be correct, but the time stamping from the data/trading service differs and you can still have an accuracy issue, assuming the service is being used for trade time stamping. For more information about synchronizing your computer's clock to an Internet time server for high accuracy, please see help topic 38.
When this input is set to Yes, it will cause continuous redraws of the chart window until a bar completes and therefore it will result in increased CPU usage. Therefore, use it only when necessary and only on a few charts. It is not a good idea to use it on many charts because otherwise you may substantially increase the CPU load.
Display Remaining Range In Ticks: When this input is set to Yes and it is a Range bar chart, then the remaining range is shown in ticks rather than the actual remaining value. This requires a correct Tick Size setting. This can be set under Chart >> Chart Settings.
Alert On New Bar: When this input is set to Yes, then when a bar completes, the selected Alert Sound (Alert 1, Alert 2,...) in the Study Settings window will be played.
Vertical Position Value:. When this is nonzero, the Countdown Timer will be displayed at this value in the Chart Region that the study is set to display in. If it is set to zero, then % From Top specifies the vertical position. This must be a nonzero value when you display the Countdown Timer in a region other than Chart Region 1. Otherwise, it will not display.
Cumulative Sum of Study Line
Cumulatively adds data from a Subgraph line within a study.
Inputs
Study To Reference: Select the study which contains the Subgraph to cumulatively sum.
Study Subgraph Number to Sum: The subgraph number within the study which contains the data to cumulatively sum. You can determine exactly which subgraph number to use by looking at the Subgraphs tab of the referenced study. After each subgraph you will see SG1, SG2, ... .
Reset at Start of Trading Day: When this Input is set to Yes, then the cumulative sum is reset at the start of the trading day. The start of the trading day is determined from the Session Times in Chart Settings. This will be the Start Time or if the Evening Session is enabled, then it will be the Evening Start Time.
Current Price Line
Displays a line on the chart at the most current price level.
Inputs
Number of Bars Back: This input specifies the number of bars to display the current price line on. Use 0 to draw the line only on the most recent day.
Custom DLL Study
This study is for using older advanced custom studies for Sierra Chart. It is for back compatibility only. Advanced Custom Studies do not require this study unless they are very old.
See the How to Use an Advanced Custom Study documentation page for complete instructions to use an Advanced Custom Study.
See the Creating Advanced Custom Studies and Systems documentation page for complete instructions to create an Advanced Custom Study or System.
Custom Scale Control
Apply this study to a chart. Go to Chart >> Chart Settings, press Scale, and set the Scale Range to Same As Region.
Inputs
Percentage: The percentage of the height of the chart that the last bar will fill from high to low.
Default Range: The range that is used when the last bar has no range (i.e. high and low are the same).
Daily OHLC
This study draws the open, high, low and close of a previous, future, or the current day on an intraday chart. By default, the prices are determined from the Intraday Data itself. Alternatively, the prices can be determined using a daily chart by setting Use this Intraday Chart to No. The Daily Chart Number input described below explains how to reference the daily chart.
Inputs
Use this Intraday Chart: This input specifies whether or not this study will refer to a separate historical daily chart to determine the OHLC data from. If this is set to Yes, this study will use the intraday chart this study is applied to determine the OHLC data from for a particular day. If this is set to No, this study will refer to a separate historical daily chart. This chart is specified with the Daily Chart Number input.
Daily Chart Number: This only applies if Use this Intraday Chart is No. There are two reasons that you would want to use a daily chart. First, would be to obtain accurate OHLC data, since Intraday charts may be not be 100% precise. Second, would be to see day session OHLC lines on a 24 hour intraday chart or see 24 hour OHLC lines on a day session intraday chart. This input needs to be set to the number of the daily chart with the same symbol. If for example you apply this study to an IBM intraday chart, then you would need to open an IBM historical daily chart and set the Daily Chart Number input with this study to the chart number of the historical daily chart. Chart numbers are shown on the title line of the chart and are right after the #. If the IBM historical chart is #3, then this input needs to be set to 3.
In the case where you want to see day session OHLC lines on a 24 hour intraday chart or see 24 hour OHLC lines on a day session intraday chart, then refer to the documentation for Pivot Points for instructions on how to setup your daily chart since the technique is the same.
OHLC of How Many Days Back: This setting specifies what days back to determine the OHLC. For example, a setting of 1 means the previous Day's OHLC. A Setting of 0 shows the OHLC of the current day, negative numbers display the OHLC of future days.
Graph HL Historically: If this setting is set to Yes then, the high/Low lines will show the high/low as they progress along the trading day . Rather than a flat line across the entire trading day which represents the Highest high and Lowest low of the day. This option only applies if the OHLC of How Many Days Back option is set to zero.
Demand Index
Calculates James Sibbet's Demand Index using the standard method.
Inputs
Demarker
Calculates and displays the Demarker study.
Inputs
Detrended Oscillator
Formula: Closing prices minus the simple moving average of the Closing prices over the specified length.
Inputs
Detrended Oscillator - DiNapoli
Calculates and displays the DiNapoli Detrended Oscillator.
Inputs
Difference Study - Bar or Single Line
Calculates the difference between two charts. See the Multiple Chart Studies description for general instructions to use this type of study.
The graph can be either a bar or a single line. If you use the Bar version, the actual graph type is set through the Graph Draw Type setting in the Study Settings window.
For every bar/column in this study, it references the corresponding bar/column in the chart being referenced (ChartNumber Input). This would be the nearest matching DateTime value in the chart being referenced compared to a particular DateTime in the chart this study is on.
The Single Line version of this study calculates the difference between the Input Data data of the chart this study is applied to and the same Input Data in the specified chart. For example, if the Input Data input is set to Last, then it is the difference between the Last value of a particular bar in the chart that this study is applied to and the Last value of the corresponding bar in the specified chart.
The Bar version of the Difference study calculates the difference between the open, high, low, and close, independently, for a particular bar in the chart the study is applied to and the corresponding bar in the chart being referenced. If the Open or the Close differences exceed the High or Low differences, then the High and/or Low are adjusted so that the Open or Close differences do not exceed them.
When the chart is updated, then the last column and any new columns of this study are updated.
Difference - Study Subgraph
Calculates the difference between two study subgraphs. Formula: Study Subgraph 1 - Study Subgraph 2
Inputs
Input Study 1: This is the study that the first subgraph used in the difference calculation will be chosen from.
Study 1 Subgraph: This is the subgraph of the first study that will be used in the difference calculation.
Input Study 2: This is the study that the second subgraph used in the difference calculation will be chosen from.
Study 2 Subgraph: This is the subgraph of the second study that will be used in the difference calculation.
Directional Movement Index
Welles Wilder's Plus and Minus Directional Indicators +DI and -DI.
Inputs
Directional Movement Oscillator
Calculates the difference between the Directional Indicators -DI and the +DI.
Inputs
Dispersion
Calculates the Dispersion(Variance) of the latest inputs. This is calculated by summing up the value of the mean, of the values, minus the current value squared divided by the number of values:
Sum( ((Mean-Value)^2) / Number of Values )
Inputs
DOM Data
This study will display the current Depth of Market data. It is intended to be used with the Worksheet study. When using this study, also add the Worksheet study to your chart. The DOM data will be visible at column AA, or after. Since the study graph itself is probably not very informative, you will probably want to hide it. To do this, go to Tools >> Adjust Regions and adjust the region, so that it takes a small amount of space on the chart.
Donchian Channel
For each bar in the chart, this study draws a line at the level of the highest high of the last N bars. N is set with the Length input. For each bar in the chart, this study draws a line at the level of the lowest low of the last N bars. N is set with the Length input.
Inputs
Double Stochastic
Inputs
Double Stochastic - Bressert/Kiwi
Inputs
Pds
Slow
Downtick Volume
The study will display downtick volume, if possible, for a bar. Downtick volume is the volume of trades that occurred at a lower price than before. Trades that occurred at the same price and where the prior trade was at a Lower price, are also considered downticks. The study will only function accurately and correctly when you have tick by tick data in the chart data file. In File >> Data/Trade Service Settings, the Intraday Data Storage Time Unit will need to be 1 Tick and the historical intraday data downloaded from the data or trading service you are using also needs to be 1 Tick. If the historical data downloaded is not 1 tick, then that's OK but the areas where you do not have 1 Tick data in the chart, the study will not function correctly.
Elder Ray
Calculates and displays the Elder Ray study.
Inputs
Envelope
Plus and minus bands a percentage of the Input Data input drawn above and below the main graph.
Inputs
Fast Stochastic
The Stochastic oscillator compares where a symbol's price closed relative to its price range over a given time period.
Inputs
Fibonnacci Auto Retracement
Inputs
Plot Type: This input sets the plot type for the study. Enter 0 for a Projection plot, and 1 for a Retracement plot.
Fib Level (1-14): Specifies the desired Fibonacci levels.
Find High and Low of the Day
This study marks the High and Low of the day.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Force Index
No information is currently provided.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Force Index Average
Exponential average of the force index.
Inputs
Heikin-Ashi
The Heikin-Ashi Study is a way to calculate average bars.
If you want to view the Heikin-Ashi study as the Main price graph, open the Technical Study Settings window for the study and enable the Display As Main Price Graph option.
The Heikin-Ashi is calculated with the following formula:
Heikin-Ashi Close: haClose = (Open + High + Low + Close) / 4.
Heikin-Ashi open: haOpen = (yesterday's haOpen + yesterday's haClose) / 2
Heikin-Ashi high: haHigh = the higher of today's High, and today's haOpen
Heikin-Ashi low: haLow = the lower of today's Low, and today's haOpen
Herrick Payoff Index
The Herrick Payoff Index is designed to show the amount of money flowing into or out of a futures contract. The index uses open interest during its calculations; therefore, the symbol, being analyzed must contain open interest.
Probably the best analysis will be achieved by using Open Interest data that includes the total Open interest for all the contracts for the underlying symbol. If you are using the myTrack service you can obtain this data by using the Dial Data Database. You can select this Database as an alternate source for Historical data by selecting Global settings >> Data / Trade Service Settings >> Alt. Historical Service.... Any futures contract you open a chart for, should contain total Open Interest.
Inputs
Value of a .01 move: This is the price value of a .01 move.
Smoothing multiplier: This is a smoothing multiplier, larger values makes HPI less smooth and smaller values makes HPI more smooth.
G-method: If set to 1 uses the greater of current and prior open interest, if set to 2 uses lesser of current and prior open interest.
Divisor: Scales up/down the HPI index.
High/Low for Time Period
The High/Low for Time Period study will draw lines across each day in the chart at the Highest price for the time spanning the Start Time and End Time inputs and at the Lowest price for the same time period. The lines for a day will drawn beginning at the Start Time input and go to the end of the days session time. The beginning and ending of a days trading session is determined from the Session Times in Chart >> Chart Settings. This study is typically used to draw the opening range across the day in the chart or to draw the overnight session High and Low on the day session.
If you wish to draw lines on an intraday chart for the current day that represent the highest High and the lowest Low for the day, then you will want to use the Daily OHLC study and set the OHLC of n Days Back (OHLC of How Many Days Back) input to 0.
Inputs
Start Time: This is the start time that you want to determine the High and Low price from. This can be later than the End Time. If it is later than the End Time, then it is considered in the prior day.
End Time: This is the end time that you want to determine the High and Low price to. This can be earlier than the Start Time.
Historical Volatility Ratio
This study calculates the Historical Volatility Ratio.
Inputs
Horizontal Lines
The Horizontal Line study is for drawing horizontal lines on other studies and on the main price graph. Lines can be drawn in any region on the chart. The horizontal line study can be added as many times as you require to a chart.
Inputs
LineN Value: The level to draw a horizontal line at within a chart region.
Inside Bar
This study will place a point at the top of all bars that have an inside bar pattern.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Inside or Equals Bar
This study identifies an Inside or Equals bar.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Inverse Fisher Transform
The Inverse Fisher Transform applies the Inverse Fisher Transform formula to any study. Add this study to a chart and set the Based On setting to the study that you want to apply the formula to. This study must also be added to the chart. Set the Input Data input to the subgraph of the study you are basing this study on that you want the Inverse Fisher Transform applied to. This study has a moving average to smooth the final output.
Inputs
Line Value: The value at which the horizontal line is drawn.
Inverse Fisher Transform with RSI
The study calculates the Inverse Fisher Transform of an RSI.
Inputs
Line Value: The value at which the horizontal line is drawn.
Island Reversal
This study will place a point at the high of all bars that have an up island reversal pattern and will place a point at the low of all bars that have a down island reversal pattern.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Kagi Chart
A Kagi Chart is a chart that ignores time and displays a series of lines where the thickness and direction of the line signify how the price is moving. If a Kagi line exceeds the prior high point of the Kagi Chart, the line becomes thick. If a Kagi line falls below the prior low point, the line becomes thin.
This study can be applied to a chart of any time period. Although bars of a very short duration , such as under 10 seconds, would create the most accurate chart. You may wish to use a longer time period for different results. The study can be applied to Historical Daily Charts as well.
Inputs
Use Percentage for Reversal: The reversal amount of a Kagi Line can be either a percentage or a fixed amount. To use a percentage, you will need to set this input to Yes.
Reversal Percentage: This input specifies the percentage a chart must reach in order to switch direction. Use Percentage for Reversal must be Yes in order for this input to be used.
Fixed Reversal Amount: This input specifies a fixed amount a chart must reach in order to switch direction. Use Percentage for Reversal must be set to No in order for this input to be used.
Keltner Channel
The Keltner Channel is similar to Bollinger Bands.
Inputs
Kijun-Sen
This study calculates and displays the Kijun-Sen study.
Inputs
Kiwi's Trailing Stop
Calculates and displays the Kiwi's Trailing Stop study.
Inputs
Use 2 Subgraphs: Set this input to Yes to use 2 subgraphs. Or to No to use 1 subgraph.
Kurtosis
The general form or a quantity indicative of the general form of a statistical frequency curve near the mean of the distribution. The Excel help screens tell us that "kurtosis characterizes the relative peakedness or flatness of a distribution compared to the normal distribution. Positive kurtosis indicates a relatively peaked distribution. Negative kurtosis indicates a relatively flat distribution" (Microsoft, 1996).
Inputs
Weight: No information is currently provided.
Least Squares Moving Average
This study calculates a least squares moving average.
Inputs
Line
The Line study is for drawing lines on other studies and on the main price graph. Lines can be drawn in any region on the chart. The Line study can be added as many times as you require to a chart, to draw multiple lines.
If you wish to overlay the Line study on another study, then be sure to set the Chart Region setting in the Study Settings window for the Line study, to the same region number where the other study is displayed.
Inputs
Value: The level to draw a horizontal line at within a chart region.
Linear Regression End Channel
Inputs
Number of Bars: The number of bars from the end of the chart to draw the Linear Regression Channel Lines on.
Number of Deviations: The multiplier for the channel lines.
Use Start Date/Time instead of Number of Bars: When this input is set to Yes, the study will begin from the Start Date and Time specified below.
Start Date and Time: If the Use Start Date/Time instead of Number of Bars input is set to Yes, the study will begin from this input. If the Start Date and Time are too far away from the end of the chart, the study will only draw lines for the last 5000 bars.
Linear Regressive Slope
No information is currently provided.
Inputs
MACD
The Moving Average Convergence/Divergence is a trend-following momentum indicator that shows the relationship between two moving averages of prices. The MACD was developed by Gerald Appel. Currently Sierra Chart uses exponential moving averages for the MACD.
Inputs
Market Facilitation Index
The market Facilitation Index, created by Dr. Bill Williams, attempts to determine the efficiency of price movement by quantifying the price movement per unit of volume. This is done by taking the day's range (high minus low), multiplying it by the multiplier, and dividing it by the total volume for the period.
Inputs
Market Structure MSL/MSH
This study identifies Market Structure Lows and Highs on the chart. The bars where these occur will be colored. The color to use is controled through the subgraph color settings. You can also optionally show labels on the bars. A description of the patterns detected can be found here.
Inputs
Draw Labels: If this is set to Yes, then HH (Higher High), LH (Lower High), LL (Lower Low), HL (Higher Low) labels will be shown.
Y Offset for Labels: This is the actual price value that you want to offset the labels from the Highs or Lows of the price bars. Usually 0 is fine unless the labels are too close.
Display Price Values: When this input is set to Yes and the Draw Labels input is also set to Yes, then the low or high price for the bar will be displayed as well.
McClellan Oscillator
The McClellan Oscillator is a market breadth indicator that is based on the smoothed difference between the number of advancing and declining issues on the New York Stock Exchange.
Add this study to an advancing issues historical chart (myTrack symbol U.PN). Also open a declining issues historical chart (myTrack symbol D.PN). Set the Declining Issues Chart Number input to the declining issues chart number. See the Multiple Chart Studies description for more information.
Inputs
Declining Issues Chart Number: Identifying number of the declining issues chart to use in the study formula. Chart identifying numbers are right of the # displayed on the title bar of the chart and at the top of the price graph.
McClellan Oscillator - 1 Chart
The McClellan Oscillator is a market breadth indicator that is based on the smoothed difference between the number of advancing and declining issues on the New York Stock Exchange. This version uses one chart.
Add this study to the chart of a symbol that indicates advancing issues minus declining issues.
Data service symbols:
- MyTrack: N.PN (NYSE)
- DTN IQFeed Symbol: JINT.Z (NYSE)
- IB: AD-NYSE-I-NYSE (NYSE)
McClellan Sum. Index - 1 Chart
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
McClellan Summation Index
The McClellan Summation Index is a market breadth indicator based on the McClellan Oscillator.
Add this study to an advancing issues historical chart (myTrack symbol U.PN). Also open a declining issues historical chart (myTrack symbol D.PN). Set the Declining Issues Chart Number input to the declining issues chart number. See the Multiple Chart Studies description for more information.
Inputs
Declining Issues Chart Number: Identifying number of the declining issues chart to use in the study formula. Chart identifying numbers are right of the # displayed on the title bar of the chart and at the top of the price graph.
Momentum
The Momentum indicator measures the amount that a symbols price has changed over a given time span.
Formula: (InputData / InputData n (Length) periods ago) * 100
Inputs
Momentum Trend
A point is drawn on the bar high if the Momentum (same as the Momentum study) is up. A point is drawn on the bar low if the Momentum is down.
Inputs
Momentum with Moving Average
The Momentum study with a simple moving average.
Inputs
Money Flow Index
The Money Flow Index (MFI) is a momentum indicator that measures the strength of money flowing in and out of a security. It is related to the relative Strength Index (RSI), but whereas the RSI incorporates only prices, the MFI accounts for volume.
Inputs
Moving Average Difference
Calculates the difference between two simple moving averages. The moving averages are of the midpoints of a bar ((High + Low)/2). Formula: Moving Average 2 - Moving Average 1. Rising values are drawn a different color than falling values.
Inputs
Moving Average Envelope
This study draws bands a specified fixed amount or a specified percentage of a moving average, above and below the average.
Inputs
1 = Percentage, 2 = Fixed Value: Enter a 1 to make the bands a percentage of the moving average, or enter a 2 to make the bands based on a fixed value.
Fixed Value: If you use a Fixed Value, enter the amount with this input to add and subtract to the moving average to create the bands.
Moving Average - Adaptive
This study calculates the Perry Kaufman adaptive moving average. Reference: Stocks & Commodities V13:6: (267): Sidebar: Adaptive Moving Average.
Inputs
Fast Smoothing Constant: No information is currently provided.
Slow Smoothing Constant: No information is currently provided.
Moving Average - Exponential
This study calculates an exponential moving average of the Input Data.
Inputs
Moving Average - Hull
Calculates and displays the Hull Moving Average.
Inputs
Moving Averages
This study calculates and draws 3 moving averages of any type.
Inputs
Moving Average - Simple
This study calculates a simple moving average of the Input Data.
Inputs
Moving Average - Smoothed
Calculates and displays the Smoothed Moving Average.
Inputs
Moving Average - Triangular
A triangular moving average places the majority of the weight on the middle portion of the price series.
Inputs
Moving Average - Triple Exponential
Calculates and displays the Triple Exponential Moving Average.
Inputs
Moving Average - Volume Weighted
This study calculates a volume weighted moving average of the Input Data by placing more weight on the prices with a higher volume.
Inputs
Moving Average - Weighted
This study calculates a weighted moving average of the Input Data.
Inputs
Moving Average - Welles Wilders
Calculates and displays the Welles Wilders Moving Average.
Inputs
Moving Linear Regression Line/Indicator
This study calculates and displays the value of a linear regression trendline over n (Length) Data Items (Closes, Highs, Lows, ...). Therefore, any point along the linear regression line is equal to the ending value of a linear regression trendline. For example, the ending value of a linear regression trendline that covers 10 closing prices will have the same value as a 10 Length Linear Regressions Line.
Inputs
Multiple Chart Studies
This description is for studies that use 2 or more charts in their formula. For example: If you want to graph the Ratio or Difference of two charts:
- Open 2 charts, if they are not already open.
- Let's assume the chart numbers are #1 and #3. Add the Ratio or Difference study to the chart identified as #1
- Set the Chart 2 Number input with the study to chart #3.
- The chart referenced on the left side of the division or subtraction operator is the chart the study is applied to. The chart referenced on the right side of the division or subtraction operator is the one set with the Chart 2 Number input (example: #1 will be divided by #3).
The Days To Load and Time Period per Bar settings for a chart, that is referenced by one of these studies, cannot be changed. They are set to the same settings as the chart that is referencing it. If they are changed, then they will be changed back to the same settings as the chart containing the study that is referencing it.
If you want to make one of these studies the main price graph in the chart, and allow studies to be applied to it, then enable the Display as Main Price Graph option in the Study Settings window.
Inputs
Input Data (applies to studies that use a single line and not a price bar style)
Chart 1,2,3 Multiplier: Value to multiply the selected Data Item or the bar in chart 1,2, or 3 by. Chart 1 is the chart the study is applied to.
Chart 2,3 Number: Identifying number of the second or third chart to use in the study formula. Chart identifying numbers are right of the # displayed on the title bar of the chart and at the top of the price graph. The first chart used in the calculation is the chart that the study is applied to.
Chart 1 Addition: This input adds the specified amount to chart 1 after multiplying chart 1 by the Chart 1 Multiplier.
Multiply by -1
Multiplies the Main Price Graph by -1.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Murray Math
This study calculates Murray Math Lines.
Inputs
Square Width: The width of the Square. In other words, the number of bars to use in the calculation.
Use Last Bar As End Date & Time: If this is set to Yes, the Murray Math study will be calculated using the last bars on the chart. Lines will be redrawn for every new bar. If this is set to No, the Murray Math will be calculated using the bars beginning with the bar at the End Date & Time input, and going back the number of bars indicated in Square Width. It is set to Yes by default.
End Date & Time: The Date & Time which will be the last bar used in the calculation. By default, this is not set, and will not be used unless the Use Last Bar As End Date & Time input is set to Yes.
Mutual Fund Bars
This study is used with Mutual Funds symbols and creates improved bars.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Highest High/Lowest Low Over N Bars
For each bar in the chart, this study draws a line at the level of the highest high of the last N bars. N is set with the Length input. For each bar in the chart, this study draws a line at the level of the lowest low of the last N bars. N is set with the Length input. This study is also known as the Donchian Channel. We also have a Donchian channel study. It's the same except that it is displaced forward by one bar. This can also be displaced by one bar.
Inputs
Narrow Range Bar
Identifies Narrow Range bars.
Inputs
Number of Bars
Negative Volume Index
The Negative Volume Index (NVI) increases on days when the volume decreases from the previous day.
Inputs
Initial Value: The initial starting value for the study. This value should be close to the average price of the symbol to allow the study to be overlaid on the main price graph.
Number of Trades
This study is for intraday charts only. It will show the number of trades per bar for bars built from data collected while connected to the data feed.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
OBV with Moving Average
Calculates and displays cumulative On Balance Volume and a Simple Moving Average of it.
Inputs
On Balance Open Interest
Calculates and displays On Balance Open Interest.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
On Balance Open Interest - Short Term
Calculates and displays the On Balance Open Interest over a specific length.
Inputs
On Balance Volume
Calculates and displays Cumulative On Balance Volume.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
On Balance Volume - Short Term
This study calculates On Balance Volume for the specified number of volume bars instead of a continuous cumulative total. The Length input specifies number of bars.
Inputs
Open Interest
Displays Open Interest for futures and options charts.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Out of Sequence Detector
Marks the high of a bar where the date or time is out of sequence. Out of sequence bars can prevent lines or text drawn on the chart from appearing. If an out of sequence bar has been detected, see Help Topic #19.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Outside Bar
This study will place a point at the top of all bars that have an outside bar pattern.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Overlay (Bar or Single Line)
This study overlays the main price graph from another open chart on the chart this study is applied to. Multiple Overlay studies can be added to a chart to overlay more than one price graph on a chart. This study allows you to view multiple symbols in one single chart.
Scaling: By default, the Scale Range is set to Independent for this study. This allows the Overlay to be visible when overlaying on a graph with a completely different price range. If you are overlaying a graph on a chart with similar prices, the Overlay graph line will not match the scale of the graph it is overlaid on. To make the graph line match, set the Scale for this study to Automatic. Please see the Scaling documentation for complete instructions for changing the scale.
The graph can be either a Bar or a Single Line. If you use the Bar version, the actual style is controled with the study's Graph Draw Type setting.
Inputs
Chart Number to Overlay: Identifying number of the chart to overlay on the chart this study is applied to. Chart identifying numbers are right of the # displayed on the title bar of the chart and at the top of the price graph. The chart to overlay must also be open.
Input Data. This input sets what data array to overlay. This input is only available with the Overlay (Single Line) study.
Overlay Non-sync
This study overlays a price graph from another chart on a chart. Multiple overlay studies can be added to a chart to overlay more than one price graph on a chart. The price graph you are overlaying can be from a chart with a different time period. Unlike the Overlay (Bar) study, there is no synchronization between the charts.
By default, the Scale Range is set to independent for this study. This allows the Overlay to be visible when overlaying on a graph with a completely different price range. If you are overlaying a graph on a chart with similar prices, the Overlay graph line will not match the scale of the graph it is overlaid on. To make the graph line match, set the Scale for this study to Automatic. Please see the Study Settings Window section for complete instructions for changing the scale.
The colors of the bars are set through the study color settings.
Inputs
Chart Number to Overlay: Identifying number of the chart to overlay on the chart this study is applied to. Chart identifying numbers are right of the # displayed on the title bar of the chart and at the top of the price graph. The chart to overlay must also be open.
Parabolic
Calculates the Welles Wilder Parabolic SAR (Stop and Reversal).
Inputs
Start Acceleration Factor: This input sets the Starting Acceleration Factor.
Acceleration Increment: This input sets the Acceleration Increment.
Max Acceleration Factor: This input sets the maximum amount the Acceleration Factor will be set to.
Adjust for Gap: If set to 1 the parabolic will be adjusted up or down by the gap amount when a gap occurs at the opening of a new day.
Percentage Price Oscillator
Calculates and displays the Percentage Price Oscillator.
Inputs
Pivot Points - Daily
The documentation here.
Pivot Points - Variable Period
The documentation here.
Point and Figure Chart
Point and Figure charts compress data into a column of X's or O's. A X column is created when the price is going up, an O column when the price is going down. One X or O is plotted for each price move of the specified Box Size. If the price reverses direction by the number of boxes specified by the Reversal Size input or more, then a new column is created in the opposite direction. The graph is built from the underlying data in the chart. If the underlying data is 1 minute, then the Point and Figure columns will be based upon 1 minute bar data. If the underlying data is daily, then the columns will be based upon daily bar data. If the underlying data is less than a minute or based on ticks, then the columns will be based upon that data. The time period of the underlying data is set by selecting Chart >> Chart Settings on the menu. The time period per bar is set through the controls in the Intraday or Historical Chart Bar Period frames.
When displaying the Point and Figure columns as OHLC bars instead of X's or O's, then if prices are rising, then the close mark will be at the top of the bar. If prices are falling, then the close mark is at the bottom of the bar. On the last bar, the close is at the current closing price. The open mark is at the price where the reversal occurred. Reversals are determined from the high or low of the underlying data bars in the chart. You can use the Chart Values and Chart Calculator tools on the bars to check values and take measurements.
Point and Figure charts are based on the high and low of the underlying bars in the chart. If the open is greater than the close of an underlying bar, likely meaning the high was made first, then the high is processed before the low. If the open is less than the close of an underlying bar, likely meaning the low was made first, then the low is processed before the high. For example, if the Point and Figure column currently being built is up and the underlying data bar is determined to be a rising bar, meaning the low was made first, then the program checks to see if the low causes a reversal. If it did, a reversal will be made. Sierra Chart will then look at the high to see if a new box or boxes can be added if no reversal was made from the low. Or if a reversal was made from the low, Sierra Chart will look at the high to see if a reversal needs to be made from the new down column.
When you are using the Point and Figure study on an intraday chart, for the greatest accuracy and stability you may wish to use underlying chart bars which are of a very short duration such as 10 seconds. This will give you the highest accuracy and stability. If you are using 1 minute underlying bars or a greater time period per bar, then as the last underlying bar is changing in its structure, then you may notice a Point and Figure column disappear and reappear until such time that the underlying bar is completed.
For a X / Up column: The low is at the bottom of the column and the close and high are the top of the column. For an O / Down column: The high is at the top of the column and the close and low are the bottom of the column. Volume for a column is the actual trading volume for the column.
There are 2 Graph Draw Types for this study. One will display Point and Figure columns with a normal OHLC bar style and the other will use a XO the style. They can be selected on the Subgraphs tab of the Technical Study Settings Window for the study. If you are displaying the columns as OHLC bars instead of the XO style, then you may notice that close price of the last bar goes beyond the High or Low. This image explains this.
Subgraph Color Settings: This information applies when the Graph Draw Type is set to use the OHLC bar style. The Open color sets the Open/Close dashes for Up Bars. The High Color sets the High/Low color for Up Bars. The Low color sets the Open/Close dashes for Down Bars. The Last Color sets the High/Low color for Down Bars.
Inputs
Box Size: This is the Point and Figure Box Size and is most important input to set. It should be a multiple of the symbol's Tick Size. If the Tick Size is 0.25, you may want to use 1.
Reversal Size: This is the number of boxes that prices need to reverse by, in order to start a new column.
Allow One box Reversals: If this input is set to Yes, then one box reversals are supported.
Positive Volume Index
The Positive Volume Index (PVI) increases on days when the volume increases from the previous day.
Inputs
Initial Value: The initial starting value for the study. This value should be close to the average price of the symbol to allow the study to be overlaid on the main price graph.
Preferred Stochastic - DiNapoli
This study calculates a special Stochastic.
Inputs
Previous Bar Close
Displays the Previous Bar Close.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Previous Day OHLC
This is an older study. Use the Daily OHLC study instead. The Daily OHLC study is up to date and provides a lot more functionality.
Price Volume Trend
The Price Volume Trend is similar in concept to On Balance Volume in that it is a cumulative total of volume that is adjusted depending on changes in closing prices. But whereas OBV adds all volume on days when prices close higher and subtracts all volume on days when prices close lower, the PVT adds only a portion of the daily volume. The amount of volume added to the PVT is a function of the amount by which prices rose or fell relative to the previous day's close.
The PVT is calculated by multiplying the day's volume by the percentage change of the underlying security and adding this value to a cumulative total. For example, if the security closed up 0.5% and volume was 10,000 shares, we would add 50 (i.e., 0.005 * 10,000 = 50) to the PVT. If the security had closed down 0.5%, we would have subtracted 50 from the PVT.
Formula:
PVT = (((Close - Yest_Close) / Yest_Close) * Vol) + Yest_PVT
Where:
Close = Today's closing price
Yest_Close = Yesterday's closing price
Vol = Today's volume
Yest_PVT = Yesterday's Price Volume Trend
R Squared
Calculates and displays the R Squared study.
Inputs
Rahul Mohindar Oscillator
Calculates and displays the Rahul Mohindar Oscillator.
Inputs
Random Walk Indicator
This study calculates the High and Low Random Walk Indicator. The Random walk indicator is used to determine if an issue is trending or in a random trading range. It attempts to do this by first determining an issue's trading range. The next step is to calculate a series of RWI indexes for the maximum look-back period. The largest index move in relation to a random walk is used as today's index. An issue is trending higher if the RWI of highs is greater than 1, while a downtrend is indicated if the RWI of lows is greater than 1.
Inputs
Range Bar Predictor
Displays the projected High and Low for a range bar.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Rate of Change - Percentage
The Rate of Change indicator calculates the difference between the current price or volume and the price or volume n time periods ago, n is equal to the Length. Use the Input Data input to specify the price bar item or to specify volume. This study calculates the difference between prices or volumes as a percentage.
Inputs
Rate of Change - Points
The Rate of Change indicator calculates the difference between the current price or volume and the price or volume n time periods ago, n is equal to the Length. Use the Input Data input to specify the price bar item or to specify volume. This study calculates the actual difference between prices or volumes.
Inputs
Ratio - Bar or Single Line
Calculates the ratio of two charts. Chart1 / Chart2. This is useful for comparing the relative strength of one chart to another. See the Multiple Chart Studies description for instructions.
The graph can be either a bar or a single line. If you use the Bar version, the actual graph type is set through the Graph Draw Type setting in the Study Settings window.
Ratio - Study Subgraph
Calculates and displays the Ratio between two study subgraphs.
Inputs
Input Study 1
Study 1 Subgraph
Input Study 2
Study 2 Subgraph
Renko Chart
A Renko Chart is a chart made up of boxes which are always the same size. The value of these boxes are specified with the Renko Box Size input. A Renko box is drawn in a Renko chart when the underlying data in the chart moves by at least a minimum amount (the Renko Box Size). In order for this study to work properly, you must set the Renko Box Size correctly. A new box will not be drawn until this minimum amount has been met. This study is built from the underlying bars in the chart. By default, the Last/Close values of the underlying bars are examined.
This study can be applied to a chart of any time period per bar. Although bars of a very short duration, such as under 10 seconds, will create the most accurate chart. You may wish to use a longer time period per bar for different results. The study can be applied to Historical Daily charts as well.
Note: You must have the proper Tick Size set in Chart >> Chart Settings for the study to work properly.
Inputs
Renko Box Size: This input specifies the actual range value (height) of a Renko box on the chart. This is also the amount by which the Last/Close price of the underlying bars in the chart have to move in comparison to the top or bottom of the last drawn Renko box, in order to draw a new box. This input needs to be a multiple of the Tick Size for the symbol of the chart that the Renko study is applied to.
Use High/Low Values Instead of Last Price (Non-Standard): Normally, Renko bars are based upon the Last or Close price of the underlying bars in the chart. This is the case when this input is set to No. When this input is set to Yes, then the High and Low of the underlying bars in the chart will be examined to determine if a new Renko bar can be added. This will provide for more complete analysis of the underlying data.
Draw Renko Boxes on Bar Close:
Round Study Subgraph to Tick Size
This study will round the selected study Subgraph data to the nearest tick size value based upon the Tick Size setting in Chart >> Chart Settings. The first step is to select the study you want this study based on by using the Based On setting in the Study Settings Window for the Round Study Subgraph to Tick Size study. The next step is to use the Input Data input and select the study subgraph you want to round the values for. Also verify you have the proper Tick Size setting in Chart >> Chart Settings.
You probably will want to hide the study that this study is based on. To do this open the Study Settings Window for that study and enable the Hide Study option.
RSI
This study calculates The Welles Wilder Relative Strength Index.
RSI Moving Average Length: The length to use for a simple moving average of the RSI.
Average Type: This input sets the internal up and down average calculation method. Set to 2 for the standard RSI average calculation method (default). Set to 1 for the Welles average method. Set to 0 for a true standard mathematical average.
RSI - W
This study calculates The Welles Wilder Relative Strength Index. It uses the Wilder's Smoothing Average method for the average upward and downward price change calculation.
RSI Moving Average Length: The length to use for a simple moving average of the RSI.
SC Woodies Panel
This study displays the Woodies data panel on the right side of a chart. For more information, see this support board subtopic.
Inputs
Panel Range Top Value
Panel Range Bottom Value
Show Descriptive Labels
Number of Fill Space Columns
CCI Study Reference
Projected Entry Offset in Ticks
Use Woodies Background Color
Trading Stop Time
CCI Predictor Study Reference
Show Previous Close
Use Secondary Color after Trading Stop Time
SideWinder Study Reference
Left Edge Text Offset
Senkou Span A
Calculates and displays the Senkou Span A study.
Inputs
Senkou Span A & B
Calculates and displays the Senkou Span A & B study.
Inputs
Senkou Span B
Calculates and displays the Senkous Span B study.
Inputs
SideWinder
This study is used by the Woodies CCI system. For more information, see this support board subtopic.
Inputs
Trending Threshold
Normal Threshold
Tick Value: This should normally be 0 unless you want to override the Tick Size setting for the chart.
Color Settings
SW Top Primary: Color for Normal Up.
SW Top Secondary: Color for Trending Up.
SW Bottom Primary: Color for Normal Down.
SW Bottom Secondary: Color for Trending Down.
Flat Color: Color for Flat Market.
Sine-Wave Weighted Moving Average
Calculates and displays the Sine-Wave Weighted Moving Average study.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Slow Stochastic
The Stochastic oscillator compares where a symbol's price closed relative to its price range over a given time period.
If you set the Moving Average Type to Exponential (0) for this study, then this will give you a Bressert Double Smoothed Stochastic.
Inputs
Spread - 3 Chart
This study uses 3 charts and creates a price bar graph. The formula is: Chart 1 + Chart 2 - Chart 3. See the Multiple Chart Studies section for instructions for this type of study and the available study Inputs.
Spread - Butterfly
This study uses 3 charts and creates a price bar graph. The default formula is: Chart 1 - (Chart 2 * 2) + Chart 3. See the Multiple Chart Studies section for instructions for this type of study and the available study Inputs.
Square of 9
This study calculates Gann's Square of 9 indicator.
Add this study to a chart. Set the Anchor Value, Degrees, and Level inputs. This study will draw a line at the specified Anchor Value and at the positive and negative degrees from the Anchor line as specified by the Degrees and Level inputs. To get multiple degrees you need to add this study multiple times to the chart using a different Level input for each.
If you find that your price graph is getting compressed by the Square of 9 lines, then set the Scale Range Type in the Scale settings for this study to Same As Region.
Inputs
Anchor Value: The user designated starting level for the calculations. This is usually a significant high or low in the chart.
Degrees: The degrees that you wish to use for the calculations.
Level: The degrees level for the lines. For example, if Degrees is set to 22.5 and the Level is set to 1, then lines are drawn at positive and negative 45 degrees from the Anchor Value. If Degrees is set to 22.5 and the Level is set to 2, then the lines are drawn at positive and negative 90 degrees from the Anchor Value. And so on.
Standard Deviation Bands
This study is similar to Bollinger bands, however it is more customizable.
Inputs
Standard Deviation
Calculates the standard deviation of the data specified by the Input Data input over the Length number of bars.
Inputs
Standard Error Bands
This study is similar in appearance to Bollinger bands, however they are calculated and interpreted differently. Where Bollinger bands are plotted at standard Deviation levels above and below a moving average, Standard Error Bands are plotted at Standard Error levels above and below the Linear Regression Indicator.
Inputs
STIX
The STIX is a short-term trading oscillator that was published in The Polymetric Report. It compares the amount of volume flowing into advancing and declining stocks.
Add this study to an advancing issues historical chart (myTrack symbol U.PN). Also open a declining issues historical chart (myTrack symbol D.PN). Set the Declining Issues Chart Number input to the declining issues chart number. See the Multiple Chart Studies description for more information.
Inputs
Declining Issues Chart Number: Identifying number of the declining issues chart to use in the study formula. Chart identifying numbers are right of the # displayed on the title bar of the chart and at the top of the price graph.
Stochastic Crossover System
Inputs
Do Not Use Buy/Sell Lines
Stochastic RSI
Calculates and displays the Stochastic RSI study.
Inputs
Study Angle
This study calculates the angle of a line from another study. The angle is calculated based on the the change in points of the Input Data over the specified Length. The Value Per Point input is used to determine the actual point change. The output is given in degrees, and the range of the output is between 90 and -90, where a positive value means the study Subgraph line is sloping up and a negative value means the study is sloping down. To use this study, set the Based On setting in the Study Settings window for the Study Angle study to the study that you want to calculate the angle from. After this, set the Input Data input to the specific study Subgraph name that you want to calculate the angle for.
Inputs
Value Per Point: For more information about the Value Per Point input, see the explanation in the Drawing a Line with a Specific Angle or Slope section on the Tools page.
Study Moving Average
This study is for back-compatibility. You should use the new Based On setting for a study to base a study on another study. For more information see Technical Study Settings.
The Study Moving Average study is a moving average of any type that can be applied to any other Study. For example, you can apply it to the Commodity Channel Index study to smooth it.
Inputs
Study Number: The Study Number input needs to be set to the study number to apply this study to. Each study in the Studies to Graph list box on the Chart Studies window has a number. The first one in the list is Number 1, the second one is Number 2, and so on. If you remove or readjust the order of studies in the Studies to Graph list box on the Chart Studies window, then the Study Number input may need to be adjusted to the number of the study you want to apply it to.
Study Subgraph Number: The Study Subgraph Number input needs to be set to the study subgraph to smooth. This normally would be set to 1. The first line of a study is subgraph 1 and so on.
Length: see Length
Moving Average Type: see Moving Average Type
Displace: see Displace
Examples
If you want to draw a moving average of Slow Stochastics which is the number 5 study in the Studies to Graph window, you would type 5 in the Study Number input box. The Study Subgraph Number should be 1.
If you want to draw a moving average of RSI which is the number 8 study in the Studies to Graph window, you would type 8 in the Study Number input box. The Study Subgraph Number should be 1.
Study Subgraph Difference
This study calculates the difference between 2 study subgraphs. These are set through Input Data 1 and Input Data 2 inputs. You need to base this study on the study that contains the 2 subgraphs that you want to calculate the difference of. For more information see the Based On setting.
Inputs
Input Data 2 Offset: Data item 2 offset input sets the number of bars before data item 1 to use for data item 2. For example: If data item 1 is set to high and data item 2 is set to low and the offset it is set to 1, then for each bar in the price graph, this study will graph the difference between the bar's high and the low of the prior bar. Assuming you are basing it on the main price graph.
Study/Price Overlay
This study overlays a study or price graph from another chart onto a chart. Multiple Study Overlay studies can be added to a chart to overlay more than one study or price graph on a chart. The study or price graph you are overlaying can be from a chart with a different time period or even a different symbol. This is the purpose of this study, to overlay studies or a price graph onto a chart from a chart with a different time period per bar or a different symbol.
Inputs
Chart Number: Identifying number of the chart where the study you want to overlay is located. Chart identifying numbers are right of the # displayed on the title bar of the chart and at the top of the price graph. This chart must also be open.
Study Number: The Study Number input needs to be set to the number of the study or price graph that you want to overlay. Each study in the Studies to Graph list box on the Chart Studies window has a number. The first one in the list is Number 1, the second one is Number 2, and so on. These numbers refer to the studies on the chart referred to with the Chart Number input. If you remove or readjust the order of studies in the Studies to Graph list box on the Chart Studies window, then the Study Number input may need to be adjusted to the number of the study you want to overlay. If the study number is set to 0, this will overlay the main price graph from the chart you referred to with the Chart Number input.
Synchronize 1=Yes, 0=No: Set this to 1 to synchronize a study or price graph from the chart referred to by the Chart Number input, to the corresponding times on the chart this study is applied to.
Multiplier: The values of this study are multiplied by this number. By setting this to -1, you can invert a study.
Fill Blanks with Last Value : When you are overlaying a study or price graph from a chart that has a greater time period per bar compared with the chart this study is applied to, then you will have blank data elements in the study because there is no corresponding data. These blanks can be filled in with the study value just before the blank data elements by setting this option to Yes.
Update Always: When this is set to Yes, the study will be updated at every chart update interval always. The Chart Update Interval is set in Global Settings >> General Settings. Setting this to Yes maybe useful if you are overlaying a study from a chart that updates more often than the chart that contains the Study/Price Overlay study (the destination chart). When this is set to Yes, CPU usage will be increased. When this input is set to No, this does not happen.
Study Overlay OHLC
This overlays a study line/subgraph from one chart (usually a shorter duration bar period) onto another chart. It displays it as an OHLC (Open, High, Low, Close) bar. For example, if you overlay a study line from a one minute chart onto a five-minute chart, then each column in the five-minute chart would show the open, high, low, and close values for the study line from the one minute periods during the same five minute period.
One possible use of this study is to create accurate spread charts.
Inputs
Chart Number: Identifying number of the chart where the study you want to overlay is located. Chart identifying numbers are right of the # displayed on the title bar of the chart and at the top of the price graph. This chart must also be open.
Study Number: The Study Number input needs to be set to the study number of the study you want to overlay a subgraph from. Each study in the Studies to Graph list box on the Chart Studies window has a number. The first one in the list is Number 1, the second one is Number 2, and so on. If you remove or readjust the order of studies in the Studies to Graph list box on the Chart Studies window, then the Study Number input may need to be adjusted to the number of the study you want to refer to. Keep in mind this number refers to the studies on the chart referred to with the Chart Number input.
Study Subgraph Number: The Study Subgraph Number input needs to be set to the study subgraph to overlay. This normally would be set to 1. The first line of a study is subgraph 1 and so on.
Multiplier: The values of the subgraph are multiplied by this number.
Sum
Calculates the sum of two charts. See the Multiple Chart Studies description for instructions.
Sum All Charts
Calculates the sum of all charts in the chartbook. There are two versions of this study, one of them displays a single line and Sum - All Charts (Bar) displays a complete price bar.
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Sum All Charts (Bar)
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Sum Charts From List
This study will create bars that are the sum of the data in the specified list of charts. In other words, the OHLC bar data is based on the sum of the OHLC bar data in all the other charts. The Open values are summed, the High values are summed, etc.
Inputs
Divisor: The sum of all charts is divided by this value. If you leave this value at 0, then it will equal the number of charts specified in your List of Chart Numbers.
Synchronize Charts: When this is set to Yes, then the chart this study is applied to controls the time periods of the other charts, making them all the same time period per bar.
List of Chart Numbers: This is a comma separated list of the charts that you want to sum. Each chart has a number, and it is shown after the number sign (#) in the Region Data Line in chart region 1 (this is at the top of the chart), and on the title bar of the chart window. Example: #1. These are the numbers that you enter in this list, and they need to be separated by commas. Example list: 1, 2, 3, 5. All of the charts need to be open and need to remain open. All of the charts also need to be in the same chartbook.
It is also possible to specify a multiplier for each individual chart. This is supported in version 615 and higher. To specify the optional multiplier enter an asterisk (*) after the chart number and the multiplier value. Example: 1*1.5, 2*.2, 3*1, 5*3
Summation
Calculates and displays the Summation of the Input Data.
Inputs
Summation Periodic
Inputs
Synthetic VIX
Inputs
T3
Inputs
Tenkan-Sen
Inputs
Three Line Break Chart
A Three Line Break chart displays a series of vertical boxes based on how the underlying prices change. This chart is always based upon the closing price of the underlying data bars. If the closing price exceeds the previous box's high price, a new Uptrend box is drawn. If the price exceeds the previous box's low price, a new Downtrend box is drawn. Nothing happens if the price is in between the previous box's high and low price. If there is a consecutive number (usually this number is set to 3) of boxes in the same direction (uptrend or downtrend), then the price must fall below or rise above the lowest price or highest price respectfully of all of the last set number of boxes for a new box to be drawn. Otherwise, if the number of consecutive boxes is lower than the set number, the price only needs to fall below or rise above the lowest price or the highest price of only the last box to make a new box. For example, if the line break number is 3, and the last 3 previous boxes were all Downtrend boxes. In order for a new uptrend box to be drawn, the closing price must be higher than all 3 boxes.
This study can be applied to a chart of any time period. Although bars of a very short duration , such as under 10 seconds, would create the most accurate chart. You may wish to use a longer time period for different results. The study can be applied to Historical Daily Charts as well.
Inputs
Number of Lines to Break: The number of consecutive boxes in the same direction.
Time and Sales Price
Time and Sales Price is a study that displays the prices of trades received. Maintain Time and Sales must be enabled under File>>Data/Trade Service Settings on the menu.
Bid Subgraph: Prices of the trades that occurred at the BID price.
Ask Subgraph: Prices of the trades that occurred at the ASK price.
Other Subgraph: Prices of the trades that occurred inside/outside the BID/ASK prices.
Inputs
Volume Filter: Filters out all trades below the entered volume.
Time and Sales Time
Time and Sales Time is a study that displays the times of trades received. These times directly correspond to the prices shown with the Time and Sales Price study. Maintain Time and Sales must be enabled under File>>Data/Trade Service Settings on the menu.
Inputs
Volume Filter: Filters out all trades below the entered volume.
Time and Sales Volume
Time and Sales Volume is a study that displays the volumes of trades received. Maintain Time and Sales must be enabled under File>>Data/Trade Service Settings on the menu.
Bid Subgraph: Volumes of the trades that occurred at the BID price.
Ask Subgraph: Volumes of the trades that occurred at the ASK price.
Other Subgraph: Volumes of the trades that occurred inside/outside the BID/ASK prices. Or, in the case of IB, the volume may be for trades at multiple price levels.
Inputs
Volume Filter: Filters out all trades below the entered volume.
Time and Sales Bid&Ask
Time and Sales BidSize
Time and Sales AskSize
These studies show the individual best bid, ask, bid size, and ask size values that have been transmitted for the symbol. There is a direct column to column correspondence between the bid and ask, bid size, and ask size study columns. For this data to be collected go to Global Settings >> Data/Trade Service Settings on the menu. Enable both Maintain Time and Sales and the Store Bid and Ask Data options. After enabling these options reconnect to the data feed.
Time Line
This study draws a vertical line at every instance of the specified time on your chart. If you want lines at other times, then add this study multiple times to the chart, and configure each one appropriately.
Inputs
Time of Line: The time where you want a vertical line displayed.
Time Range Highlight
The study highlights the background of Chart Region 1 from the time span from Start Time to End Time. Start Time and End Time can be reversed if you want to highlight across midnight.
Inputs
Start Time: The starting time to begin the highlight. This can be a time which is less than the End Time in which case it starts in the previous day.
End time: The ending time to end the highlight.
TPO and Volume Profile Chart
The TPO and Volume Profile Chart study transforms a regular Intraday or Historical chart into a TPO and Volume Profile Chart. For more information please see the TPO and Volume Profile Chart documentation.
TPO Value Area Lines
The TPO Value Area Lines study displays the Value Area High, Value Area Low, and Point of Control (POC) on any bar chart. For information on how Value Areas are calculated, please see the TPO and Volume Profile Chart documentation page.
Inputs
Draw Developing Value Area Lines: This specifies how the Value Area Lines are calculated. If this input is set to No, Value Area Lines are the same across the entire specified Time Period. They simply are the Value Area of the entire time period being referenced. If this input is set to Yes, Value Area Lines at any given bar are the current Value Area Lines. These values change throughout the day and the values at the end of the day are the same as the next days Value Area Lines if Draw Developing Value Area Lines is set to No and the input Value Area Lines of n Days Back is set to 1. For example, if the TPO time increment within a 1 day period is set to 30 minutes, each 30 minute time block will display the Value Area that developed up until the end of that time block.
Price Increment: The Price Increment specifies the grouping of prices. The price increment can be as small as the Tick Size for the symbol. For example, if a given time period has a price range from 1110.5 to 1114, a Price Increment of 1 would group prices into 4 groups: 1111, 1112, 1113, 1114. The price group for 1111 would include the range from 1110.5 to 1111.25, assuming a tick size of 0.25. While a Price Increment of 0.5 would group prices into 8 groups, 1110.5, 1111, 1111.5, 1112, 1112.5, 1113, 1113.5, 1114. The price group for 1110.5 would include the range from 1110.25 to 1110.5, assuming a tick size of 0.25.
Time Period Type: Sets the type of time period for the study lines. This input works in conjunction with Time Period Length. For a daily period, set this to Days.
Time Period Length: Sets the quantity to be used with Time Period Type. For example, for a period of 1 day, set this to 1 and set Time Period Type to Days.
Custom Time Period Start Date: This is an optional input. This input specifies a start date you want to start the Value Area Lines from. For example, if you want periods covering 1 week of data and have them start on Sunday, you would set this input to a Sunday. Any Sunday in the past is fine. And set the Time Period Length and Time Period Type to 7 Days.
TPO Letter Time Increment (in Minutes): This is the amount of time for each TPO letter which are used to calculate the Value Area Lines from. The default is 30 minutes. When the Time Period Type is set to Weeks, Months, or Years, this input is ignored and the TPO letter time increment is set to 1 day for Weeks and Months and 1 month for Years.
TPO Value Area %: This percentage specifies the percentage around the point of control that the Value Area represents. The default is 70%.
Value Area Lines of n Periods Back (Non-Developing Lines Only): This input only applies when Draw Developing Value Area Lines is set to No. This input sets the number of Periods (1 day, 1 Week,...) back that the TPO Value Area Lines will reference. If it is set to 0, then the TPO Value Area Lines are drawn based upon the period in which they are on. If it is set to 1, they will reference the prior period. If it is set to 2, then the TPO Value Area Lines will reference 2 Periods back.
Trade Volume Index
The Trade Volume Index shows whether a symbol is being accumulated (purchased) or distributed (sold). It should be used on Intraday charts with a very short time period per bar. The TVI is based on the premise that trades taking place at higher "asking" prices are buy transactions and trades at lower "bid" prices are sell transactions.
Inputs
Minimum Tick Value: No information is currently provided.
TRIX
TRIX is a momentum indicator that displays the percent rate-of-change of a triple exponentially smoothed moving average of a security's closing price. It is designed to keep you in trends equal to or shorter than the number of periods you specify.
Inputs
True Strength Index / Ergodic
The Ergodic and True Strength Index are the same studies. The True Strength Index is based on Bill Blau's ergodic TSI. This study produces 3 lines, the TSI (True Strength Index), the Signal Moving Average (EMA of the TSI), and the Oscillator (Difference of Signal and TSI). The Formula is given as follows:
Numerator = EMA( EMA(Price - LastPrice, LongExpMALength), ShortExpMALength)
Denominator = EMA( EMA( Abs(Price - LastPrice), LongExpMALength), ShortExpMaLength)
TSI = Multiplier * Numerator / Denominator
SignalMA = EMA(TSI, SignalMALength)
Oscillator = TSI - SignalMA
Inputs
Multiplier - An optional multiplier can be used for extremely small values.
Ultimate Oscillator
Price oscillators typically compare a symbol's smoothed price with its price n bars ago. Larry Williams noted that the value of this type of oscillator can vary greatly depending on the number of bars used in the calculation. So he developed the Ultimate Oscillator, which uses weighted sums of three oscillators, each of which uses a different time period. The three oscillators are based on Williams definition of buying and selling "pressure".
Inputs
Uptick Volume
The study will display uptick volume, if possible, for a bar. Uptick volume is the volume of trades that occurred at a higher price than before. Trades that occurred at the same price and where the prior trade was at a higher price, are also considered upticks. The study will only function accurately and correctly when you have tick by tick data in the chart data file. In File >> Data/Trade Service Settings, the Intraday Data Storage Time Unit will need to be 1 Tick and the historical intraday data downloaded from the data or trading service you are using also needs to be 1 Tick. If the historical data downloaded is not 1 Tick, then that's OK but the areas where you do not have 1 Tick data in the chart, the study will not function correctly.
Vertical Horizontal Filter
The Vertical Horizontal Filter determines whether prices are in a trending phase or a congestion phase. Reference: August 1991 issue of Futures magazine, Adam White.
Inputs
Volatility - Chaikin's
Chaikin's Volatility compares a spread between a symbol's high and low prices. It quantifies volatility as a widening of the range between the high and the low price.
Inputs
Volatility - Historical Study
This study calculates Historical volatility.
Inputs
Algorithm Type: If algorithm type is 1, then this formula is used. If algorithm type is 2, then this formula is used.
Number of Bars per Year: In order for this study to calculate historical volatility correctly, it is necessary for you to enter the number of bars in your chart that make up a one-year time period.
Volatility - Trend Indicator
Inputs
Max Dynamic Period for Trend Calculation
Volume
This study displays Share or Contract volume. If symbol does not report real-time volume, then this study, when used on an intraday chart, will show the number of trades per bar.
Volume bars are color coded based upon whether the corresponding price bar is up or down. To choose the up and down colors, click on the Subgraphs tab in the Technical Study Settings window and set the Primary and Secondary colors for the first subgraph.
Inputs
Color Based On...: Enter a 0 to base the color coding on the difference between the close minus the previous close. Enter a 1 to base the color coding on the difference between close minus open.
Volume by Price
The Volume by Price Study overlays a Volume Profile graph onto the regular bar chart. The cumulative volume of given price ranges over a given period is displayed as horizontal bars in the background of the bar chart. For more information please see the Volume by Price Study documentation page.
Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP)
This study calculates and displays the average daily price for a symbol. Greater weight is given to trade prices that have a higher volume. This study can only be used on intraday charts. It is most accurate on intraday charts with a short time period per bar (less than 5 minutes).
Inputs
Volume - Color Based on Volume
Inputs
This study has no inputs.
Volume - Down
The study will display the total volume of a chart price bar, if the bar is considered an Down bar. A Down bar is determined by comparing the Close of a bar to the Open of the bar or to the prior Close.
Inputs
Compare Close With: This input sets the value for the Close of a bar to be compared with. If you want the Close compared to the Previous Bar's Close, enter 0. If you want it compared to the Current Bar's Open, enter 1.
Volume - Up
The study will display the total volume of a chart price bar, if the bar is considered an Up bar. An Up bar is determined by comparing the Close of a bar to the Open of the bar or to the prior Close.
Inputs
Compare Close With: This input sets the value for the Close of a bar to be compared with. If you want the Close compared to the Previous Bar's Close, enter 0. If you want it compared to the Current Bar's Open, enter 1.
Volume Value Area Lines
The Volume Value Area Lines displays the Volume Value Area High, Volume Value Area Low, and Volume Point of Control (POC) on a chart. For information on how Value Areas are calculated, please see the Calculations section on the TPO and Volume Profile Chart documentation page.
It is essential that you properly set the Tick Size for the symbol you are applying this study to. This is set in Chart >> Chart Settings. And the Price Increment (see below) study Input also needs to be set correctly with this study.
Inputs
Draw Developing Value Area Lines: This specifies how the Value Area Lines are calculated. If this input is set to No, Value Area Lines are the same across the entire specified Time Period. They simply are the Value Area of the entire time period being referenced. If this input is set to Yes, Value Area Lines at any given bar are the current Value Area Lines. These values change throughout the day and the values at the end of the day are the same as the next days Value Area Lines if Draw Developing Value Area Lines is set to No and the input Value Area Lines of n Days Back is set to 1.
Price Increment: The Price Increment specifies the grouping of prices. The price increment can be as small as the tick size for the symbol. For example, if a given time period has a price range from 1110.5 to 1114, a Price Increment of 1 would group prices into 4 groups: 1111, 1112, 1113, 1114. The price group for 1111 would include the range from 1110.5 to 1111.25, assuming a tick size of 0.25. While a Price Increment of 0.5 would group prices into 8 groups, 1110.5, 1111, 1111.5, 1112, 1112.5, 1113, 1113.5, 1114. The price group for 1110.5 would include the range from 1110.25 to 1110.5, assuming a tick size of 0.25.
Time Period Type: Sets the type of time period for the study lines. This input works in conjunction with Time Period Length. For a Daily period, set this to Days.
Time Period Length: Sets the quantity to be used with Time Period Type. For example, for a period of 1 day, set this to 1 and set Time Period Type to Days.
Volume Value Area %: This percentage specifies the percentage for the Volume Value Area. The default is 70%.
Weighted Average Oscillator
This study calculates the difference between a slow and fast weighted moving averages.
Inputs
William's %R
William's %R is a momentum study that measures overbought/oversold levels. It was developed by Larry Williams.
Inputs
Invert: To invert this study, set this input to 1.
Woodies CCI Predictor
This study is used by the Woodies CCI system. For more information, see this support board subtopic.
Woodies CCI Trend - New
This study is used by the Woodies CCI system. For more information, see this support board subtopic.
Woodies EMA
This study is used by the Woodies CCI system. For more information, see this support board subtopic.
Woodies ZLR System
This study is used by the Woodies CCI system. For more information, see this support board subtopic.
Worksheet System/Alert for Trading
See the Worksheet Systems, Alerts and Automated Trading documentation page for complete instructions to use this study.
Write Bar Data to File
This study will write the data that is loaded into the chart into a file. Each line in the file will represent one bar in the chart. Therefore, if you have a 1 minute chart, then each line the data file will be 1 minute. The file is continuously updated as new bars are added to the chart. The very last bar is not written to the data file. Only when there is a new bar added, will the prior last bar will be written. The time stamping of the data in the file will be the same as the times displayed in the chart unless the Use GMT Time input is set to Yes.
Inputs
Separator: This input determines the character that will be used to separate the Bar Data in the File. If you want the Separator to be a Comma, use 1, if you want a Tab, use 2.
File Path: This is an optional input to specify the the folder and the file name for the file to write the data to.
Zero Lag EMA
Inputs
Zig Zag
The Zig Zag study draws lines between highs and lows in the main price graph. A new line will start where prices reverse by the specified Reversal Percentage % when using Calculation Mode 1 or reverse by the specified Reversal Value when using Calculation Mode 2. The High and Low values of a bar are used in the calculations. These can be changed with the Input Data inputs in case you want to base the study on another study.
Inputs
Calculation Mode (1,2,3):
This input selects the calculation mode.Reversal % for Calculation Mode 1: The percentage change of the price values that must occur to begin a new Zig Zag line when using Calculation Mode 1.
Reversal Value for Calculation Mode 2 and 3: The price change of the price values that must occur to begin a new Zig Zag line when using Calculation Mode 3.
Number of Bars for Reversal (Calculation mode 2):
Display Length of Zig Zag Line: When this input is set to Yes, the price difference between the endpoints of the ZigZag line will be displayed.
Display HH,HL,LL,LH Labels : When this input is set to Yes, then HH (Higher High), LH (Lower High), LL (Lower Low), HL (Higher Low) labels will be displayed.
Text Labels Offset: This is the actual price value that you want to offset the labels from the Highs or Lows of the Zig Zag study.
Common Study Inputs
This section describes study inputs that are common among the available studies.
Input Data
The input data from either the Main Price Graph, or another study, to use in the study calculations. The Main Price Graph is the default. This input can select a study Subgraph if the Based On setting is set to another study on the chart.
Length
The number of graph elements or graph elements back from a particular location in the chart to use in the calculation of each graph element in a study. A graph can be a price bars graph or could be a moving average graph. A graph element is a value along a graph drawing and occupies one column in the chart. A graph can contain multiple drawings. For the purpose of this discussion, we generally are referring to a single drawing within a graph (also known as subgraph). A graph element can be an Input Data like open, high, low, or close, an entire price graph bar, a graph element of one of the study graphs, or an element of an internal array used in calculating the study. This Length definition is for all inputs with Length in their name, like Moving Average Length. Example: A moving average study with the Length input set to 10 and the Input Data input set to Close will use 10 closing prices in the average calculation for each of the elements along its graph.
Displace
The number of bars (chart columns) forward to shift study. For example: You have a chart with 10 bars in it. Each bar is one day. You have a 9 day moving average on that chart with the displace input set to 1. Normally the average for the 9th bar will be drawn on the 9th bar. It will be the average of the eight bars prior and the 9th bar. Since the displace input is set to 1, the average will be drawn on the 10th bar and it will be the average of the nine bars prior. It is shifted forward by one bar.
An alternative to using this input is the Graphical Displacement setting found on the Subgraphs tab of the Technical Study Settings Window. This setting allows for both positive and negative displacements.
Line# (Line1, Line2, etc.), Overbought, Oversold
The value to draw a horizontal line at in the study graph. For example if you set the Line1 input to 50, then a line will be drawn at the 50 level in the study graph.
Multiplication Factor or Multiplier
For standard deviation studies (Standard Deviation Bands, Bollinger Bands), this is the value the standard deviation is multiplied by. For other studies, this is the value that a component of the study is multiplied by.
Percentage
The percentage of the Input Data (open, high,...) or moving average to be added or subtracted from the Input Data or moving average.
Moving Average Type
Exponential Moving Average
Least Squares Moving Average / Moving Linear Regression Line
Simple Moving Average
Weighted Moving Average
Wilder's Smoothing Moving Average
Simple Moving Average skip zeros
Smoothed Moving Average