TradeStation Help

Format Symbol (OptionStation)

The Format Symbol dialog for OptionStation allows you to format the various properties for the selected OptionStation symbol such as the interval settings, proximity (expiration and strike price), sort settings, option types, and session.

 Activate an OptionStation window. Access using the menu bar Format > Window menu sequence. The Format Symbol dialog is displayed.

Symbol  

Displays the selected symbol for the active OptionStation window.

• Symbol - Verify the desired symbol you want is displayed.
• Lookup - Launches the Symbol Lookup dialog.

Select Interval  

Contains the types of intervals available for the asset type.

• Interval - Select the type of interval to format. If Intraday is selected, enter the number of minutes to use per bar from the Minute Bar drop-down list under Interval Settings.

Interval Settings  

Contains the settings to format for the type of interval that is selected. When using Intra-day interval type, the Minute Bar drop-down list is enabled. The Session settings allows you to change or customize the Session that is used for the symbol.

• Minute Bar - Select the number of minutes to use for the selected symbol by using the Minute Bar drop-down list.
• Session - Display the name of the session that is currently applied to the selected OptionStation symbol. By default, Regular Session is the preference. For more information, see About Symbol Sessions and Viewing a Symbol's Session.
• View/Customize - Launches the Sessions dialog. For more information on how to view and/or customize sessions, see Sessions.

Options  

Contains the settings for the expiration dates and strike prices for the selected OptionStation symbol.

• Expiration Proximity - Enter the number that represents expiration terms to be displayed in the Options pane of the OptionStation window, using the Dates out drop-down list. The number expiration terms will display as a blue title row above the associated spread options.
• Strike Proximity - Enter the number of strike prices for the underlying price that represents the above and below at-the-money options.

For example, if the price of the underlying security XYZ is 20, selecting "1 strike +/- underlying price" will display options with strike prices at 17.50 and 22.50.

Display  

Contains the display settings for the OptionStation symbol.

• Show Front Option Contracts - Check this setting to display the front term option contracts.
• Show Weekly Expiration - Check this setting to display the weekly expiration options, if applicable.
• Show Quarterly Expiration - Check this setting to display the quarterly expiration options, if applicable.
• Display Adjusted and Non-Standard Options - Check this setting to display adjusted and non-standard options, if applicable. Enabling this setting displays the option deliverable in parentheses in the blue title bar of each option. For example, "Mar 10 (56 IBM & $1253) - Amer Monthly.
• Load Regionals - Check this setting to display regional trades and quotes for each available Call and Put. The Regional exchange symbol appears in the Strike column along with expand/collapse arrows to show or hide regional data for each option.

Set as Default - Check this setting to use any changes that you made as your default.

 Click OK to apply changes or Cancel to exit without changes.