Editing Inputs for Studies

You can modify the input values and expressions that comprise the studies you use. For example, you may want to change the number of bars of data used to monitor an up or down trend, or the price value used in a calculation.

You can modify studies to suit your trading preferences in three different ways:

  • Change the input values used in the calculation.
  • Modify the actual formulas using EasyLanguage.
  • Write your own studies using EasyLanguage.

Most studies contain input values, but not all. This section covers the first method you can use to change the way a study is calculated-modifying the input.

What are Inputs?

Inputs are the values used by TradeStation to perform the calculations or the condition in a set of EasyLanguage instructions. For example, the values used for PRICE and LENGTH in the calculation of a moving average can be considered inputs.

The simplest way to change how a study is calculated is to change the default input values in the Inputs tab of the Customize dialog box for whatever type of study you are working with. The Inputs tab provides a shortcut method of modifying the input as you apply the study to a chart-without having to edit the study EasyLanguage.

For example, to change an input value for the Moving Average 2 Line Indicator, you could use Open for the PRICE value instead of the default value of Close. You could also use a different number of bars than the default number to calculate the moving averages.

Depending on the study and the inputs you are editing, you can also use formulas, numeric expressions, true/false expressions, strings or functions as the input value.

There are two types of inputs: numeric and true/false.

  1. Numeric Input - An entry or formula whose end result is a number. For example, the following are examples of numeric inputs:

    3

    Close

    (High + Low + Close) / 3

  2. True/False Input - An expression that results in a true or false value. The equation can be composed of numbers, current or previous prices, relational operators or any combination of these. The following are examples of true/false inputs:

    Close < Open

    Close * 1.25 < Open