Create
a Custom Indicator Using the "csv.ByFile"
Plug-in Formula - Example 4
Using the "csv.ByFile" (3
parameters) formula builder, this section takes you full
circle, for illustrative purposes, creating a 3 parameter
formula that functions exactly as our 1 parameter formula. This indicator
will retrieve one statistical data series from the MasterDATA
composite / breadth datafiles, for the MetaStock function base
symbol and the MetaStock function base symbol's data period.
In practice, you will probably never use a formula like this
one, but the exercise will add to your overall understanding
of how the plug-in formulas work.
Click on
,MetaStock's
Indicator Builder. The "Indicator Builder" dialog
window opens.
Click on the "New" button. The
"Indicator Editor" dialog window opens. Leave this
dialog window open.
Below is a working copy of the MetaStockCSV
Plug-in "csv.ByFile Formula Builder" discussed previously. Using
this formula builder, make a new formula that retrieves the
composite statistic, "Total components advancing"
for the base symbol for the
base symbol's data period.
In the section, "Select an Item in each category:", click on the drop down
box "Select Index or ETF" and click on "Use
the base security of the current MetaStock function".
Again, in the same section, "Select an Item in each category:", click on the drop down
box "Select Composite Statistic" and click on the desired
statistic, in this case "Total components advancing".
Finally, in the same section, "Select an Item in each category:", click on the drop down
box "Select Data Period" and click on "Use
the base data period of the current Metastock function".
Then click
on the button "Click Here To Make the Formula".
Your new formula will appear in the subsequent "MetaStockCSV
Plug-in Formula"
section.
Click on the button "Click To Copy the Formula To Your
Clipboard".
Click in "Formula" field of the
MetaStock "Indicator Editor" dialog window you previously
opened in step two above. Paste your new formula in this
"Formula" field by holding down the "CTRL" key and
pressing the "v" key.
Type a "name" for your new indicator, such as
"Advances".
Your finished custom indicator should appear as follows:
This custom indicator will retrieve the
"Total Advancing Issues" statistic for the
base symbol for the MetaStock
function's base data period. This custom
indicator retrieves exactly the same data as the md.BySym
formula "ExtFml( "md.BySym", advances)". The
reason is that, like most MetaStock Custom Indicators, our
md.BySym formula hard codes (assumes) that the function will
be using the base symbol and base symbol data period.
As you can see from our md.ByFile formula, it doesn't have to
be that way. It does, however, eliminate a lot of email
to MetaStock's support department.
In the interest of keeping yourself
organized, you might consider placing an identifying
punctuation mark or letter at the beginning of your own custom
indicators. This simple addition will keep all of you
custom indicators grouped together.
,MetaStock's
Indicator Builder. The "Indicator Builder" dialog
window opens.
