Countdown Timers for TradeStation Author: Rick Maus Date: August 5, 2016 Version: 1.1

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1 Countdown Timers for TradeStation Author: Rick Maus Date: August 5, 2016 Version: 1.1 Version Description 1.0 Initial document. 1.1 Added Version history table. Some minor font size adjustments throughout body text. Under the Adding the #MK.BarTimer Timer to a Chart section, added detailed configuration instructions with example images. Added notes regarding Format > Input > TextTransparencyPct. Table of Contents Table of Contents... 1 Overview... 1 The BarCountdown Timer Package... 2 Installing the BarCountdown Timer... 2 Adding the BarCountdown Timer to a Chart... 7 Understanding the BarCountdown Timer... 9 Examples of the BarCountdown Timer The #MK.BarTimer Timer Package Installing the #MK.BarTimer Timer Adding the #MK.BarTimer Timer to a Chart References Overview Back up TradeStation completely before proceeding preferably to a USB flash drive or an external drive. Words to the wise: If you need to uninstall or reinstall TradeStation for any reason, nothing is preserved automatically 1. You can only restore your settings from a previously saved backup! These installation instructions are based upon TradeStation 9.5 (Update 14). Ensure you have at least this version or later. [See TradeStation > Help > About TradeStation ] To date, I have found and evaluated two countdown timer packages: 1. BarCountdown Timer is a simple, limited feature timer that is easier to install and use. 2. #MK.BarTimer is more advanced timer with additional features that will require additional effort to install and configure before using. 1 TradeStation TradingApp Store apps are reinstalled, but your most recent settings are not preserved unless you restore your settings from a backup.

2 You can install either of these two timers below or both of these timers, then add (or remove) either timer easily to (or from) your charts. Note Well: running both styles of timers at the same time is not recommended when considering performance. Tip: Install BarCountdown Timer and evaluate whether it is suitable for your needs; if not, then consider installing #MK.BarTimer instead. 1. BarCountdown Timer a limited feature timer that is simple to install o Pros: quick to install with no customizing needed after installing. o Cons: the countdown text font size is small and cannot be changed. countdown timer placement restricted to right side of chart (with some placement options). alert value at end of countdown period can only be expressed as a percentage of time. o Source: TradeStation forums o Documentation Link: Addendum: A variation of the BarCountdown Timer exists named BarCountdownTimeAll for anyone that is working with charts whose time frames are in seconds. I have no experience with this timer, so you are on your own to explore. Documentation Link: 2. #MK.BarTimer a multi-feature timer requiring moderate effort to install and configure before using o Pros: Uses the new 9.0 Timer objects and counts down every second on minute and second-based charts, even if there is no tick update to the chart. Uses the new TextLabel Drawing objects introduced in 9.1 Update 23, allowing individual customization of the text font family, size, style and transparency. With timers using legacy Text objects (such as BarCountdown Timer), you cannot permanently change the font size and style without changing the default size and style for all Text objects placed on the charts. Automatically adjusts bar timer for possible shorter bar duration on last bar of session. Timer text can be positioned in any of the four chart corners, with the ability to adjust the position through the use of offsets. o Cons: countdown timer does not occur when initially added to a chart unless you modify TextColor under Format > Inputs. An extra visible pane (sub-graph) is created by default which requires modification to Format > Axis > Scaling > Sub-graph to hide the pane. o Source: TradeStation TradingApp Store. o Documentation Link: The BarCountdown Timer Package Installing the BarCountdown Timer Back up TradeStation completely before proceeding preferably to a USB flash drive or an external drive.

3 Words to the wise: If you need to uninstall or reinstall TradeStation for any reason, nothing is preserved automatically 2. You can only restore your settings from a previously saved backup! These installation instructions are based upon TradeStation 9.5 (Update 14). Ensure you have at least this version or later. [See TradeStation > Help > About TradeStation ] Note: the installation notes and pictures in this section are primarily based upon a Windows 8.1 platform. 1. Click on the link below to start the download and install BarCountdown Timer into TradeStation Select the Open with option above, then press the OK button. 2 TradeStation TradingApp Store apps are reinstalled, but your most recent settings are not preserved unless you restore your settings from a backup.

4 3. Click on the Next button. 4. Using the default values (which should all be selected as in the image above), click on the Finish button.

5 5. Click on the OK button. 6. You may optionally see several dialogs like the one shown above. a) If the dates and times are identical, click the No button (do not click the No to All button). b) If the top date is newer, i.e. more recent than the bottom date, click the No button (do not click the No to All button). c) If the bottom date is newer, i.e. more recent than the top date, click the Yes button (do not click the Yes to All button). 7. Click on the OK button. 8. You may optionally see several dialogs like the one shown above.

6 d) If the dates and times are identical, click the No button (do not click the No to All button). e) If the top date is newer, i.e. more recent than the bottom date, click the No button (do not click the No to All button). f) If the bottom date is newer, i.e. more recent than the top date, click the Yes button (do not click the Yes to All button).

7 Adding the BarCountdown Timer to a Chart Note: the installation notes and pictures in this section are primarily based upon a Windows 10 platform. 1. Right-click over an empty area of a Intrabar, Tick, Volume, Momentum, Range or Kase chart of your choice and choose Insert Analysis Technique Note: any other chart types are not supported by this timer package. 2. Under the Indicator tab, scroll down through the list and select BarCountdown Timer. a) Optional, but recommended: check the Prompt For Format checkbox to review and modify the Format values for this chart s BarCountdown Timer. Tip: See for the list of features and operation along with

8 b) Tip: For charts with solid white backgrounds, the default timer text (yellow) is nearly impossible to see which can be overridden using these examples. [See the Reference section at the end of this document for other RGB choices.] Example 1: Set the NormColor value to blue color using the color s name. Example 2: Set the NormColor value to a golden color using RGB (Red, Green, Blue) values. 3. Press the OK button.

9 Understanding the BarCountdown Timer In the upper right-hand corner of the chart, you will see the timer value which may initially indicate Syncing until TradeStation reaches the end of the current bar at which time you should see a countdown timer. From the author: The BarCountdown Timer will display "Syncing..." on intrabar charts until TradeStation reaches the end of the current bar at which time it uses your computer's clock to calculate the time at which the next bar will end and then reports how much time remains until that target time when each tick is received. If you are stuck displaying "Syncing...", my guess is that you are never reaching the end of the current bar. This can occur because your chart's end date is earlier than today, because your data feed is not working. The data feed issue could be a data communication issue at your end or with Microsoft of because you are working Offline. It is also possible (but not likely) that the market you are displaying is inactive or in a holiday period. Finally, please make sure you have not inadvertantly [sic] unchecked the Update Value Intra-bar (tick-by-tick) setting on the General Tab of the Format dialog for the indicator. For this indicator the event is the arrival of a new tick. In thin markets, the ticks may not come too often and, therefore, the BarCountdownTimer will not get updated which makes it appear jerky. There is nothing to be done about this I'm affraid [sic] unless/until TS provides a time-based "event" on which we can hang code. The only alternative is an external timer [ ] for intra-day (minute) bars. When TS 9.0 comes out, we may have a time-based event to hang code on and I will consider writing a version of the countdown timer for that event. [Note: TradeStation 9.0 has implemented a new time-based event system. However, as of the date of this document, it does not appear that the author of the BarCountdown Timer has upgraded the code to use this feature. Rick].

10 Examples of the BarCountdown Timer Example 1 - Yellow on White Syncing (barely visible in upper-right corner) Example 2 - Yellow on White Time counting down (barely visible in upper-right corner)

11 Example 3 - Blue on white Syncing Example 4 - Blue on white Timer counting down

12 Example 5 - Yellow on black Syncing Example 6 - Yellow on black Timer counting down

13 The #MK.BarTimer Timer Package Installing the #MK.BarTimer Timer Back up TradeStation completely before proceeding preferably to a USB flash drive or an external drive. Words to the wise: If you need to uninstall or reinstall TradeStation for any reason, nothing is preserved automatically 3. You can only restore your settings from a previously saved backup! These installation instructions are based upon TradeStation 9.5 (Update 14). Ensure you have at least this version or later. [See TradeStation > Help > About TradeStation ] Warning: This is a free package from the TradeStation TradingApp Store which has a few quirks or bugs. YOUR EXPERIENCE MAY VARY. 1. Ensure TradeStation application is running before beginning the installation. 2. Visit (short-cut into the TradeStation TradingApp Store). o Note: TradeStation should require you to login and then display a page that looks like the picture below. 3. In the right-hand column, under the large gold color FREE text: a) Optional, but recommended: Under the Supported Documents heading, notice the MK_BarTimer.pdf (bottom green arrow in picture above). As a convenience, here is same link to download and save: b) Click on Install button (top red arrow in the image above). Note: TradeStation may require you to login again. c) Read the disclaimer. 3 TradeStation TradingApp Store apps are reinstalled, but your most recent settings are not preserved unless you restore your settings from a backup.

14 d) If you agree to the terms, Check the checkbox next to the statement I agree to all terms and conditions of this agreement, and intend to be legally bound to them, then Press the Complete Installation button. 4. Click the LAUNCH button. TradeStation should create a new Workspace example with a tab labeled on the bottom that states #MK.BarTimer ( Version 1)_ or a similar label. Initially, you will see the text time displayed on each chart as a placeholder where the countdown timer will be displayed as shown below.

15 5. After a brief period of time, the countdown timers will synchronize and each chart will start displaying a countdown timer corresponding to the period of each individual chart as shown below. Note: for reasons that are not clear, some countdown timers will display a lower case letter e after the time, such as 1:52:38e and 52:38e as shown below. Note Well: The countdown timer will appear on charts only for symbols in markets that are currently open; otherwise, the word time (in red text as shown) will appear and remain unchanged until that market opens.

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17 Adding the #MK.BarTimer Timer to a Chart 1. Right-click over an empty area on a chart and choose Insert Analysis Technique...

18 2. On the Indicator tab, Select #MK.BarTimer. o Check the Prompt for Format checkbox. o Click the OK button.

19 3. In the pop-up dialog labeled Format Indicator: #MK.BarTimer : o Click on Scaling Tab. o Under Axis, set Sub-graph to Hidden (first item in the list).

20 4. Optional, but recommended: In the pop-up dialog labeled Format Indicator: #MK.BarTimer : o Click on Inputs. o Set TextTransparencyPct to 0. This setting avoids unexpected stippled discoloration of the timer text in some cases. 5. Click the OK button.

21 An example of a chart with the desired hidden sub-graph (see image below) An example of a chart with the undesirable visible sub-graph (see image below).

22 Note Well: The countdown timer will appear on charts only for symbols in markets that are currently open; otherwise, the word time (in red text as shown) will appear and remain unchanged until that market opens. References 1. RGB Color Codes Chart -