Problem getting moving average of ATR

Hi,

I need a little help in getting the moving average of the ATR curve (in the sub-chart at the bottom) on a 4-hour chart in MT4. I dragged the "moving average" indicator to that ATR chart and set it to 20, and the ATR value is set at 156. The moving average (20) is supposed to to give a 20-period moving average of this ATR(156) curve. But when I change the ATR(156) to ATR(20), the moving average (20) curve stays the same. When the ATR curve changes, this moving average should change too but it isn't. Why is it the case? Am I not doing it correctly here?

When I applied the moving average to the ATR curve, I already set it to "First Indicator's Data". Can anyone explain to me what the difference when we select "First Indicator's Data" and "Previous Indicator's Data". I didn't see a difference when I tried both.

Thanks.

I think it makes no difference as the ATR is the indicator, meaning if two indicators were present in the window then first and previous would have meaning.
Anyway why do you want an ATR156 as ATR is the exponential moving average of the range over the specified period. This seems too long to give insight into market volatility, thus rendering the indicator useless.
I just brought up an ATR20 with an SMA20 applied to it (i.e first indicators data) this appears to be of some value in telling you when a move may be drying up if the ATR moves below its average.

I just tried it and it works fine for me. Have you got all timeframes selected?

Did you place the MA on the ATR and then select first indicator?

Other than that, I don't know.

Correct me if I’m wrong. First indicator data meaning that when you drag the moving average to the ATR window the moving average will apply to the first indicator that exist in that window.


Okay to be simple. Hypothetically you want to use ATR(100), MA(13), and MA(13) again (I don’t know for what, just hypothetically) into one indicator window (indicator that have separate window from the price window).


First scenario:

1. First you apply the ATR(100) based on price data.
2. Then you apply MA(13) to previous indicator data meaning you moving average the ATR(100)data
3. Then you apply MA(13) to the first indicator data meaning you moving average the ATR(100)data again. The result is both MA(13) have same result.

Second scenario:

1. First you apply the ATR(100) based on price data.
2. Then you apply MA(13) to previous indicator data meaning you moving average the ATR(100) data
3. Then you apply MA(13) to the previous indicator data meaning you moving average the first MA(13) data. The result is both MA(13) have different result.

Do you understand my meaning? Simple isn’t it?

Hi,

Thanks for all those who have replied. I fixed the problem. I found that when I selected "previous indicators's data" it seems to fix the problem. But not "first indicator's data". Not sure why it worked this way but I just know it works now

But still not sure what the difference between "previous indicator's data" and "first indicator's data". If someone has the spare time here would you please post an example. (like using ATR or RSI as the indicator for illustration).

Thanks.

Do you still need the picture? I think my explanation above already quite clear. Please re read again. Anyway, I’ll take a look to make picture example for you because I’m very rare using the indicator window with more than one indicator.

HI Laodeabdul,

Thanks for your reply. I read your post again and it is clear to me. But it seems a little strange in my MT4 because I first applied ATR(156), then I applied MA(20) to it and set it to "first indicator's data". When I then changed the ATR to ATR(50) or other value, the MA(20) curve should move, but it doesn't. Then I selected "previous indicator's data" using the above example, the MA(20) curve did moves. But theortically it shouldn't make a difference between selecting "previous" or "first" indicator's data, because there is only one indicator in my sub-window, which is the ATR. It's strange. Do you have any idea why it is the case (perhaps you can try it to your MT4 using the above method.) Don't judge the curve visually in the sub-window (it looks like the MA(20) shifted when I changed the value of the ATR using "first indicator's data, but it didn't when examined closely by placing the cursor on the same candle to see if the MA(20) value changes) but examine the value of the MA(20) value by placing the cursor on the candle when you switch between "first" and "previous" indicators's data and see if there is a difference.


Thanks.

Why are you guys using a value of 20 or 156 for ATR?

Can anyone explain, please, why can't I place LWMA with Apply to: Previous Indicators Data or First Indicators Data on chart itself ..... only on subwindow indicator?

how can you place MA on the ATR ? would you show me please.

Drag and drop the MA to the sub-window where the ATR is, not onto the main data window as you normally would

Good Luck

Thank you for your replay I did it but it doesnot work. I can not drag the MA in to sub window.I click the mouse and hold it then drag it to sub window but nothing happen.

when you drag the MA onto the sub window, check out your selection in the "apply to" drop down - it needs to be "First Indicator's Data"

I can not find apply to and indicators data.

Thank you very much for being help full. I selected apply to first Indicator's data and after that I drag the MA but noting happened.
Do you think if I select custom MA and atr is better?

WOW, really???

Don't drag the MA from the chart

Drag the MA from the Navigator panel, from the Indicator list as you normally drag to apply to a chart

You need a picture???

have a nice weekend

Anybody knows how to apply LWMA First Indicators Data on chart itself .... not subwindow but main chart, please?

thank you again yes would you please send a picture about that. this will help me alot.

Found way how to set on main chart, so no need any help about it now