2nd Axis or overlay in Chart Area | Forex Factory

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2nd Axis or overlay in Chart Area

  • #1
  • First Post: Mar 27, 2017 1:52pm Mar 27, 2017 1:52pm
I"ve been needing to plot an indicator to overlay in the charting area but on a 2nd axis since the values won't be in the default price axis range. I recently compiled my indicator and changed the #property indicator_chart_window to #property indicator_separate_window and the indicator did exactly what I needed! Except it's probably a bug. Adding the indicator to another chart puts the indicator into a sub-window.

The data window shows the indicator value... UMA(1,1) value of .61561... clearly not anywhere near the current price axis range.

Is there a way to get my indicator into the charting area without invoking this "bug" by either adding a 2nd axis or some sort of overlay? I can't find anything related since most people seem to just use/live with the sub window.
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: 20170327 12.45_35.gif Size: 32 KB
  • #2
  • Mar 27, 2017 2:15pm Mar 27, 2017 2:15pm
I've got a workaround for now... save the template. Is there a parameter or setting area that implicity says where to plot subwindows? I'm guess that's what's going on. That parameter didn't reset to plot the subwindow below the charting window. But does so when adding the indicator fresh to a chart.
  • #3
  • Mar 27, 2017 3:02pm Mar 27, 2017 3:02pm
I played around with this a few years ago, and found it to be not helpful, due to historical bars constantly moving, in relation to overlay.

The closest I've gotten to helping with this is an indy called "Currency Powerline", which can show all 8 currencies in one subgraph. However, it does not seem to work on current MT4 build. And when it did work, it used a lot of MT4 resources.

Here are both files. Maybe you can figure out how to make them work.
Attached File(s)
File Type: ex4 ! $ MT4 CURRENCY POWERLINE.ex4   23 KB | 532 downloads
File Type: mq4 ! $ MT4 CURRENCY POWERLINE.mq4   10 KB | 541 downloads
  • #4
  • Mar 27, 2017 3:58pm Mar 27, 2017 3:58pm
When you think about your request you will understand why you can't do this in the way you mentioned. When you use the property for separate window why you expect to see the indi in the chart window? When you want a 2nd axis then you need a little bit more than one single value. How should that single value printed without knowledge about that axis? Since you can't answer that question even the graphical output is total nonsense because you can't interpret the values.

When you have a solid mapping algorithm then this is a very easy task. But if not you will find no serious solution for it (maybe a crystal ball that can interpret the values)
  • #5
  • Mar 27, 2017 4:55pm Mar 27, 2017 4:55pm
Quoting JensItzig
When you think about your request you will understand why you can't do this in the way you mentioned. When you use the property for separate window why you expect to see the indi in the chart window? When you want a 2nd axis then you need a little bit more than one single value. How should that single value printed without knowledge about that axis? Since you can't answer that question even the graphical output is total nonsense because you can't interpret the values. When you have a solid mapping algorithm then this is a very easy task. But if...

Yeah, that's been my conclusion for years. I just couldn't figure out why all of a sudden the subwindow was plotting over the chart area with different y-axis values compared to price. I understand it's not plotting on the same y-axis. Hence why I said SECONDARY axis. Which I can do in quite a few other platforms. Just not MT4. Anywho, I've got it figured out and can script what I need through manipulating the template and specifying subwindow parameters there.
  • #6
  • Mar 27, 2017 7:48pm Mar 27, 2017 7:48pm
In case anybody is wondering, all you have to do is add whatever indicator(s) you want overlayed in the charting area. Save the template, go into the template and set "window_num=0" and delete the "<window>" tag that's right before the indicator you want overlayed.

Here's a detrended price osciallator with a 0-midline plotted right over price. Notice the 0.00 on the price axis and the indicator values in the data window. The price axis adjusts the price scaling and not the indicator scaling. I think you're SOL on the overlay scaling.
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
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  • #7
  • Mar 27, 2017 7:58pm Mar 27, 2017 7:58pm
Here's a shot of the indicator loaded to both the chart area and the subwindow.
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: 20170327 18.57_37.gif Size: 32 KB
  • #8
  • Mar 29, 2017 12:06am Mar 29, 2017 12:06am
You see that the second indicator doesn't use a 2nd Axis. All it does is using the "free" painting space and scales itself into it. And here is the question. Without the subwindow scale values how you ever will read the right values of the indicator? Plotting it that way without values or even scaled into existing axis is nonsense
  • #9
  • Mar 29, 2017 8:16am Mar 29, 2017 8:16am
Quoting JensItzig
Plotting it that way without values or even scaled into existing axis is nonsense
Is it nonsense? My price time forecast indicator says otherwise.

https://content.screencast.com/users...2010.01_39.gif
  • #10
  • Mar 30, 2017 12:06am Mar 30, 2017 12:06am
Quoting JR97
{quote} Is it nonsense? My price time forecast indicator says otherwise. https://content.screencast.com/users...2010.01_39.gif
Of course it is. The example you showed the overlay uses the same axis (otherwise the forecast will be nonsens). You can't compare apples and pears
  • #11
  • Mar 30, 2017 1:24am Mar 30, 2017 1:24am
Quoting JensItzig
{quote} Of course it is. The example you showed the overlay uses the same axis (otherwise the forecast will be nonsens). You can't compare apples and pears
I don't know why your panties are in such a wad over this. Who gives a shit whether it's a literal 2nd axis. It accomplishes my goal of getting the equivalent of a 2nd axis in the charting area. Just as I do in other charting software and didn't think was possible in MT4. Good luck with those panties.
  • #12
  • Mar 30, 2017 7:44am Mar 30, 2017 7:44am
Quoting JR97
{quote} I don't know why your panties are in such a wad over this. Who gives a shit whether it's a literal 2nd axis. It accomplishes my goal of getting the equivalent of a 2nd axis in the charting area. Just as I do in other charting software and didn't think was possible in MT4. Good luck with those panties.

That was uncalled for on my part. I apologize. Rather than delete/edit my post, I'll leave it because I'm sure it was seen by many and I'm not one to edit or hide the past. I live in the present. consequence of my actions and all. Happy trading to you.
  • #13
  • Edited 5:40am Aug 16, 2020 5:22am | Edited 5:40am
Quoting JR97
In case anybody is wondering, all you have to do is add whatever indicator(s) you want overlayed in the charting area. Save the template, go into the template and set "window_num=0" and delete the "<window>" tag that's right before the indicator you want overlayed. Here's a detrended price osciallator with a 0-midline plotted right over price. Notice the 0.00 on the price axis and the indicator values in the data window. The price axis adjusts the price scaling and not the indicator scaling. I think you're SOL on the overlay scaling. {image}
Hello JR97,

I don't understand where should I write "window_num=0" and therefore delete "<window>". I saved template (easy) but then where I must go?? What means "go into the template"? Into where?
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  • #14
  • Aug 16, 2020 6:25am Aug 16, 2020 6:25am
Quoting SmelikForex
{quote} Hello JR97, I don't understand where should I write "window_num=0" and therefore delete "<window>". I saved template (easy) but then where I must go?? What means "go into the template"? Into where?
Go to "Main menu" -> "File" -> "Open Data Folder". Navigate to "templates". Open the template you just saved with a regular text editor, modify it and save your changes. The "window" tags to remove are at the bottom of the file, almost at the end.
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: overlay-template.png Size: 104 KB
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: overlay-chart.png Size: 92 KB

To move around vertically the overlaying chart play with the regular "Fixed minimum" and "Fixed maximum" settings in the indicator settings dialog.
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  • #15
  • Last Post: Edited 1:51pm Aug 16, 2020 1:40pm | Edited 1:51pm
Done thanks, but the scale doesn't let me to see price of AUDCAD...

I used blocknote software and put "window_num=0" where you can see... I don't understan how I can do.
Attached Image(s) (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: AUDCADM5.png Size: 56 KB
Click to Enlarge Name: 11.PNG Size: 21 KB
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