Average Options Volume
Returns the average daily options trading volume for an underlying stock over a specified number of trading days. This function helps traders assess the typical level of options activity and liquidity for a given security.
Parameters
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Underlying | Yes | Stock ticker symbol (e.g., AAPL, MSFT) |
| Days | Yes | Number of trading days to average |
| OptionType | No | Filter by Call, Put, or All (default: All) |
Option Type Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| All | Combined call and put volume (default) |
| Call | Only call option volume |
| Put | Only put option volume |
Notes
- Volume is measured in number of contracts traded
- Only includes trading days (excludes weekends and holidays)
- Higher average volume generally indicates better liquidity
Syntax
=opt_VolumeOptionsAverage(Underlying, Days, [OptionType])Examples
=opt_VolumeOptionsAverage("AAPL", 5)=opt_VolumeOptionsAverage("MSFT", 10, "Call")=opt_VolumeOptionsAverage("SPY", 20, "Put")=opt_VolumeOptionsAverage(A1, 5)=opt_VolumeOptionsAverage("TSLA", 30, "All")When to Use
- Assess options liquidity before trading
- Compare options activity across different stocks
- Identify stocks with active options markets
- Track changes in options trading interest over time
- Screen for liquid options for strategy execution
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Need today's volume only | opt_TotalVolumeOptions() |
| Need volume on specific historical date | opt_TotalVolumeOptionsHistorical() |
| Need volume to open interest ratio | opt_Vol_OI() |
| Need unusual volume detection | opt_UnusualOptionVolScanEOD() |
Common Issues & FAQ
Why am I getting a low volume number?
Check if you specified the correct option type. Using "Call" or "Put" will return lower numbers than "All" which combines both.
What time period does this cover?
The function looks back the specified number of trading days from today. Weekends and holidays are excluded.
How is this different from stock volume?
This measures options contract volume, not the underlying stock's share volume. One options contract typically represents 100 shares.
Excel Templates Using Average Volume (Options)
These ready-made MarketXLS templates call opt_VolumeOptionsAverage() in their worksheet formulas. Open one to see the function working inside a complete model.
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