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

Examples

=opt_VolumeOptionsAverage("AAPL", 5)
5-day average total options volume
=opt_VolumeOptionsAverage("MSFT", 10, "Call")
10-day average call volume
=opt_VolumeOptionsAverage("SPY", 20, "Put")
20-day average put volume
=opt_VolumeOptionsAverage(A1, 5)
Symbol from cell reference
=opt_VolumeOptionsAverage("TSLA", 30, "All")
30-day average all options

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

Q: Why am I getting a low volume number? A: Check if you specified the correct option type. Using "Call" or "Put" will return lower numbers than "All" which combines both.

Q: What time period does this cover? A: The function looks back the specified number of trading days from today. Weekends and holidays are excluded.

Q: How is this different from stock volume? A: This measures options contract volume, not the underlying stock's share volume. One options contract typically represents 100 shares.

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MarketXLS Excel Add-in Tutorial - How to Use Average Volume (Options) and Other Financial Formulas
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