Retrieve an Option Chain in Excel with MarketXLS

The QM_GetOptionChain function helps you download the complete option chain for a specified symbol—directly into Excel. Market data is gathered with Greeks included, allowing you to analyze Calls and Puts side by side without ever leaving your spreadsheet. This simplifies essential tasks such as tracking implied volatility, managing option strategies, or doing in-depth pricing analysis.

Why Use This Function?

• Fetch all available options for a stock or ETF in one go, including Calls and Puts.
• Quickly view important details: bid, ask, last, open interest, contract highs/lows, and more.
• Automatic download of option Greeks (Delta, Gamma, Theta, Rho, Vega), providing insights into sensitivity.
• Easily update your sheet with structured or unstructured formats, based on your workflow preference.
• Include or exclude expired options (default behavior includes them), providing comprehensive coverage of all option series.
• Ideal for strategy backtesting, real-time monitoring, or large-scale portfolio management in Excel.

How to Use in Excel

Below is the basic syntax for retrieving an entire option chain:

=QM_GetOptionChain("SYMBOL")

Simply replace "SYMBOL" with the ticker symbol (e.g., "AAPL") to retrieve the detailed option chain. By default, the function automatically includes Greeks and places the resulting table under your selected Excel cell.

• You may optionally add "structured" in a second parameter (in certain versions) to get a more combined, side-by-side layout of Calls and Puts in the same rows. However, whether this parameter is recognized depends on your specific MarketXLS version or any custom implementation you may have.
• Internally, the function sets parameters like "money=All," "greeks=True," and "inclExpired=True" to return a broad, detailed range of contracts and data. You don’t need to manually specify these values under normal usage.

Parameters Explained

Though only “Symbol” is strictly required, advanced usage may include “structured” to format results differently. By default, the function includes Greeks, sets money=All, and includes expired options.

Example Usage

Basic Examples

1. Retrieve the standard option chain for Apple (AAPL) with Greeks:
   =QM_GetOptionChain("AAPL")
   • This places the option quotes, strikes, bid/ask, expirations, and detailed Greeks directly below your active cell.

2. Load the option chain for Tesla (TSLA) in cells starting from your current selection:
   =QM_GetOptionChain("TSLA")
   • Automatically includes all expiration ranges (including expired), plus relevant call and put data.

Advanced Scenarios

1. Side-by-Side Calls and Puts (if supported):
   =QM_GetOptionChain("MSFT","structured")
   • This can combine call and put columns for each matching strike. Useful for comparative analysis or building specialized options tables.

2. Deep-Dive Analysis with Greeks Filtering (manually adjusting parameters within your MarketXLS environment):

   • Some advanced users modify additional parameters (e.g., “money=NearTheMoney” or “inclExpired=False”) inside MarketXLS’s backend to filter the chain further.
   • This type of customization might require direct edits to your MarketXLS configuration or advanced macro usage.

3. Option Strategy Sheets:

   • In more complex spreadsheets, you can reference the cells where QM_GetOptionChain outputs data to calculate trade payoffs, hedging strategies, or multi-leg positions.
   • Having all current and expired contracts helps historical backtesting.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

• My function returns “No Data Retrieved” – Possible causes include an invalid ticker symbol or no available option chain data. Double-check the symbol and ensure you’re using a recognizable US-listed security.
• How do I handle large chains? – For extremely active underlyings, the chain can have hundreds of rows. Make sure your worksheet has enough space below the calling cell.
• Why am I not seeing Greeks or all expiration dates? – Check that your MarketXLS subscription covers options data. By default, the function attempts to include Greeks and all expiries, but certain data entitlements or configuration settings might limit your results.
• Do I need to worry about licensing? – You must have an active MarketXLS subscription for real-time or historical data. If not, an error or licensing message may appear.

By following these guidelines, you can seamlessly use the QM_GetOptionChain function to bring complete, up-to-date option chain data into Excel for deeper analyses, charting, or trade modeling. This streamlined approach is ideal for investors, traders, and analysts looking to integrate robust option details within their everyday Excel workflow.