Calculate Total Options Volume with MarketXLS

The opt_TotalVolumeOptions function helps you quickly retrieve the total options trading volume for a given underlying security directly in Excel. This allows you to filter by option type (calls or puts), specific expiration dates, and particular strike prices, empowering you to make well-informed trading decisions without ever leaving your spreadsheet.

Why Use This Function?

• Gain immediate access to real-time or cached total options volume data for any given ticker symbol.
• Analyze both call and put activity in a single function call, or filter your results to just calls or just puts.
• Narrow down results by expiration date to see near-term, mid-term, or long-term option volume data.
• Target specific strikes or strike ranges, whether you want a single strike value or a percentage-based price band around the underlying’s last price (for example, ±5% around the current stock price).
• Perfect for monitoring market sentiment, comparing potential trades, or running strategy backtests without needing to switch platforms.

How to Use in Excel

=opt_TotalVolumeOptions(Underlying, [OptionType], [ExpirationDate], [Strike])

• Enter the formula in any cell.
• Replace the placeholders with your desired values (see the parameter table below).
• Press Enter to obtain the total options volume that meets your specified criteria.

Notes:

1. Make sure you are signed in to MarketXLS with a valid license.
2. If the Excel add-in is currently fetching new data, you may temporarily see "Refreshing."
3. An "NA" occurs if the function cannot retrieve valid data due to parsing errors or if the data is otherwise unavailable.

Parameters Explained

Example Usage

Basic Examples

1. Retrieve the total options volume (calls + puts) for Microsoft (MSFT) across all expirations and strikes: » =opt_TotalVolumeOptions("MSFT")
   Explanation: Underlying = "MSFT", OptionType = 0 or blank, ExpirationDate = blank, Strike = blank ? sums volume over all calls/puts, all expirations, all strikes.

2. Get total call option volume for Apple (AAPL) for the expiration date 12/15/2023: » =opt_TotalVolumeOptions("AAPL", "CALL", "12/15/2023")
   Explanation: This filters only calls expiring on December 15, 2023.

3. Check total put volume on the SPX index for all expiration dates, focusing on a single strike of 4000: » =opt_TotalVolumeOptions("^SPX", "PUT", , "4000")
   Explanation: Symbol is “^SPX”, OptionType = PUT, no expiration filter, strike = 4000.

Advanced Scenarios

1. Retrieve total volume for underlying Tesla (TSLA) for calls expiring on 01/19/2024, in a 5% range around the current stock price: » =opt_TotalVolumeOptions("TSLA","CALL","01/19/2024",0.05)
   Explanation:

   • OptionType = “CALL”
   • Date = "01/19/2024"
   • Strike = 0.05 means ±5% around TSLA’s last price.

2. Compare volume across multiple strikes simultaneously using multiple cells:

   • In one cell: =opt_TotalVolumeOptions("MSFT", , "12/15/2023", "280")
   • In another cell: =opt_TotalVolumeOptions("MSFT", , "12/15/2023", "290")
     Explanation: You can set up side-by-side comparisons in Excel to see volume changes for different strikes.

3. Incorporate the function into broader portfolio trackers:

   • Use cells referencing ticker symbols (e.g., cell A2 with a symbol, cell B2 with a date).
   • Formula example: =opt_TotalVolumeOptions(A2, "PUT", B2, 320)
     Explanation: Simplifies automating calculations across multiple positions in your portfolio.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

1. "Why do I get 'Refreshing'?"

   • MarketXLS might be updating data in the background or queueing the request for a short time. Usually resolves once data is fetched.

2. "What happens if I pass an invalid OptionType?"

   • The function checks for valid strings like "CALL" or "PUT." If the value cannot be parsed, it returns an error message. A blank or "0" includes both calls and puts.

3. "How can I confirm if my function inputs are recognized?"

   • Verify the cell values (for underlying, option type, date, strike) are in the correct format. Also check that your MarketXLS add-in is active and your license is valid.

4. "What if the result is 'NA'?"

   • That usually means there's no data for the requested criteria or an exception occurred (for example, an invalid strike or date). Re-check your parameters and ensure the underlying symbol is correct.

5. "Can I apply this to smaller or lesser-known stocks?"

   • As long as data is available on MarketXLS for that ticker symbol, yes. However, if there is no option chain data, you may see "NA."

By leveraging opt_TotalVolumeOptions in MarketXLS, you can streamline your options trading research, monitor key volume signals in real-time, and manage multiple scenarios simultaneously—all within the comfort of Excel. This function is an essential tool for active traders looking for a simple yet powerful way to track the pulse of the options market.