RTI_SMA for Real-Time Simple Moving Averages in Excel

The RTI_SMA function from MarketXLS helps you calculate and monitor real-time Simple Moving Averages (SMA) for any valid symbol directly in Excel. By pulling intraday data in specified minute intervals, you can seamlessly track ongoing trends for short-term or long-term trading decisions without leaving your spreadsheet.

Why Use This Function?

• Gain real-time insights into a stock’s short-term or long-term trend by calculating moving averages on the fly.
• Quickly adapt your trading or investment strategy based on the latest price movements.
• Combine with other RTI functions (like RTI_RSI, RTI_EMA) for deeper technical analysis within Excel.
• Perfect for intraday traders who rely on up-to-the-minute data in 1, 5, 15, or 60-minute intervals (or other custom intervals).
• Streamlined workflow—no more manual data exports or complicated macros.

How to Use in Excel

=RTI_SMA(symbol, [interval], [lookback], [field], [index])

1. Enter the formula into a cell in Excel.
2. Replace the arguments with your desired values (or leave them blank to use defaults).
3. Ensure you have configured a data provider (e.g., Zerodha or AngelOne) and have an active MarketXLS license.

Press Enter to view real-time SMA values for the symbol directly in your spreadsheet.

Parameters Explained

Example Usage

Basic Examples

• To return the 20-period SMA of the last-traded price for AAPL every 5 minutes:
=RTI_SMA("AAPL")
This uses all default parameters: interval=5, lookback=20, field="Last", index=0.

• To get the 20-period SMA of the “High” price of MSFT with a 1-minute interval:
=RTI_SMA("MSFT", 1, 20, "High", 0)

Advanced Scenarios

• Longer lookback with a different field:
=RTI_SMA("GOOG", 5, 50, "Low", 0)
This calculates a 50-period SMA on the Low price of GOOG, aggregated in 5-minute intervals.

• Using a custom index:
=RTI_SMA("NFLX", 15, 20, "Last", 1)
While index usage may vary based on data availability, this indicates retrieving a previous data point (e.g., one candle ago) if supported.

• Handling edge cases:
=RTI_SMA("AAPL", 0, 0)
Here, both interval=0 and lookback=0 initially, but internally, interval defaults to 5 (due to the function signature) and lookback becomes 50.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

1. What if I use a lookback larger than 200?
   – The function will return “Number of periods cannot be more than 200.” Adjust your lookback down.

2. Why am I getting “No data seller is configured. Please configure at least one data seller in Settings.”?
   – You must enable a data provider like Zerodha or AngelOne in MarketXLS Settings for RTI functions to work.

3. Can I use daily or weekly intervals instead of minutes?
   – This function is designed for minute-based intervals. While you can enter custom minute values, the function is primarily intended for intraday analysis.

4. Why do I get “ERR” or a similar error?
   – This could be due to invalid tickers, unconfigured data providers, or an expired license. Verify each parameter to ensure everything is correct.

5. Which fields can I use for the field parameter?
   – “Last,” “High,” “Low,” “Open,” and “Volume” are common. Other fields depend on your data seller’s available metrics.

By leveraging RTI_SMA directly in Excel, you gain precise, real-time technical analysis for your chosen stock symbols. Whether you’re a day trader monitoring short-term market swings or a swing trader following broader trends, RTI_SMA delivers actionable moving average insights right where you need them—in your Excel spreadsheets.