Total Open Interest

Returns the total options open interest for an underlying stock. Open interest represents the total number of outstanding option contracts.

Parameters

Parameter Required Default Description
Underlying Yes - Stock ticker symbol
OptionType No all 'all', 'call', or 'put'
ExpirationDate No all Specific date or 'all'
Strike No all Specific strike or blank

Understanding Open Interest

  • OI = total outstanding contracts
  • High OI indicates significant market positioning
  • OI accumulates over time
  • OI decreases when positions are closed

Notes

  • Open interest is updated end of day by OCC
  • OI can indicate support/resistance levels
  • Large OI at strikes = market maker hedging activity

Examples

All AAPL options OI
=opt_TotalOpenInterestOptions("AAPL", "call")
AAPL call OI only
=opt_TotalOpenInterestOptions("AAPL", "put")
AAPL put OI only
=opt_TotalOpenInterestOptions("SPY", "all", "2024-01-19")
SPY OI for specific expiry
=opt_TotalOpenInterestOptions("TSLA", "call", "all", 250)
TSLA call OI at $250 strike

When to Use

  • Analyzing market positioning
  • Identifying support/resistance from options
  • Measuring overall options market interest
  • Comparing call vs put positioning
  • Analyzing OI by expiration

When NOT to Use

Scenario Use Instead
Need volume opt_TotalVolumeOptions()
Need top contracts TopOptionsByOpenInterest()
Need put/call OI ratio opt_PutCallOIRatio()
Need historical OI opt_TotalOpenInterestOptionsHistorical()

Common Issues & FAQ

Q: Why is OI different from volume? A: Volume = contracts traded today (resets daily). OI = total outstanding contracts (accumulates over time).

Q: When is OI updated? A: Open interest is calculated and published by the OCC at end of each trading day.

Q: How do I use OI for support/resistance? A: Large put OI at a strike can act as support. Large call OI at a strike can act as resistance.

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MarketXLS Excel Add-in Tutorial - How to Use Total Open Interest and Other Financial Formulas
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