View source for How to make indicator and signal calculation results the same

Signal calculation values are often compared to the indicator plot using the same function.
In order to have relevant results for comparison, you need to follow this simple guide to make indicator and signal calculation results the same.

'''Make sure the signal and indicator have the same settings:'''

* First, base the calculation of the studies on the same number of bars. 
# To set the number of bars that the '''signal''' will reference:
## Click '''Format''' in the main menu of MultiCharts;
## Select '''Strategy Properties''';
## Turn to the '''Properties''' tab;
## In '''Maximum number of bars study will reference''' the default value is 50 bars.<br> 
# To set the same value for the indicator:
## Click '''Format''' in the main menu of MultiCharts;
## Select '''Studies''';
## Highlight your indicator;
## Click the '''Format''' button;
## Turn to the '''Properties''' tab;
## Under '''Max number of bars study will reference''' select '''User specified''' and enter the number of bars.<br>
* On the historical data the indicator is calculated on the bar close values only. There are [[How Signals are Calculated|multiple historical data calculation modes]] for the signal. In order for the indicator and signal historical calculations to match, IOG and Bar Magnifier should be disabled for the signal.
* If the signal is calculated tick by tick, i.e., IOG is enabled for the signal, the '''Update on every tick''' feature should be enabled for the indicator in order to make the realtime calculations match.  
To enable the '''Update on every tick''' feature:
# Click '''Format''' in the main menu of MultiCharts;
# Select '''Studies''';
# Highlight your indicator;
# Click the '''Format''' button;
# Turn to the '''Properties''' tab;
# Check the '''Update on every tick''' checkbox.
  
* '''Realtime-History Matching''' should be enabled/disabled (upon necessity) for both the signal and indicator. Please see detailed instructions in the [[Realtime-History Matching]] section.

<div style="background-color: #E3FBE5;">Note: The indicator and signal should be based on the corresponding data series and have the same input values.</div>  

* If the indicator and signal settings are the same then calculation results should be equal.

[[Category:FAQ]]