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Signal is a mechanical technical analysis tool, used to systematically specify market entry or exit points according to a set of trading rules implemented in the signal's algorithm. The trade points are indicated on a chart by ticks and arrows.
Signals can be viewed as the basic building blocks of strategies. Strategies can easily be constructed by simply applying a set of signals to a chart window, without the need to combine signal code manually.
Market entry or exit points, specified by the signals, can be used to send orders electronically directly to a broker, fully automating the trading process. To learn more, see [[Understanding_Automated_Trade_Execution|Automated Trade Execution]].
Each signal applied to a chart is set individually, and has its own '''Format Signal''' window. Signal Title is displayed in the title bar of the Format Signal window. Multiple instances of the same signal can be applied to the same chart; each instance will have its own Format Signal window, allowing different settings to be used for each of the instances. Signal settings are specific to the particular signal, while '''Strategy Properties''' settings affect all the signals applied to a chart. To learn more, see [[Strategy_Properties|Strategy Properties]].
In a multi-symbol chart, signals can only be applied to the series with the Data #1.
Basic adjustments to the signal’s logic can be made by simply changing the '''Input Values'''. Signal's Arrow, Tick, and Label '''Style''' can be set.
== Setting Input Values ==
An '''Input''' is a constant used in the signal’s signal's calculations. Signals can have one or more inputs, or none at all. Each input is assigned a name. There are three types of inputs: Numeric,
True/False, and String.
Signals can be modified by changing the input '''Values'''.
Most, but not all, signals use input values; to learn more see [[<span style="color: red;">'''LINK'''</span> /03_PLE/31-0103_WorkingStudies.html name="5"; Default_Study_Properties|Default Studies Inputs]].
One of the main advantages of using the inputs is that basic adjustments to the study's logic can be made be simply changing the input values, without the need to edit the studies' actual code.
# In the '''Value''' column, click on the value of the input that you want to change and enter the desired value.
<div style="background-color: #E5F6FF;">Tip: To use these inputs settings as the default for the selected signal, check '''Use as Default''' check box.</div>
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== Setting Style ==
# In the '''Size''' column select the component size from the drop-down list box; only the size of arrows and ticks can be set.
<br><div style="background-color: #E5F6FF;">Tip: To use these style settings as the default for the selected signal, check '''Use as Default''' check box.</div>
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== Intra-Bar Order Generation ==
You can elect select whether to allow the signal to generate orders within a bar, or only at the close of each bar.
A signal contains one or more Order Commands that generate entry or exit orders. A limit to the number of orders that can be generated within a single bar by each order command or by all of the signal’s order commands can be set.
# Open the '''Format Signal''' window.<br><span>{{FormatSignal}}</span>
# Select the '''Intra-Bar Order GenerationProperties''' tab.
# Check '''Enable Intra-Bar Order Generation''' check box to allow the signal to generate orders within a bar; uncheck the box to allow the signal to generate orders only at the close of each bar.
If this option is grayed out then the Intra-Bar Order Generation condition is specified in the signal's code. The strategy can send different number of orders depending on the selected IOG mode: # Select the required modefor entries:#* To limit each order command entries from the same signal in this strategy to once per bar, click '''Limit entries from the same signal in this strategy to one entry and one exit once per bar''' radio button.#* To limit entries from all signals in this strategy to once per bar, click '''Limit each order command entries from all signals in this strategy to once per bar''' radio button. #* To allow the signal multiple entries per bar, click '''Allow any entry from this strategy to one entry and one exit occur ... times per bar''' radio buttonand specify the value from 1 to 10 000.# Select the required mode for exits:#* To limit exits from the same signal in this strategy to only one entry once per bar, click '''Limit exits from the same signal in total and only one exit this strategy to once per bar''' radio button.#* To limit exits from all signals in total this strategy to once per bar, click '''Limit exits from all signals in this signal strategy to one entry and one exit once per bar''' radio button. #* To allow the signal multiple entries and exits per bar, click '''Allow unlimited entries and any exits from this strategy to occur multiple times per bar''' radio button.
<div style="background-color: #E3FBE5;">Note: Allowing multiple same-direction entry orders in the '''Position Limits''' section of '''Strategy Properties''' window will not override the above settings.</div>
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=== Generate orders within a bar ===
<div style="background-color: #E5F6FF;">The following settings are available in MultiCharts 15.</div>
You can allow the signal to generate orders intrabar on specific events.
* '''On every tick''' option allows the signal to generate orders on every tick in real time or on the OHLC values on historical data. Please note that if this option is enabled, the strategy will be calculated every tick which might influence the overall performance. <br><div style="background-color: #E3FBE5;">'''Note:''' If this option is not enabled in any of the signals, the strategy will '''not''' be calculated every tick even if the '''Enable Intra-Bar Order Generation''' box is checked.</div><div style="background-color: #E3FBE5;">'''Note 2:''' This option is not supported in Portfolio Trader.</div>
* '''On timer''' option allows the signals to generate orders based on the timer event generated by the [[RecalcLastBarAfter]] keyword. The script will be calculated by the timer in any case, regardless of this checkbox. But orders generated by this calculation will be sent only if the option is enabled.
* '''On mouse click event''' option allows the signal to generate orders on a mouse click event generated by the [[ProcessMouseEvents]] keyword. The script will be calculated by the click event in any case, regardless of this checkbox. But orders generated by this calculation will be sent only if the option is enabled. <br><div style="background-color: #E3FBE5;">'''Note:''' In Portfolio Trader there is a separate column to process mouse clicks during Forward testing or Real-time Auto Trading.</div>
* '''With Close button in Portfolio Trader''' option allows the signal to generate orders by closing the position in the Portfolio Trader. The script will be calculated by closing the position in any case, regardless of this checkbox. But orders generated by this calculation will be sent only if the option is enabled.
=== Generate orders on broker events ===
<div style="background-color: #E5F6FF;">The following settings are available in MultiCharts 15.</div>
You can allow the signal to generate orders intrabar on specific broker events.<br>
First you need to enable the calculation on specific broker events in '''Format''' → '''Strategy properties''' → '''Auto Trading''' → '''Recalculate on Broker Events'''. For more info please refer to [[Auto Trading#Recalculate on Broker Events|this page]]. <br>Then you can enable the orders to be sent intrabar on these events:
* '''Market Position Change''' option allows the signal to generate orders when a market position at the broker changes.
* '''Order Filled''' option allows the signal to generate orders when the auto trading system fills an order.
* '''Order Rejected''' option allows the signal to generate orders when an order sent by the auto trading system is rejected.
<div style="background-color: #E3FBE5;">'''Note:''' If no checkboxes are enabled here, the strategy will be recalculated, but it will place no new orders intrabar.</div>
<br><div style="background-color: #E5F6FF;">Tip: To use these settings as default for the selected signal, check '''Use as Default''' check box.</div>
[[Category:Studies]]
