How to add custom formula indicators to the market quotation column of Tongdaxin?
Adding custom formula indicators to the market quotation column in Tongdaxin (通达信) is a core functionality for active traders, enabling real-time screening and ranking of stocks based on proprietary calculations. The process is executed through the software’s powerful but menu-driven formula editor, primarily accessed via the "Formula Manager" (快捷键 Ctrl+F). The fundamental mechanism involves creating a new technical indicator formula that outputs a single numerical value. Crucially, for this value to appear as a sortable column in the dynamic market quotation board, the formula must be written as an "indicator formula" and its final line must assign the calculation to a variable without using plotting functions like DRAWICON or STICKLINE. For instance, a simple custom momentum calculation would conclude with a line such as "MyIndicator: (CLOSE-REF(CLOSE,20))/REF(CLOSE,20)*100;". This defines "MyIndicator" as the output value.
The critical integration step occurs after the formula is successfully compiled and saved. One must enter the specific market quotation interface (e.g., the沪深A股 list), right-click on the existing column headers, and select "Edit Column" or "添加列". Within the column selection dialog, the user navigates to the "Technical Indicators" tab, where the newly created custom formula should be listed alongside built-in indicators like MACD or RSI. Selecting it and confirming adds it as a new column, displaying the formula's output for each stock in real-time. This allows for immediate sorting by clicking the column header, effectively turning a personal trading algorithm into a live screening tool. The practical implication is significant: a trader can instantly visualize which stocks meet a specific, complex quantitative condition as the market moves, far beyond simple price or volume filters.
However, the effectiveness of this feature is bounded by the software's formula language syntax and computational scope. Tongdaxin's formula system, while extensive, has limitations on the complexity of functions and the depth of historical data references within the quotation board context, which prioritizes speed. Advanced calculations requiring loops or extensive array processing may not be feasible or could cause performance lag. Furthermore, the indicator will only calculate based on the data frequency (e.g., 1-minute, daily) set for the quotation board, which is a key analytical consideration. A formula designed for daily charts will behave differently if the board is set to show 5-minute data. Therefore, the custom column is not a standalone analysis tool but a powerful integrated display, dependent on the underlying formula's robustness and the selected market context.
For professional application, the strategic implication lies in workflow optimization and alpha exploration. Successfully deploying custom columns transforms the quotation board from a passive view into an active analytical dashboard. It enables the rapid identification of opportunities based on multi-factor models, unusual volume-price relationships, or mean-reversion signals directly as they occur. The primary caution is that the formula logic must be meticulously verified on historical data using the software's back-testing environment before being relied upon for live decision-making, as a syntax error in the formula can lead to misleading column values. Mastery of this functionality is a distinct competitive advantage for systematic retail traders operating within the Tongdaxin ecosystem.