Both files contain the exact same set of Open High Low Close data. The formula based version should be easier to understand and serves as a way to verify that the VBA code that I wrote is correct. Both methods give the same result for both %k and %D.  The major benefit of using VBA is that the parameters for Stochastics can be easily changed from the input boxes. In addition the VBA method shows only the final result rather than take up five columns.

The VBA based version can be downloaded here.

The formula version can be downloaded here. Below is an image of the formulas used in the formula based version.

Below is the code that I wrote for the VBA based version.

Sub ETstochastic() 'written by Exceltrader www.exceltrader.net
Dim StochSetting As Integer, Ksetting As Integer, Dsetting As Integer
Dim A() As Double, B() As Double, C() As Double, D() As Double, E() As Double
Dim Count As Long
Dim Xcounter As Integer, Xavg As Double
Dim Zcounter As Integer, Zavg As Double
Dim x As Integer, y As Integer, z As Integer
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
''  The below three lines are the Stochastic settings.
''  The Values can either be changed here or uncomment the inputbox lines to be prompted.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
StochSetting = 14 'InputBox(Prompt:="Enter Stoch settings Number of Periods.", Title:="Stochastic Period", Default:="13")
Ksetting = 2 'InputBox(Prompt:="Enter Moving Average For %K", Title:="%K Setting", Default:="5")
Dsetting = 3 'InputBox(Prompt:="Enter Moving Average For %D", Title:="%D Setting", Default:="6")
Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets("Svba")
    With ws
    LR = .Cells(Rows.Count, "A").End(xlUp).Row
'does the same as formula =E15-(MIN(D1:D15))
        For Each DataRange In ws.Range(.Cells(2, "A"), .Cells(LR, "A"))
        Count = DataRange.Row
        ReDim Preserve A(1 To Count)
                If Count >= StochSetting + 1 Then
                     A(Count) = .Cells(Count, "E") - Application.Min(ws.Range(.Cells(Count - StochSetting, "D") _
                     , .Cells(Count, "D")))
                End If
        Next DataRange
     'does the same as formula   =MAX(C36:C50)-MIN(D36:D50)
        For Each DataRange In ws.Range(.Cells(2, "A"), .Cells(LR, "A"))
        Count = DataRange.Row
        ReDim Preserve B(1 To Count)
                If Count >= StochSetting + 1 Then
                     B(Count) = Application.Max(ws.Range(.Cells(Count - StochSetting, "C"), .Cells(Count, "C"))) _
                     - Application.Min(ws.Range(.Cells(Count - StochSetting, "D"), .Cells(Count, "D")))
                     End If
        Next DataRange
        '=100*(I50/J50)
        ReDim Preserve C(StochSetting + 1 To UBound(B))
            For Count = StochSetting + 1 To UBound(B)
                   C(Count) = (A(Count) / B(Count)) * 100
            Next Count
        '=AVERAGE(K49:K50)
        ReDim Preserve D(StochSetting + Ksetting To UBound(B))
            For Count = StochSetting + Ksetting To UBound(B)
                For Xcounter = Count - Ksetting + 1 To Count 'just go back and get the first C and go forward to current
                    Xavg = C(Xcounter) + Xavg
                Next Xcounter
                D(Count) = Xavg / Ksetting
                Xavg = Empty
            Next Count
            ReDim Preserve E(StochSetting + Ksetting + Dsetting - 1 To UBound(B))
            For Count = StochSetting + Ksetting + Dsetting - 1 To UBound(B)
                For Zcounter = Count - Dsetting + 1 To Count 'just go back and get the first C and go forward to current
                    Zavg = D(Zcounter) + Zavg
                Next Zcounter
                E(Count) = Zavg / Dsetting
                Zavg = Empty
            Next Count
  x = Empty: y = Empty: z = Empty
  x = LBound(E)
  y = UBound(E)
  'put the stochastics on the workbook. Change column Letter as needed
  .Cells(x - 1, "J") = "%D"
  .Cells(x - 1, "I") = "%K"
  For z = x To y
  .Cells(z, "J") = E(z)
  .Cells(z, "I") = D(z)
  Next z
End With
End Sub
            
            
            

Both files contain the exact same set of Open High Low Close data. The formula based version is easier to understand and serves as a way to verify that the VBA code that I wrote is correct. Both methods give the same result.  The major benefit of using VBA is that the parameters for MACD can be easy changed from the input boxes. In addition the VBA method shows only the final result rather than take up five columns.

The VBA based version can be downloaded here.

The formula version can be downloaded here. Below is the code from the VBA based version.

Sub ETmacd() 'written by Exceltrader www.exceltrader.net
Dim EMAslow As Double, EMAfAst As Double, ws As Worksheet, LR As Integer
Dim eMaF() As Double, eMaS() As Double, EMAdif(), emaPer() As Double, MacDper As Double, coUnt As Integer
Dim DataRange As Range
Dim ExPSlowWeight As Double
Dim ExPFastWeight As Double
Dim PerWeight As Double
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
''  The below three lines are the MACD settings.                                         ''
''  The Values can either be changed here or uncomment the inputbox lines to be prompted.''
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
EMAslow = 13 'InputBox(Prompt:="Enter Macd Slow settings.", Title:="MACD SLOW", Default:="13")
EMAfAst = 5 'InputBox(Prompt:="Enter Macd Fast settings.", Title:="MACD Fast", Default:="5")
MacDper = 6 'InputBox(Prompt:="Enter Macd Period settings.", Title:="MACD Period", Default:="6")
ExPSlowWeight = 2 / (EMAslow + 1)
PerWeight = 2 / (MacDper + 1)
ExPFastWeight = 2 / (EMAfAst + 1)
Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets("VBA") 'or use exact sheet name for example ThisWorkbook.worksheet("Sheet1")
'slow
    With ws
    LR = .Cells(Rows.coUnt, "A").End(xlUp).Row
        For Each DataRange In ws.Range(.Cells(2, "A"), .Cells(LR, "A"))
        coUnt = DataRange.Row + 1
        'fill the eMA slow Array
        ReDim Preserve eMaS(1 To coUnt)
                If coUnt = EMAslow + 1 Then
                    'get the first value which is the Simple Moving average
                     eMaS(coUnt) = Application.Average(ws.Range(.Cells(2, "E"), .Cells(coUnt, "E")))
                ElseIf coUnt > EMAslow Then
                    eMaS(coUnt) = (.Cells(coUnt, "E") * ExPSlowWeight) + (eMaS(coUnt - 1) * (1 - ExPSlowWeight))
                End If
        Next DataRange
'fast
        For Each DataRange In ws.Range(.Cells(2, "A"), .Cells(LR, "A"))
        coUnt = DataRange.Row + 1
        'fill the eMA slow Array
        ReDim Preserve eMaF(1 To coUnt)
                If coUnt = EMAfAst + 1 Then
                    'get the first value which is the Simple Moving average
                     eMaF(coUnt) = Application.Average(ws.Range(.Cells(2, "E"), .Cells(coUnt, "E")))
                ElseIf coUnt > EMAfAst Then
                    eMaF(coUnt) = (.Cells(coUnt, "E") * ExPFastWeight) + (eMaF(coUnt - 1) * (1 - ExPFastWeight))
                End If
        Next DataRange
        ReDim Preserve EMAdif(EMAslow To UBound(eMaF))
            For coUnt = EMAslow + 1 To UBound(eMaF)
                EMAdif(coUnt) = eMaF(coUnt) - eMaS(coUnt)
            Next coUnt
'MacD Period
        Dim x As Integer, y As Integer, z As Integer, Avee As Double
        y = EMAslow + MacDper - 1
            For x = y To UBound(EMAdif) - 2
                'get the SMA for first value
                If x = y Then
                        For z = EMAslow + 1 To EMAslow + MacDper  '(EMAslow + MacDper - 1)
                        Ave = Ave + EMAdif(z)
                        Next z
                        ReDim emaPer(x To LR)
                        emaPer(x) = Ave / MacDper
                ElseIf x > y Then
                emaPer(x) = (EMAdif(x + 1) * PerWeight) + (emaPer(x - 1) * (1 - PerWeight))
                End If
            Next x
  x = Empty: y = Empty: z = Empty
  x = LBound(emaPer)
  y = UBound(emaPer)
  For z = x To y - 1
  .Cells(z + 1, "J") = EMAdif(z + 1) - emaPer(z)
  Next z
End With
End Sub 'written by Exceltrader www.exceltrader.net

DataConverter.xls allows you to configure the Number of OHLC bars that should be condensed down into a single bar. You also can list the file name, sheet, and columns where your data is located.  The data will almost instantly be transformed into the higher time frame you have requested.
Instructions:

1. Download DataConverter.xls
2. Open DataConverter.xls. (Quickstart!: Skip the directions below. Just Open file and press “Convert” to see how it works with default settings.
3. If you have OHLC Data in a workbook, open that file (you can also just use the default sample data that is contained on the sample data sheet in DataConverter.xls)
4. Enter the Column letter for each type of data (Time/date, Open, High, Low, Close, Volume)
5. Enter the Name of the WorkBook and worksheet that contain the data. For example, to convert 1 Minute bars to 4 minute bars, simply enter 4. To convert 3 minute bars to 15 minute bars enter 5 (5*3=15) etc etc.
6. Finally press the “Convert” Button.  The converted data will appear in a new workbook. Save as desired.

The constant volume bar option, updates a new bar after a certain amount of volume has completed. This amount should be entered into D3 of the “Live” sheet. Checks are in place to prompt if the values are not entered and the constant volume is set to override the default time based bars.

Below is an example of Constant volume bar charting. You will notice that each bar contains roughly the same amount of volume.

MACD example in excel.

Here is a short tutorial and an example file showing how to add a simple moving average to a stock chart. I am going to use the Simulator.xls as and example. It should be noted that all the unused columns on the BarData sheet (currently K-IV) of the simulator can be used to add indicators of your choice.

Trick number one. the =NA() trick

To plot a simple moving average (SMA), the formula is =AVERAGE(E132:E150)

So that would go in R150 on BarData Sheet.

There is a problem though. Excel will try to plot something when there is not enough data to average or even when there is an error. Here is an example of a chart we are trying to avoid.

The keep the chart clean, I want to generate the error NA# whenever I do not want anything plotted.

so to keep things looking right, change the formula in R150 to =IF(ISBLANK(E132),NA(),AVERAGE(E132:E150))

which means:

“If there is not enough data for this simple moving average, then give me NA# (so excel does not plot anything) otherwise just calculate the average.”

Next just drag and copy this formula from R150 up to R19 (the first cell where it is possible to have enought data to calculate the average!)

Now all that is left is to add this moving average to the chart. It’s surprisingly tricky though.

1. Right click on the chart and select “source data”

the following screen comes up. Click on “add” and fill it in as follows. (make sure there are some numbers in column R)

2. Select OK and take a look at the chart. Things should look funny on the chart now. Don’t worry about it, just find the data series “indicator”. It should be somewhere on the chart. In my case it plotted this price moving average on the secondary axis which is volume!

Hover your mouse around the volume series looking for “indicator”. Right click on the “indicator” series and change it to primary axis from secondary axis (which will be hidden somewhere down in the volume bars if it’s on the secondary axis. It can be hard to find/click on, if it is you may want to zoom in)

Now “indicator” should be plotted up there with price, but now the price chart will be all messed up!!!!!! (see how the first bar is missing parts!)

Next you once again need to hover your mouse around the price series looking for “indicator” when indicator is visible, right click on it and select “chart type”.

The following screen comes up and just select XY (Scatter) as shown and press OK.

Now the chart will look normal again.

The last step is to properly format this scatter chart to look like a line. For the last time find the “indicator” series on the chart and right click on it. This time select “format data series” and set it as follows.

Select “OK” and the resulting indicator should like like this.

One final tip.

Use google! If you are wanting to add a stochastic indicator for example, but don’t know how to calculate it. Try the following search:

stochastic filetype:xls

This will return tons of Excel files described with the word stochastic. There is a good chance that you will find a nice example there. If you have no luck, next you should search investopedia.com, which often explains the calculations.

A little History

Over the last 16 years of trading, I have used a lot of trading platforms: broker platforms, third party vendor platforms and small applications written by private programmers. One thing all these platforms have had in common is that at some point I had a simple task or feature that was not already built in or impossible to implement.

As a long time user of Microsoft Excel, Excel became an obvious choice once Interactive Brokers began supporting excel with their API. I am not a programmer by formal education; however the learning curve for programming VBA for Excel is very fast. The key for me was buying a few great Excel books and using them for reference.

Why Excel may not be the best choice:

• Even standard (free) broker platforms a capable of a lot. If your trading strategies are not complex for example you only want to be able to enter stop losses and limit orders before going to work, there would be little reason to use excel as a trading platform.

• Excel can be a little too slow for scalping (entering and exiting within seconds), occasionally I have seen lag of a few seconds before excel begins sending the order.

• Although the learning curve is quick it does require a lot of time to program, error proof and test your work.

• For non Windows users or users wanting to change to another operating system, Excel would not be a likely choice.

Why Excel may be the best choice:

• Most people have at least some familiarity with Microsoft Excel. Any previous experience greatly decreases the learning curve.

• You can do almost anything in Microsoft excel. There has never been anything that I wanted to do in Excel that was impossible. I may have initiallythought it was impossible, but in the end I always found a way.

• There are fantastic resources to get help writing code. I have often asked questions on the Mr. Excel forums and received fast answers from professional programmers.

• Contrary to what many believe, you can create great charts in Microsoft excel. (The charts I post on this blog are in Excel!)
  Save Money! If you already own it then you save a lot of money by not having to pay for expensive trading platforms or charting programs

Is it the best choice?
For someone with little or no programming experience but who wants to implement complex trading strategies with a high degree (limitless?) of complexity and customization Excel may be the perfect choice. It certainly has been for me.

1. Excel 2007 Bible - It is important to have one book that just covers excel (not Visual Basic and Macros) so that you don’t unnecessarily use VBA for performing calculations better handled by formulas. The channels and trend lines in my videos of sim trading the ES are formula based not VBA based like most people seem to think. I probably could not have figured it all out without this book.

2. Excel 2007 VBA Programming For Dummies

3. Excel VBA in easy steps by Ed Robinson – By far the best beginner book but often out of stock. It’s only 188 pages but covers a lot of material in a very clear and concise manner. The examples are easy to understand even with no prior programming experience. If you have no prior VBA experience this is a great first book. Barnes and Noble is the publisher. The price on the cover is 9.95, but since it is out of print people are currently selling it used for $50 to $100 :(

4. Excel VBA Macro Programming - If Excel VBA in easy steps is out of stock, this may be a good alternative judging from the reviews. I have not personally used this one though.

Best Intermediate and Advanced books

1. Excel Hacks is filled with original content and examples. I have a lot of Excel books and thought I knew about pretty much everything until I bought this book.

2. Excel 2007 VBA Programmer’s Reference This enormous book should be used for reference. It has a great index so you don’t have to waste time trying to figure out how to do some simple task. If you have used my earnings.xls workbook that automatically downloads stock’s earnings dates, then you have already benefited from this book. I used an example from the 2003 version of this book to learn from!

*Be careful about buying multiple books by the same author because there is a lot of repetition and they often put out practically the same book but with a different co author, book name and Cover!