Options chain data display after selecting equity

[SrEngRet]

I pressed the wrong key somewhere so I'll ask my question in this reply section.

I'd like to view options chain data quickly after selecting the equity, but all the data does not seem to initially display.  

I'm using Windows 7, and have selected all strikes, all expirations,  listed by calendar, and calls and puts in the options chain display.   Ally Invest is the data source.

Here's my process:

I right-click on the equity symbol in the portfolio window,  select the option chain for the symbol, and the options chain windows displays.   It looks like only a minimal amount of data is in the rows and columns.  I click on START on the options chain display and Reload Chain.  I wait.  No change in the option chain data.  I  go to the portfolio window and click on STOP and click on START.   Then, the expected data displays in the option chain window.

I've noticed this during the day, on weeknights, and on the weekend.

I must have a setting wrong somewhere, but I cannot find it.  Or, I just don't know the correct process to use to view the data almost immediately. 

Will someone provide me the correct steps to view the options chain data quickly?

Regards

 

[Jerry Medved]

are you leaving the previous option chain windows open so you now have many open? Each one uses many quotes, so if you have a bunch open, you may be going over the limit for the # of symbols you can be streaming at the same time.

you really don't need to hit reload chain unless there is a problem with the list of symbols showing on the chain. the data in the various fields other than symbol is coming from the quotes. 

If you still have a problem, send me your settings and I will check it out. To do that:
Go to FILE / HELP => Send Log/Settings to support menu (from Dashboard or Portfolio)
And add this Post URL in the comment.  Do not check any check-boxes.

[SrEngRet]

 

Thank you for replying.

I only have one option chain window open.  I'm still having difficulty with quick display of options chain data.

I've followed these instructions:  FILE / HELP => Send Log/Settings to support

Regards

 

[Jerry Medved]

sorry for the delayed response.  

your main portfolio has 433 symbols. Max streaming Level I symbols for Ally Invest is 250, so almost half of your portfolio already is already not getting data. When you open an option chain window, it can easily add another 100 symbols (depending on how tall the window is - only gets quotes for visible ones).  Since you are already maxed out, it ends up not getting any quotes for the options on the option chain.

You need to either trim your portfolio list to have less symbols or get another datafeed that has higher limits. Ally Invest for MBT - their separate system, can do 500 for MT users. Subscription sources are available with higher limits as well. 

If you have other brokerage accounts that MT supports, you can use them in MT too, so could for example use one source for the portfolio and another for the option chain.

[SrEngRet]

Ok.  I'll probably trim the list.  Your software will allow me to screen the watchlist (main portfolio) while some of the brokerages I use won't do that to a watchlist.  They try to screen the whole market.

I wish they had the capability you built into Medved Trader.