Adding Color to Plots, Labels, & Watchlists In ThinkOrSwim

MerryDay

MerryDay

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Adding Color to Plots and Labels
A frequent request is for coloring plots, labels, watch lists: green for upticks, red for down.
This example can be applied to a plot of any type of oscillator.
HKzCEeY.png

Ruby: 
# TOS RSI
declare lower ;
input show_label = yes ;
input price = close ;
input OB = 75 ;
input OS = 35 ;
input rsi_length = 14 ;
# ########################################################
#Using GlobalColors makes the colors modifiable
DefineGlobalColor("maxxed", CreateColor(50, 200, 255)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("rising",  CreateColor(0, 165, 0)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("bear",  CreateColor(225, 0, 0)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("pretrend", CreateColor (200, 125, 255)) ;
# ########################################################

Plot RSI = reference RSI("price" = PRICE, "length" = rsi_length);
# ########################################################
#RSI> RSI[1] this statement is saying if the current candle is greater than the previous candle
#that is what [1] denotes. Thus defining uptick. The same is then done for downticks.
RSI.AssignValueColor(
if RSI> OB then GlobalColor("maxxed") else
if RSI< OS then GlobalColor("pretrend") else
if RSI> RSI[1] then GlobalColor("rising")
     else GlobalColor("bear"));
RSI.SetLineWeight(3);
# ########################################################

plot OverBought = OB;
plot OverSold = OS;
plot UpArrow = if RSI crosses above OverSold then OverSold else Double.NaN;
plot DownArrow = if RSI crosses below OverBought then OverBought else Double.NaN;

DefineGlobalColor("OBcolor", CreateColor(171, 171, 225)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("OScolor", CreateColor(220, 220, 128)) ;
OverBought.SetDefaultColor(GlobalColor("OBcolor"));
OverSold.SetDefaultColor(GlobalColor("OScolor"));
UpArrow.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.ARROW_UP);
DownArrow.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.ARROW_DOWN);
UpArrow.SetDefaultColor(color.dark_green);
DownArrow.SetDefaultColor(color.dark_red);
# ########################################################
# The same logic that was used in coloring the plot can be used in labels
AddLabel(show_label,
         if RSI> OB then "RSI maxxed" else
         if RSI< OS then "RSI pre-trend" else
         if RSI> RSI[1] then "RSI Trending " +round(RSI,2)
              else "RSI Bear " +round(RSI,2) ,
         if RSI> OB then GlobalColor("maxxed") else
         if RSI< OS and RSI>RSI[1] then GlobalColor("pretrend") else
         if RSI> RSI[1] then GlobalColor("rising")
              else GlobalColor("bear"));
AddCloud(if RSI >= OB then RSI else Double.NaN, OB,
GlobalColor("maxxed"), GlobalColor("maxxed"));
AddCloud(if RSI <= OS then OS else Double.NaN, RSI,
GlobalColor("pretrend"), GlobalColor("pretrend"));
# ########################################################
 
Last edited:
Here is another example, a poster requested a Schaff watchlist
7Azu4F4.png

Qk15YPk.png

Chart & Labels
Ruby: 
# TOS Schaff Cycle
declare lower ;
input show_label = yes ;
input OB = 80 ;
input OS = 20 ;
# ########################################################
#Using GlobalColors makes the colors modifiable
DefineGlobalColor("maxxed", CreateColor(0, 70, 30)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("rising",  CreateColor(0, 165, 0)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("bear",  CreateColor(225, 0, 0)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("begin", CreateColor(50, 200, 255)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("zero", CreateColor (200, 125, 255)) ;
# ########################################################
Plot Schaff  = SchaffTrendCycle()."STC" ;
# ########################################################
#Schaff> Schaff[1] this statement is saying if the current candle is greater than the previous candle
#that is what [1] denotes. Thus defining uptick. The same is then done for downticks.
Schaff.AssignValueColor(
if Schaff> OB then GlobalColor("maxxed") else
if Schaff< OS and Schaff< Schaff[1] then GlobalColor("zero") else
if Schaff< OS and Schaff> Schaff[1] then GlobalColor("begin") else
if Schaff> Schaff[1] then GlobalColor("rising")
     else GlobalColor("bear"));
Schaff.SetLineWeight(3);
# ########################################################

plot OverBought = OB;
plot OverSold = OS;
plot UpArrow = if Schaff crosses above OverSold then OverSold else Double.NaN;
plot DownArrow = if Schaff crosses below OverBought then OverBought else Double.NaN;

DefineGlobalColor("OBcolor", CreateColor(171, 171, 225)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("OScolor", CreateColor(220, 220, 128)) ;
OverBought.SetDefaultColor(GlobalColor("OBcolor"));
OverSold.SetDefaultColor(GlobalColor("OScolor"));
UpArrow.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.ARROW_UP);
DownArrow.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.ARROW_DOWN);
UpArrow.SetDefaultColor(color.dark_green);
DownArrow.SetDefaultColor(color.dark_red);
# ########################################################
# The same logic that was used in coloring the plot can be used in labels
AddLabel(show_label,
         if Schaff> OB then "Schaff maxxed" else
         if Schaff< OS and Schaff< Schaff[1] then "Schaff bottomed" else
         if Schaff< OS and Schaff> Schaff[1] then "Schaff Trend BEGIN" else
         if Schaff> Schaff[1] then "Schaff rising " +round(Schaff,2)
              else "Schaff falling " +round(Schaff,2) ,
         if Schaff> OB then GlobalColor("maxxed") else
         if Schaff< OS and Schaff< Schaff[1] then GlobalColor("zero") else
         if Schaff< OS and Schaff> Schaff[1] then GlobalColor("begin") else
         if Schaff> Schaff[1] then GlobalColor("rising")
              else GlobalColor("bear"));
AddCloud(if Schaff >= OB then Schaff else Double.NaN, OB,
GlobalColor("maxxed"), GlobalColor("maxxed"));
AddCloud(if Schaff <= OS then OS else Double.NaN, Schaff,
GlobalColor("zero"), GlobalColor("zero"));
# ########################################################
Watchlist #1:
Ruby: 
# TOS Schaff Cycle
input OB = 80 ;
input OS = 20 ;
# ########################################################
Plot Schaff  = SchaffTrendCycle()."STC" ;
# ########################################################
AssignBackgroundColor(
         if Schaff> OB then color.dark_green else
         if Schaff< OS and Schaff>=Schaff[1] then CreateColor(50, 200, 255) else
         if Schaff< OS then CreateColor (200, 125, 255) else
         if Schaff> Schaff[1] then CreateColor(0, 165, 0)
              else CreateColor(225, 0, 0));
# ########################################################
Watchlist #2
Ruby: 
# TOS Schaff Cycle
input OB = 80 ;
input OS = 20 ;
# ########################################################
plot Schaff  = SchaffTrendCycle()."STC" ;
# ########################################################
AddLabel(yes,
         if Schaff> OB then "maxxed" else
         if Schaff< OS and Schaff< Schaff[1] then "bottomed" else
         if Schaff< OS and Schaff> Schaff[1] then "Trend BEGIN" else
         if Schaff> Schaff[1] then "rising "
              else "falling" );
# ########################################################
AssignBackgroundColor(
         if Schaff> OB then color.dark_green else
         if Schaff< OS and Schaff>=Schaff[1] then CreateColor(50, 200, 255) else
         if Schaff< OS then CreateColor (200, 125, 255) else
         if Schaff> Schaff[1] then CreateColor(0, 165, 0)
              else CreateColor(225, 0, 0));
# ########################################################
 
Last edited:
I was really wishing for a watch list column for Schaff, and was so happy to find what I thought was it in #post-66596 -- it looks exactly what I was looking for, but... I've never created a watch list column and I'm having trouble. I can't figure out which part of the code I should be using. I either get error messages, or when I finally seem to get it right, the watch list column gets stuck on "loading" -- can you show me how the code should look? Thanks so much!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
@NatalieHollis
There was a major update to the platform over the weekend. Weekend maintenance tends to make watchlists perform poorly
The watchlist columns are working fine for me. If you are still having issues come Monday morning, you could try loading them using shared links.

To load these shared links, follow these instructions --> Easiest way to load shared links
Shared Link Schaff Trend Cycle WatchList #1 = http://tos.mx/izV9n5i
Shared Link Schaff Trend Cycle WatchList #2 = http://tos.mx/w4GZ9nI
Screenshot (29).png
 
Last edited:
K_O_Trader said:
@MerryDay how can i change the colors to different ones? for example wanting to change the bottom or anything below 80 to red instead of purple and vise versa
Click to expand...
To Change the colors in a chart:​
1. Click on the Edit Setting Gear​
2. Scroll to the bottom​
3. Change Global Colors​
Screenshot (260).png
 
Last edited:
Modify Color In A Watchlist Column:
AddLabel(yes,
if Schaff> OB then "maxxed" else
if Schaff< OS and Schaff< Schaff[1] then "bottomed" else
if Schaff< OS and Schaff> Schaff[1] then "Trend BEGIN" else
if Schaff> Schaff[1] then "rising "
else "falling" );
# ########################################################
AssignBackgroundColor(
if Schaff> OB then color.dark_green else
if Schaff< OS and Schaff>=Schaff[1] then CreateColor(50, 200, 255) else
if Schaff< OS then CreateColor (200, 125, 255) else
if Schaff> Schaff[1] then CreateColor(0, 165, 0)
else CreateColor(225, 0, 0));
Click to expand...
Watchlist column fields color can be assigned using ToS standard colors:
https://tlc.thinkorswim.com/center/reference/thinkScript/Constants/Color
Or color can be created with the CreateColor function: CreateColor (200, 125, 255) .
Screenshot (261).png


The choices are endless.
Try changing each color in your watchlist, you will quickly figure out which line does what.
 
@MerryDay Im trying to color the Schaff green if its above 75 and red if its below 25, anything in the middle has no color, Im having trouble getting it this way any way you could help me?
 
MerryDay said:
Adding Color to Plots and Labels
A frequent request is for coloring plots, labels, watch lists: green for upticks, red for down.
This example can be applied to a plot of any type of oscillator.
HKzCEeY.png

Ruby: 
# TOS RSI
declare lower ;
input show_label = yes ;
input price = close ;
input OB = 75 ;
input OS = 35 ;
input rsi_length = 14 ;
# ########################################################
#Using GlobalColors makes the colors modifiable
DefineGlobalColor("maxxed", CreateColor(50, 200, 255)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("rising",  CreateColor(0, 165, 0)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("bear",  CreateColor(225, 0, 0)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("pretrend", CreateColor (200, 125, 255)) ;
# ########################################################

Plot RSI = reference RSI("price" = PRICE, "length" = rsi_length);
# ########################################################
#RSI> RSI[1] this statement is saying if the current candle is greater than the previous candle
#that is what [1] denotes. Thus defining uptick. The same is then done for downticks.
RSI.AssignValueColor(
if RSI> OB then GlobalColor("maxxed") else
if RSI< OS then GlobalColor("pretrend") else
if RSI> RSI[1] then GlobalColor("rising")
     else GlobalColor("bear"));
RSI.SetLineWeight(3);
# ########################################################

plot OverBought = OB;
plot OverSold = OS;
plot UpArrow = if RSI crosses above OverSold then OverSold else Double.NaN;
plot DownArrow = if RSI crosses below OverBought then OverBought else Double.NaN;

DefineGlobalColor("OBcolor", CreateColor(171, 171, 225)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("OScolor", CreateColor(220, 220, 128)) ;
OverBought.SetDefaultColor(GlobalColor("OBcolor"));
OverSold.SetDefaultColor(GlobalColor("OScolor"));
UpArrow.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.ARROW_UP);
DownArrow.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.ARROW_DOWN);
UpArrow.SetDefaultColor(color.dark_green);
DownArrow.SetDefaultColor(color.dark_red);
# ########################################################
# The same logic that was used in coloring the plot can be used in labels
AddLabel(show_label,
         if RSI> OB then "RSI maxxed" else
         if RSI< OS then "RSI pre-trend" else
         if RSI> RSI[1] then "RSI Trending " +round(RSI,2)
              else "RSI Bear " +round(RSI,2) ,
         if RSI> OB then GlobalColor("maxxed") else
         if RSI< OS and RSI>RSI[1] then GlobalColor("pretrend") else
         if RSI> RSI[1] then GlobalColor("rising")
              else GlobalColor("bear"));
AddCloud(if RSI >= OB then RSI else Double.NaN, OB,
GlobalColor("maxxed"), GlobalColor("maxxed"));
AddCloud(if RSI <= OS then OS else Double.NaN, RSI,
GlobalColor("pretrend"), GlobalColor("pretrend"));
# ########################################################
Click to expand...
Is it possible to
MerryDay said:
Adding Color to Plots and Labels
A frequent request is for coloring plots, labels, watch lists: green for upticks, red for down.
This example can be applied to a plot of any type of oscillator.
HKzCEeY.png

Ruby: 
# TOS RSI
declare lower ;
input show_label = yes ;
input price = close ;
input OB = 75 ;
input OS = 35 ;
input rsi_length = 14 ;
# ########################################################
#Using GlobalColors makes the colors modifiable
DefineGlobalColor("maxxed", CreateColor(50, 200, 255)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("rising",  CreateColor(0, 165, 0)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("bear",  CreateColor(225, 0, 0)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("pretrend", CreateColor (200, 125, 255)) ;
# ########################################################

Plot RSI = reference RSI("price" = PRICE, "length" = rsi_length);
# ########################################################
#RSI> RSI[1] this statement is saying if the current candle is greater than the previous candle
#that is what [1] denotes. Thus defining uptick. The same is then done for downticks.
RSI.AssignValueColor(
if RSI> OB then GlobalColor("maxxed") else
if RSI< OS then GlobalColor("pretrend") else
if RSI> RSI[1] then GlobalColor("rising")
     else GlobalColor("bear"));
RSI.SetLineWeight(3);
# ########################################################

plot OverBought = OB;
plot OverSold = OS;
plot UpArrow = if RSI crosses above OverSold then OverSold else Double.NaN;
plot DownArrow = if RSI crosses below OverBought then OverBought else Double.NaN;

DefineGlobalColor("OBcolor", CreateColor(171, 171, 225)) ;
DefineGlobalColor("OScolor", CreateColor(220, 220, 128)) ;
OverBought.SetDefaultColor(GlobalColor("OBcolor"));
OverSold.SetDefaultColor(GlobalColor("OScolor"));
UpArrow.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.ARROW_UP);
DownArrow.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.ARROW_DOWN);
UpArrow.SetDefaultColor(color.dark_green);
DownArrow.SetDefaultColor(color.dark_red);
# ########################################################
# The same logic that was used in coloring the plot can be used in labels
AddLabel(show_label,
         if RSI> OB then "RSI maxxed" else
         if RSI< OS then "RSI pre-trend" else
         if RSI> RSI[1] then "RSI Trending " +round(RSI,2)
              else "RSI Bear " +round(RSI,2) ,
         if RSI> OB then GlobalColor("maxxed") else
         if RSI< OS and RSI>RSI[1] then GlobalColor("pretrend") else
         if RSI> RSI[1] then GlobalColor("rising")
              else GlobalColor("bear"));
AddCloud(if RSI >= OB then RSI else Double.NaN, OB,
GlobalColor("maxxed"), GlobalColor("maxxed"));
AddCloud(if RSI <= OS then OS else Double.NaN, RSI,
GlobalColor("pretrend"), GlobalColor("pretrend"));
# ########################################################
Click to expand...

Is it possible to plot colors on indicator-A based upon the data of indicator-B (unplotted) ? So to optimize A without cluttering the monitor up with B ?
Moe specifically, if I wanted the ProjOscillator to be green when RSI>50, and red when RSI <50 ... is that easily done ? I ask because most color plotting I see relates to indicator: & candles, or the indicator itself. Thanks !
 
tw44 said:
Is it possible to


Is it possible to plot colors on indicator-A based upon the data of indicator-B (unplotted) ? So to optimize A without cluttering the monitor up with B ?
Moe specifically, if I wanted the ProjOscillator to be green when RSI>50, and red when RSI <50 ... is that easily done ? I ask because most color plotting I see relates to indicator: & candles, or the indicator itself. Thanks !
Click to expand...
Great question! And an interesting idea. I don't know what a ProjOscillator is, so for the point of illustration, I used the Awesome Oscillator.
Just replace it w/ your code.

To give back to the community can you share the script that you create and perhaps a screenshot?
Unsure of how to upload screenshots to the forum, Here are directions.
4OYjUzR.png

Ruby: 
declare lower ;

def  whatever_projoscillator_definition_is = reference AwesomeOscillator() ;
plot projOscillator =  whatever_projoscillator_definition_is ;

projOscillator.AssignValueColor(
if RSI() > 50 then color.green else color.red);
 
MerryDay said:
If it is not proprietary, care to share with the class? :)
Click to expand...
You bet. I'm new here so haven't figured it all out, but here's a cut/past of the code;
--------------------------
plot PROSC = if diff != 0 then 100 * (close - MinBound) / diff else 0;
#
# Coding based on MerryDay's input to color PO Green when RSI >50, otherwise Red
#
PROSC.AssignValueColor(if RSI() > 50 then color.green else color.red);
------------------------------------

Here is TOS link to description of Projection Oscillator description;
https://tlc.thinkorswim.com/center/...tors/studies-library/O-Q/ProjectionOscillator
.. and the related Projection Bands
https://tlc.thinkorswim.com/center/reference/Tech-Indicators/studies-library/O-Q/ProjectionBands

I'm new to the PO, so trying to see if other studies added to it remove some of the noise. Starting with the RSI>50, and will take a look into MA stacks, stochastics, other ... dunno yet
 
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