Quote from cdcaveman:
......
btw that option chain importer would be no different then the one that the financial add in uses no? so IB futures data would as well not be importable..
When Hoadley says that he does not support importing IB futures options chains, he just means out-of-the box without additional effort.
There is nothing to prevent a user from doing it with their own code if they can produce a flat file with the information, which is an extremely simple format as you showed in another post......
Here is the format:
The fields, and their order, are as follows:
1
Underlying asset code (equities or options) or the root futures code (futures options)
This is just an identifier. When you request an option chain for, eg, MSFT, then all option records with MSFT in this field will be included in the option chain. The field is not used for quote lookup or anything else.
Examples: MSFT, SPX, LH (CME lean hog futures).
2
Spot price of underlying
For equity and index options, the spot price must be the same for all options in the chain.
Omit for futures options. For futures options the U/L futures price (field 14) is used instead as there can be multiple futures contracts, each with their own U/L price, in one chain.
3
Description
Optional. This can be anything. Eg MSFT 06 March 28.00, or CME Lean Hogs Futures Option.
4
Option symbol
5
Call or put indicator
Must be C or P
6
Strike
7
Expiry date
Format is YYYYMMDD. Eg 20060531
8
Last sale price of option
9
Bid
10
Ask
11
Volume
12
Open Interest
13
U/L futures contract code
Optional: A code which identifies the futures contract to which the option applies.
Ignored for equity and index options
14
U/L futures price
Required for futures options.
Ignored for equity and index options.
Notes:
· File format: The file is a comma delimited text file. By implication no fields can contain commas.
· Decimal separators: Irrespective of your computerâs regional settings, decimal separators must be a period. ie â.â For example, 26.3, 35.7. This is to avoid regional ambiguities.
· Omitting fields: When a field is omitted the comma must still be included. In total, each line (ie each option record) must contain 13 commas (the last field does not require a comma).
· Multiple option chains per file: A file can contain multiple option chains. Field 1 identifies all records belonging to a chain.
· Sort order: Option records can be in any order.
· File name: The file extension must be â.TXTâ. The rest of the filename can be anything.