Text and markers

Three functions put a mark on a bar rather than a line across the chart. plotshape draws a shape from a fixed set. plotchar draws a single character. plotarrow draws an arrow whose size follows from a number.

All three are chart-output functions, so all three must be called at the top level of the script, outside any branch, loop or function of your own. That is not a limitation on when a mark appears: the condition goes in the first argument, where the interpreter reads it once per bar.

Choosing between them

plotshape and plotchar take a condition. plotarrow takes a number. That difference decides which one you want.

If you know on which bars the mark belongs, use plotshape or plotchar and hand it the test. If the mark’s size should follow a measured value, use plotarrow and hand it the value.

plotshape

plotshape(series bool series, const string title, input shape shape, input location location, series color color, input int offset, const string text, series color textcolor, input size size, const bool force_overlay) → void

indicator("Up and down bars")
plot(close, title = "Close", color = color.gray)
plotshape(close > open, title = "Up", shape = shape.triangleup, location = location.belowbar, color = color.green, size = size.tiny)
plotshape(close < open, title = "Down", shape = shape.triangledown, location = location.abovebar, color = color.red, size = size.tiny)

Note the shape of that example. Two calls, each at the top level, each carrying its own condition. Wrapping one call in a branch would be rejected.

The markers shape offers

Twelve markers, listed alphabetically. The second column is the marker on its own; the third is the same marker carrying the text you pass.

shape	Marker	With text
shape.arrowdown
shape.arrowup
shape.circle
shape.cross
shape.diamond
shape.flag
shape.labeldown
shape.labelup
shape.square
shape.triangledown
shape.triangleup
shape.xcross

plotchar

plotchar(series bool series, const string title, const string char, input location location, series color color, input int offset, const string text, series color textcolor, input size size, const bool force_overlay) → void

plotchar takes the same parameters as plotshape, with one difference: char in place of shape. It is a const string rather than a member of a fixed set.

plotchar draws one character. If you pass a longer string it is cut to its first character, without a warning and without an error. Pass the one character you want.

plotarrow

plotarrow(series float series, const string title, series color colorup, series color colordown, input int offset, input int minheight, input int maxheight, const bool force_overlay) → void

plotarrow has no location, no shape, no size and no text. Where an arrow sits follows from the number you give it, and it takes an up colour and a down colour rather than one colour.

If you want to place a mark yourself, or label it, use plotshape or plotchar instead.