What it does
Inside/Outside Bar Marker helps price-action traders catch familiar bar-pattern context without manually checking every candle. The current NinjaTrader 8 version is a clean visual marker, not a full alert engine or automation layer.
Who this is for
This page is a good fit for traders who want a readable Inside/Outside Bar Marker workflow without having to reverse-engineer the setup from forum posts or screenshots.
Key terms for this tool
Review the core trading and platform terms tied to this page before changing settings or using the study in a live workspace.
What it is not
Inside/Outside Bar Marker is a chart-context tool. It does not place trades, manage risk automatically, or promise that a specific pattern will resolve in one direction. Use it to organize decisions, not to outsource them.
Chart examples
This chart capture shows the study on a real NinjaTrader workspace. Use it as visual reference, then confirm behavior on your own instrument, session, and timeframe.
Inside and outside bars marked live
A NinjaTrader 8 chart showing the Inside/Outside Bar Marker calling out compression and expansion bars directly on price.
Best fit
- Spotting compression before a possible expansion.
- Marking outside bars that change short-term structure.
- Creating simple price-action scan conditions.
Before using it live
- Import the NinjaTrader 8 ZIP through NinjaTrader's normal import flow.
- Apply the indicator to a clean chart first and confirm inside/outside labels appear as expected.
- Use the marker as visual chart context; it does not place trades or manage alerts.
- Review how the tool behaves on your actual session template, chart type, and instrument.
Settings to review
Shows inside bars, outside bars, or both.
Optionally colors bars when a pattern appears.
Controls how far the label sits above or below the bar.
Installation notes
- Import the NinjaTrader 8 ZIP through NinjaTrader's normal import flow.
- Apply the indicator to a clean chart first and confirm inside/outside labels appear as expected.
- Use the marker as visual chart context; it does not place trades or manage alerts.
Downloads
Source code
These source examples are provided for copy/paste workflows on other charting platforms. Review and test any script in a simulator before using it on a live chart.
{
Inside/Outside Bar Marker
FreeIndicators.com source example.
Works as a starting point for TradeStation EasyLanguage and MultiCharts PowerLanguage.
}
Vars: InsideBar(False), OutsideBar(False);
InsideBar = High < High[1] And Low > Low[1];
OutsideBar = High > High[1] And Low < Low[1];
If InsideBar Then Plot1(High, "Inside");
If OutsideBar Then Plot2(Low, "Outside");// Inside/Outside Bar Marker
// FreeIndicators.com source example for MetaTrader 4.
#property indicator_chart_window
#property indicator_buffers 3
#property indicator_color1 DodgerBlue
#property indicator_color2 Crimson
#property indicator_color3 SeaGreen
double Buffer1[];
double Buffer2[];
double Buffer3[];
int init() {
SetIndexBuffer(0, Buffer1);
SetIndexBuffer(1, Buffer2);
SetIndexBuffer(2, Buffer3);
return(0);
}
int start() {
int counted = IndicatorCounted();
int limit = Bars - counted - 1;
for(int i = limit; i >= 0; i--) {
bool insideBar = High[i] < High[i + 1] && Low[i] > Low[i + 1];
bool outsideBar = High[i] > High[i + 1] && Low[i] < Low[i + 1];
Buffer1[i] = insideBar ? High[i] : EMPTY_VALUE;
Buffer2[i] = outsideBar ? Low[i] : EMPTY_VALUE;
}
return(0);
}// Inside/Outside Bar Marker
// FreeIndicators.com source example for MetaTrader 5.
#property indicator_chart_window
#property indicator_buffers 3
#property indicator_plots 3
double Buffer1[];
double Buffer2[];
double Buffer3[];
int OnInit() {
SetIndexBuffer(0, Buffer1, INDICATOR_DATA);
SetIndexBuffer(1, Buffer2, INDICATOR_DATA);
SetIndexBuffer(2, Buffer3, INDICATOR_DATA);
return(INIT_SUCCEEDED);
}
int OnCalculate(const int rates_total,
const int prev_calculated,
const datetime &time[],
const double &open[],
const double &high[],
const double &low[],
const double &close[],
const long &tick_volume[],
const long &volume[],
const int &spread[]) {
int start = prev_calculated > 1 ? prev_calculated - 1 : 1;
for(int i = start; i < rates_total - 1; i++) {
bool insideBar = high[i] < high[i - 1] && low[i] > low[i - 1];
bool outsideBar = high[i] > high[i - 1] && low[i] < low[i - 1];
Buffer1[i] = insideBar ? high[i] : EMPTY_VALUE;
Buffer2[i] = outsideBar ? low[i] : EMPTY_VALUE;
}
return(rates_total);
}//@version=5
indicator("Inside/Outside Bar Marker", overlay=true)
insideBar = high < high[1] and low > low[1]
outsideBar = high > high[1] and low < low[1]
plotshape(insideBar, "Inside", shape.triangleup, location.belowbar, color=color.blue, text="IB")
plotshape(outsideBar, "Outside", shape.triangledown, location.abovebar, color=color.orange, text="OB")Limitations
- Patterns are frequent and need context.
- The NT8 marker runs on bar close and is a visual helper, not an automated signal.
- Signals can cluster during volatile chop.
Frequently asked questions
Does it repaint?
The current NT8 version is a marker that evaluates completed bars. It should be treated as bar-close context rather than an intrabar predictive signal.
Which platforms are covered?
NinjaTrader 8, TradeStation EasyLanguage, MultiCharts PowerLanguage, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView Pine Script are currently represented through downloads or source pages.
Is source code included?
Yes. This page includes source examples or links to platform-specific source pages where applicable.
