Custom Volume Profile Indicators for ATAS: POC, VAH & VAL on Your Own Rules
POC, VAH, and VAL are among the most widely used concepts in order flow analysis. ATAS already ships with several built-in tools for this - Session Volume Profile, Market Profile/TPO, Dynamic Levels. Even so, requests for a custom variant come up regularly. The reason almost always comes down to the details.
POC, VAH, and VAL briefly explained
- POC (Point of Control): the price level with the highest traded volume within the selected period
- VAH (Value Area High) and VAL (Value Area Low): the upper and lower boundaries of the zone where roughly 70% of volume was traded
- Together they form the Value Area - the price range the market accepted as fair during the selected period
What ATAS's built-in tools already cover
Session Volume Profile for daily, weekly, or custom-defined sessions, Market Profile/TPO, and Dynamic Levels to show how POC, VAH, and VAL shift over time - a solid foundation that's more than enough for many standard approaches.
When a custom variant does more
- The Value Area should be calculated using a custom percentage instead of the standard 70%
- POC, VAH, or VAL should be combined with a second concept - for example, an alert only when price reaches VAL at the same time as a Liquidity Sweep
- Value Areas across multiple sessions should be compared automatically, e.g. today's Value Area sitting entirely above yesterday's as a trend signal
- Fixed reaction rules right at the level should be automated instead of just reading the zones visually
Have your own volume profile rules in mind?
Describe your definition - the feasibility check and quote are free and non-binding.
Request a projectIndicator or automated strategy?
An indicator only marks POC, VAH, and VAL according to your own rules visually on the chart - the decision stays with the trader. If price contact with one of these levels is meant to trigger an automated entry or exit directly, that becomes a strategy that sends orders on its own and should be tested more thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a custom Value Area calculation deviate from the standard 70%?
Yes, that's actually one of the most common requests - the percentage can be set exactly to your own definition instead of being tied to ATAS's default value.
Can POC/VAH/VAL be combined with other concepts like Order Blocks?
Yes, that's technically straightforward - for example, a signal only when a volume profile level coincides with an Order Block or a Liquidity Sweep.
Does a custom volume profile indicator replace ATAS's built-in tools?
Not necessarily - the built-in tools remain useful for the standard approach. A custom variant complements them wherever your own definition or combination logic goes beyond the default settings.
Does a level like POC or VAL guarantee a reaction in price?
No. POC, VAH, and VAL are statistical observations of past trading, not a guarantee of future behavior - more on that in our Risk & Liability Notice.
ATAS's built-in tools cover the standard case well - the value of custom volume profile development sits exactly where your own definition or a combination with other concepts goes beyond that standard case.
Have an idea for ATAS?
Tell us about your project - you'll get a free, non-binding quote within 24-48 hours.
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