Why Are Only Higher or Equal Timeframes Displayed in Multi-Timeframe Mode?

In the IOF Pro, when using the multi-timeframe (MTF) mode, you may notice that only the timeframes greater than or equal to the current chart timeframe are displayed. This design choice is intentional and offers several important benefits for both performance and analysis accuracy:

1. Avoid Overcrowding and Clutter

• Lower timeframes (LTFs) often have many more price fluctuations, resulting in significantly more OBs, BBs, and other graphical elements.

• If all lower timeframes were displayed on the current chart, the screen would be overloaded with lines and labels, making it difficult to interpret the most important zones. In addition, all lines would appear on top of each other, as an HTF candle on e.g. 1H corresponds to 60 minute candles.

Example: On a 4H chart, displaying OBs and BBs from the 1M, 5M, and 15M timeframes could overwhelm the chart with minor levels that might not be as relevant for swing traders.

2. Maintain Focus on Key Levels

• By displaying only the relevant OBs and BBs from the current or higher timeframes, traders can focus on the major market structure levels that are more likely to influence price action.

• Higher timeframes often provide more reliable and impactful zones, while lower timeframes may show temporary or insignificant reactions.

Example: A Breaker Block on the 1D or 4H timeframe is generally more meaningful than one on the 5M chart when making swing trades or long-term decisions.

3. Performance Optimization

• The number of calculations and graphical elements directly affects the script’s performance. Displaying too many elements, especially from lower timeframes, could exceed TradingView’s limitations of 500 lines. Higher, important timeframes would no longer be displayed.

  Filtering out lower timeframes ensures that the indicator runs smoothly without hitting resource limits.

Tip: If you need lower timeframe OBs and BBs, you can switch the chart to a lower timeframe and the indicator will automatically adjust its analysis accordingly.

4. Filtering for Relevant Multi-Timeframe Confluence

• One of the key purposes of multi-timeframe analysis is to combine higher timeframe levels with the current chart to find confluence zones. Displaying only higher or equal timeframes ensures that traders don’t get distracted by noise from lower timeframes.

Solution: If you’re looking for detailed levels on lower timeframes, reduce the chart timeframe and adjust the number of bars and performance settings to ensure optimal visualization.