Understanding the table.set_position() Function in Pine Script

The table.set_position() function is pivotal for traders and developers who wish to dynamically adjust the position of their tables within a chart. This guide dives deep into the syntax, arguments, and practical applications of this function.

Syntax

The syntax for the table.set_position() function is straightforward:

table.set_position(table_id, position) → void

This function does not return any value, hence the void type. It is designed to modify the position of an existing table within the chart’s visual field.

Arguments

The table.set_position() function takes two arguments:

1. table_id (series table): This is the identifier for the table object whose position you want to change. It must be a table created previously in your script using the table.new() function.
2. position (series string): This argument specifies the new position for the table. Pine Script supports a range of position strings, each representing a specific location on the chart. The available positions are:

• position.top_left
• position.top_center
• position.top_right
• position.middle_left
• position.middle_center
• position.middle_right
• position.bottom_left
• position.bottom_center
• position.bottom_right

These positions allow for a high degree of flexibility in how information is presented on the chart, catering to the aesthetic and functional preferences of users.

Example

To effectively illustrate the use of the table.set_position() function, let’s create a simple script that generates a table and then positions it at the bottom right of the chart.

//@version=5
indicator("My Table Demo", overlay=true)

// Create a new table
myTable = table.new(position.top_right, 2, 3)

// Populate the table with some data
table.cell(myTable, 0, 0, "Asset", bgcolor=color.new(color.blue, 0))
table.cell(myTable, 0, 1, "Price", bgcolor=color.new(color.blue, 0))
table.cell(myTable, 1, 0, "BTC", bgcolor=color.new(color.green, 0))
table.cell(myTable, 1, 1, str.tostring(close), bgcolor=color.new(color.green, 0))

// Change the table position
table.set_position(myTable, position.bottom_right)

In this example, we:

1. Script Declaration:
   • //@version=5 specifies the version of Pine Script being used, which is version 5, the latest at the time of writing.
   • indicator("My Table Demo", overlay=true) declares a new indicator named “My Table Demo” that will be overlaid on the price chart.
2. Table Creation:
   • myTable = table.new(position.top_right, 2, 3) creates a new table object with the variable name myTable. This table is initially positioned at the top right of the chart. The table is set to have 2 columns and 3 rows.
3. Populating the Table:
   • table.cell(myTable, 0, 0, "Asset", bgcolor=color.new(color.blue, 0)) adds a cell to the table at row 0, column 0, with the text “Asset”. The background color of the cell is set to blue with full opacity.
   • table.cell(myTable, 0, 1, "Price", bgcolor=color.new(color.blue, 0)) adds another cell to the table at row 0, column 1, with the text “Price”. This cell also has a blue background color with full opacity.
   • table.cell(myTable, 1, 0, "BTC", bgcolor=color.new(color.green, 0)) adds a cell at row 1, column 0, containing the text “BTC” (representing Bitcoin). The background color of this cell is green with full opacity.
   • table.cell(myTable, 1, 1, str.tostring(close), bgcolor=color.new(color.green, 0)) inserts a cell at row 1, column 1, showing the current price of the asset (converted to a string). The background color for this cell is also green with full opacity.
4. Adjusting Table Position:
   • table.set_position(myTable, position.bottom_right) changes the position of myTable to the bottom right of the chart. This demonstrates how to dynamically adjust the table’s position based on user needs or other criteria within the script.

Key Takeaways

• The table.set_position() function is essential for customizing the layout of tables in Pine Script, providing flexibility in presenting data.
• It accepts two arguments: the table identifier and the new position string, which can be one of nine predefined locations on the chart.
• This function is particularly useful for creating dynamic, user-friendly visualizations that enhance the analytical capabilities of TradingView indicators and strategies.

By mastering the table.set_position() function, Pine Script developers can significantly improve the interactivity and user experience of their custom tools.