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Moving Average Excel Download Template & Understanding Moving Averages

  • Writer: J+A
    J+A
  • Feb 7
  • 2 min read

Updated: Apr 10

Introduction

moving average excel download template

Moving averages are among the most widely used technical indicators in stock trading. They help smooth out short-term price fluctuations, making it easier to identify long-term trends. In this article, we’ll explore moving averages, why they’re important, and how to calculate them using Microsoft Excel. We’ve also included a downloadable Excel file to help you apply these concepts to real stock data.



What is a Moving Average?

A moving average (MA) is a technical analysis tool that averages a series of prices over a specified period to help identify trends and reduce market noise. It's commonly used by traders and analysts to assess price direction and market momentum.

According to Investopedia, a moving average is particularly useful in confirming trends and spotting potential reversals.

In Excel, you can easily compute MAs using built-in formulas or chart tools, making it accessible for traders at all levels.


Types of Moving Averages

  1. Simple Moving Average (SMA):The SMA calculates the average price over a specified number of periods. It’s easy to compute and interpret, and is widely used in charting tools such as TradingView (source).(Our Excel template uses this method. Comment below if you’d like EMA or WMA added too!)

  2. Exponential Moving Average (EMA):The EMA gives more weight to recent prices, making it more responsive to recent market moves. StockCharts (source) notes that EMAs are commonly used in conjunction with other indicators to generate trading signals.

  3. Weighted Moving Average (WMA):The WMA assigns different weights to past prices in a linear fashion. Though less common, it can be useful for advanced analysis where more recent data should have a proportionate impact.


Why Moving Averages are Important in Stock Trading

  • Moving averages play a key role in technical analysis:

    • Identifying Trends: As explained by Fidelity Investments (source), MAs help distinguish whether a stock is trending upward, downward, or trading sideways.

    • Generating Trading Signals: Crossovers between short- and long-term moving averages can act as buy or sell signals. For example:

      • A Golden Cross occurs when a short-term MA (e.g., 50-day) crosses above a long-term MA (e.g., 200-day), indicating a bullish trend.

      • A Death Cross signals a bearish trend when the short-term MA crosses below the long-term MA.

    These patterns are often highlighted in tools like MetaTrader, Thinkorswim (TD Ameritrade), and other trading platforms.


How to Use the Attached Excel File

To make analysis easier, we've provided a downloadable Excel file that calculates and visualizes simple moving averages. Just input your stock prices, and Excel will compute the SMA and display it graphically. This is ideal for users who prefer manual analysis or want to explore MA behavior before using professional charting software.


Conclusion

Moving averages are essential tools for technical analysis, offering insights into price trends and market signals. By using Microsoft Excel and the provided template, you can start applying moving average strategies to your own stock data.


For deeper learning, check out:


Download the Excel file, and start exploring market trends with confidence.






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