A NIFTY option chain has dozens of strikes on each side. During the day, OI, price, volume and IV change on all of them at the same time. Scanning that by eye, minute after minute, is close to impossible. By the time you spot what changed, the move is often over.

An options scanner does that work for you. This guide shows how to find the strikes where the real action is, and how to use the OPIFY Option Scanner to do it in seconds.

Why the live chain alone isn't enough

The option chain shows you a snapshot: OI, LTP and IV right now. It doesn't tell you what those values were 30 minutes ago. Spotting change requires comparing two moments, and doing that across 40+ strikes by hand is slow and error-prone.

A scanner compares two points in time for every strike and ranks the results.

What to scan for

OI change % helps you spot unusual activity on smaller strikes. OI change in quantity shows where the biggest money is moving. Use both.

How to use the OPIFY Option Scanner

1. Open the Option Scanner and pick NIFTY, BANKNIFTY or SENSEX and the expiry.
2. Choose a time window. The default is the last 30 minutes. Quick picks include First 15 min, First hour, After first hour, Since 12:00 and Last hour. You can also set a custom range.
3. Choose Calls, Puts or Both, and Near ATM or All strikes.
4. Pick how to sort the movers.
5. Click Show changes. The Chain Movers table lists strikes with their buildup label: Long Buildup, Short Buildup, Short Cover or Long Unwinding.

Three ways traders use a scanner

1. Find where writers are building positions

Sort Calls by largest OI change (qty) and look for short buildup. Strikes where call writers are adding heavily often act as resistance. Do the same with Puts to find support.

2. Catch a shift in sentiment

If put strikes that showed short buildup in the morning now show long unwinding or short covering, put writers are leaving. That can signal weakening support.

3. Spot volatility surprises

Sort by largest IV change. A sudden IV jump on some strikes can mean traders expect a big move, and premiums can rise even if the index hasn't moved yet.

Keep it running

Turn on Auto-refresh (with the market-hours-only option) to keep the movers table updated through the day. Save a window you check often so you can return to it quickly.

Common mistakes

• Looking only at one window. Compare the last 30 minutes with the whole session.
• Chasing the top mover without checking the index chart.
• Ignoring far OTM strikes with tiny OI, where a small change looks huge in %.
• Treating scanner output as advice. It shows what changed, not what will happen.

Frequently asked questions

Which indices can I scan?

NIFTY, BANKNIFTY and SENSEX options.

Does it give buy or sell calls?

No. It shows data and changes across strikes. Decisions are yours.

What if I already know my strike?

Use Quick Analysis to check a single strike in depth before placing an order.

This article is for education only and is not investment advice. Options trading involves risk.