5 Ways to Speed Up Charting in NinjaTrader 8

5 Tips for Charting in NinjaTrader 8 That Will Come in Extremely Handy!

Here are 5 Charting in Ninjatrader 8 tips that we put together while using the platform. Leave us a comment below if there are any other good tricks that you can share.

Free Chart Movement

The control button holds secret powers in NinjaTrader 8. It's probably one of the most used buttons when I'm personally charting in NinjaTrader 8.

Step 1: Open a chart
Step 2: Hold down the control key on your keyboard (and keep it pushed down)
Step 3: Click and drag the chart around to move your orientation.

The Price Line Tool

This isn't built into NinjaTrader by default but you can get it here.

Step 1: Download the tool from the link above.
Step 2: Because we have produced, paid the developers and support this tool we just kindly ask that you like, subscribe or follow us.
Step 3: Fill out the form so we can generate your license key and email it to you.
Step 4: Wait, but soon you'll get your license key. We tend to do this in a couple hours but we will for sure get it to you in the next 12 hours. Sit tight and await your free key.

Sending Chart Objects Forward or Backwards

Understand that NinjaTrader 8 charts work in layers. If you have a drawing tool or an indicator that goes over top of the candle sticks but would rather have it behind the candlesticks you can send that drawing, or that indicator to the background. This can help make your charts more visible.

Step 1: Open a chart
Step 2: Select the object (drawing tool/indicator etc)
Step 3: Hold down the shift key and use the wheel on your mouse to move the object further to the background or the foreground. There are 15 different layers and you can send it as far back as you need.

Default Templates

You can setup an NT8 chart to open the same way every single time. This way you don't have to reconfigure settings or add in your indicators all over again.

Step 1: Get a chart exactly the way you want it. This will be a template so that all your future charts will open with the same settings.
Step 2: Right click on the chart, go to templates -> save as. Call the name of the template "default" and hit save.

Using any other term except "default" would cause the pattern not to work any longer.

Setting Up Hot Key's

Hot Key's can be setup within the control center window (that's the first window that opens in NT8) .

Step 1: Select Tools -> Hot Key's from the Control Center window.
Step 2: Here you can select which aspect of the program you want to attach a hotkey too and program it.

All your hotkey's are stored in a file called UI.xml which is in your main MyDocuments/NinjaTrader 8/ folder if you ever want to back them up.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up charting in NinjaTrader for the first time?

To set up charting in NinjaTrader, open the platform and navigate to the New menu, then select Chart. From there, choose your desired instrument, data series, and time frame. You can further customize the chart by adding indicators, changing chart styles, and adjusting visual settings through the chart's right-click menu or the Properties panel.

What chart types are available in NinjaTrader?

NinjaTrader supports a wide variety of chart types including candlestick, OHLC bar, line, and HeikinAshi charts. It also offers advanced chart styles such as Kagi, Point and Figure, Renko, and LineBreak, giving traders flexibility to analyze price action in the format that best suits their trading strategy.

Can I use multiple monitors for charting in NinjaTrader?

Yes, NinjaTrader fully supports multi-monitor setups, allowing you to display multiple charts across different screens simultaneously. You can save your workspace layout so that all your charts, indicators, and windows reopen in the same positions each time you launch the platform.

How do I add indicators to a NinjaTrader chart?

To add indicators, right-click on your chart and select Indicators from the context menu. You can then browse or search from a library of over 100 built-in indicators, configure their parameters, and apply them to your chart. NinjaTrader also supports custom third-party indicators developed using NinjaScript.

Is NinjaTrader charting free to use?

NinjaTrader offers a free version of its platform that includes full charting capabilities, allowing traders to access advanced charting tools, indicators, and drawing objects without a paid license. A paid license is required to unlock additional features such as advanced order types and automated trading functionality.