Getting Started with thinkorswim® Charts

Education

Introduction

One of the standout features of thinkorswim is its powerful charting tools. With hundreds of studies, a wide range of drawing tools, and endless customization options, thinkorswim charts provide traders with the ability to analyze and customize their charts to suit their trading style. In this article, we will walk you through the basics of using thinkorswim charts, from pulling up a symbol to adding drawings and studies.

When you first log into thinkorswim, you will find yourself on the Monitor page. To access the charts, navigate to the Charts tab. By hiding the left column using the toggle in the center, you can create more space for your chart.

Pulling Up a Symbol

To pull up a symbol, simply type in the symbol or the name of the company in the search bar. For example, you can type in "AAPL" for Apple Inc. or "Apple" to search for the symbol. Click on the desired symbol from the menu, and the default chart for that symbol will be retrieved.

Chart Navigation

Once you have pulled up a chart, familiarize yourself with the general navigation features. The upper left corner displays information about the selected symbol and its current price. The chart itself presents the price action over time, with the x-axis representing time and the y-axis representing price. You can hover your cursor over different points on the chart to view specific data for that date. The bottom of the chart shows additional metrics such as volume and earnings information. You can also customize the time frame of the chart by selecting from pre-defined options or creating a custom time frame.

Analyzing and Customizing Charts

thinkorswim charts offer a wide range of tools for analysis and customization. You can change the chart style from candlestick to line, bar, or other types. The drawing tools allow you to add trend lines, Fibonacci retracements, and other annotations to the chart. You can customize the appearance of these drawings by changing their color, style, and thickness. Additionally, you can add and customize technical studies, such as moving averages and MACD, to analyze price patterns and indicators.

Saving and Sharing Chart Layouts

If you have customized your chart to your liking, you can save it as a study set for future use. This allows you to quickly switch between different chart configurations. Additionally, thinkorswim provides a share function that generates a URL for your chart layout. You can share this URL with others, allowing them to load the same chart layout on their own thinkorswim platform.

Introduction

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Introduction

  1. How do I pull up a symbol on thinkorswim charts?
  2. Can I customize the time frame of a chart on thinkorswim?
  3. How do I add drawings and annotations to a thinkorswim chart?
  4. What types of technical studies can I use on thinkorswim charts?
  5. How do I save and share my customized chart layouts on thinkorswim?