Part 2: Customizing Your New StockCharts.com Account

Part 2: Customizing Your New StockCharts.com Account

There are two very important concepts that you need to understand in order to get the most out of your new account - ChartStyles and ChartLists.

Using ChartStyles

A ChartStyle is a collection of specific SharpCharts settings that can be applied as a template to any symbol you want to chart. Those settings include the chart's period, date range, size, type, colors, overlays, indicators and more. For example, you can create a specific ChartStyle for viewing stocks on an intraday basis, another for ETFs on a weekly basis and a third for Mutual Funds. In fact, as a member, you can create up to 50 different unique ChartStyles in your account.

Creating a ChartStyle

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To create a ChartStyle, first adjust the chart settings using the controls on the SharpCharts Workbench. Once you're finished and your chart has been updated just the way you like, look for the “Add New” button just below your chart. This will allow you to save these specific settings as a ChartStyle in your account. Enter a name and hit “Add” to save your new ChartStyle. You can also use the “Save as Default” button to save these settings as your standard ChartStyle.

Saved ChartStyles

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Your saved ChartStyles can be applied to the current chart using the ChartStyles dropdown (found just below any chart on the SharpCharts Workbench). The links to the right of that dropdown will also let you manage your ChartStyles.

StyleButtons

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In addition, you can assign up to 12 different ChartStyles to what we call StyleButtons. Located to the left of your charts, these thin gray buttons make it quick and easy to switch between your most frequently used styles in just one click. To assign a style to a specific StyleButton, use the “Edit Properties” link to the right of the ChartStyles dropdown (below the chart).

Setting Up Your Default ChartStyle

In addition to regular ChartStyles like we just described, there is a special ChartStyle that is very important - your Default ChartStyle. Your Default ChartStyle contains the settings we use when you ask us to create a brand new chart. If you enjoy using a specific collection of indicators and chart settings and you are tired of having to re-enter those settings again and again, you can save those settings as your Default ChartStyle. Any new charts you create will then simply use the settings specified in your Default ChartStyle.

To create your default ChartStyle, follow these simple steps:

  • Pull up a chart and adjust its settings to fit your specific preferences
  • Click on the “Save As Default” link located below the chart in the “ChartStyles” area

That's it! Now, whenever you create a new chart it will appear with those settings.

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For complete instructions on using ChartStyles, click here.

Creating ChartLists

Once you've created a chart, you can store it in what we call a ChartList. Think of them as online folders stored inside your account. ChartLists allow you to save and organize your important charts to make analyzing the market and managing your investments a breeze. For example, you can create a list for the major market indexes, one for the stocks in your current portfolio and another for the charts you're keeping a close eye on. Basic members get 1 ChartList, Extra members get 250, and Pro members get up to 350 ChartLists. Each ChartList can hold up to 500 charts.

Your Dashboard

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The quickest way to create a new ChartList is on Your Dashboard. In the panel titled “Your ChartLists,” look for the button in the upper right corner that says “New”, or find the green button below the ChartList table. After naming your new list, you'll be taken to the Edit page. From there, you can add new charts, remove unwanted charts, edit the list's settings and more.

From the Workbench

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Once you've created a ChartList, you can save new charts into it directly from the SharpCharts Workbench. Just above your chart, you'll find a gray section with some dropdown menus in it. Use the “Save As” link below those dropdown menus to add a new chart to an existing list. You can also use the dropdown menus to view a saved chart from an existing list.

For complete instructions on using ChartLists, click here.

Next Up » Part 3: Using the StockCharts Technical Ranking (SCTRs) to Find Leading Stocks