2009-02-01T20:28:57-08:00
chart documentation instructions pf point_and_figure s
30077
37020
21293
false
true
false
true
25845
2
1
2009-10-16T10:56:46-07:00
StockCharts Support
209470
Point & Figure Charting Workbench - User Documentation
2009-10-16T10:56:46-07:00
<h1><a name="using_point_and_figu">Using Point and Figure Charts</a></h1>
<h2><a name="a1"></a><a name="what_is_a_point_and_">What Is A Point and Figure Chart?</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img class="medialeft" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnf-ibm_000.gif" border="0" alt="P&F Chart" title="P&F Chart" /></p>
<p>A Point and Figure chart is a study of pure price movement in that time
is not taken into consideration while plotting the price action. Since
only price changes are recorded, if no price change occurs then the
chart is left untouched. A Point and Figure chart is also called a
"P&F Chart."</p>
<p>Point & Figure charts use rising columns of X's and descending columns of O's to represent these price movements.</p>
<p>What an investor sees when looking at a P&F chart is the
underlying supply and demand of the security. The columns of X's
illustrate demand exceeding supply (rally), and the columns of O's
illustrate supply exceeding demand (decline).</p>
<p>This article describes the mechanics of using P&F Charts on
StockCharts.com. To learn how to analyze and interpret the charts,
check out our <a href="http://stockcharts.com/education/TAindex.html" title="http://stockcharts.com/education/TAindex.html">Chart School</a>.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a2"></a><a name="how_are_p_f_charts_c">How Are P&F Charts Calculated?</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p>As stated above, Point & Figure charts show an "X" when prices
rise by the amount of the "box size" (a value you specify) and show an
"O" when prices fall by the amount of the box size. If prices rise or
fall by an amount that is less than the box size, no X's or O's are
drawn.</p>
<p>Each column contains a stack of either X's or O's, but rarely both
(using a 1 box reversal can result in an X and O stack). Columns will
always alternate between X's and O's, and in order to change columns,
prices must reverse by the "reversal amount" (another value you
specify) multiplied by the box size. For example, if the box size is 5
points and the reversal amount is 3 boxes, then prices must reverse
direction 15 points (5 x 3) in order to change columns. If you are in a
column of X's, the price must fall 15 points to change to a column of
O's. If you are in a column of O's, the price must rise 15 points to
change to a column of X's.</p>
<p>The columns of X's and O's represent price trends. So when a column
changes, it likewise signals a change in the trend of prices. When a
new column of X's appears, it shows that prices are rallying higher.
When a new column of Os appears, it shows that prices are moving lower.</p>
<p>Because prices must reverse direction by the reversal amount, the
minimum number of X's or Os that can appear in a column is equal to the
"reversal amount."</p>
<p>It is common practice is to use the high and low prices (not just the
close) to decide if prices have changed enough to display a new box.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a3"></a><a name="why_use_a_point_figu">Why Use A Point & Figure Chart?</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p>While the SharpCharts workbench is a great tool for charting a security over a period of
time, sometimes all an investor is interested in is the actual price
movement. P&F charts are great for observing active market
activity, and as such are very helpful in identifying
support/resistance lines, buy/sell signals, and trendlines.</p>
<p>P&F charts are also very flexible in that they can easily be made
more or less sensitive to price changes to discern between long and
short term trends. By varying box and reversal sizes, these charts can
be adapted to almost any need. There are also many different ways these
charts can be used for entry and exit points. As such, all types of
investors can benefit from an applied understanding of P&F
charting.</p>
<p>At StockCharts.com, there are three types of P&F charts: Graphical, Text and Dynamic.</p>
<p>A Graphical P&F chart is created as a graphical image. It can
provide more information and flexibility by offering more workbench
tools than the text charts. Furthermore, graphical charts look great
and can be stored inside of Favorite chart lists.</p>
<p>The Text (or "Classical") chart is a simpler style of P&F
charting that uses the old-fashioned visual format. The Text P&F
chart is created as a collection of text characters and can be viewed
in any web browser.</p>
<p>StockCharts.com also offers a interactive Dynamic P&F chart. <a href="http://stockcharts.com/school/doku.php?id=support:dynamic_p_f_charts" title="support:dynamic_p_f_charts">Click here</a> to learn more about Dynamic P&F charting.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a4"></a><a name="creating_a_p_f_chart">Creating A P&F Chart</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p>The first step in creating a P&F Chart is to know the ticker
symbol of the stock or index you are interested in. Each stock has a
unique symbol, often recognizable by the company name (eg. Microsoft is
"msft"). Others are not so obvious, but any active stock can be found
in our <a href="http://stockcharts.com/charts/catalog/" title="http://stockcharts.com/charts/catalog/">symbol catalog</a> which can always be accessed by clicking on the link in the top right corner on StockCharts.com.</p>
<p>With the ticker symbol in mind, there are a few different methods of quickly creating your P&F Chart.</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Next to the symbol catalog located at the ticker bar in the middle of almost every page, a P&F Chart can be easily created by entering the ticker and clicking <img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/go_001.gif" border="0" alt="Go Button" title="Go Button" /> From the Home page please select P&F chart from the drop-down in the "Create a Chart" box. <br /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<img src="/attachments/861384" border="0" alt="P_F.png" />
<p> </p>
<hr />
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">The StockCharts.com home page provides a "Start to Chart" box that lets you jump right into charting by just entering the ticker, select P&F from the first drop-down and click <img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/go_001.gif" border="0" alt="Go Button" title="Go Button" /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<img src="/attachments/861396" border="0" alt="p_f_start_to_chart.png" />
<p> </p>
<hr />
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Also from the Members Page you can click on the P&F Charts link on the left side of the page.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/PnFColumn.gif" border="0" alt="PnF Column" title="PnF Column" /></p>
<hr />
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Another method is provided within
the Free Charts tab that allows you to access all the free StockCharts
charting tools. Find the Point & Figure Charts box, enter the
ticker symbol and click <img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/go_001.gif" border="0" alt="Go Button" title="Go Button" /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfselect3_000.gif" border="0" alt=":support:images:pnfselect3_000.gif" title=":support:images:pnfselect3_000.gif" /></p>
<hr />
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Finally, whenever you see the Point & Figure Chart icon <img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/PnFicon_000.gif" border="0" alt="PnF Icon" title="PnF Icon" /> next to a ticker symbol, you can click on it to create the corresponding P&F Chart.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfselect4_000.gif" border="0" alt="Pnf Icon" title="Pnf Icon" /></p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a5"></a><a name="interpreting_a_p_f_c">Interpreting A P&F Chart</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnf-msft_000.gif" border="0" alt="PnF Chart" title="PnF Chart" /></p>
<p>This is an example of what a typical P&F chart might look like. It
has the standard Chart Scale values and Chart Attributes with the
"Trend Lines" overlay selected. Notice the time scale on the horizontal
axis is not linear, P&F Charting tracks price action whenever it
may occur.</p>
<p><strong>ABC 123</strong><br /> Here we see rising columns of X's and
falling columns of O's with numbers (1 - 9) and letters (A, B, C)
placed within the columns. The number and letters are simply used as
monthly indicators, allowing the user to have at least a rough idea of
when these price movements occurred aside from the given year markers
at the bottom. The numbers 1 - 9 correspond to months January thru
September, and to save space, A B & C were assigned to October,
November, and December respectively. Therefore, if you saw a "2" in the
place of an X, that would indicate that the price rose by the box value
in the month of February. Keep in mind that the "2" would not
necessarily indicate February 1, it simply signifies that the price
movement occurred in the month of February.</p>
<p><strong>Buy/Sell Signals</strong><br /> Upside and downside breakouts can
be used as buy and sell signals respectively, and are also vital in the
construction of trend lines. When a column of X's rises one box above
the top of a previous X column, a buy signal is given. Contrarily, when
a column of O's declines one box below a previous O column, a sell
signal is given. Decreasing the Box Size will yield more signals as the
charting will become more volatile.</p>
<p><strong>Trend Lines</strong><br /> P&F trend lines do not follow the
exact same conventions as trend lines for bar charts, and are much less
subjective. First, they do not necessarily have to connect previous
tops or bottoms. Second, the way they are constructed will always
result in them being charted at 45 degree angles (or 135 degrees if
decreasing). The red lines represent bearish resistance while the blue
lines represent bullish support. From the example chart, notice how the
blue support lines are constructed after a buy signal and the red
resistance lines are constructed after a sell signal.</p>
<p><strong>Price Objectives</strong><br /> Our P&F charts display a price objective on the vertical price scale as <strong>PO</strong>.
A P&F price objective is the price that a stock should reach based
on recent P&F chart signals. Price objectives should not be used as
the sole reason for buying or selling a stock - they function simply as
a guide based on what the current P&F chart is saying. Stocks
frequently move past the price objective and just as frequently reverse
before getting to the price objective. The best way to use a price
objective is as a cautionary sign - if prices get to the price
objective, it might be prudent to monitor the stock more closely and
move stops closer in case the move is done. <a href="http://stockcharts.com/school/doku.php?id=chart_school:chart_analysis:point_and_figure_pri">Click here</a> for details on how to measure price objectives.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a6"></a><a name="stock_bar">Stock Bar</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/stockbar.gif" border="0" alt="Stock Bar" title="Stock Bar" /></p>
<p>The stock bar is located directly above the P&F chart showing the
company name, ticker symbol, the exchange it's traded on, the date, and
open/high/low/close/volume/price change statistics. It also shows the
price objective for the chart, the style and reversal value, along with
any recognized <span style="color: red; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>P&F Pattern</strong></span>.</p>
<p>The sample stock bar shows a bearish price objective, meaning that it
is lower than the current close price of 83.78. The charting engine
also detected a Descending Triple Bottom Breakdown <span style="color: red; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>P&F Pattern</strong></span>, implying that the sellers are now creating more supply than there is demand and therefore the prices are breaking down. <a href="http://stockcharts.com/school/doku.php?id=support:pnf_alerts" title="support:pnf_alerts">Click here</a> for more on P&F Pattern Alerts.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a7"></a><a name="action_bar">Action Bar</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfactionbar.gif" border="0" alt="Action Bar" title="Action Bar" /></p>
<p>The Action Bar is located right below the chart. It contains convenient
links that perform common and useful tasks with the chart.</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Instructions:</strong> Links you to this P&F Manual.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Understanding:</strong> Opens <a href="http://stockcharts.com/support/pnfCharts.html">this help page</a> that explains how P&F charts are created and how to interpret them.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Print:</strong> Re-draws the chart without any of the option areas, for cleaner printing.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>About P&F Alerts:</strong> Opens <a href="http://stockcharts.com/support/pnfAlerts.html">this help page</a> that explains the various P&F patterns and how to interpret them.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>About Price Objectives:</strong> Opens <a href="http://stockcharts.com/education/glossary/pnfPriceObjective.html">this help page</a> that explains the various P&F methods for calculating price objectives for a given P&F chart.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Historic Data:</strong> Opens a page that displays the daily open/high/close/volume statistics for the past two years.</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2><a name="a8"></a><a name="chart_attributes">Chart Attributes</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfchartattributes.gif" border="0" alt="Chart Attributes" title="Chart Attributes" /></p>
<p>Editing the "chart attributes" allows the user to change some technical
and visual aspects of the P&F chart. After making any changes to
these options, click the <img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/updatechart_000.gif" border="0" alt="Update Chart" title="Update Chart" /> button.</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Periods:</strong> Specifies
the period of the underlying data that will be used to create the
P&F Chart for the current ticker symbol. A daily period would use
daily chart data, a 10 Minute period would use intraday 10 minute chart
data etc.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Price Field:</strong> Allows the user to select either the underlying data's high and low
prices or the close price to be used for calculating the chart. Use the
drop-down list to select between the options.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Chart Size:</strong> Select any size from "Tiny" (305 pixels) to "Giga" (1580 pixels!)</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Price Plot:</strong> Overlays the price of the security above the X and O columns. The price
plot just shows the visual shape of the price action, the points do not
correspond with the vertical price axis or the horizontal time axis.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Volume:</strong> Creates a volume histogram below P&F chart with the same duration.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Reversal Marker:</strong> Marks the level that the price would need to reach for a reversal to
occur. If the price reverses to this point, a new column is added to
the right.<br /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><br /> <em class="u">Basic and Extra! Users:</em></p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Color Scheme:</strong> Just like the SharpCharts workbench, subscribers can choose between a variety of attractive color schemes.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Colored Bars:</strong> Checking this box will chart different colors for the X and O columns so that advances and declines are even easier to spot.</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2><a name="a9"></a><a name="chart_scale">Chart Scale</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfchartscale.gif" border="0" alt="Chart Scale" title="Chart Scale" /></p>
<p>Editing the "chart scale" allows the user to change the scaling
attributes of the chart that will affect its sensitivity and signals.
After making any changes to these options, click the <img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/updatechart_000.gif" border="0" alt="Update Chart" title="Update Chart" /> button.</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Scaling Method:</strong> This affects
the chart's box size
<ul style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li><em>Traditional:</em> Sets the box size automatically. When
this option is used, the amount in the Box Size<em> </em> field will be ignored. </li>
<li><em>Percentage:</em> Increases the box size
by a constant percentage each time the price rises above the
current box. This method can be helpful when prices change
dramatically in a short time, or when price values are very
large. </li>
<li><em>User-Defined:</em> Allows you to set
the box size for the entire chart. A larger box size
filters out less significant price moves. </li>
<li><em>Avg. True Range:</em> Calculates the
average true range of the underlying data for the period specified
in the ATR Period box and uses this to set the box size for
the entire chart. This allows the user to use a box size that
takes the volatility of the underlying data into consideration
when specifying a box size. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Box Size:</strong> Sets the Box Size<em> </em> for the current chart. This value works in conjunction with
the Scaling parameter. Box Size only applies when <em>Percentage</em> or <em>User Defined</em> Scaling is selected. </li>
<li><strong>ATR Period:</strong> Sets the number
of periods used to calculate the Avg True Range. ATR Period only
applies when Avg True Range scaling is selected.</li>
<li><strong>Reversal:</strong> Sets the <em>Reversal
Amount </em> for the current chart. As soon as the price retraces
more than the Reversal Amount number of boxes, a new column is
added to the right side of the chart. Traditionally, the reversal
amount is three. Increasing the reversal amount 'compresses' the
chart, since larger point moves are needed to add columns. </li>
<li><strong>Scale Factor:</strong> Multiplies the
underlying data by the number specified (default 1.0) before creating
a chart. This allows users to scale the data for a chart like
a ratio chart that may have very small numbers in it. </li>
<li><strong>Dec Places:</strong> Specifies the number
of decimal places (default 2) to show for the numbers on the y-axis. </li>
<li><strong>Price Objective:</strong> A drop-down
that allows the user to choose the calculation method for the <a href="http://support.stockcharts.com/forums/29738/entries/29897" target="_blank" title="Price Objectives"> </a><a href="http://stockcharts.com/education/glossary/pnfPriceObjective.html">price objective </a>for the chart. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2><a name="a10"></a><a name="duration">Duration</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfduration.gif" border="0" alt="Duration" title="Duration" /></p>
<p>The duration field allows the user to specify the end date of the
chart. The start date is at the beginning of 1999, but changing the end
date allows for longer or shorter trends to be spotted. Trend lines are
drawn partially based on the duration.</p>
<p>Selecting <strong>Wide Chart</strong> extends the range of data,
adding more columns. Trend lines are not recalculated, but may be
extended if they were previously cut off.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a11"></a><a name="chart_overlays">Chart Overlays</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfchartoverlays.gif" border="0" alt="Chart Overlays" title="Chart Overlays" /></p>
<p>Users can select between four different types of chart overlays to
help identify trends and signals. After making your selection, click
the <img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/updatechart_000.gif" border="0" alt="Update Chart" title="Update Chart" /> button.</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Trend Lines:</strong> This
is the default price overlay. It adds 45-degree trend lines that extend
from each significant peak or trough until they re-cross the price
plot. Trend lines are calculated automatically, the two boxes to the
right do not affect the chart.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Simple Moving Average:</strong> Charts the average (mean) price of the security over a specified number
of periods. The first box sets the period, the second box does not
affect the chart.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Bollinger Bands:</strong> Charts a simple moving average in between upper and lower parallel "bands" separated by a specified standard deviation. <a href="http://stockcharts.com/education/IndicatorAnalysis/indic_Bbands.html" title="http://stockcharts.com/education/IndicatorAnalysis/indic_Bbands.html">Click here</a> for more on Bollinger Bands.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Price by Volume:</strong> Charts a horizontal histogram that overlays a price chart. The length
of each bar is determined by the cumulative total of all volume bars
for the periods during which the closing price fell within the vertical
range of the histogram bar. <a href="http://stockcharts.com/education/IndicatorAnalysis/indic_PBV.htm" title="http://stockcharts.com/education/IndicatorAnalysis/indic_PBV.htm">Click here</a> for more on Price by Volume.</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2><a name="a12"></a><a name="more_charts">More Charts</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfmorecharts.gif" border="0" alt="More Charts" title="More Charts" /></p>
<p>This section contains links to other charting tools for the same ticker
symbol. Click on the link to go to the corresponding chart. Here you
can easily switch between the three types of P&F charts.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a13"></a><a name="favorites">Favorites</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p>Favorite charts is a SharpCharts feature that is only available to <strong><em class="u">Basic</em></strong> and <strong><em class="u">Extra!</em></strong> StockCharts.com members. Saving your favorite stocks and chart patterns
makes it easy to analyze stocks that you regularly check without
recreating or reconfiguring them. There are two ways to utilize your
favorites:</p>
<p><strong><em class="u">Method 1</em></strong>: Favorites can be quickly accessed, added, edited, or deleted by using the drop-down menu to the right of the ticker box.</p>
<p><img class="mediacenter" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnffavorites.gif" border="0" alt="Favorites" title="Favorites" /></p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">To <em class="u">access</em> a chart from your favorites list, simply select it from the drop-down menu.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">To <em class="u">save</em> a chart
to your Favorites list from the SharpCharts Results page, click the
Add/Modify the current chart link from the Favorites drop-down list
above the chart. Enter the chart name in the pop-up window.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">To <em class="u">change the name</em> of a chart in your Favorites List, click the Add/Modify the current
chart link and edit the name of the chart in the pop-up window.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">To <em class="u">delete</em> a
chart from the Favorites list, select the chart and then select Remove
from the drop-down list at the top of the page. Or, you can use the
Delete the current chart link at the bottom of the SharpCharts Results
page. You will be prompted to confirm removal of the chart.<br /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><br /> <em class="u">Basic</em> users can store up to 100 different charts in their Favorites list.<br /> <img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/extra.gif" border="0" alt="Extra!" title="Extra!" /> members can have up to 100 different Favorites Lists and each list can
contain up to 500 different charts. This allows Extra! users to easily
categorize their charts. For example, you may have one Favorites List
for your tech stocks, and another Favorites List for your index funds.
You can then choose which Favorites List to save a chart in. Extra!
users can also store annotated charts in their lists. See our <a href="http://support.stockcharts.com/forums/30077/entries/21299" title="support:our_extra_service">Extra! help page</a> for more information.</p>
<p><strong><em class="u">Method 2</em></strong>: Another way to manage your favorites is through the links provided at the bottom of the SharpChart.</p>
<p><img class="mediacenter" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/SharpCharts_favorites2_000.gif" border="0" alt="Favorites2" title="Favorites2" /></p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Add/Modify the Current Chart
Functions the same as the drop-down box near the top of the page. Enter
a chart description into the dialog box that appears or simply press OK
to accept the suggested description. This selection can also be used to
rename a chart.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Delete the Current Chart Functions
the same as the drop-down box near the top of the page. Simply press OK
to delete the current chart from your favorites.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">View All Favorites allows the user
to see all the charts that have been saved in an organized layout. From
here the user can edit chart info, add annotations , or delete the
chart.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Edit My Favorites allows the user
to delete charts, edit chart settings/annotations, move charts to
different lists, edit the style of the charts, or add predefined groups
of stocks to the list (eg. Dow Industrials).</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Use the current style on My
Favorites in [List Name Here] allows the user to apply the style of the
current SharpChart to all favorite charts in the selected list.</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2><a name="a14"></a><a name="text_p_f_charts">Text P&F Charts</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfclassicibm.gif" border="0" alt="Classic P&F" title="Classic P&F" /></p>
<p>The Text P&F Charts have many of the same options as Graphical
charts. The visual style is rather antiquated, but is still the most
comfortable for some. Text P&F Charts cannot be annotated, nor can
they be saved as favorites. However, the still provide very useful
information and can be charted with trendlines and moving averages.</p>
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnf_price_plot_000.gif" border="0" alt="Price Plot" title="Price Plot" /></p>
<p>While for the most part, these charts are a simpler version of
Graphical charts, there are some image options that are proprietary to
Text P&F charts:</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Large Font:</strong> Displays the chart in a larger font (approximately double the size).</div>
</li>
</ul>
<table class="inline" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Small Font: <img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/small_font.gif" border="0" alt="Small Font" title="Small Font" /></td>
<td>Large Font: <img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/large_font.gif" border="0" alt="Large Font" title="Large Font" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Hide Grid:</strong> Removes the grid lines from the chart.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Column History:</strong> Adds a table to the bottom of the chart that contains the exact dates
that each column was created. These tables are a great way for novices
to learn how to interpret P&F charts!</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/column_history.gif" border="0" alt="Column History" title="Column History" /></p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Volume Bars :</strong> A
number of stars are added below each column, corresponding to the
number of shares traded while that column was being constructed.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/volume_bars.gif" border="0" alt="Volume Bars" title="Volume Bars" /></p>
</div>
<h1><a name="using_point_and_figu">Using Point and Figure Charts</a></h1>
<h2><a name="a1"></a><a name="what_is_a_point_and_">What Is A Point and Figure Chart?</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img title="P&F Chart" class="medialeft" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnf-ibm_000.gif" border="0" alt="P&F Chart" /></p>
<p>A Point and Figure chart is a study of pure price movement in that time
is not taken into consideration while plotting the price action. Since
only price changes are recorded, if no price change occurs then the
chart is left untouched. A Point and Figure chart is also called a
"P&F Chart."</p>
<p>Point & Figure charts use rising columns of X's and descending columns of O's to represent these price movements.</p>
<p>What an investor sees when looking at a P&F chart is the
underlying supply and demand of the security. The columns of X's
illustrate demand exceeding supply (rally), and the columns of O's
illustrate supply exceeding demand (decline).</p>
<p>This article describes the mechanics of using P&F Charts on
StockCharts.com. To learn how to analyze and interpret the charts,
check out our <a href="http://stockcharts.com/education/TAindex.html" title="http://stockcharts.com/education/TAindex.html">Chart School</a>.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a2"></a><a name="how_are_p_f_charts_c">How Are P&F Charts Calculated?</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p>As stated above, Point & Figure charts show an "X" when prices
rise by the amount of the "box size" (a value you specify) and show an
"O" when prices fall by the amount of the box size. If prices rise or
fall by an amount that is less than the box size, no X's or O's are
drawn.</p>
<p>Each column contains a stack of either X's or O's, but rarely both
(using a 1 box reversal can result in an X and O stack). Columns will
always alternate between X's and O's, and in order to change columns,
prices must reverse by the "reversal amount" (another value you
specify) multiplied by the box size. For example, if the box size is 5
points and the reversal amount is 3 boxes, then prices must reverse
direction 15 points (5 x 3) in order to change columns. If you are in a
column of X's, the price must fall 15 points to change to a column of
O's. If you are in a column of O's, the price must rise 15 points to
change to a column of X's.</p>
<p>The columns of X's and O's represent price trends. So when a column
changes, it likewise signals a change in the trend of prices. When a
new column of X's appears, it shows that prices are rallying higher.
When a new column of Os appears, it shows that prices are moving lower.</p>
<p>Because prices must reverse direction by the reversal amount, the
minimum number of X's or Os that can appear in a column is equal to the
"reversal amount."</p>
<p>It is common practice is to use the high and low prices (not just the
close) to decide if prices have changed enough to display a new box.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a3"></a><a name="why_use_a_point_figu">Why Use A Point & Figure Chart?</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p>While the SharpCharts workbench is a great tool for charting a security over a period of
time, sometimes all an investor is interested in is the actual price
movement. P&F charts are great for observing active market
activity, and as such are very helpful in identifying
support/resistance lines, buy/sell signals, and trendlines.</p>
<p>P&F charts are also very flexible in that they can easily be made
more or less sensitive to price changes to discern between long and
short term trends. By varying box and reversal sizes, these charts can
be adapted to almost any need. There are also many different ways these
charts can be used for entry and exit points. As such, all types of
investors can benefit from an applied understanding of P&F
charting.</p>
<p>At StockCharts.com, there are three types of P&F charts: Graphical, Text and Dynamic.</p>
<p>A Graphical P&F chart is created as a graphical image. It can
provide more information and flexibility by offering more workbench
tools than the text charts. Furthermore, graphical charts look great
and can be stored inside of Favorite chart lists.</p>
<p>The Text (or "Classical") chart is a simpler style of P&F
charting that uses the old-fashioned visual format. The Text P&F
chart is created as a collection of text characters and can be viewed
in any web browser.</p>
<p>StockCharts.com also offers a interactive Dynamic P&F chart. <a href="http://stockcharts.com/school/doku.php?id=support:dynamic_p_f_charts" title="support:dynamic_p_f_charts">Click here</a> to learn more about Dynamic P&F charting.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a4"></a><a name="creating_a_p_f_chart">Creating A P&F Chart</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p>The first step in creating a P&F Chart is to know the ticker
symbol of the stock or index you are interested in. Each stock has a
unique symbol, often recognizable by the company name (eg. Microsoft is
"msft"). Others are not so obvious, but any active stock can be found
in our <a href="http://stockcharts.com/charts/catalog/" title="http://stockcharts.com/charts/catalog/">symbol catalog</a> which can always be accessed by clicking on the link in the top right corner on StockCharts.com.</p>
<p>With the ticker symbol in mind, there are a few different methods of quickly creating your P&F Chart.</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Next to the symbol catalog located at the ticker bar in the middle of almost every page, a P&F Chart can be easily created by entering the ticker and clicking <img title="Go Button" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/go_001.gif" border="0" alt="Go Button" /> From the Home page please select P&F chart from the drop-down in the "Create a Chart" box. <br /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<img src="/attachments/861384" border="0" alt="P_F.png" />
<p> </p>
<hr />
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">The StockCharts.com home page provides a "Start to Chart" box that lets you jump right into charting by just entering the ticker, select P&F from the first drop-down and click <img title="Go Button" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/go_001.gif" border="0" alt="Go Button" /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<img src="/attachments/861396" border="0" alt="p_f_start_to_chart.png" />
<p> </p>
<hr />
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Also from the Members Page you can click on the P&F Charts link on the left side of the page.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><img title="PnF Column" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/PnFColumn.gif" border="0" alt="PnF Column" /></p>
<hr />
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Another method is provided within
the Free Charts tab that allows you to access all the free StockCharts
charting tools. Find the Point & Figure Charts box, enter the
ticker symbol and click <img title="Go Button" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/go_001.gif" border="0" alt="Go Button" /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><img title=":support:images:pnfselect3_000.gif" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfselect3_000.gif" border="0" alt=":support:images:pnfselect3_000.gif" /></p>
<hr />
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Finally, whenever you see the Point & Figure Chart icon <img title="PnF Icon" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/PnFicon_000.gif" border="0" alt="PnF Icon" /> next to a ticker symbol, you can click on it to create the corresponding P&F Chart.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><img title="Pnf Icon" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfselect4_000.gif" border="0" alt="Pnf Icon" /></p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a5"></a><a name="interpreting_a_p_f_c">Interpreting A P&F Chart</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img title="PnF Chart" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnf-msft_000.gif" border="0" alt="PnF Chart" /></p>
<p>This is an example of what a typical P&F chart might look like. It
has the standard Chart Scale values and Chart Attributes with the
"Trend Lines" overlay selected. Notice the time scale on the horizontal
axis is not linear, P&F Charting tracks price action whenever it
may occur.</p>
<p><strong>ABC 123</strong><br /> Here we see rising columns of X's and
falling columns of O's with numbers (1 - 9) and letters (A, B, C)
placed within the columns. The number and letters are simply used as
monthly indicators, allowing the user to have at least a rough idea of
when these price movements occurred aside from the given year markers
at the bottom. The numbers 1 - 9 correspond to months January thru
September, and to save space, A B & C were assigned to October,
November, and December respectively. Therefore, if you saw a "2" in the
place of an X, that would indicate that the price rose by the box value
in the month of February. Keep in mind that the "2" would not
necessarily indicate February 1, it simply signifies that the price
movement occurred in the month of February.</p>
<p><strong>Buy/Sell Signals</strong><br /> Upside and downside breakouts can
be used as buy and sell signals respectively, and are also vital in the
construction of trend lines. When a column of X's rises one box above
the top of a previous X column, a buy signal is given. Contrarily, when
a column of O's declines one box below a previous O column, a sell
signal is given. Decreasing the Box Size will yield more signals as the
charting will become more volatile.</p>
<p><strong>Trend Lines</strong><br /> P&F trend lines do not follow the
exact same conventions as trend lines for bar charts, and are much less
subjective. First, they do not necessarily have to connect previous
tops or bottoms. Second, the way they are constructed will always
result in them being charted at 45 degree angles (or 135 degrees if
decreasing). The red lines represent bearish resistance while the blue
lines represent bullish support. From the example chart, notice how the
blue support lines are constructed after a buy signal and the red
resistance lines are constructed after a sell signal.</p>
<p><strong>Price Objectives</strong><br /> Our P&F charts display a price objective on the vertical price scale as <strong>PO</strong>.
A P&F price objective is the price that a stock should reach based
on recent P&F chart signals. Price objectives should not be used as
the sole reason for buying or selling a stock - they function simply as
a guide based on what the current P&F chart is saying. Stocks
frequently move past the price objective and just as frequently reverse
before getting to the price objective. The best way to use a price
objective is as a cautionary sign - if prices get to the price
objective, it might be prudent to monitor the stock more closely and
move stops closer in case the move is done. <a href="http://stockcharts.com/school/doku.php?id=chart_school:chart_analysis:point_and_figure_pri">Click here</a> for details on how to measure price objectives.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a6"></a><a name="stock_bar">Stock Bar</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img title="Stock Bar" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/stockbar.gif" border="0" alt="Stock Bar" /></p>
<p>The stock bar is located directly above the P&F chart showing the
company name, ticker symbol, the exchange it's traded on, the date, and
open/high/low/close/volume/price change statistics. It also shows the
price objective for the chart, the style and reversal value, along with
any recognized <span style="color: red; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>P&F Pattern</strong></span>.</p>
<p>The sample stock bar shows a bearish price objective, meaning that it
is lower than the current close price of 83.78. The charting engine
also detected a Descending Triple Bottom Breakdown <span style="color: red; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>P&F Pattern</strong></span>, implying that the sellers are now creating more supply than there is demand and therefore the prices are breaking down. <a href="http://stockcharts.com/school/doku.php?id=support:pnf_alerts" title="support:pnf_alerts">Click here</a> for more on P&F Pattern Alerts.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a7"></a><a name="action_bar">Action Bar</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img title="Action Bar" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfactionbar.gif" border="0" alt="Action Bar" /></p>
<p>The Action Bar is located right below the chart. It contains convenient
links that perform common and useful tasks with the chart.</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Instructions:</strong> Links you to this P&F Manual.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Understanding:</strong> Opens <a href="http://stockcharts.com/support/pnfCharts.html">this help page</a> that explains how P&F charts are created and how to interpret them.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Print:</strong> Re-draws the chart without any of the option areas, for cleaner printing.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>About P&F Alerts:</strong> Opens <a href="http://stockcharts.com/support/pnfAlerts.html">this help page</a> that explains the various P&F patterns and how to interpret them.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>About Price Objectives:</strong> Opens <a href="http://stockcharts.com/education/glossary/pnfPriceObjective.html">this help page</a> that explains the various P&F methods for calculating price objectives for a given P&F chart.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Historic Data:</strong> Opens a page that displays the daily open/high/close/volume statistics for the past two years.</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2><a name="a8"></a><a name="chart_attributes">Chart Attributes</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img title="Chart Attributes" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfchartattributes.gif" border="0" alt="Chart Attributes" /></p>
<p>Editing the "chart attributes" allows the user to change some technical
and visual aspects of the P&F chart. After making any changes to
these options, click the <img title="Update Chart" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/updatechart_000.gif" border="0" alt="Update Chart" /> button.</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Periods:</strong> Specifies
the period of the underlying data that will be used to create the
P&F Chart for the current ticker symbol. A daily period would use
daily chart data, a 10 Minute period would use intraday 10 minute chart
data etc.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Price Field:</strong> Allows the user to select either the underlying data's high and low
prices or the close price to be used for calculating the chart. Use the
drop-down list to select between the options.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Chart Size:</strong> Select any size from "Tiny" (305 pixels) to "Giga" (1580 pixels!)</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Price Plot:</strong> Overlays the price of the security above the X and O columns. The price
plot just shows the visual shape of the price action, the points do not
correspond with the vertical price axis or the horizontal time axis.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Volume:</strong> Creates a volume histogram below P&F chart with the same duration.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Reversal Marker:</strong> Marks the level that the price would need to reach for a reversal to
occur. If the price reverses to this point, a new column is added to
the right.<br /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><br /> <em class="u">Basic and Extra! Users:</em></p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Color Scheme:</strong> Just like the SharpCharts workbench, subscribers can choose between a variety of attractive color schemes.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Colored Bars:</strong> Checking this box will chart different colors for the X and O columns so that advances and declines are even easier to spot.</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2><a name="a9"></a><a name="chart_scale">Chart Scale</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img title="Chart Scale" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfchartscale.gif" border="0" alt="Chart Scale" /></p>
<p>Editing the "chart scale" allows the user to change the scaling
attributes of the chart that will affect its sensitivity and signals.
After making any changes to these options, click the <img title="Update Chart" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/updatechart_000.gif" border="0" alt="Update Chart" /> button.</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Scaling Method:</strong> This affects
the chart's box size
<ul style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li><em>Traditional:</em> Sets the box size automatically. When
this option is used, the amount in the Box Size<em> </em> field will be ignored. </li>
<li><em>Percentage:</em> Increases the box size
by a constant percentage each time the price rises above the
current box. This method can be helpful when prices change
dramatically in a short time, or when price values are very
large. </li>
<li><em>User-Defined:</em> Allows you to set
the box size for the entire chart. A larger box size
filters out less significant price moves. </li>
<li><em>Avg. True Range:</em> Calculates the
average true range of the underlying data for the period specified
in the ATR Period box and uses this to set the box size for
the entire chart. This allows the user to use a box size that
takes the volatility of the underlying data into consideration
when specifying a box size. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Box Size:</strong> Sets the Box Size<em> </em> for the current chart. This value works in conjunction with
the Scaling parameter. Box Size only applies when <em>Percentage</em> or <em>User Defined</em> Scaling is selected. </li>
<li><strong>ATR Period:</strong> Sets the number
of periods used to calculate the Avg True Range. ATR Period only
applies when Avg True Range scaling is selected.</li>
<li><strong>Reversal:</strong> Sets the <em>Reversal
Amount </em> for the current chart. As soon as the price retraces
more than the Reversal Amount number of boxes, a new column is
added to the right side of the chart. Traditionally, the reversal
amount is three. Increasing the reversal amount 'compresses' the
chart, since larger point moves are needed to add columns. </li>
<li><strong>Scale Factor:</strong> Multiplies the
underlying data by the number specified (default 1.0) before creating
a chart. This allows users to scale the data for a chart like
a ratio chart that may have very small numbers in it. </li>
<li><strong>Dec Places:</strong> Specifies the number
of decimal places (default 2) to show for the numbers on the y-axis. </li>
<li><strong>Price Objective:</strong> A drop-down
that allows the user to choose the calculation method for the <a href="http://support.stockcharts.com/forums/29738/entries/29897" title="Price Objectives" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://stockcharts.com/education/glossary/pnfPriceObjective.html">price objective </a>for the chart. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2><a name="a10"></a><a name="duration">Duration</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img title="Duration" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfduration.gif" border="0" alt="Duration" /></p>
<p>The duration field allows the user to specify the end date of the
chart. The start date is at the beginning of 1999, but changing the end
date allows for longer or shorter trends to be spotted. Trend lines are
drawn partially based on the duration.</p>
<p>Selecting <strong>Wide Chart</strong> extends the range of data,
adding more columns. Trend lines are not recalculated, but may be
extended if they were previously cut off.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a11"></a><a name="chart_overlays">Chart Overlays</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img title="Chart Overlays" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfchartoverlays.gif" border="0" alt="Chart Overlays" /></p>
<p>Users can select between four different types of chart overlays to
help identify trends and signals. After making your selection, click
the <img title="Update Chart" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/updatechart_000.gif" border="0" alt="Update Chart" /> button.</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Trend Lines:</strong> This
is the default price overlay. It adds 45-degree trend lines that extend
from each significant peak or trough until they re-cross the price
plot. Trend lines are calculated automatically, the two boxes to the
right do not affect the chart.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Simple Moving Average:</strong> Charts the average (mean) price of the security over a specified number
of periods. The first box sets the period, the second box does not
affect the chart.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Bollinger Bands:</strong> Charts a simple moving average in between upper and lower parallel "bands" separated by a specified standard deviation. <a href="http://stockcharts.com/education/IndicatorAnalysis/indic_Bbands.html" title="http://stockcharts.com/education/IndicatorAnalysis/indic_Bbands.html">Click here</a> for more on Bollinger Bands.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Price by Volume:</strong> Charts a horizontal histogram that overlays a price chart. The length
of each bar is determined by the cumulative total of all volume bars
for the periods during which the closing price fell within the vertical
range of the histogram bar. <a href="http://stockcharts.com/education/IndicatorAnalysis/indic_PBV.htm" title="http://stockcharts.com/education/IndicatorAnalysis/indic_PBV.htm">Click here</a> for more on Price by Volume.</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2><a name="a12"></a><a name="more_charts">More Charts</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img title="More Charts" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfmorecharts.gif" border="0" alt="More Charts" /></p>
<p>This section contains links to other charting tools for the same ticker
symbol. Click on the link to go to the corresponding chart. Here you
can easily switch between the three types of P&F charts.</p>
</div>
<h2><a name="a13"></a><a name="favorites">Favorites</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p>Favorite charts is a SharpCharts feature that is only available to <strong><em class="u">Basic</em></strong> and <strong><em class="u">Extra!</em></strong> StockCharts.com members. Saving your favorite stocks and chart patterns
makes it easy to analyze stocks that you regularly check without
recreating or reconfiguring them. There are two ways to utilize your
favorites:</p>
<p><strong><em class="u">Method 1</em></strong>: Favorites can be quickly accessed, added, edited, or deleted by using the drop-down menu to the right of the ticker box.</p>
<p><img title="Favorites" class="mediacenter" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnffavorites.gif" border="0" alt="Favorites" /></p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">To <em class="u">access</em> a chart from your favorites list, simply select it from the drop-down menu.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">To <em class="u">save</em> a chart
to your Favorites list from the SharpCharts Results page, click the
Add/Modify the current chart link from the Favorites drop-down list
above the chart. Enter the chart name in the pop-up window.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">To <em class="u">change the name</em> of a chart in your Favorites List, click the Add/Modify the current
chart link and edit the name of the chart in the pop-up window.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">To <em class="u">delete</em> a
chart from the Favorites list, select the chart and then select Remove
from the drop-down list at the top of the page. Or, you can use the
Delete the current chart link at the bottom of the SharpCharts Results
page. You will be prompted to confirm removal of the chart.<br /></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><br /> <em class="u">Basic</em> users can store up to 100 different charts in their Favorites list.<br /> <img title="Extra!" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/extra.gif" border="0" alt="Extra!" /> members can have up to 100 different Favorites Lists and each list can
contain up to 500 different charts. This allows Extra! users to easily
categorize their charts. For example, you may have one Favorites List
for your tech stocks, and another Favorites List for your index funds.
You can then choose which Favorites List to save a chart in. Extra!
users can also store annotated charts in their lists. See our <a href="http://support.stockcharts.com/forums/30077/entries/21299" title="support:our_extra_service">Extra! help page</a> for more information.</p>
<p><strong><em class="u">Method 2</em></strong>: Another way to manage your favorites is through the links provided at the bottom of the SharpChart.</p>
<p><img title="Favorites2" class="mediacenter" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/SharpCharts_favorites2_000.gif" border="0" alt="Favorites2" /></p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Add/Modify the Current Chart
Functions the same as the drop-down box near the top of the page. Enter
a chart description into the dialog box that appears or simply press OK
to accept the suggested description. This selection can also be used to
rename a chart.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Delete the Current Chart Functions
the same as the drop-down box near the top of the page. Simply press OK
to delete the current chart from your favorites.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">View All Favorites allows the user
to see all the charts that have been saved in an organized layout. From
here the user can edit chart info, add annotations , or delete the
chart.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Edit My Favorites allows the user
to delete charts, edit chart settings/annotations, move charts to
different lists, edit the style of the charts, or add predefined groups
of stocks to the list (eg. Dow Industrials).</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li">Use the current style on My
Favorites in [List Name Here] allows the user to apply the style of the
current SharpChart to all favorite charts in the selected list.</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2><a name="a14"></a><a name="text_p_f_charts">Text P&F Charts</a></h2>
<div class="level2">
<p><img title="Classic P&F" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnfclassicibm.gif" border="0" alt="Classic P&F" /></p>
<p>The Text P&F Charts have many of the same options as Graphical
charts. The visual style is rather antiquated, but is still the most
comfortable for some. Text P&F Charts cannot be annotated, nor can
they be saved as favorites. However, the still provide very useful
information and can be charted with trendlines and moving averages.</p>
<p><img title="Price Plot" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/pnf_price_plot_000.gif" border="0" alt="Price Plot" /></p>
<p>While for the most part, these charts are a simpler version of
Graphical charts, there are some image options that are proprietary to
Text P&F charts:</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Large Font:</strong> Displays the chart in a larger font (approximately double the size).</div>
</li>
</ul>
<table class="inline" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Small Font: <img title="Small Font" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/small_font.gif" border="0" alt="Small Font" /></td>
<td>Large Font: <img title="Large Font" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/large_font.gif" border="0" alt="Large Font" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Hide Grid:</strong> Removes the grid lines from the chart.</div>
</li>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Column History:</strong> Adds a table to the bottom of the chart that contains the exact dates
that each column was created. These tables are a great way for novices
to learn how to interpret P&F charts!</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><img title="Column History" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/column_history.gif" border="0" alt="Column History" /></p>
<ul>
<li class="level1">
<div class="li"><strong>Volume Bars :</strong> A
number of stars are added below each column, corresponding to the
number of shares traded while that column was being constructed.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p><img title="Volume Bars" class="media" src="http://stockcharts.com/school/data/media/support/images/pnf/volume_bars.gif" border="0" alt="Volume Bars" /></p>
</div>
2009-02-01T20:28:57-08:00
21293
30077
25845
2009-10-16T10:56:46-07:00
209470