1. Symbol Selector and Other Header Controls

To begin using the Charts interface, specify the symbol for which the price plot will be displayed. To do so, type the symbol’s name in the Symbol Selector box. Click the triangle icon to browse through the available categories and select any of the provided symbols. Using Charts, you can view and analyze price plots of any type of symbol: stock, options, futures, and forex.

Note that in addition to the Symbol Selector, the header contains other useful controls such as Clipboard, symbol description, chart sharing, Chart Settings, Time Frames, Style, Drawings, Studies, and Patterns.

2. Chart Time Frame

Once you select a symbol, you will see its price plot on the main subgraph. By default, the 1-year 1-day time frame is used (the chart displays one year worth of data with candles aggregated on a daily basis). To change this time frame:

1. Click the Time Frame button above the chart (by default, ).
2. Specify the desired aggregation period and time interval. 

Each time frame is represented by an icon, making it easier to identify your configurations. 

You can also pick a time frame from your Favorites list. For more information on time frames, refer to the Chart Aggregation section. 

3. Chart Type and Chart Mode

By default, your chart displays using the Candle chart type.

To change chart type:

1. Click the Style  button;
2. Hover your cursor over Chart type  .
3. Select your preferred option. 

Each chart type is represented by an icon, making it easier to identify your configurations.

While chart types are characteristic of the price plot in the Standard mode, you can use advanced modes (Monkey Bars, Monkey Bars Expanded, or Seasonality). More information can be found in the Chart Modes and Chart Types sections.

4. Volume and Lower Subgraphs

Below the main subgraph, you’ll find additional subgraphs. By default, only the Volume subgraph is visible. This subgraph is used to display the volume histogram and volume-based studies. Studies designed to be displayed on individual subgraphs (neither main nor volume) are added to Lower subgraphs (below the volume subgraph). 

All subgraphs contain:

• Main area. Plots price, volume, and study values.
• Two axes. Displays time axis and price axis. Customize these parameters by selecting the Chart Settings  button.
• Status string. Additional information above the main area that displays important time, price, volume, and study values based on where your cursor is.

5. Additional Controls

Below the lowest subgraph, there are additional controls:

•  Cursor type. Select the desired cursor shape. 
•  Right Expansion. Customize a chart’s expansion area - an additional chart area that appears when required by a certain component (a study, a corporate action, or listed options to be displayed).
•  Zoom In/Zoom Out. Set up the chart’s desired scale. Note that you can also set the chart’s zoom by holding the Ctrl button and scrolling up or down, or by clicking Ctrl+ or Ctrl –.
•  Active Tool. By default, the pointer tool is enabled. Select a different tool (e.g., Pan, Arrow, Text Note, etc.) for additional chart interactions.
• Drawing Set Selector. Chart drawings can be added to a drawing set. Use this option to create, save, and delete drawing sets. 
• Scrollbar. Scroll the time axis. Click the arrows to move your chart one candle (bar) to the left or to the right.

6. Chart Grid

Like several other thinkorswim® interfaces, Charts can be used in a grid layout. This allows you to open multiple Charts instances in a single screen. Each instance is independent from the others and displayed in an individual grid cell. 

To create a chart grid:

1. Click on the Grid  button above the header. 
2. Move the cursor over the grid until you highlight the number of columns and rows you want. Note that the grid’s maximum size depends on your screen resolution.
3. Click when the desired grid is highlighted. For example, clicking when a 3x3 grid is highlighted will display nine chart cells. Note that screen optimization may occur when too many cells are added (e.g., the volume subgraph will overlap with the main subgraph, lower subgraphs will be turned off, axes will be hidden, etc.). This might also affect visibility of studies and drawings.
4. To maximize a cell, click the cell’s Show actions  button, then select Maximize cell. Alternatively, double-click the symbol’s description and select Maximize cell.
5. To save your grid, click the Grid button, then select Save grid as. Specify the grid name and click Save. Note that saving a grid will also save your chart configurations, studies, patterns, and drawing sets.
6. The name of the last loaded grid is shown to the left of the Grid button. Resetting the grid or workspace will clear this space.