Chart Trading: How to place orders directly on the chart

Chart trading is a fast and intuitive way to place and manage your orders directly from the chart interface. This allows you to visually set your entry, stop loss, and take profit levels without navigating away from your price analysis. This guide will walk you through the recommended methods for chart trading on the tradingthings platform.

Written By Abdou

Last updated 4 months ago

3 Ways to Trade From the Chart

While there are a few ways to trade from the chart, we strongly recommend using either the Hotkey Method or the Right-Click Menu for the best experience.

1. Using a Hotkey (Recommended)

This is the fastest method. By holding a key, you temporarily enable order placement mode, which prevents accidental trades.

  • How to Use:

    1. Hold your chart trading key (Option on Mac, Alt on Windows).

    2. Left-click on the chart to place a Buy order (Limit or Stop).

    3. Right-click to place a Sell order (Limit or Stop).

  • Placing Bracket Orders: This method also works for bracket orders. First, select Bracket Order from the main order panel, then use the hotkey and click as described above.

💡 Pro Tip: Automatic Position Sizing If you enable Automatic Position Sizing in your settings, the platform will automatically calculate the correct order size to risk a fixed cash amount (e.g., $20) based on your stop loss. The order quantity will update in real-time on the chart as you move your stop.

2. Using the Right-Click Menu (Recommended)

This is the most versatile method. The right-click menu adapts to what you're doing, whether it's placing a new trade or managing an open one.

  • To Place an Order (Simple or Bracket):

    1. To place a bracket, first select Bracket Order from the main order panel.

    2. Right-click on the chart at your desired price.

    3. Select the order type and quantity from the menu.

  • To Manage an Open Position:

    1. With a position open, right-click on the chart above or below it.

    2. Select Add Stop Loss or Add Take Profit.

💡 Pro Tip: Automatic Position Sizing Just like the hotkey method, Automatic Position Sizing works with the right-click menu. When you place a bracket order, you'll see the quantity change as you adjust your stop loss on the chart before placing the trade.

3. The "Chart Trading" Toggle (Deprecated - Not recommended)

This is the third and oldest method. It involves a toggle button on the right side of the chart.

This method is not recommended and should be avoided. When the toggle is active, every single click on the chart places a new order. This makes it extremely easy to make mistakes, place unwanted trades, or struggle with simple actions like moving the chart.

For a safer and more professional trading experience, please use one of the two recommended methods above.