Adjusting Chart Ranges

The date and value ranges of the Chart View can be adjusted using several different techniques. The key concept to remember when changing the date and value ranges is that each sub-chart has its own value range, but all sub-charts in a Chart View share a single date range.

Automatically Sizing a Value Range

By default, TradingSolutions automatically adjusts the value range of each sub-chart to include all of the values in the current date range. As the date range is adjusted, the minimum and maximum values on the y-axis will adjust to include only the values currently being displayed.

Ä    Note: There are some exceptions to this being the default. For example, when signals are charted in their own sub-chart, the value range defaults to a constant range from -1 to 1.

If you manually resize the value range or enter a constant value range, the auto-fit feature will be disabled. The feature can be manually toggled on and off using the context menu for the y-axis and selecting Auto-Fit Value Range.

To force the auto-fit range to include zero, use the context menu for the y-axis to select Include Zero in the Auto-Fit Range. This feature can be turned off by deselecting this same item from the context menu.

Ä    Note: If the value range includes values that are less than zero, the auto-fit value range will extend beyond zero to include the minimum value.

Including zero in the auto-fit range can also be toggled by double-clicking on the y-axis. If the auto-fit feature is not currently on, the first double-click will enable that feature.

Maintaining a Constant Value Range

A sub-chart can be set to maintain a constant value range, rather than automatically adjust to include all values. To turn off the auto-fit value range feature, deselect Auto-Fit Value Range from the context menu for the y-axis. This will leave the y-axis with the current value range.

To select a specific value range, use the context menu for the y-axis and select Select Value Range…. This will display the Select Value Range Dialog. This dialog will let you enter the minimum and maximum values to use for the value range.

You can also use the mouse to drag the value range. To do this, position the mouse over a value on the y-axis, then press and hold down the left mouse button. While holding down the left mouse button, move the mouse up or down to move the value. The value on the closest edge will automatically adjust so that the value under the mouse remains the same. During this operation, the mouse cursor will change to include an arrow that points at the edge that is being adjusted. When you are finished moving the value, release the mouse button.

Displaying Fields with Different Value Ranges

There are two ways to display fields with different value ranges. One way is to display the fields in different sub-charts. This method is typically selected to display price information with other information, such as volume. For more information on sub-charts, see Working with Sub-charts.

Another way to display fields with different value ranges is to place them in the same sub-chart, but to display them as the percent change from the first value being displayed. This allows you to visually compare the changes between two or more fields over a period of time.

When you add data from two different data series to a sub-chart, you will be prompted if you would like to display the values in this percent change format. You can also turn this option on and off from the context menu for the sub-chart of the fields in the sub-chart using by selecting Display as Percent Change.

Ä    Note: Turning on percent change charting will turn off logarithmic charting.

Displaying a Logarithmic Chart

Individual sub-charts can be set to display values using a logarithmic scale by selecting Display in Logarithmic Scale from the context menu for the sub-chart. This is useful for visually removing the effects of compounded gains from equity and price charts.

Ä    Note: Turning on logarithmic charting will turn off percent change charting.

Showing More or Less Data

By default, TradingSolutions will open a Chart View with the date range specified from the Modify Options Dialog: Charting page. The date range can be changed to a new range of dates quickly using the context menu for the x-axis and selecting to display a week, month, quarter, year, or other data range. The new range can be specified to begin from the point at which the menu was selected or end at the last available date.

The date range can also be adjusted to display a specific range of dates by selecting Select Range… from the context menu for the x-axis. This will display the Specify Range Dialog, which allows you to enter specific start and end dates.

You can also use the mouse to drag the date range. To do this, position the mouse over a date on the x-axis, then press and hold down the left mouse button. While holding down the left mouse button, move the mouse left or right to move the date. The date on the closest edge will automatically adjust so that the date under the mouse remains the same. During this operation, the mouse will change to include an arrow that points at the edge that is being adjusted. When you are finished moving the date, release the mouse button.

Zooming In on a Specific Date Range

The Chart View can be zoomed in to quickly enlarge a portion of the date range being displayed. To do this, position the mouse in the empty area of a sub-chart at the beginning of the region you would like to zoom. Then, press and hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse to the end of the region you would like to zoom. Releasing the mouse button will cause the Chart View to display only the selected region.

After adjusting the date range using any of the above methods, you can undo them one at a time using the context menu option to Undo Last Scaling.

&  For more help with the Chart View, see Displaying Data in a Chart.