Quick reference
How to Manage Workspaces
Switching between different workspaces can be done incredibly fast, allowing you to quickly thumb through many workspaces and keep track of all of your information. At the same time, since all of the information other than what you are currently interested in is hidden, the 'clutter' is reduced substantially, allowing you to focus on your trading rather than managing your software.
Setting up your workspace for the first time is quick and easy. If your layout does not already have buttons indicating your workspace choices, click on the View option along the top of the application. Then scroll down to the Workspace List option near the bottom of this list. This will create a new window (which you can dock to the top or bottom of the screen by dragging it to the desired location) that will look like this:
You will be able to add, rename, clone (duplicate) or delete a workspace by right-clicking on the button for any workspace and selecting the appropriate option.
After clicking on the button for a workspace, any charts, quote boards or other windows you create within that workspace will remain in their current position when you switch to another workspace. Finally, since workspaces exist within your layout, saving changes to them is as simple as saving your layout.
The workspace feature in Interactive Markets Trader allows you to navigate multiple charts, quote boards and other data while keeping your viewing page clean and easy to read. It works by making many 'layers' of the application desktop, with one layer available for viewing at any time. For example, you could have all of your charts and information for the EUR/JPY assigned to one workspace and all of your information and charts for the AUD/CAD under another.
How to Manage, Create and Save Layouts
How to Export Your Layout
- Select File -> Layouts -> Manage
- This brings up the Manage Layouts window
- To save your layout, select it from the list in the main window body. The "Active layout" is the layout you are currently viewing, and you will generally want to select whatever is listed as your "Active layout," in this case "Standard."
- Select the Export button, which prompts you to save a file, select a location you wish to save the file to and press the "Save" button in this window.
- Your layout is now saved and can be imported for later use
How to Import Your Layout File
(after one has been exported or sent to you)
- Select File -> Layouts -> Manage
- This brings up the Manage Layouts window
- To import a layout into Interactive Markets Trader, press the "Import" button, which will prompt you for a file
- Select the file you wish to import from the location where it is stored on your computer
- Select the "Open" button to import the file
- You will be prompted to choose a name for this layout
- The new name will appear in the main body of the window
- This will successfully import your file, but will not load your new layout file
One of the unique customisation features of Interactive Markets Trader is that it allows you to create, save, import and export different layouts. A layout is a complete look and feel of the software that includes your customised charts, workspaces and other features that you have set up for your trading. Interactive Markets Trader affords you the opportunity to save an XML file so you can use it on another computer with Interactive Markets Trader or send it to one of your friends. It allows you to create customised looks that can be modified based on the currencies you trade or the times of the day when you need your charts optimised for the current trading conditions. There's really no limit to the number of customised layouts you can create!
How to Load a Layout File (Long Version)
- Select File -> Layouts -> Manage
- This brings up the Manage Layouts window
- Select the layout you wish to load from the main body of the window and select the "Load" button
How to Load a Layout File (Short Version)
- Select File -> Layouts
- Select the name of the layout you wish to load
How to Delete a Layout File
- Select File -> Layouts -> Manage
- This brings up the Manage Layouts window
- Select the layout you wish to delete from the main body of the window and select the "Delete" button
How to Use Interactive Markets Trader Alarms
Price Alarms
Depending on how you have Interactive Markets Trader set up, the price alarm button (small bell symbol) is located on the left-hand tool bar directly above the "pip calculator." The criteria used to set price alarms includes a symbol (currency pair), a condition (less than/equal to or more than/equal to) and a specific price point for the alarm to be triggered.
For example, let's say you would like to know when the EUR/USD posts a price at 1.4650, possibly the price which you think the EUR is about to make a large up move against the dollar. You create an alarm that notifies you via e-mail message or SMS (text message) alert so you can monitor price activity without having to constantly watch the markets or be glued to your trading desk.
The SMS system is designed so that text messages are sent to your PDA, mobile phone or other SMS-enabled device when the price alarm is activated. By modifying the chart properties, you can also have your price alarms appear directly on the charts within Interactive Markets Trader and you can display the specific price at which your alarm is set (this is designed to help you remember your price). You can also modify the sounds for each price alarm so you can assign unique sounds to different prices or different currency pairs.
There are two types of alarms available in Interactive Markets Trader: price alarms and indicator alarms. Price alarms are designed to notify you audibly or by text message or e-mail while you are away from your computer, based on pricing criteria that you set. Indicator alarms will audibly notify you when criterion of a technical study or a combination of technical studies meets your specified conditions.
Indicator Alarms
The second type of alarm included in Interactive Markets Trader, indicator alarms, will audibly notify you when criterion of a technical study or a combination of technical studies meets your specified conditions. The major benefit of this type of alarm is that it allows you to use a combination of indicators on one chart and monitor those indicators across multiple markets.
For example, let’s say you like using exponential moving averages as an indicator, but you also like indicator 75, the proprietary indicator from Interactive Markets. First, you would create a list of indicator alarms by clicking on the indicator alarm symbol located on the top toolbar of your Interactive Markets Trader chart (denoted by a tiny bell with a purple ascending line).
This will pop-up a window with two empty boxes on the left and right. The first thing you must do is add a list of indicator alarms by clicking on the "Add" button located underneath the left box. You will now see a list in the left-hand box. Select one of the boxes and use the "Add" button located underneath the right-hand box. This will generate an "Add alarm condition" window.
Moving from left to right, you now need to create the conditions for the alarms you want to set. Below the "select indicator line" you can choose from a price indicator or any of the variables included in your two technical studies (moving averages exponential EMA, indicator 75 or indicator 75 zero line). Once you select the indicator line you want, you then choose from the menu of operands or expressions (>, <, =, >=, <=).
You can now type in a price or select another indicator line. For example, you may want to be notified when price indicator equals zero and when indicator 75 is less than a specific price before you enter into a long position.
How to Apply Technical Indicators
Add or Remove an Indicator
You can easily add an indicator by right-clicking anywhere on the charting interface. Click "Add Studies" to display a list of more than 85 indicators. Once you have selected a technical indicator from the list, a "Parameters" box will appear, asking if you would like to customize or reconfigure the study’s style (display) and the data inputs.
To remove a technical study or drawing feature, use the arrow tool to select what you wish to remove. A selected object will be indicated by blue boxes. Once an item or items are selected to be removed, press the delete key on the keyboard to remove them.
How to Overlay Multiple Subgraph Indicators
Sometimes it is helpful to see multiple subgraph indictors on the same subgraph. This is particularly helpful for comparing values and saving space within the program. However, right-clicking on the chart and selecting your study from the "Add Studies" list will always place a subgraph indicator in its own area below the chart.
To overlay these over each other, use the "Setup Indicator" feature on the chart, which can be accessed by using the button with the symbol of a hand over a wavy red line. To illustrate this, try using the example of showing two CCIs over the same subgraph.
In the "Setup indicator" interface, the "Chart indicators" window will appear. Start by adding a CCI by selecting the "Add" button and selecting the "Commodity Channel" option. Notice that there is a checkbox labeled, "Add into a new chart window" at the bottom, which needs to be checked when the first CCI is added. Once this has been added, configure the CCI values in any way that you desire. Then proceed to add the second CCI.
In the "Setup indicator" interface on the "Chart indicators" window, select the subgraph you wish to add the second CCI to, which in this example would likely be "Subgraph1." Once this is selected, press the "Add" button once more, and then select the "Commodity Channel." In this case, we will uncheck the "Add into a new chart window" box. Then proceed to add the second CCI and configure it. Now two CCIs are displayed. This process is repeatable for any "subgraph" indicator.
Nearly any analysis tool you need to trade forex can be applied directly from the integrated charts within Interactive Markets Trader. Track market movements in real-time for timeframes ranging from tick to monthly, and apply a wide range of technical indicators directly on the charts to help you plan and confirm your trading decisions. With more than 100 free technical indicators and drawing tools, you’ll be able to get a clear view of market patterns.
