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cTrader: How to Set Up Indicators

Learn how to set up and manage indicators in cTrader.

Niel Diño avatar
Written by Niel Diño
Updated over 2 weeks ago

What are Indicators?

Indicators are graphical tools used to identify market movement patterns and potential trading opportunities, such as support and resistance levels.

For example, Bollinger Bands measure market volatility and help traders identify classic patterns, such as double bottoms or M-tops. Similarly, the Ichimoku Kinko Hyo indicator provides insights into significant support and resistance levels.

Adding and Setting up an Indicator to a Chart

In cTrader, you can add an indicator to a chart by using any of the following methods:

Upper Control Section

Click here to view the complete details:

  1. Click the Indicators icon in the top control bar:

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  2. Choose the indicator you want to add from the list that appears:

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  3. Set up the indicator:

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  4. Viewing the indicator (depending on the indicator settings, its output will either be overlaid on the chart or be displayed in a separate section):

    image.png
    image.png

Chart

Click here to view the complete details:

  1. Right-click anywhere on a chart:

    image.png

  2. Choose the indicator you want to add from the list that appears:

    image.png

  3. Set up the indicator:

    image.png

  4. Viewing the indicator (depending on the indicator settings, its output will either be overlaid on the chart or be displayed in a separate section):

    image.png
    image.png

Algo (custom indicator)

Click here to view the complete details:

  1. On the right corner of the platform, locate the "Algo" tab:

  2. Go to "Indicators" and click "New". A "New Algorithm" pop-up will appear:

  3. Put the desired name of the algorithm, select "Indicator" and click "Next":

  4. Select either "From scratch" or "Using template", then click "Create":

  5. After choosing the preferred creation method, watch this video for the next steps: How to Create a Custom Indicator in cTrader (skip ahead to ‘Indicator Structure’ at 1:57).

For more information, refer to this Help Centre article "Create an Indicator".

Managing Added Indicators

When you add an indicator, cTrader displays a new toolbar in the top-left or bottom-left corner, either directly on the trading chart or in the panel below it. The indicator will show the indicator name, its parameter values, and the indicator output:

  • Parameter values are specific settings that vary depending on the indicator. For example, in the MACD Crossover, you can configure the source, long cycle, short cycle, signal periods, and shift. With custom indicators, you are not limited to pre-set parameters.

  • Indicator output displays the current values of the indicator(s) as represented on the chart.

Hover over the toolbar to view the three icons, along with the indicator name, its parameter values, and the indicator output:

  • Hide/Show (eye button): To toggle the indicator’s visibility on the trading chart. If the indicator is displayed in a separate section, that section will appear empty after you click the Hide icon.
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  • Properties: To modify the indicator parameters. A new window will open, where you can also adjust colours, line type, and line thickness to customise the default visualisation.

    • Within the same window, you can reset the parameter values or remove the indicator from the workspace by clicking the corresponding buttons.

    • If the Video icon (to the right of the indicator name) is active, you can open a related tutorial to learn more about the indicator:

    • After making your changes, click OK to apply them.

  • Close indicator: Removes the indicator from the trading chart. If the indicator is displayed in a separate section, clicking this icon will also remove the entire section.

Modifying Indicators in Group

From the top control row, you can manage indicators directly from the toolbar. Hover over the Drawings/Indicators icon to open a dropdown menu with options to hide all indicators or remove them entirely:

If you click the Drawings/Indicators icon or use the hotkey Ctrl+I, you can manage all indicators in one window by clicking the same icons, such as Hide/Show, Settings, and Remove. Press the Remove all indicators button to remove all indicators in one click:

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