Multi-Chart Layouts in StockChartsACP
By default, one chart is displayed in the StockChartsACP tool, but StockCharts members can display up to 12 charts at once using StockChartsACP Layouts.
You can add charts to the layout one at a time or choose a preconfigured layout to quickly add multiple charts at once. Each chart can be updated independently, or you can use Multi-Chart Settings to update several charts simultaneously.
In addition to providing the tools to build custom layouts, StockCharts also offers sample layouts designed for a specific purpose (e.g., GalleryView-style layouts, Intermarket Analysis layouts, etc.). These sample layouts can be used as-is or as a starting point for creating a custom layout.
StockCharts members can save their custom-configured layout and reapply it to a new set of charts later.
Note: Only StockCharts members can add chart panels in StockChartsACP. Free users will be limited to a single-chart layout.
Saving With or Without Symbols
In general, saved layouts include everything but the symbols: they define the number of charts and their placement within the layout, as well as the style settings for each chart. For example, the CandleGlance sample layout allows you to create a layout with 12 small charts configured similarly to the default CandleGlance view for SharpCharts. The GalleryView sample layout is designed to show intraday, daily, weekly, and monthly charts for a single symbol at a glance, similar to GalleryView for SharpCharts.
Saved layouts can also be configured to save the symbols and layout settings. Some of our sample layouts, listed under Predefined Groups in the Layouts panel, include symbols frequently used with that layout. For example, the US Sector ETFs sample layout includes the symbols for SPY and the 11 sector ETFs. When applying this sample layout, a multi-chart layout will be loaded with charts for those symbols.
A custom-configured layout can also be saved with or without the symbols. When you apply a saved layout that has been saved with symbols, then the symbols on the current charts will be replaced with the symbols that were saved in the layout.
Accessing the Layouts Panel
To quickly create a multi-chart layout in StockChartsACP, click the Grid icon in the Chart Design menu on the left (see below).
This opens the Layout Panel.
There are four sections in the Layout panel.
Your Layouts. This lists any custom layouts you have saved to your account.
Sample Layouts. Allows you to apply pre-configured layouts designed by StockCharts.
Create Layout. Used to quickly build a layout from scratch by specifying the number of charts to add and their placement within the layout.
Multi-Chart Settings. Contains tools that allow you to make the same change on more than one chart at the same time.
Applying an Existing Layout
To apply an existing layout—sample or custom layout you have saved—click the layout you want to use in the Layouts panel.
Note: When you have a chart open in StockChartsACP at the time you apply a layout, the charts on your screen may be deleted to match the number of charts specified in the new layout.
Let's look at some different scenarios.
Layout has same number of charts. If the layout you apply contains the same number of charts as are open on the screen, then the layout will display charts for the symbols shown on your screen. For example, if you have three charts on the screen and apply a three-chart layout, the symbols of your on-screen charts will be used in the new layout.
Layout contains more charts. If the layout you apply has more charts than you have open on the screen, any additional charts will be loaded using the symbol of the selected chart (outlined in green). Say you have three charts on your screen and select the second chart (a chart of XLK). If you apply a four-chart layout, the new layout will use the symbols of the three on-screen charts, plus add one more chart of XLK for the fourth chart in the new layout.
Layout contains fewer charts. If the layout you apply contains fewer charts than you have, then the extraneous charts will be deleted. For example, if you have five charts on the screen and you apply a three-chart layout, the symbols of the first three charts on the screen will be used for the new layout, and the other two charts on the screen will be deleted.
Layout was saved with symbols. In the above three scenarios, if you apply a saved layout that was saved with symbols, then the symbols in the charts on your screen will be replaced with the symbols defined as part of the layout.
Layout is a Predefined Group layout. If you apply a predefined group layout, any charts on the screen are replaced with the symbols defined as part of the layout. For example, if you have several market breadth charts on your screen and you click the US Sector ETFs layout, your market breadth charts will be deleted, and new charts will be added for SPY and the 11 sector ETFs.
Note: Charts that are deleted as part of applying a layout are deleted immediately and cannot be recovered. Ensure any on-screen charts you may want to use later have been saved to a ChartList before applying a new layout.
Creating a New Custom Layout
StockCharts members are not limited to the sample layouts provided by StockCharts;. There are tools to create unique custom layouts.
To create a multi-chart layout, go to the Layouts panel and find the Create Layout section. Choose the number of charts you'd like in your Layout (up to 12). You will see different options for arranging that number of charts. Choose the arrangement you prefer. The layout will be created on your screen.
After creating the layout, the new charts can be edited like any other StockChartsACP chart.
Note: If you select several charts less than the number of charts in the layout currently on your screen, the extraneous charts on the screen will be deleted. Please see Applying an Existing Layout for example scenarios and more information on which charts will be deleted.
Modifying a Chart in a Layout
Adding Charts to StockChartsACP Layouts
You can add charts to your layout one at a time, instead of choosing the number of charts up front.
To add a chart, click the “plus” icon at the top of the page. Remember, you can add up to 12 charts in a layout. By default, the new chart will use the same symbol as the selected chart, but the new chart can be easily edited to change the symbol.
There are several ways you can add a new chart to your layout with a specific symbol. You can do the following:
Type the desired ticker in the “Symbol” box at the top of the chart, then click the “Plus” icon.
Type the desired ticker in the “Symbol” box at the top of the chart, then hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and press the Enter key.
Hold down the Shift key while clicking on one of the symbols in the Symbol Selection menus on the right.
Deleting Charts from StockChartsACP Layouts
To delete a chart from your StockChartsACP Layout, mouse over the chart you want to delete and click on the “X” icon in the upper right corner of the chart.
Editing Charts in a StockChartsACP Layout
Changing the symbol (or editing any other chart settings) for one of the charts in your layout is the same as editing a standalone StockChartsACP chart.
To change the symbol on one of the charts in your StockChartsACP Layout, click on the chart and ensure that there is a green border around the edge of the chart. Then change the symbol as usual. In the example below, the chart on the right is the selected one.
Modifying Multiple Charts in a Layout
The Multi-Chart Settings section of the Layout Panel allows you to make changes to several charts in the layout at once.
Sync Options
If you have more than one chart in your layout that has the same ticker symbol, Sync Options allow you to change the symbol for all those charts at once. With this functionality, you could add long-, medium-, and short-term charts for a single symbol to your layout, then quickly change all three charts to a new symbol by entering a new ticker in the Symbol box at the top of the screen (similar to GalleryView charts).
By default, Sync Options are disabled and each chart's symbol is updated independently.
Two ways to sync charts in your layout that have the same symbol are as follows:
Click the Checkerboard icon at the top of the screen to turn on this Sync Option.
In the Sync Options section of the Layouts tab, check the box for Symbol.
To turn the Sync Option off, click the Checkerboard icon again or uncheck the Symbol checkbox.
Apply To All
These settings allow you to apply Period, Range, Chart Template, and Color Scheme to all charts in the layout at once rather than updating each chart individually.
The Multi-Chart Settings section of the Layout Panel contains checkboxes for Period, Range, Chart Template, and Color Scheme.
There is also an Apply to All checkbox at the top of the Chart Templates panel.
By default, these checkboxes are unchecked. When you check the Color Schemes box, any new color scheme you select will be applied to all charts in the current layout. Similarly, when the Chart Template box is checked, any ChartStyle selections will be applied to all charts in the layout.
To return to updating charts individually, simply uncheck the relevant checkbox.
Saving a Custom Layout
If you find yourself setting up the same layout repeatedly, it is helpful to save it so it can be easily reapplied in the future.
Once you have the charts configured the way you'd like them to be in your layout, you can save them by clicking the green Save Layout button at the bottom of the Layouts panel.
Enter a name for your new layout. Check the Save Symbols to Layout box if you want the specific symbols saved as part of the layout. Click the Save Layout button to save your layout.
If you'd like to update an existing saved layout, choose the Update Existing tab, select the saved layout from the list, update the Save Symbols to Layout setting if needed, and click the Save Layout button.
Your saved layout contains the number of saved charts and their placement in the layout, plus all the settings for each chart. Essentially it saves everything except the symbols themselves. If you check the Save Symbols to Layout checkbox when saving, it saves everything, including the symbols.
Your saved layouts are listed at the top of the Layouts panel, divided into those saved without symbols and those saved with symbols.
See Applying an Existing Layout to learn more about applying your saved layouts.
Note: Basic StockCharts members can save a single layout; Extra members can save up to 25 layouts, and Pro members can save up to 50 layouts.
Modifying a Custom Layout
You can edit or delete custom-saved layouts from the Your Layouts section of the Layouts panel.
Editing the Layout Name
To edit the layout name, mouse over the layout and click the Pencil icon.
Enter the new name for the layout in the Edit Layout popup, and click the green Save button:
Deleting a Saved Layout
To delete a layout, mouse over the layout and click the Trash Can icon.
You will see a prompt asking you to confirm that you want to delete that layout.
Enlarging a Single Chart in the Layout
When you have multiple charts in your layout, enlarging one chart to see more detail can be handy. To do this, mouse over the chart you want to enlarge. Next to the Chart Control Buttons, at the bottom of the chart, there is a button showing two arrows pointing in opposite directions (maximize button). Click this button to maximize your chart.
The chart will expand to take up the entire layout area. The green border will remain around the maximized chart to remind you that other charts are behind it.
When you are ready to reduce the chart back down to its normal size in the layout, mouse over the chart again to display the Chart Control buttons and click the button with two arrows pointing towards each other (minimize). This will shrink your chart to its normal size; you can see the other charts in the layout.
Note: You can also click the Shrink button in the top right corner of the chart to reduce the chart down to its normal size in the layout.
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