# Intro to StockCharts

## Overview of StockCharts.com

StockCharts.com wants to help you make smarter financial decisions. So, we're providing you with the best financial analysis and data visualization tools through two powerful charting platforms—[<mark style="color:blue;">SharpCharts</mark>](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/sharpcharts) and [<mark style="color:blue;">StockChartsACP</mark>](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/stockchartsacp)<mark style="color:blue;">.</mark>

The main focus of our charting tools is [technical analysis](https://app.gitbook.com/s/ERtrZrZOhufFzk6ZQO4B/table-of-contents/overview/technical-analysis-101/ta-101-part-1), a branch of investment analysis that uses a stock's price history to forecast its future behavior. In addition to our award-winning [analysis tools](https://help.stockcharts.com/support-center), we provide [market commentary](https://stockcharts.com/articles/index.html) from respected analysts like John Murphy, Larry Williams, and Martin Pring. We also have a vast collection of [educational resources](https://help.stockcharts.com/learning-more/educational-resources) to help you become a better and more informed investor.

Many of the features in StockCharts can be used from any device with a web browser. You don't need additional plugins or software downloads to view charts.&#x20;

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<img src="https://2414490151-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FELJo6JImRKx7nLaFjAPl%2Fuploads%2Fa7dEMozrg7BXwYmDXnMx%2Fscc-icon.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c8424aa0-64d5-4ab3-a436-cbe9dc837623" alt="" data-size="line">To take advantage of the advanced features and functionality in StockCharts, become a member. You can visit our [subscription page](https://stockcharts.com/pricing/) to learn about the benefits of subscribing or watch the video below.

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgF6Z-ULhJU>" %}
Find out about the three different subscription levels, data plans, and pricing.
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## Getting Started <a href="#getting_started" id="getting_started"></a>

Not sure about which features will help you with your investment strategy? The video below will help you get started with StockCharts. Please look over the information on the rest of this page to dive deeper into the analysis tools.&#x20;

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGO9nQWtz44>" %}
Explore the key features and charting tools StockCharts offers.
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Have any questions? Please [ask our friendly Customer Support staff](https://stockcharts.com/support/techsupport.html).

## Our Analysis Tools <a href="#our_analysis_tools" id="our_analysis_tools"></a>

StockCharts provides many technical analysis tools. You can create and customize charts, analyze markets, and find securities to invest in using either our [SharpCharts Workbench](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/sharpcharts/sharpcharts-workbench) or [StockChartsACP](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/stockchartsacp).

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**Cool Tip:** Our technical analysis tools are documented in our [Support Center](https://help.stockcharts.com/). We also have a plethora of [Instructional Videos](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyNJu-3PikrRIQyOfZ8BMKe9xGom1zk8g) that demonstrate the use of these tools. Our commentators frequently write about using our tools to create their commentary.
{% endhint %}

### Charting Tools <a href="#charting_tools" id="charting_tools"></a>

**SharpCharts:** Our flagship charting platform, [SharpCharts](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/sharpcharts) (New and Classic), allows you to create charts for any of our system's thousands of ticker symbols. The [SharpCharts Workbench](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/sharpcharts/sharpcharts-workbench/editing-sharpcharts) allows you to customize your charts any way you want and save the results in a [ChartList](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/sharpcharts/chartlists) for later review. SharpCharts supports all popular technical indicators, overlays, and charting types—bars, candlesticks, line, Renko, Kagi, etc.

**StockChartsACP:** We also offer our dynamic chart analysis and trading platform called [StockChartsACP](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/stockchartsacp). (“ACP” stands for “Advanced Charting Platform.”) StockChartsACP (“ACP” for short) is an interactive web application that lets you quickly create, customize, and save interactive charts, run technical scans, and even trade directly from your charts. ACP also supports several **Plug-ins** from our industry partners, which you can install to add powerful analysis tools.

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**Learn More:** [SharpCharts](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/sharpcharts) | [StockChartsACP](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/stockchartsacp)
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### Chart Annotations <a href="#chart_annotations" id="chart_annotations"></a>

Adding annotations to SharpCharts charts is a snap. Click the **Annotate** icon and add trendlines, text, curves, shapes, and advanced technical line studies like [Fibonacci Retracements](https://app.gitbook.com/s/ERtrZrZOhufFzk6ZQO4B/table-of-contents/chart-analysis/chart-annotation-tools/fibonacci-retracements) to your charts. Once you have finished adding your annotations, you can save your chart in a [ChartList](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/sharpcharts/chartlists) for later review. All your saved annotations will be automatically updated as more data is added to the chart.

**Note:** The annotation tools in StockChartsACP are [built in to the charting platform](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/stockchartsacp#annotating_stockchartsacp_charts).

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**Learn More:** [ChartNotes](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/sharpcharts/chartnotes) | [ACP annotation tools](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/stockchartsacp/annotating-acp-charts)
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### Stock Scanning Tools <a href="#stock_scanning_tools" id="stock_scanning_tools"></a>

Are you looking for stocks or ETFs that meet specific criteria? As a StockCharts member, you can access our **Scan Engine**, which filters out stocks and ETFs that meet your required conditions. And if you want to design your own scan, check out the [Advanced Scan Workbench](https://help.stockcharts.com/scanning-and-alerts/technical-scans/advanced-scan-workbench). Then, set up **Alerts** in the [Technical Alert Workbench](https://help.stockcharts.com/scanning-and-alerts/technical-alerts/technical-alert-workbench) to let you know as soon as stocks begin to meet your criteria.

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**Learn More:** [Scans](https://help.stockcharts.com/scanning-and-alerts/technical-scans) | [Alerts](https://help.stockcharts.com/scanning-and-alerts/technical-alerts)
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### Other Charting Tools <a href="#other_charting_tools" id="other_charting_tools"></a>

We also offer tools for creating specialty charts. These include [Point & Figure charts](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/other-charting-tools/p-and-f-charts), which use X's and O's to display price action; [PerfCharts](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/other-charting-tools/interactive-perfcharts), which allow you to compare the performance of several different stocks on one chart; [Seasonality Charts](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/other-charting-tools/seasonality-charts), which show the months that are best for a given stock; [RRG Charts](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/other-charting-tools/rrg-charts), which give an interactive, non-traditional look at a stock's relative strength; and colorful [MarketCarpets](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/other-charting-tools/marketcarpets), which show you winners and losers at a glance.

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**Learn More:** [Other Charting Tools](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/other-charting-tools)
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### Market Analysis Reports <a href="#market_analysis_reports" id="market_analysis_reports"></a>

Want a quick overview of current market conditions? StockCharts includes several continuously updated market reports, such as the [Market Summary](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/research-tools/market-summary) report, which shows the performance of many popular market indexes and ETFs; the [Sector Summary](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/research-tools/sector-summary) report, which allows you to find the strongest stocks in the strongest industries quickly; and the exclusive [StockCharts Technical Rank (SCTR)](https://stockcharts.com/freecharts/sctr.html) report that ranks securities based on their overall technical strength.

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**Learn More:** [Market Analysis Reports](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/research-tools) | [SCTR Rankings](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/research-tools/stockcharts-technical-rank-sctr-reports)
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## Market Commentary <a href="#market_commentary" id="market_commentary"></a>

In addition to charting services, StockCharts.com provides expert market commentary from some of the biggest names in the industry. We have an extensive collection of free technical market commentary in the [Articles](https://articles.stockcharts.com/) area of our site. In addition, members can read our paid market commentary from Larry Williams, and Martin Pring.

If video commentary is more your thing, check out [StockCharts TV](https://stockcharts.com/tv/); our YouTube channel features [our latest videos ](https://stockcharts.com/tv/shows.html)packed with up-to-date market commentary.

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**Learn More:** [Market Commentary](https://help.stockcharts.com/learning-more/market-commentary) | [StockCharts TV](https://help.stockcharts.com/learning-more/market-commentary/stockcharts-tv)
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## Educational Resources <a href="#educational_resources" id="educational_resources"></a>

[ChartSchool is our ever-growing collection of articles](https://app.gitbook.com/s/ERtrZrZOhufFzk6ZQO4B/) on all aspects of technical analysis. You can find articles about every indicator, overlay, and chart type we support, with definitions, chart examples, interpretation guidelines, formulas, and spreadsheet examples. It's a comprehensive free resource for anyone interested in technical analysis.

Our [Instructional Videos](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyNJu-3PikrRIQyOfZ8BMKe9xGom1zk8g) can also help you get up to speed quickly with StockCharts.com. Each video is 5–10 minutes long and covers a specific area or tool on the website.

Finally, [the Support Center](https://help.stockcharts.com/support-center) (where you are now) contains in-depth documentation on all our features and ways for you to contact our Customer Support Team with questions or suggestions.

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**Cool Tip:** Having trouble finding the info you need in the Support Center or ChartSchool? [Click here](https://stockcharts.com/support/chat.html) to use our "Ask a Question" ChatBot!
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**Learn More:** [Educational Resources](https://help.stockcharts.com/learning-more/educational-resources) | [Customer Support](https://help.stockcharts.com/learning-more/customer-support)
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