TradeStation Help
The first thing to do when starting TradeStation is to identify yourself by logging in. You then have the option to be connected to the network or work offline. As you proceed, the system displays status messages related to the log on process.
From the Windows Start menu or the Windows desktop icon, open the TradeStation application. The TradeStation Network Logon dialog is displayed.
The following options displayed are determined by your account status.
If you do not want to connect to the TradeStation Network and want to work offline instead, click Work Offline at this point. Since you are not connecting to the network, cached data will be used; you will not receive any new data until you log back onto the TradeStation Network.
After logging in, there will be times when you will be notified when there is a new version of TradeStation available. If this occurs, the dialog will appear and the following options will be available.
In TradeStation, live trading involves using funded TradeStation brokerage accounts to place trades and track actual market positions.
You can exit from live trading in one of several ways, including:
There are several ways for you to know whether you are using the simulator for placing trades.
In TradeStation, simulated trading involves using special simulated accounts to place trades and track simulated positions. The TradeStation simulator allows you to try out platform features other than those you might typically utilize such as strategy automation, advanced orders, and alternate market types.
Simulated trading may only be done on symbols associated with your real time data entitlements. In addition, TradeStation brokerage clients always have the option of choosing Live Trading to place real trades and establish actual positions in the marketplace using funded brokerage accounts. For Simulated Trading, the Order Execution Simulator information dialog appears and Trading: Sim appears on the TradeStation status bar.
Simulated trading accounts do not represent real money or real positions. The simulated environment is designed to let you practice using different trading approaches, platform tools, and markets. To perform Live Trading, you need to exit the simulator and logon by selecting Live Trading.
You can exit from simulated trading in one of several ways, including:
There are several ways for you to know whether you are using the simulator for placing trades.
From the Menu bar, click File > Manage Simulated Accounts... to access the Manage Your Simulated Trading Accounts page on the TradeStation support site where you can manage your simulated trading accounts. Here you can add 'funds' to each of your simulated accounts or you can reset any of your accounts to a specific starting balance. For more information see Managing Simulated Accounts.