Pointers
TradeStation contains several pointers. Each pointer provides different functionality ranging from opening menus, selecting menu options and toolbar buttons to selecting, modifying, and moving objects. Other pointers provide the ability to view DataTips while another pointer allows you to locate the same bar across multiple Chart Analysis windows.
To have a vertical line remain on the chart at the last pointer location on charts, see Pointer Tracking Settings.
Arrow Pointer
The arrow pointer is the default pointer used to open and select menus, menu options, toolbar buttons, modify and move objects. When the left mouse button is depressed, a Data Tip is shown on the chart at the arrow pointer's location. A setting is available to cause the Data Tip to be shown even without pressing the left mouse button (see Chart Analysis Preferences - Display).
You can also use the pointer to drag a data stream to the left or right or into another subgraph in your charting application. The arrow pointer can be used to resize and move columns in grid applications.
On a chart, the arrow pointer's location is indicated by the intersection of crosshair lines. The vertical and horizontal position of the pointer is indicated on the vertical and horizontal chart axes where the crosshair lines intersect the axes. Settings to control the display of the crosshair lines and the associated Data Tip are available in the Chart Analysis Preferences dialog's Display tab.
From the chart menu bar, click Drawing > Small Pointer.
Crosshairs Pointer
The Crosshairs pointer is a charting tool that allows you to locate exact points on a chart. For example, you can find the precise point on a line chart or a Point & Figure chart and view price data that corresponds to that point. Information displayed in the DataTip relates to the intersection of the horizontal and vertical lines that make up the Crosshairs pointer. To customize an object using the Crosshairs pointer, you must place your pointer on the object you want to select and use the shortcut menu.
On a chart, the arrow pointer's location is indicated by the intersection of crosshair lines. The vertical and horizontal position of the pointer is indicated on the vertical and horizontal chart axes where the crosshair lines intersect the axes. Settings to control the display of the crosshair lines and the associated Data Tip are available in the Chart Analysis Preferences dialog's Display tab.
From the chart menu bar, click Drawing > Crosshairs Pointer.
Pointer Tracking Settings
The three types of pointers (Small, Large, and Crosshairs) can be configured to draw a Vertical Chart Status line on charts that remains visible after releasing the mouse button, allowing you to put a placeholder on a specific bar. You can then use the scroll bars located at the bottom of your Chart Analysis window to view other data and you are then able to return to the exact bar you marked with your Vertical Chart Status pointer.
The Pointer Tracking action of the Vertical Chart Status line can be set to an individual window or can be set to display across multiple windows in the workspace or across all open windows depending on the Pointer Tracking option that is selected.
With a chart selected, use the menu bar Settings > Pointer Tracking menu sequence and select one of the following settings:
| Setting | Action |
|---|---|
| Off | Vertical Chart Status lines will not remain on any chart. |
| Window | A Vertical Chart Status line will remain at the last bar position of the pointer for the current chart window only. |
| Workspace | Vertical Chart Status lines will remain at the selected bar interval (time) in all charts within the active workspace. |
| Global | Vertical Chart Status lines will remain at the selected bar interval (time) in all charts in all active workspaces. |
Vertical Chart Status Line
The Vertical Chart Status appears as a vertical line on the last pointer location in your charting application if one of the Pointer Tracking options are enabled. This line remains visible after releasing the mouse button, allowing you to put a placeholder on a specific bar in a chart. You can then use the scroll bars located at the bottom of your Chart Analysis window to view other data and you are then able to return to the exact bar you marked with your Vertical Chart Status pointer. Holding down your mouse button displays data corresponding to that point on the chart in a DataTip.
The action of the Vertical Chart Status line can be set to an individual window or can be set to display across multiple windows in the workspace or across all open windows depending on the Pointer Tracking option that is selected.