Placing a Futures Order
Orders for electronically traded futures can be placed directly from the Futures tab of the TradeStation Trade Bar using a TradeStation electronic futures trading account. Pit traded futures may be traded using an external tool that requires a separate futures account.
The symbols used for the Trade Bar and the display of data in TradeStation may differ from the symbols used for some futures and futures options.
See Futures/Futures Options Symbology Comparison for more information. You can also download the TradeStation Futures Symbol Reference detailing the futures symbols that are traded on each exchange.
- Select the Futures tab on the Trade Bar to reveal the futures order section.
- Enter the electronic futures symbol to use to place an order in the Symbol box. A drop-down list allows you to select matching symbols, or you may click the Symbol Lookup
button to find a symbol by description or name. - Click the
or 
arrow to select the number of contracts to purchase in the Quantity box. - Select the desired order type (Limit, Market, Stop Limit, Stop Market) from the Order Type drop-down list.
- For limit orders, set the limit price to adjust the price using the or arrow in the Limit Price box. Click Auto to use the Auto Price feature.
- For stop orders, set the stop price to adjust the price using the or arrow in the Stop Price box.
- Select the length of time for which you want your order to be valid from the Duration drop-down list.
- Optionally, click the Advanced button to select any advanced order features you may want to use for this order.
- Select the account to use in settlement of your order from the Account No. drop-down list.
- Click Buy to purchase contracts or click Sell to remove contracts from the position.
- Click Yes to send the order or No to cancel the order in the Confirm dialog.
You can disable the Confirm dialog if you do not wish to confirm your order before placing it. For more information, see Enabling and Disabling Order Confirmations.