MultiCharts Work Area

The application window consists of Toolbars, Workspaces, and Windows (Chart or/and Scanner).

For detailed information about Windows, [[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="2" click here]].

Understanding Workspaces

Workspaces help manage the working process. Several Workspaces can be open at the same time. It is possible to create, save, open, close, rename, and delete Workspaces, as well as to switch between Workspaces that are open in the application window. Each Workspace can contain multiple windows.

Names of all open Workspaces are shown in the tabs at the bottom of application window. The tab of the currently selected (active) Workspace is highlighted. To switch to another open Workspace click the tab of the Workspace you wish to switch to.

To achieve peak performance limit the number of simultaneously open workspaces to the ones you actually need.

Creating Workspaces

To create a new Workspace, click the New Workspace icon on the Main toolbar.

Workspaces can also be created by using the Ctrl + N hot key, or by selecting File in the main menu, then pointing to New and clicking New Workspace.

Note: If there are no open Workspaces when a new Chart Window is created, a new Workspace for that window will be created automatically.

Saving Workspaces

A Workspace, complete with Chart/Scanner Windows and all settings, is saved as a file with .wsp extension.

To save a Workspace, click the Save Workspace icon on the Main toolbar. Workspaces can also be saved by using the Ctrl + S hot key, or by selecting File in the main menu and clicking Save Workspace.

If the Workspace has not yet been named, the Save As dialog box will appear, allowing to choose a file name for the workspace.

In order to save an already named Workspace under a new name, select File in the main menu and click Save Workspace As.

To save Workspaces automatically on application exit, see [[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="1=17" Workspaces Preferences]].

Opening Workspaces

Saved Workspaces can be opened by using Windows Explorer/File manager as well as from the application.

To open a Workspace from the application, click the Open Workspace icon on the Main toolbar; in the Open dialog box that appears, navigate to and select the Workspace file (.wsp extension) and click the Open button. Workspaces can also be opened by using the Ctrl + O hot key, or by selecting File in the main menu and clicking Open Workspace.

Recently used Workspaces can be opened by clicking the down-arrow to the right of the Open Workspace icon on the Main toolbar and then clicking a Workspace name, or by selecting File in the main menu, then pointing to Recent Workspaces and clicking a Workspace name.

To open Workspaces automatically on application startup, see [[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="1=17" Workspaces Preferences]].

Closing Workspaces

To close a Workspace, click the Close Workspace icon on the Main toolbar. Workspaces can also be closed by using the F4 key, or by selecting File in the main menu and clicking Close Workspace.

If any changes have been made to a Workspace since it was last saved, and: Do not show "Save Workspace" dialog on Exit checkbox in [[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="1=17" Workspace Preferences]] is not selected, the Save Workspace dialog box will appear:
- click Yes to save the changes and close the Workspace;
- click No to discard the changes and close the Workspace;
- click Cancel to cancel the operation and keep the Workspace open.

To disable the dialog box and close workspaces without confirmation, see [[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="1=17" Workspaces Preferences]].

Important: If both the Do not show "Save Workspace" dialog on Exit checkbox and Do not save workspaces option are selected in the [[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="1=17" Workspace]] tab of the Preferences window then no changes to the workspace will be saved on exit!

Renaming Workspaces

Workspaces can be renamed by two different methods:

• Save a copy of the Workspace under a different name. See [[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="1=12" Saving Workspaces]]; or:
• Use Windows Explorer or another program to rename a Workspace file as any other Windows file.

Note: Workspaces that are open cannot be renamed by Windows Explorer. Close the Workspace prior to renaming it.

Deleting Workspaces

Use Windows Explorer or another program to delete the Workspace file as you would any other Windows file. Deleting a Workspace does not delete the data or the studies.

Note: A Workspace that is open cannot be deleted. Close the Workspace prior to deleting it.

Workspaces Preferences

Workspaces preferences settings determine which workspaces, if any, will be opened on application startup, whether changes to workspaces will be saved on application exit, and if a confirmation prompt will appear when Chart/Scanner Windows are closed.

To set workspace preferences:

1. Open the Preferences window by selecting File in the main menu and then clicking Preferences; the window can also be opened by using ALT+F, ALT+F keyboard shortcut sequence.
2. Select the Workspaces tab.
3. To open Workspaces on startup, select the Open Workspaces on Start checkbox; clear the checkbox to not open any Workspaces on startup.
4. To show the Workspaces dialog box on startup, select the Show the dialog checkbox; clear the checkbox to not display the dialog box.
5. Select the Workspaces to be opened on startup.
6. To show Save Workspace dialog box on exit, clear the Do not show "Save Workspace" dialog on Exit checkbox; select the checkbox to not display the dialog box.
7. Select Save workspaces or Do not save workspaces to save or not to save the workspaces on exit, respectively.
8. To prompt for a confirmation when a Chart/Scanner Window is closed (deleted), clear the Do not prompt for confirmation when I want to close a window checkbox; check the checkbox to prompt for a confirmation when a window is closed.

Understanding Windows (Chart/Scanner)

Chart Windows contain charts, studies, and drawings. The number of windows that can be added to Workspaces is limited only by your computer's hardware configuration.

In Workspaces with multiple windows only one window at a time is active. The active window is the window to which any changes will be applied, and is distinguished by the color of its title bar. Any one of the windows in a Workspace can be selected as the active at any time.

Windows can be moved within a workspace or detached and positioned anywhere on your computer’s desktop, arranged in any order, resized, maximized, minimized, and closed. Closing a window deletes it from the Workspace.

Windows are saved only as a part of the Workspace that contains them.

Creating Windows

A Chart Window is always created at the same time as the chart/grid that is placed in it. It is not possible to create an empty window, without a chart/grid. A Chart/Scanner Window is always created in the currently selected Workspace.

To read more about creating charts [[LINK /22-0100_CreatingChart.html name="" click here]]

To read more about Workspaces [[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="1" click here]]

Selecting a Window as Active

Before making changes to a Window you should make sure that it is active. Only one window at a time can be active.

A Window can be selected as active by one of the following methods:

• Click anywhere on the window to make it active; or:
• Select Window in the main menu and click the name of the window.

Color change of the window's title bar will indicate that the window has become active.

Detaching and Attaching Windows

By default, Windows are displayed within a Workspace. Windows can be detached from a Workspace and positioned anywhere on your computer's desktop; on a multiple-monitor system, one or more Windows can be displayed on each monitor.

A Window can be detached by one of the following methods:

• Click the Detach Window button on the title bar of the window;

or:

• Select Window in the main menu and click Detach Window.

Note: Detached windows' last chosen positions are retained the next time that the application is started

A Window can be attached back to the Workspace by one of the following methods:

• Click the Attach Window button on the title bar of the window;

or:

• Select Window in the main menu and click Attach Window.

Detached Windows "Always on Top" Feature

To keep a detached Window displayed always on top of other windows click the Stick button on the title bar of the window; the button will change to .

To cancel the feature click the Unstick button again; the button will change to .

Note: Detached window's last chosen Always on Top status is retained the next time that the application is started.

Arranging Windows

It is possible to arrange windows in any order. A Window can be positioned anywhere by placing the mouse pointer over the window's title bar, holding the left mouse button, and dragging the window to the desired position.

Windows within a workspace can also be arranged automatically:

• To arrange all open windows for convenient viewing select Window in the main menu and click Arrange All any minimized windows will be placed at the bottom of the Workspace, below any open windows.
• To arrange all windows horizontally or vertically select Window in the main menu and click Arrange Horizontally or Arrange Vertically, respectively.
• To arrange all open windows in a cascade select Window in the main menu and click Cascade; any minimized windows will be placed at the bottom of the Workspace, below any open windows.

Note: Windows' last chosen positions are retained the next time that the application is started.

Deleting Windows

A window can be deleted from a Workspace. To close a Window means to delete it. It is possible to delete all of the windows from a Workspace, leaving the Workspace empty.

To delete a Window from a Workspace click the Close button on the title bar of the window; in the dialog box that appears, click Yes to delete the window, or click Cancel to cancel the operation and keep the window open.

To disable the dialog box and delete windows without confirmation, see [[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="1=17" Workspaces Preferences]].

Switching between Windows

Within a Workspace you can switch between the open windows by using the Ctrl + F6 hotkey combination, or by clicking anywhere on the window you wish to switch to.

Copying Windows

The active Chart/Scanner Window can be copied, complete with all settings, data series, and studies, and pasted to any open Workspace.

To copy an active window use one of the following methods:

• Select File in the main menu and click Copy Window; or:
• Use CTRL+SHIFT+C hot key combination.

To paste the copied Window:

• Select File in the main menu and click Paste Window, or:
• Use Ctrl + Shift + V hot key combination.

Understanding Toolbars

Toolbars provide convenient access to commonly used functions. These functions can also be accessed by using the menus, but the toolbars let you do it with just one click.

There are six toolbars: Chart Analysis, Command Line, Control, Drawing, Main, and Resolution. Any of the toolbars can be made floating, allowing them to be positioned anywhere, or hidden if they are not needed.

Hiding and Redisplaying Toolbars

All toolbars are displayed by default.

To hide a toolbar select View in the main menu, then click Toolbars and uncheck the toolbar that is to be hidden.

A floating toolbar can also be hidden by clicking the Close button on the toolbar's title bar.

To redisplay a toolbar select View in the main menu, then click Toolbars and check the toolbar that is to be displayed.

The Resolution toolbar can also be hidden or redisplayed by clicking the Resolution icon.

Floating or Docking Toolbars

By default, toolbars are displayed docked to the top of the application window. Any of the toolbars can be made floating or docked. A floating toolbar has its own title bar and can be positioned anywhere on your computer’s desktop.

Toolbars can be made floating by using one of the following methods:

• Double-click the move handle of a docked toolbar; or:
• Position the mouse pointer over the toolbar's move handle; hold the left mouse button and drag the toolbar to the desired position.

Toolbars can be docked by one of the following methods:

• Double-click the toolbar's title bar. The toolbar will dock along the top border of the application window; or:
• Position the mouse pointer over the title bar of a floating toolbar; hold the left mouse button and drag the toolbar to any of the four borders of the application window. Once the mouse pointer comes close to a border of the window, an outline will indicate where the toolbar will be docked. Releasing the mouse button will dock the toolbar.

Note: Toolbars' last chosen positions are retained the next time that the application is started.

Resizing Floating Toolbars

A floating toolbar can be resized the same way as any other window.

Note: Toolbars' last chosen sizes are retained the next time that the application is started.

Toolbar Icons Reference

Main Toolbar
New Workspace		[[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="1=11" Creating Workspaces]]
Save Workspace		[[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="1=12" Saving Workspace]]
Open Workspace		[[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="1=13" Opening Workspace]]
Close Workspace		[[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="1=14" Closing Workspace]]
New Chart Window		[[LINK /22-0100_CreatingChart.html name="" Creating Chart]]
New Scanner Window		[[LINK /0298_Scanner/22-9801_UnderstandingScanner.html name=""; Understanding Real-Time Scanner]]
New QuoteManager		[[LINK /100_Understanding_QuoteManager.html name=""; Understanding QuoteManager]]
New PowerLanguage Editor		[[LINK /03_PLE/31-0000_Understanding_PLEditor.html name=""; Understanding PowerLanguage Editor]]
Decrease Bar Spacing		[[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="2" [[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="3=31" Changing Bar Spacing]]]]
Increase Bar Spacing		[[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="2" [[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="3=31" Changing Bar Spacing]]]]
Compress Price Scale		[[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="3=33" Changing Price Scale Compression]]
Expand Price Scale		[[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="3=33" Changing Price Scale Compression]]
Move Up		[[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="1" Moving a Data Series Vertically]]
Move Down		[[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="1" Moving a Data Series Vertically]]
Scroll Left		[[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="1" Scrolling Horizontally through a Chart]]
Scroll Right		[[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="1" Scrolling Horizontally through a Chart]]
Increase Weight		[[LINK /22-0203_FCh_ChStyle_General.html name="2" Changing Bar Weight]]
Decrease Weight		[[LINK /22-0203_FCh_ChStyle_General.html name="2" Changing Bar Weight]]
Zoom In		[[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="5" Zooming In]]
Zoom Out		[[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="6" Zooming Out]]
Reset Scales		[[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="4=41" Resetting Both Scales]]
Reset Time Scale		[[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="4=42" Resetting Time Scale (Bar Spacing)]]
Reset Price Scale		[[LINK /22-0400_Navigating_ChartWindow.html name="4=43" Resetting Price Scale]]
Hide Object		[[LINK /21-0100_MCWorkArea.html name="9" Using Studies]]
Chart Analysis Toolbar
Insert Symbol		[[LINK /22-0100_CreatingChart.html name="3=31" Inserting Additional Symbols into a Chart Window]]
Insert Study		[[LINK /0270_Indicators/22-7000_Studies.html name="1=11" Inserting Studies]]
Show / Hide Drawing Tools		[[LINK /22-6000_DrawingTools.html name="1" Inserting Drawing Tools]]
Format Symbol		[[LINK /22-02021_FCh_SymSet_ChSymbol.html name="2=21" Changing Symbols]]
Format Window		[[LINK /22-0300_FChWindow_General.html name="2" Chart Appearance]]
Bar Chart		[[LINK /22-02031_FCh_ChStyle_OHLC.html name="2" Setting OHLC Chart Style]]
Hollow Candlestick Chart		[[LINK /22-020331_FCh_ChStyle_HLCdlSticks.html name="2" Selecting Hollow Candlestick Chart Style]]
Line on Close Chart		[[LINK /22-02035_FCh_ChStyle_LOC.html name="1" Selecting line on Close Chart Style]]
Arrow Pointer		[[LINK /22-0410_Pointers.html name="1" Pointer]]
Cross Pointer		[[LINK /22-0410_Pointers.html name="2" Cross Pointer]]
Show/Hide Chart Hint		[[LINK /22-0410_Pointers.html name="3=31" Understanding Hint Modes]]
Show/Hide Cross		[[LINK /22-0410_Pointers.html name="4" Cross Mode]]
Tracking Time and Price		[[LINK /22-0410_Pointers.html name="4" Cross Mode]]
Data Window		[[LINK /22-0308_DataWindow.html name="" Data Window]]
Resolution Toolbar
Tick Bar		[[LINK /22-02022_FCh_SymSet_DataComp.html name="1=11" Understanding Tick-Based Charts]]
Volume Bar		[[LINK /22-02022_FCh_SymSet_DataComp.html name="4=41" Understanding Volume-Based Charts]]
Range Bar		[[LINK /22-02022_FCh_SymSet_DataComp.html name="3=31" Understanding Range-Based Charts]]
Second Bar		[[LINK /22-02022_FCh_SymSet_DataComp.html name="2=21" Setting Resolution of Time-Based Charts]]
Minute Bar		[[LINK /22-02022_FCh_SymSet_DataComp.html name="2=21" Setting Resolution of Time-Based Charts]]
Hourly Bar		[[LINK /22-02022_FCh_SymSet_DataComp.html name="2=21" Setting Resolution of Time-Based Charts]]
Daily Bar		[[LINK /22-02022_FCh_SymSet_DataComp.html name="2=21" Setting Resolution of Time-Based Charts]]
Weekly Bar		[[LINK /22-02022_FCh_SymSet_DataComp.html name="2=21" Setting Resolution of Time-Based Charts]]
Monthly Bar		[[LINK /22-02022_FCh_SymSet_DataComp.html name="2=21" Setting Resolution of Time-Based Charts]]
Quarterly Bar		[[LINK /22-02022_FCh_SymSet_DataComp.html name="2=21" Setting Resolution of Time-Based Chartse]]
Yearly Bar		[[LINK /22-02022_FCh_SymSet_DataComp.html name="2=21" Setting Resolution of Time-Based Charts]]
Drawing Toolbar
Trend Line		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-01_TrendLine.html name="1" Inserting Trend Line]]
Horizontal Line		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-02_HorizLine.html name="1" Inserting Horizontal Line]]
Time Line		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-03_TimeLine.html name="1" Inserting Time Line]]
Regression Channel		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-04_RegressionChannel.html name="1" Inserting Regression Channel]]
Equidistant Channel		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-05_EquidistantChannel.html name="1" Inserting Equidistant Channel]]
Andrews' Pitchfork		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-06_AndrewsPitchfork.html name="1" Inserting Andrews' Pitchfork]]
Fibonacci Retracement Price Lines		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-07_FibRetracePriceLines.html name="1" Inserting Fibonacci Retracement Price Lines]]
Fibonacci Speed/Resistance Fan		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-08_FibSpeedResFan.html name="1" Inserting Fibonacci Speed/Resistance Fan]]
Fibonacci Speed/Resistance Arcs		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-09_FibSpeedResArcs.html name="1" Inserting Fibonacci Speed/Resistance Arcs]]
Fibonacci Time Zones		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-10_FibTimeZones.html name="1" Inserting Fibonacci Time Zones]]
Fibonacci Trend-Based Time Lines		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-11_FibTrend-BasedTimeLines.html name="1" Inserting Fibonacci Trend-Based Time Lines]]
Gann Fan		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-12_GannFan.html name="1" Inserting Gann Fan]]
Gann Square		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-13_GannSquare.html name="1" Inserting Gann Square]]
Retracement Calculator		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-14_RetracementCalc.html name="1" Inserting Retracement Calculator]]
Text		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-15_Text.html name="1" Inserting Text]]
Rectangle		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-16_Rectangle.html name="1" Inserting Rectangle]]
Ellipse		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-17_Ellipse.html name="1" Inserting Ellipse]]
Arc		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-18_Arc.html name="1" Inserting Arc]]
Arrow Down		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-19_ArrowDown.html name="1" Inserting Arrow Down]]
Arrow Up		[[LINK /0260_Drawings/0260-20_ArrowUp.html name="1" Inserting Arrow Up]]
Command Line Toolbar
Resolution		Click the Resolution icon to hide or redisplay the Resolution Toolbar. [[LINK /22-02022_FCh_SymSet_DataComp.html name="2=21" Setting Resolution of Time-Based Charts]]

Understanding Command Line

Command Line

Command Line toolbar allows the active window's chart resolution or symbol to be changed simply by entering a text command.

Type the appropriate command in the Command Line combo box and press Enter.

To select a previously used command use the drop-down function.

Examples:

Type in: "5 minutes" to change the chart resolution to 5 minutes.

Type in: "AMD" to change the symbol to AMD.

Customizing Toolbars

With Custom Toolbars, the user can not only choose which toolbar to display, but also which buttons appear on the toolbar. Adding more toolbars and buttons makes it easier to access certain functions. Consolidating the most frequently used buttons onto one toolbar saves space and permits a larger display area in the workspace.

To customize the toolbars,

1. Select View from the main menu, then select Toolbars and Customize. The Customize window will appear.
2. In the Toolbars pane, select the type of toolbar to customize. Check the selected toolbar’s check box to display the toolbar. Uncheck the selected toolbar to remove the toolbar.
3. In the Commands pane, select which buttons will appear on the toolbar.
4. Select the Close button.