TradingView is a powerful charting and analysis platform used by millions of traders and investors around the world. With its wide range of features and customisability, however, TradingView can seem overwhelming for beginners. This guide will walk you through the basics of getting started with TradingView, from creating an account to setting up charts and using analysis tools.
Creating a TradingView Account
The first step is to go to tradingview.com and click “Get started” in the top right corner. You’ll be prompted to enter your email and choose a password. Once your account is created, you can customise your username and account settings.
TradingView offers free accounts with full access to charts, indicators, and analysis tools. Paid plans start at £12.95/month and add features like more chart layouts, real-time data, and SMS alerts. As a beginner, the free account is a great way to get started.
Searching for Symbols and Adding Charts
The TradingView homepage features a handy search bar where you can look up stocks, forex pairs, cryptocurrencies, indices, and other financial assets. Simply type in a symbol like “AAPL” for Apple or “BTCUSD” for Bitcoin and press enter or click the search icon.
Once you’ve searched for a symbol, click “Add to Chart” next to the asset you want to analyse. This will open up a blank chart workspace where you can customise your chart layout and indicators.
To add more charts, click the “+” icon on the bottom toolbar and repeat the search process. You can create up to 12 charts per workspace and easily switch between them with tabs along the top.
Customising Your Charts
One of TradingView’s biggest strengths is its flexibility in chart customisation. Along the bottom toolbar, you’ll see options to change:
- Timeframe: Choose from 1-minute bars to yearly bars and anything in between.
- Chart type: Pick from line, candlestick, bar, Heiken Ashi, and more.
- Indicators: Add technical indicators like moving averages, Bollinger bands, RSI, and hundreds more.
Clicking on each chart element also opens up formatting options. You can modify details like candlestick colours, line thickness, background colour, and font sizes based on your preferences.
TradingView makes charting very intuitive, even for beginners. With just a few clicks, you can set up detailed technical analysis charts to suit your trading strategy.
Using Drawing Tools and Indicators
TradingView comes loaded with an extensive library of indicators and drawing tools for further analysis. Some commonly used tools include:
- Trend lines – Draw support/resistance levels on your chart.
- Shapes – Highlight patterns like head & shoulders or triangles.
- Pitchfork – Draw fib trends and trend channels.
- Moving averages – Add simple, exponential, or Bollinger Band averages.
To access drawing tools and indicators, select the “Insert” tab in the toolbar at the top of the chart. You’ll be able to browse indicators by category or search for a specific tool. Most options can be customised and added directly to your chart with just a few clicks.
Again, don’t be overwhelmed by the number of tools. Start with a simple moving average or trend line and practice adding new indicators over time. Focus on quality over quantity as a beginner.
Saving Your Workspaces
Once you’ve set up your charts and customised indicators how you want them, you can save your workspace for quick access later.
Click the “Save” button near the top left of the screen. Give your workspace a name and it will now show up under the “Chart” tab in your toolbar. You can create an unlimited number of saved workspaces.
This makes it easy to pull up different watchlists tailored to different assets or strategies. Workspaces sync between your devices, so you can access them on desktop or mobile apps.
Sharing Your Analysis
A great feature in TradingView is the ability to publish your analysis and ideas with other traders in the community. Once you feel confident in a trade setup, click the “Share” button to post your chart and analysis.
Other traders can comment on your ideas, give feedback, and even copy your charts into their own workspaces with one click. Make sure to provide detailed context on trade entries, targets, and risk management. Sharing builds your reputation on TradingView.
Next Steps in Mastering TradingView
This guide just scratches the surface of TradingView’s platform capabilities. Some recommended next steps include:
- Exploring ideas and analysis posted by other top traders in the community. Look for traders with high reputation scores and a strong track record.
- Setting up paper trading simulations to practise trading strategies risk-free.
- Enhancing charts with custom indicators and advanced settings like Keltner Channels or Dynamic Breakout Bands.
- Utilising scripting to automate analysis and receive alerts for trade signals.
- Upgrading to a paid plan for real-time data and increased chart capacity.
- Participating in TradingView’s social community through chat rooms and follower programs.
- Backtesting trading systems to validate their historical performance.
The more you use TradingView, the more possibilities you’ll discover. But starting with the basics is the key first step to leveraging its power. Follow this beginner’s guide to get up and running on TradingView fast. Soon you’ll be analysing the markets like a pro.
