Requirements checks

In order to check whether your Sierra Chart setup is suitable for our products there are a series of checks that can be done beforehand:

  • It is recommended to run the current version of SC before using our studies.
    • In the main SC window -> "Help" -> "Download Current Version"
  • Upon purchase, you need to provide your SC username for eligibility checks.
    • In the main SC window -> "Help" -> "About"
    • Read the value from "Account Name / Username (Read Only)"
    • Upon purchase, provide the Username into the field right below the product title on our product page, then click "Add to cart".
  • To check if you can use tick-by-tick data from your data provider
    • In the main SC window -> "Global Settings" -> "Data/Trade Service Settings"
      • Ensure the correct Service is selected: Tab "Main Settings" -> Setting Name "Current Selected Service (List)" -> Select your service and adjust "Service Settings" as instructed by your provider. Click "Apply All".
      • Ensure you set ticks for data storage: Tab "Common Settings" -> Setting Name "Intraday Data Storage Time Unit (List)" -> Select "1 Tick".
      • If you are using the SC Denali Data Feed: Tab "Common Settings" -> Setting Name "Common Other Settings" -> "Allow Support for Sierra Chart Data Feeds" -> Select "Yes"
        • If you use other data feeds, follow the instructions of the provider.
  • To check if you actually receive tick-by-tick data
    • Load your symbol of choice as intraday chart: Main SC window -> "File" -> "Find Symbol" -> Select your symbol and "Open Intraday Chart"
      • Alternatively select an existing chartbook if you have it already.
    • Add the Spreadsheet Formula study to your chart: In the active chart -> "Analysis" -> "Studies" or click [F6] to open the Chart Studies window -> From the section "Studies Available:" select the study "Spreadsheet Formula" -> Click "Add >>" to add it to your chart.
    • Check how the different data types arrive into your chart: Select the "Spreadsheet Formula" study in "Studies to Graph" -> Click "Settings" -> In "Chart Region" select "2" -> Click into the "Input Value" field of "Formula" (in the "Input Name" column) -> The field "Formula" appears at the bottom of the settings window -> type one of the following entries depending which data type you like to check:
      • Checking bar-end time: Enter in the formula field "second(barenddatetime)+millisecond(barenddatetime)/1000" -> Click "OK" and "OK to load the study to your chart. -> With the chart window active enter [5], [0], [0], [v] and hit [Enter] (this loads a 500 Volume chart)
        • Expected behavior: At the current bar the line (or any other Draw Style selected) moves up with elapsing time. The numerical value "Result:" at the left of the window also updates showing the elapsed time at each arriving ticks package in seconds and milliseconds. On all previous bars you see the elapsed duration of each bar plotted in the same chart region.
      • Checking total volume: Enter in the formula field "v" -> Click "OK" and "OK to load the study to your chart. -> With the chart window active enter [1] and hit [Enter] (this loads a 1-Minute chart).
        • Expected behavior: At the current bar the line (or any other Draw Style selected) moves up according incoming volume. The numerical value "Result:" at the left of the window also updates showing the current volume of the current bar updating at each arriving ticks package. On all previous bars you see the volume at each bar plotted in the same chart region.
      • Checking Bid volume: Enter in the formula field "bv" -> Click "OK" and "OK to load the study to your chart. -> With the chart window active enter [1] and hit [Enter] (this loads a 1-Minute chart).
        • Expected behavior: At the current bar the line (or any other Draw Style selected) moves up according incoming bid volume. The numerical value "Result:" at the left of the window also updates showing the current bid volume of the current bar updating at each arriving ticks package. On all previous bars you see the bid volume at each bar plotted in the same chart region.
      • Checking Ask volume: Enter in the formula field "av" -> Click "OK" and "OK to load the study to your chart. -> With the chart window active enter [1] and hit [Enter] (this loads a 1-Minute chart).
        • Expected behavior: At the current bar the line (or any other Draw Style selected) moves up according incoming ask volume. The numerical value "Result:" at the left of the window also updates showing the current ask volume of the current bar updating at each arriving ticks package. On all previous bars you see the ask volume at each bar plotted in the same chart region.
      • Checking Trades quantity: Enter in the formula field "nt" -> Click "OK" and "OK to load the study to your chart. -> With the chart window active enter [1] and hit [Enter] (this loads a 1-Minute chart).
        • Expected behavior: At the current bar the line (or any other Draw Style selected) moves up according incoming trades quantities (number of trades). The numerical value "Result:" at the left of the window also updates showing the current trades quantities of the current bar updating at each arriving ticks package. On all previous bars you see the trades quantities at each bar plotted in the same chart region.
      • Checking OHLC: Enter in the formula field "ohlc" -> Click "OK" and "OK to load the study to your chart. This will make sure that for each bar you receive open prices, as well as updating high, low and last closing prices. 
        • Expected behavior: At the current bar the line (or any other Draw Style selected) moves showing the average of the open, high, low and close (last) price of the current bar The numerical value "Result:" at the left of the window also updates showing the current OHLC price average of the current bar updating at each arriving ticks package. On all previous bars you see the price averages at each bar plotted in the same chart region.