Data Sources Overview

Understanding Data Sources

MultiCharts is a trading platform, not a data source itself.

However, it includes a built-in Market Data Sim data source that allows you to download sample data for simulated trading from our servers.

Additionally, there are several data feeds available that do not require credentials, such as Free Quotes (Yahoo Finance end-of-day data) and various crypto feeds: Binance, Bitfinex, BitMEX, ByBit, Deribit, Kraken, and Poloniex.

For access to other types of data, you can get an account with a supported data source and set up a connection in QuoteManager.

Operating Data Sources

In QuoteManager → Tools → Data Sources you can configure data source connections as well as activate/deactivate them.

Activating and Deactivating Data Sources

Data sources can be activated and deactivated.
Only the activated ones will be displayed on your Data Sources list when adding symbols or creating charts.

To activate/deactivate a data source:

1. Open QuoteManager
2. In the Tools menu, click Data Sources, or click the Data Sources icon on the toolbar.
3. Select the data source and click Activate or Deactivate.

Configuring Data Sources

To edit data source settings:

1. Open QuoteManager
2. In the Tools menu, click Data Sources, or click the Data Sources icon on the toolbar.
3. Select the data source and click the Settings button.

See Built-in Data Sources for connection guides.

Editing Data Sources

1. Open QuoteManager window
   • see how
2. On the Tools menu, click Data Sources, or click the Data Sources icon on the toolbar.
3. Select the data source using the keyboard or mouse and click the Edit button.

Deleting Data Sources

1. Open QuoteManager window
   • see how
2. On the Tools menu, click Data Sources, or click the Data Sources icon on the toolbar.
3. Select the data source using the keyboard or mouse and click the Delete button.

Adding Symbol(s) to Symbol List

To start working with a symbol, the symbol must be added to the symbol list. Adding can be done manually or from a list, downloaded from the data vendor.

Adding symbols manually is appropriate when the exact symbol name is known and the list of symbols is not available from the data vendor. For instance, with DDE there is no way to download a list, and the user is supposed to know the exact name for the query.

In all other cases, adding symbols manually is not recommended, as parameters in addition to the symbol name may be required by the data vendor. When a symbol is added from a list, provided by the data vendor, all required parameters are set automatically.

For details on specific data vendor symbols, see Built-in Datafeeds

Adding Symbols in Manual Mode

To add a symbol:

1. Open QuoteManager window
   • see how
2. On the Symbol menu, select Add Symbol, then click Manually, or
   Click the Add Symbol icon on the toolbar.
3. Select a Data Source from the list. If the desired data vendor is not listed, it could be that the vendor is not installed. See Data Sources for additional information.
4. Enter the Symbol name.
5. Select the Category from the list.
6. Select the Exchange from the list. If the desired exchange is not listed, see the Exchanges section.
7. Click OK.
8. Enter the symbol Root.
   Tip: Stock root is the same as the stock's name.
9. Click OK to add symbol with current properties or set Symbol Properties.

Adding Symbol from Data Vendor Supplied List

To add a symbol:

1. Open QuoteManager window
   • see how
2. On the Instrument menu, select Add Symbol.
3. Select From Data Source.
4. Choose a data source from the Data Source list; the Insert Symbols into Portfolio window will open.
   If a data vendor is not in the list:
   • data source does not support a symbol list (the symbol must be added manually)
   • data source is currently deactivated (the data source should be activated)
   • data source is not supported (Built-in Datafeeds should be used).
5. Select a tab, corresponding to the type of symbol to be added.
6. Enter all or part of the symbol name into the Symbol box and click Lookup.
   
   Note: Additional search options may be available depending on data source selected.
7. Select the desired symbol(s).
8. Click Add. A message that you have added it to your database should appear.
   
   Note: If there is a message “You must create *** exchange first”, it means that a symbol that is added has an exchange that is not in the list of exchanges in QuoteManager. All that you need to do is to add the required exchange to the list with correct corresponding abbreviation. The easiest way is to select an existing one and clone it putting the required abbreviation.
9. Click Close or continue to search for symbols.
   
   Note: If necessary, Symbol Properties can be changed (not recommended).

Insert Symbols into Portfolio Window

Depending on the categories of instruments provided by a data vendor, the number of Category tabs in the Insert Symbols Into Portfolio window for each data source may vary.
If Stock/Index/Future/Bond/Commodity/Spread tab is selected, type the name of an instrument in the Symbol/Root field and click the Lookup button to find desired instrument.
If Option/Fund tab is selected, there is an extra field Category available. For options Stock Options or Futures Options can be selected. For funds Mutual Funds or Money Market Funds can be selected.

Note: It is possible to put * in search field and click the Lookup button to get all available instruments from server when you add instruments from: Dukascopy, eSignal, GlobalServer, IQFeed, IWBank QuickTrade, LMAX, MetaStock, GAIN Capital (ex. Open E Cry) (for Futures and Forex only), Patsystems, Rithmic 01, TradeStation (for Forex only).

Unique Features of Specific Data Sources in Insert Symbols into Portfolio Window

Interactive Brokers

When adding instruments from Interactive Brokers there is Cash tab instead of Forex. Enter the first currency of the instrument to search for all pairs starting with this currency. One can also specify the second currency of the symbol in Currency field on the tab to get the specific currency pair.
When adding futures contracts from Interactive Brokers, you can check Include Expired Contracts box to get expired individual contracts to create Custom Futures in MultiCharts (see Custom Futures).

IWBank QuickTrade

When adding Instruments from IWBank QuickTrade, you should enter the symbol name in the Symbol field, specify Category, select an Exchange from the list and click Search. There is no All Exchanges option in the Exchange list for IWBank QuickTrade.

TradeStation

When adding futures contracts from TradeStation, you can check Include Expired Contracts box to get expired individual contracts to create Custom Futures in MultiCharts (see Custom Futures).
When adding futures contracts from TradeStation, you can check Show Electronic Contracts Only box.
When adding stocks/indexes/futures/options/funds from TradeStation, you can check select All Countries, United States or Germany in Country field.

Rithmic 01

In Search Options field Symbol, Symbol Root or Description can be selected. It is also possible to specify the Exchange, however it is not recommended since exchange names on data source end and in MultiCharts may slightly differ.

Troubleshooting

Establishing connection and processing data requests can be reviewed in the Event Log window of QuoteManager when a chart is plotted or data is requested from QuoteManager or Portfolio Trader.
Event Log is located at the bottom of QuoteManager by default. One can show/hide it by clicking View in QuoteManager main window and selecting Event Log.
If you experience any issues with incoming data, the first step is to check Event Log messages.