How to use TradingView templates

How to use TradingView templates

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When you find a chart setup that works for the way you analyse markets, rebuilding it each time you open a new chart is a thing of the past. TradingView templates can save that work.

TradingView templates defined

On TradingView, any trader can take advantage of templates or saved chart configurations that allows one to reuse selected technical analysis without starting from scratch. They save you a lot of time when you analyse multiple markets or switch between timeframes throughout the day. Instead of manually adding the same indicators and adjusting their settings on every chart you can save a template and quickly apply it to another chart.

Why use TradingView templates?

Say you’re analysing EUR/USD, gold, the S&P 500 and Bitcoin using the same technical framework. Without a template, you may need to add the same indicators and configure them repeatedly. That takes time and increases the likelihood of missing a setting or even using the incorrect indicator parameters. Its biggest benefit is a less repetitive and more consistent chart setup.

The templates can also be extremely helpful when testing different approaches. For example, you might maintain one template for a trend-following strategy and another one for a range-bound market. Having the ability to switch between them can make it easier to compare how the same instrument looks under different analytical frameworks.

You can also create templates for the following conditions:

• A 20-period and 50-period moving average
• RSI with a 14-period setting
• Volume
• Specific chart colours and visual preferences
• Drawing tools and other analysis elements

Once you have created the setup, saving it as a template can make it easier to recreate your preferred analytics environment. The exact features can differ depending on the type of TradingView template you are using and the platform interface available to your account.

Trading templates vs chart layouts

An area that people might find confusing is the difference between a template and a chart layout. Both are useful but for different purposes.

A template is a reusable chart setup, such as a collection of indicators and their settings. By contrast, a chart layout involves a broader workspace arrangement. It depends on your TradingView setup, but it can include multiple charts, symbols, and other workspace preferences. When you understand the difference between them, it can prevent you from choosing the wrong feature or expecting one feature to replicate another.

Steps to create a TradingView template

1. Open a chart

Log in to TradingView and open the market you want to analyse. Select the timeframe that matches your strategy and set the chart to your preferred appearance. At this stage, focus on creating a setup that you would realistically use instead of adding indicators only because they’re available for use.

2. Add the indicators

The next step is to add the technical indicators that form part of your analysis. For instance, you may be following trends that use moving averages to spot directional momentum, whereas another trader combines Relative Strength Index (RSI) with support and resistance to assess potential momentum shifts.

You also need to check the parameters very carefully. For example: A 50-period moving average is not interchangeable with a 200-period moving average, and changing an RSI setting can materially change how the indicator behaves. Your indicator template should reflect the actual rules of your plan and strategy.

3. Adjust the chart

To make the charts easier to read, you are allowed to configure visual elements therein. Consider adjusting the appearance of indicators, price bars, gridlines, and other chart components to suit your preferences. The objective isn’t to make the chart look impressive: it should make important information easier to identify important information quickly.

4. Save the setup as template

Once you have added and configured your indicators, you can use TradingView’s template functionality to save the setup as a template. Make sure to give the template an easily identifiable name. A clear and organised naming convention becomes increasingly valuable once you have several templates saved.

How to load saved templates

Once you have saved an indicator template, you can apply it to another chart from the Indicator Templates menu. Select the template you want to use, and TradingView will apply the saved indicators and their settings to the chart.

If you are working with a saved chart layout instead, you can open it from the Layouts menu. Chart layouts are separate from indicator templates and can include broader chart settings, drawings and other elements.

Mistakes to avoid when setting up templates

While templates improve efficiency, traders should be mindful about the common mistakes that can throw a wrench into their strategy with the use (or misuse) of templates.

One common mistake is adding too many indicators. A chart flooded with moving averages, oscillators, and signals may appear sophisticated, but can make decision-making harder. Another common error is using the same template for every trading environment. You won’t be using a setup designed for identifying trends for a market moving sideways.

Remember that a template does not guarantee that your analysis is correct. It simply helps you to reproduce a specific configuration.

But of course, the quality of your trading decisions still largely depends on factors like market conditions, risk management, position sizing, etc.

Work smarter with TradingView templates

When your charts consistently reflect the same analytical framework, it becomes easier to focus on whether a trade meets your strategy rather than reacting to a constantly changing set of indicators.

At FP Markets, we give traders access to a comprehensive range of markets and trading tools to support your next trading decisions. Explore FP Markets and learn how you can apply a more structured approach to market analysis. Open an FP Markets trading account and start exploring global markets today.