Open an OHLC chart and choose an instrument

Choose the chart host and instrument identity

The OHLC Chart tool uses Aether to display observed bars for supported futures, stocks, indices and exact options. Add it through Map → Add tool → Charts → OHLC Chart, or use the OHLC tab in the Futures layout. The instrument selection matters more than the chart's appearance. A futures root must resolve to an actual dated contract, while an option requires its underlying root, expiration, strike and call or put right. Two charts labeled with related products can have different histories and permissions because they are separate instruments.

Open your first observed bar series

Use the chart's instrument controls to choose the relevant asset rather than expecting every symbol to be interpreted as the same type of instrument.

1. Add OHLC Chart to the intended Map panel or open the existing OHLC tab.
2. Open its instrument picker and choose the supported asset and exact selection.
3. Confirm the exchange or dated contract when relevant; for an option, verify expiration, strike and right.
4. Choose an interval from the supported minute choices: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30 or 60.
5. Wait for the initial bars or history state, then inspect the status line and latest observed candle before changing styling.

Read a candle and its status line

Open, high, low and close describe the observed prices admitted into that bar interval. The current forming bar can be partial and can change as actual observations arrive. The status line shows the symbol and feed state before the current or hovered OHLCV values. Hover an earlier candle to inspect that observation rather than assuming the latest displayed number belongs to your crosshair. An index can have valid prices with no executed volume, so a missing V value is not automatically a broken candle. Missing minutes remain gaps instead of invented flat bars.

Choose chart types with the required inputs

The native Chart type menu exposes supported visualizations, with choices requiring unavailable volume or price-level evidence disabled. Begin with ordinary candles before using a specialized presentation. Switching type changes how the available observations are drawn; it does not supply missing trade-at-price data. Use Chart settings to adjust the symbol series, scales, status line and canvas. If the view is too compressed, enlarge its panel or use Fullscreen chart before assuming the data range is incorrect. A panel's aspect ratio can strongly affect readability without changing any source value.

Navigate history without losing the live context

Use the plot and scale controls to explore observed bars. Moving away from the live edge can preserve an intentional historical view while new observations arrive. Chart view offers Fit all observed data and Reset recent chart view, which answer different navigation needs. AUTO controls automatic price fitting; manual price-range edits can remain saved until you restore it. Older history loads in bounded requests when the feature can supply it. A pending history state means more actual bars are being prepared, not that the renderer should fill the blank region with estimates.

Add studies and annotations after confirming the base series

Indicators opens the chooser for native studies and OrderMap analytics. Drawing tools annotate the exact instrument and have their own saved documents. Confirm the candle series first so an unavailable overlay is not confused with an unavailable chart. Volume-dependent studies need known volume; native futures indicators need matching dated-contract captures; options analytics need eligible option inputs. A line you draw manually remains an annotation rather than becoming a provider-calculated level. Account chart themes let you reuse appearance independently of these drawings and the widget's saved viewport.

Troubleshoot an empty or stale chart

Verify the asset type and exact identity before widening the range. Check source time, selected date, interval and any pending-history state. A market can be closed, an instrument can lack permission, or the requested period can fall outside available history. Revealing a previously hidden chart can trigger catch-up while retaining its earlier frame. Use Reset recent chart view or AUTO if valid data is merely offscreen. Include the full instrument selection, interval, chart type and visible status text in a support ticket, along with a screenshot showing both axes and the status line.