LEVEL 2 · Getting Comfortable with NinjaTrader · LESSON 05
Workspace Layout
Organize multiple chart intervals and a volume or order-flow observation window.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Build a Workspace with 15-, 5-, and 3-minute charts plus a Volume / Order Flow view.
BEFORE YOU START
Create a first chart and understand that minute intervals aggregate bars at different time scales.
IN ONE SENTENCE
A Workspace saves a group of windows and their arrangement. Its purpose is to make information easier to review; no single layout is right for everyone.
Basic concepts
Window linkingExplainClose
Where supported, linking lets a chart and another platform window follow the same instrument, reducing repeated selections.
15-, 5-, and 3-minute chartsExplainClose
These charts group price data into bars of different lengths, from a broader view to a more detailed view.
Software walkthrough
Menu placement may vary by platform version. Use the current official guide when a label differs.
- 01
Step 01
Create one chart, then open 5-minute and 3-minute charts from the Control Center New menu; keep the 15-minute chart in the main viewing area.
Check: Reload the Workspace and verify window positions and links.
- 02
Step 02
Resize and arrange floating windows for the main chart, two supporting charts, and one order-flow or volume observation window. More windows use more computer resources.
Check: Reload the Workspace and verify window positions and links.
- 03
Step 03
If the windows expose Link controls, place the charts and observation window in the same link group and confirm that their instrument titles stay in sync.
Check: Reload the Workspace and verify window positions and links.
- 04
Step 04
In the Control Center, select Workspaces > New, enter a workspace name, and confirm.
Check: Reload the Workspace and verify window positions and links.
- 05
Step 05
Return to Control Center > Workspaces, hover over that workspace name, and choose Save. Switch away and reopen it to verify the layout.
Check: Reload the Workspace and verify window positions and links.
Concept diagram
Study scenario
The 15-minute chart groups data more broadly than 5/3-minute charts; these are different views, not forecasts.
Common mistakes
Issue: Too many windows cover the main chart.
Check the input, version, session, data, or setting that controls this behavior.
Issue: Instruments do not stay synchronized.
Check the input, version, session, data, or setting that controls this behavior.
Targeted troubleshooting
- 01
Charts cover the Control Center: drag floating windows into a clearer arrangement. More open windows also use more computer resources.
- 02
Windows do not share an instrument: check whether both windows show linking controls and, if available in your version, place them in the same link group.
- 03
The layout was not saved after restarting: in the Control Center Workspaces menu, hover over the active workspace name and select Save.
Lesson summary
- 01
Start with 15/5/3-minute charts.
- 02
Keep the main view clear.
- 03
Reload to verify the layout.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Save and reopen a four-window study layout and verify positions and links.
Use static, historical, or browser-local sample data only.
PRACTICE FEEDBACK
How do you save the current NinjaTrader Workspace?
A self-check helps you review this lesson. It does not certify skill or affect your completion record.
FAQ
Why use 15-, 5-, and 3-minute views?
This is a teaching layout for comparing broad and finer bar aggregation of the same data. It is not a trading recommendation.
Can I create another workspace without replacing the current one?
Yes. Use New in the Control Center Workspaces menu, or save the current layout under a new name. Confirm the workspace name before saving.
OFFICIAL REFERENCES
Checked against public documentation
This lesson paraphrases official material. Check the installed version for current interface details.
Education note
Software and market education only. No direction signals, live order instructions, or performance claims.
Trademark and independence
NinjaTrader® is a registered trademark of NinjaTrader Group, LLC. No NinjaTrader company has any affiliation with the owner, developer, or provider of the products or services described herein, or any interest, ownership or otherwise, in any such product or service, or endorses, recommends or approves any such product or service.