LEVEL 3 · Market Structure & Order Flow · LESSON 14
Footprint / Volumetric Bars
Learn the price-by-price view of classified Bid × Ask volume, Delta, and Imbalance inside a bar.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Read Bid×Ask, Delta, and Imbalance inside Volumetric Bars.
BEFORE YOU START
Understand Bid, Ask, Delta, and bars. BidAsk classification requires historical bid/ask tick data. The Help Guide also lists UpDownTick when that data is unavailable, but the methods differ. Verify Order Flow+ availability.
IN ONE SENTENCE
A Footprint is a chart view that breaks down classified volume by price inside each bar. NinjaTrader Volumetric Bars display that information in a bar format; the lesson is to understand the fields and their data basis.
Basic concepts
Footprint and Volumetric BarsExplainClose
A price-by-price view within a bar. Volumetric Bars are the NinjaTrader bar type used to display this classified-volume detail.
Bid × Ask and DeltaExplainClose
Bid and ask quantities are shown at price levels; a bar's Delta summarizes the difference according to the selected classification.
Imbalance and ratioExplainClose
An Imbalance marks a relative concentration under chosen comparison rules. The ratio sets the relative threshold used for that display.
Software walkthrough
Menu placement may vary by platform version. Use the current official guide when a label differs.
- 01
Step 01
In the chart Data Series window, set Type to Order Flow Volumetric, then choose the base period type and value.
Check: Confirm Bar Type, fields, and thresholds are available.
- 02
Step 02
Set Chart style type to BidAsk and review Delta type. Historical BidAsk classification requires historical bid/ask tick data. If a source only provides last ticks, the Help Guide also lists UpDownTick, which is a different method.
Check: Confirm Bar Type, fields, and thresholds are available.
- 03
Step 03
Confirm that Bid appears on the left and Ask on the right, and identify the price label for each row. Use available historical data rather than inventing missing values.
Check: Confirm Bar Type, fields, and thresholds are available.
- 04
Step 04
Enable Show imbalance only for BidAsk style. Record the Imbalance mode, then use Imbalance ratio = 1.5 and Minimum delta for imbalance = 10 as a learning starting point. Display labels can differ by version.
Check: Confirm Bar Type, fields, and thresholds are available.
- 05
Step 05
Observe how changing a threshold affects highlighted cells, then review Buy vol, Sell vol, and Delta in Bar Statistics.
Check: Confirm Bar Type, fields, and thresholds are available.
- 06
Step 06
If values are missing, check the data source's tick type, the chart history range, and Delta type. Do not interpret blank cells as an absence of aggressive activity.
Check: Confirm Bar Type, fields, and thresholds are available.
Concept diagram
Study scenario
Use a static 3×3 grid to explain one level; a highlight is not a trade recommendation.
Ratio and minimum delta are only starting values for learning the display. BidAsk classification requires the relevant historical data; highlights and imbalances are not deterministic signals.
Common mistakes
Issue: Feature or data source is unavailable.
Check the input, version, session, data, or setting that controls this behavior.
Issue: The chart is too dense.
Check the input, version, session, data, or setting that controls this behavior.
Targeted troubleshooting
- 01
BidAsk cells are empty or unexpected: first verify that historical bid/ask tick data is available, then check Data Series and Delta type.
- 02
The chart is too dense: widen the bars, reduce the visible range, or show fewer bar statistics at once.
- 03
Imbalance marks differ from expectations: check comparison mode, Ratio, and the documented field name Minimum delta for imbalance. Threshold changes affect which cells are marked.
Lesson summary
- 01
Footprint expands bar activity.
- 02
Read labels first.
- 03
Imbalance depends on thresholds.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Explain three Bid/Ask/Delta rows and compare a threshold change.
Use static, historical, or browser-local sample data only.
PRACTICE FEEDBACK
What historical data does BidAsk Volumetric classification require?
A self-check helps you review this lesson. It does not certify skill or affect your completion record.
FAQ
Are BidAsk and UpDownTick the same classification?
No. BidAsk classifies trades by their location relative to Bid/Ask; UpDownTick uses price movement relative to the prior trade. The latter is a different method when historical bid/ask tick data is unavailable.
Are an Imbalance Ratio of 1.5 and Minimum delta of 10 universal best settings?
No. They are only a starting point for learning the display. Marks depend on the data, comparison direction, and thresholds.
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.