How to Create and Customize Watchlists (2024)

Here you'll find out how to create and save watchlists, define custom columns and switch to alternative views in the Trading Dashboard, found underMy Portfolio.

First, a bit aboutlist-based widgets. You can use them to:

  • View index constituents (Index Constituents widget)
  • Compare all markets for a financial instrument (All Markets Widget)
  • See a market overview (pre-defined lists)
  • Create and save a watchlist to monitor financial instruments
  • Monitor your portfolio holdings

Creating lists

Let's start by creating a list of securities.

In the main menu of the Trading Dashboard, clickWidgetsand add a List widget.

How to Create and Customize Watchlists (1)

Click thesearchicon in the title barof the widgetand enter the name of a security. In our example, we'll add RY stock.

Click the name of the stock to add it to the list.

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Alternatively, you can drag and drop securities from other widgets.

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You can also open the securities that are within an Index Constituents widget in a new list by using the widget dropdown menu.

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To delete a security from a list,open the quick menu using the three dots at the beginning of the rowand clickDelete.

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Saving watchlists

To save a list as a watchlist, open the List widget dropdown menu and clickSave watchlist.

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Saving a list as a watchlist ensures that any changes you make will be automatically saved and synchronized across all of your RBC Direct Investing platforms and devices.

Let's add RY to a watchlist (My Watchlist). Search for the stock, and then click its name in the search results.

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As you can see, adding RY to a watchlist (My Watchlist) on the Trading Dashboard, automatically adds it to the same watchlist on the RBC Direct Investing site.

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Opening saved watchlists

To open a saved watchlist, open the List widget dropdown menu, clickOpen listand select a watchlist.

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Alternatively, you can open the main Trading Dashboard dropdown menu, clickPortfolio & Lists, and then clickWatchlist.

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Renaming watchlists

Open the widgetdropdownmenu and clickRename watchlist.

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You can also rename a watchlist through the main Trading Dashboard menu. ClickPortfolio & Lists, thenWatchlist, and then thepenicon.

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Deleting watchlists

Open the widget dropdown menu and selectDelete watchlist.

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Alternatively, you can open the main Trading Dashboard menu, clickPortfolio & Lists, thenWatchlist, and then thetrash binicon.

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When you delete a watchlist, it is also deleted from your other RBC Direct Investing platforms.

Index Constituents widgets

Index Constituents widgets provide predefined watchlists for different indices. To find one, open the main Trading Dashboard menu, selectWidgetsand thenIndex Constituents. Fill the widget by searching for an index, dragging and dropping, orbroadcasting.

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Sorting columns

To sort a column in ascending or descending order, click the column header in the Index Constituents widget. For example, you can sort columns by percentage change.

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Defining columns

The List, Portfolio, and Index Constituents widgets each allow you to add and remove columnsby selectingDefine columnsfrom the widget dropdown menu.

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You can drag and drop data fields to the left section so that they appear as columns in your widget. To remove a column, just drag it back to the right section. You can select up to 20 fields. You can also change the order of the fields by dragging and dropping them.

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Each category on the left contains several available fields. There are hundreds to choose from, ranging from general data and quote data to asset-class-specific data for securities such as bonds, options or stocks.

If you don't know which category a field is in, you can search for data fields. The new column template with the name “Custom" is assigned to the widget and saved in your workspace.

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To access more options, expand the list's toolbar by clicking the arrow. Choose predefined columns such as Quote, Quote Bid/Ask or your own custom template.

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Changing the view

List widgets offer different views. By default, they open with the List view. You can choose a different view byopening the list toolbar by clicking the arrow just underneath the widget's title bar,and clickingView.

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For example, choose the News view to filter news headlines to match items on your list. This is especially useful for keeping an eye on news for a whole watchlist or portfolio. To open a news story, select its headline.

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To refine your search, you can filter news headlines by keyword, timeframe, region and more.

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List widgets also offer a Top/Flop view that shows you the gainers and losers.

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View Legal Disclaimer

RBC Direct Investing Inc. and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. RBC Direct Investing Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada and is a Member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Royal Bank of Canada and certain of its issuers are related to RBC Direct Investing Inc. RBC Direct Investing Inc. does not provide investment advice or recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of any securities. Investors are responsible for their own investment decisions. RBC Direct Investing is a business name used by RBC Direct Investing Inc. ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.
© Royal Bank of Canada 2021.

Images presented in the image are for illustrative purposes and may not represent the actual web pages within the RBC Direct Investing online investing site.

The views and opinions expressed in this publication are for your general interest and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of RBC Direct Investing. Furthermore, the products, services and securities referred to in this publication are only available in Canada and other jurisdictions where they may be legally offered for sale. If you are not currently resident of Canada, you should not access the information available on the RBC Direct Investing website.

How to Create and Customize Watchlists (2024)

FAQs

How to create watchlists in Thinkorswim? ›

Watchlists let you group and monitor different securities. You can create and view watchlists in two places: The left sidebar and the MarketWatch tab. To add a watchlist to the left sidebar, select the plus sign and then Watchlist. A default watchlist appears.

How to create a new watchlist? ›

To create a watchlist, you should first identify your key investment criteria and decide what kinds of investments you are looking for. Then, using a stock screener or similar tool, search for stocks that fit those criteria and add them to your watchlist.

How to make a watchlist for day trading? ›

You can build an effective watchlist in three steps. First, collect a handful of leadership or liquidity components in each major sector. Second, add scanned listings of stocks that meet general technical criteria matching your market approach. Third, rescan the list nightly.

How do I create a custom scan in thinkorswim? ›

How to Find It:
  1. Click the Scan tab and choose Stock Hacker from the sub-tab row.
  2. In the condition group you would like to add a study filter to, click on the Add filter dropdown. ...
  3. The first field of the editor allows you to choose a custom or pre-defined study to filter the results. ...
  4. Click Scan.

What are the different types of watchlist? ›

Global watchlists come in various forms, tailored to address different aspects of risk. Some common types include sanctions lists, politically exposed persons (PEP) lists, and regulatory watchlists. Each serves a unique purpose, collectively forming a robust defense against financial crimes and illicit activities.

How do I create a watchlist in ticker tape? ›

One, go to your chosen Stock or Mutual Funds Page and click on the Watchlist button present on the investment checklist. Then select the Watchlist you want to add the security to. Alternatively, you can go to the Watchlist page, select the one you want to edit and add a stock/mutual fund.

Is there a trick to day trading? ›

One of the key day trading risk management techniques is to always plan your trades in advance. This includes setting specific prices for entry and exit, which helps in managing risk and maximizing returns. Another important technique is to use stop-loss orders.

How to organize a watch list? ›

Here are some common methods:
  1. By Genre. Organizing your list by genre allows you to easily find movies when you're in the mood for a certain type of film or seeking out a specific vibe. ...
  2. By Release Year. ...
  3. By Director. ...
  4. By Actor. ...
  5. By Source/Inspiration.
Jan 3, 2024

How do you build an options watchlist? ›

A Simple Way to Build an Options Trading Watch List
  1. Step 1: Identifying Stocks with Weekly Options. ...
  2. Step 2: Setting Price Criteria. ...
  3. Step 3: Eliminating Low-Liquidity Stocks. ...
  4. Fine-Tuning Your Watchlist. ...
  5. Saving Your Watchlist. ...
  6. Advanced Tip: CBOE Most Active List. ...
  7. Final Thoughts and Resources.
Jan 11, 2024

How do I add symbols to my MarketWatch? ›

Adding symbols

Right-click anywhere inside the Market Watch window. Select Symbols. Double-click on the instrument(s) you would like to add to the Market Watch window. Alternatively, you may also click on the preferred instrument(s) and click Show.

How do I add an indicator to TOS? ›

  1. 1 - Download. Go to Simpler Trading > Dashboard > My indicators to download directly OR... ...
  2. 2 - Where is your file? ...
  3. 3 - Open the Edit Studies and Strategies Window. ...
  4. 4 - Click Import. ...
  5. 5 - Find the file. ...
  6. 6 - Open the file. ...
  7. 7 - Find the indicator is in your list of available studies. ...
  8. 8 - Add the indicator to the chart.

What is the dollar symbol in thinkorswim? ›

Used with AsText function to return a string expressing a number as a dollar amount: Symbol "$" is prepended; Two digits after the decimal point are always used; Thousand separators are used.

How do I create a new grid in thinkorswim? ›

To create a chart grid:
  1. Click on the Grid button above the header.
  2. Move the cursor over the grid until you highlight the number of columns and rows you want. ...
  3. Click when the desired grid is highlighted. ...
  4. To maximize a cell, click the cell's Show actions button, then select Maximize cell.

How do I create a new study in thinkorswim? ›

To add a study, click Studies in the Charts header. Click Add Study or Quick Study, find the group the study belongs to and select it from the list. 2. Another way of adding studies, which will also provide you with a number of advanced options, is choosing Edit studies... in this menu.

How do I add alerts to my watchlist on thinkorswim? ›

First, let's create a price alert for a stock in a watchlist. Tap the symbol to access the quote details. To set an alert, tap the alert bell icon on the Chart tab to access the Alert Editor.

How do I create a study alert in thinkorswim? ›

Study Alerts
  1. Click the MarketWatch tab and choose Alerts from the sub-tab row.
  2. Choose the symbol to issue alerts for.
  3. Click the Study Alert button. The Study Alerts window will appear.

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