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Interactive Options Course
Lesson 13 of 17
Investors can set up custom pages on the IBKR Desktop on the “My Layouts page. To access the “My Layouts page click on the “My Layouts” icon on the upper-left side of the screen. The page will have the Basic Trading screen on it which can be further customized if the investor chooses to do so.
The investor can also add additional customized screens by clicking on the plus sign next to the Basic Trading tab and either choosing to add a second Basic Trading screen or build a Custom Layout.
Choosing the Custom Layout brings up a blank screen with the Custom Layout Toolbox displayed in the upper right-hand side. The tools are organized by four tabs: All, Quote, Trade, and Information.
Each tab has topic specific tools available that the investor can add to the screen by clicking on them. Once the tool is added, it can be moved, enlarged, or made smaller.
In the example, the investor will create a custom layout with tools from Custom Layout Toolbox changing the size and moving the tool’s location.
Starting on the Quote screen the investor adds the Quote Details, clicking on the panel and it appears on the screen. Next, they click the Trade tab and click on Orders and rapid orders. Lastly the investor clicks on the Information tab and clicks on News. When done with the Custom Layout Toolbox they can click on the “X” to close. To reopen they click on the toolbox icon at the top right of the screen.
To move the location of a tool, the investor clicks on the grey bar at the top of the screen and moves the tool to the desired location. To adjust the size of the tool, hover the mouse over any part of the outline, click and drag until the tool window is the desired size.
The tools in the IBKR Desktop custom layout screen can be synced with each other by using the color grouping feature. In the upper right-hand corner of each tool is a chain link icon. When the investor clicks on the icon, they can choose to add the tool to one of seven groups or have the tool unlinked from any groups. Tiles within the same color group will update when a new symbol is typed or clicked in any of them. For example, the investor sets the color group to “Group Two” for the Quote Details, Rapid Order Entry, and News. Once set, typing a new symbol into the Quote Details tool will update all three.
Certain tools can be customized, if a gear icon is in the upper-right hand side of the tool, then it can be customized by clicking on the icon.
In the Order tool the investor clicks on the gear icon and can select available columns to add from the right-hand side by opening up a bucket by clicking in the arrow and selecting columns by clicking on the plus sign.
Once selected the investor can change the column order by clicking on the three lines to the right and dragging the column to the desired spot. When done click the “x” to close the window.
A tool can be removed from the custom Layout by clicking on the three dots in the upper right-hand side and selecting “Close Window”.
For specific platform feedback and suggestions, please submit it directly to our team using these instructions.
If you have an account-specific question or concern, please reach out to Client Services.
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The analysis in this material is provided for information only and is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security. To the extent that this material discusses general market activity, industry or sector trends or other broad-based economic or political conditions, it should not be construed as research or investment advice. To the extent that it includes references to specific securities, commodities, currencies, or other instruments, those references do not constitute a recommendation by IBKR to buy, sell or hold such investments. This material does not and is not intended to take into account the particular financial conditions, investment objectives or requirements of individual customers. Before acting on this material, you should consider whether it is suitable for your particular circumstances and, as necessary, seek professional advice.
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Interactive Brokers, its affiliates, or its employees.
only work on demo mode…
Hello, thank you for reaching out. We cannot replicate this. Please try again and let us know if you continue to experience difficulties. If you have a specific suggestion(s) on how we can improve, we would like to hear it! Please review this FAQ on where you can leave your feedback:
https://www.ibkr.com/faq?id=32653353
You can also post in the Feature Poll in Client Portal where other IBKR users can comment and vote:
https://portal.interactivebrokers.com/portal/#/suggestions
We would appreciate the opportunity to assist you.
Hi how can i open , make a option chain only in a layout . without position. for scalping i can`t change the pages every minute !!
Thank you for asking. The Option Chain allows for tabbed and list view. You can add multiple option chains to a page and configure them by color. Please view this FAQ for instructions: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/faq?id=103829398
Hi, I would like to know how I could add an option chain / rapid order entry (but for options) into the new layouts page. I created a custom layouts page that works for me, however I always need to revert back to the quote page in order to trade options. Is it possible to add a rapid order entry (as this already exists) but for options in the layouts page? thank you
Thank you for reaching out. Using the layout screen, click the plus symbol on the top and click “Custom Layout”. Then click “Rapid Order Entry”. This allows you to have a custom layout that immediately shows the Rapid Order Entry ticket. We hope this helps!
Hi, I would like to know how can I use 2 screen with IBKR desktop. I would like to have Charts on one screen and Level II , watchlist tec. in the other. I am not able to set it up. Thank you
Hi Mike, thank you for asking. This is not available at this time. However, it is possible to make various layouts on the same screen. If you would like, you can report this as a bug for IBKR Desktop in the platform by clicking the thumbs up icon in the left menu panel. We appreciate your feedback!
Hi how do i print out completed trades ?
Hello, thank you for asking. The best place to view your account activity is in Client Portal by running an Activity Statement. Please visit this FAQ for instructions on how to run the statement: https://www.ibkr.com/faq?id=27290344
How do I save my custom layouts? every time i open the app, it reverts back to the original layout
Hello, thank you for asking. Please view this FAQ for instructions: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/faq?id=28217513
If you continue to experience difficulties, please contact Client Services: https://spr.ly/IBKR_ClientServicesCampus
Hi – when creating a custom layout with option chain widget in IBKR desktop, I can’t find the strategy builder toggle. Is this a lacking feature ? Thanks, Deven
Hello, thank you for reaching out. This is now available. You can toggle the strategy builder on in the bottom left hand corner after configuring the custom layout. We hope this helps!
In every platform like webull, moomoo…ect you can join together multiple tool box (widgets) you can see then one tool box with multiple tags. That alow to open many tools at the same time. Haw to do this on IBKR?
Hi Mitch, thanks for asking. You can do this using the Custom Layout feature in IBKR Desktop. After logging in, click Layouts, and then click the plus button. Then, you can click “Custom Layout” and select all the different tools you want. We hope this helps!
Hi – I have a custom layout which can’t quite accommodate all the windows I want on screen, is there a way to have two windows group up together so I can switch between them clicking on the tab names?
Is there a chance to “merge” multiple tabs into one box similar as you can do in Chrome or Microsoft Edge in custom layouts? It would be great to win some space and e.g. have just one box for the Portfolio overview in which I can jump between several tabs (such as Portfolio, Portfolio Summary, …). Right now, I have to position all the tabs next to each other.
Hi Simon, thank you for reaching out. When you are creating the custom layout, you can add multiple default tools that you can see next to each other. If you create more than one custom layout with different set layouts, you will only be able to see one at a time. When you click the plus button for the custom layout, add multiple default tools you need, and you can see them next to each other. We hope this helps!
Hello, I used to work with TWS, after setting up my custom layout, I was able to lock it so when I was resizing the window layout would also follow. I can’t find how I can achieve the same in IBKR Desktop. can you please guide me how to do it? Thanks,
Hello, thank you for reaching out. Please review the attached release notes to save your custom layout in IBKR Desktop: https://www.ibkrguides.com/releasenotes/ntws-v0.13.htm
We hope this helps!
How do I add the “strategy builder” for options to custom layout? I can only find it on the “Quotes” sidebar
Hi Daniel, thank you for asking. In Custom Layouts, you can add the “Options Chain” in the custom layout tool box. Then, there is a toggle to turn on the Strategy Builder. We hope this information is helpful!
Hola, no encuentro cómo agregar promedios móviles 100 y 200, tampoco los de corto plazo. Me pueden ayudar por favor? Saludos.
Hola, gracias por su consulta. Para ver el volumen promedio de 90 días, visite: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/faq?id=75312888
¡Esperamos que le sea útil!
how do I drag a window onto another window to create a tabbed window?
Hi Tim, thank you for reaching out. You can attach a page/tab back to the main window by right clicking on the page title and selecting Attach Page. This will attach it back to the main Classic TWS window. You may also disable the display setting which allows pages to be detached which will automatically reattach any detached pages. To do this from Global Configuration, select Display followed by Settings and under “Windows Handling” uncheck the box for “Allow pages to be detached”. Click Apply and OK to save your changes. Please view this FAQ for more information: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/faq?id=27271552
We hope this helps!
Hi there, Can I import/share layouts from demo to live on IBKR desktop?. Layouts changes depending on my login on same app
Hi, thank you for asking. No, this is not possible.
Hi! I configured several perfect custom layouts on my home computer. Is there any way to save them to my account so the same layout appears when I log in from my work PC, or will I have to recreate everything from scratch? Same question for stocks added to watchlists, BTW… If this is not available in desktop please let me know if it IS available in TWS and I guess I’ll make the switch… Thanks!
I have the same question as Anonymous above.
Is there a way to merge multiple tools together within the same box? Right now, each tool has a tab with the tool’s name, and an “x”. It would be great if multiple tools can be merged into the same box (each with their own tab), so that I could switch between tools more easily and save screen space. For example, I could have the “Order Tables” tool and the “Trades” tool within the same box, and switch between them by clicking on their respective tab without having both of them on the screen at the same time. Thanks!
Hello, thank you for reaching out. We appreciate your feedback. For a specific suggestion such as this, please submit them using the instructions in this FAQ: https://www.ibkr.com/faq?id=32653353
What is going on with TWS ? I have tried to save my custom layout. Every time i log out and log back in i have to make a new layout because TWS didnt save it! This has been going on for the last year reading other reviews. Then there the fact if i want to close out a trade in options it wont let me cancel my order brackets which i then have to sign out of TWS and go to the desktop IBKR to close out trades. This is all on demo to. Glad it on demo cause by the time i get to sign in im in the negative!!! so damn glitchy both TWS and the IBKR desktop , pathetic really. And then you will tell me to contact support . Yes well who has time to sit on a phone waiting over an hour and half before i hang up
Hello Mo, thank you for asking. To resolve TWS layout saving issues, there are several troubleshooting steps available:
Save layout settings using either:
Save to server through File > Layout Settings > Save Settings
Save to local disk through File > Layout Settings > Save Settings As…
To restore a layout:
Click File menu, then Settings Recovery
Select the desired date to restore from
Use the Custom button to select a saved layout file
Click OK to apply
If layout problems persist, try:
Changing TWS versions (Stable, Latest, or Beta)
Clearing TWS settings and reconfiguring layouts
Backing up current layout before making changes
For syncing layouts across devices, ensure “Use/store settings on server” is checked in the Global Configuration settings.
If the TWS connection is interrupted or shows a magenta grid, this may be due to connection issues or duplicate login sessions. Users cannot log into more than one instance of their account across IBKR platforms simultaneously.
For further information, please view this FAQ: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/faq?id=27271553
How to save a custom layout in order to avoid repeating the same design each tiime?
Hello, thank you for asking. To save a watchlist layout, please view: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/faq?id=28217513
We hope this helps!