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Using Presets

Lesson 9 of 13

Duration 2:48
Level Beginner
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Trading presets allow you to specify commonly-used order parameters ahead of time, reducing the time it takes you to set up the order before you can transmit.

We include some order parameters by default which you have likely noticed when you create an order. When the user creates a buy order on a stock by default the order entry panel populates using 100 shares, a limit order type, and sets the limit price to the ask (at the time the order is created).

A user may tailor the presets to better reflect their trading style. We can demonstrate by changing the order preset for stocks to default to a quantity of 300 shares at a time, using a market order.  

Note that dollar amounts may also be chosen instead of shares if desired.

Use the Settings page to access Trading Presets. In this example, the user selects Stock as the asset type to change the preset. Note that presets can be made for any available asset.

Notice that many preset fields can be defined to the user’s needs. For this example, user inputs order quantity to 300 Shares and sets Order Type to Market.

If necessary, system defaults can be restored at any time by clicking Revert to Defaults in the upper right.

To save these changes I just need to exit the Settings window.

Let’s now see how the order preset behaves when a new order is created in the Order Panel. The buy order automatically populates with 300 shares, the set to market. From here the user simply needs to submit the order.

Note also that, as prior to changing the preset, the user can still change input values if necessary. Instead of 300 shares, the user can still change the value to 500 and so on before submitting the order.

An important point to remember is that presets are shared across platforms. That means that if the user logs out of IBKR Desktop and log into TWS and then create a stock order, the updated default order parameters would be the same as in IBKR Desktop and the user would see a 300 share market order.

Resources

IBKR Desktop User Guide

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If you have a general question, it may already be covered in our FAQs. If you have an account-specific question or concern, please reach out to Client Services.

14 thoughts on “Using Presets”

  • Mary Magee

    I am new to this platform. Can you tell me how to set an alert for a stock? I have searched in your FAQ’s and don’t see it.

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hello Mary, Welcome to IBKR! Please view this FAQ with instructions to set up alerts in TWS: https://www.ibkr.com/faq?id=27279175
      Please reach back out with any more questions. We are here to help!

  • Anonymous

    I am having trouble with orders selling out as I buy. I believe it is a preset issue and reset the presets to default. I cannot find any information about setup in the IBKR desktop version, only the TWS version (which appears more simple and is described in training videos). Do either of these different avenues for preset setups take precedence over the other? I know a preset setup will be activated over all trading platform types in IBKR. Thank you. Andrew

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hello, thank you for reaching out. It is possible to reset your presets in IBKR Desktop following these steps:

      Log in to IBKR Desktop.
      Click Portfolio
      Click Settings> Trading. This will bring you to Trading Presets
      Click your desired security.
      Click Revert to Defaults

      Resetting your presets will transfer across platforms. We hope this helps!

  • kevin

    PLEASE BUILD A PRESET FOR FUTURES OCO ORDER. Immediately after placing a limit order a few % away from market level, I want an automatic % profit and automatic % stop order. PLEASE provide that preset option for futures trading.

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hello Kevin, thank you for reaching out. We offer a profit taker for futures at this time. In TWS, open Global Configuration> Presets> Modify Futures. The Target order and Attached Stop Order offer the option to modify the order by percent. We hope this helps!

  • Abdullah

    can you make it so i can add a screener in my custom layout and when i click it it will add it to the order window. also a hotkey that allows to buy with a single click.

  • JULIO GOMEZ MARTIN

    HOLA PUSE UNA ORDEN DE COMPRA DE ACCIONES Y QUERIA PONER QUE SE REINVERTIRA LOS DIVIDENDOS NO SEY COMO HACER ME PODRIA AYUDAR.GRACIAS

    • Interactive Brokers

      Gracias por comunicarse con nosotros. Consulte estas preguntas frecuentes para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo administrar su elección del Programa de reinversión de dividendos en acciones (DRIP): https://www.interactivebrokers.com/faq?id=28226119
      ¡Esperamos que esto le resulte útil!

  • Anonymous

    Como puedo comprar más de 5 contratos de opciones al mismo tiempo?

    • Interactive Brokers

      Gracias por tu pregunta. Puedes especificar el número de contratos que deseas comprar cuando realices el pedido. Puedes revisar esta lección en video para más información: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/campus/trading-lessons/introduction-to-option-tools/

      Si vas a la Configuración del video (rueda dentada), luego subtítulos, puedes cambiar el idioma. Es posible que primero tengas que seleccionar inglés, luego volver a la misma configuración y ahora debería haber la opción de traducción automática en una variedad de idiomas. ¡Esperamos que esto ayude!

  • fred

    Hi, i have a feature request for trading desktop. when trading options i would like to have a default setting of including both the profit taker and stop loss at a fixed % off of the purchase price. ie if i buy at 1 i want stop loss at 0,9 and profit taker at 1,35

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Disclosure: Interactive Brokers

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.

Disclosure: Displaying Symbols on Video

Any stock, options or futures symbols displayed are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to portray recommendations.

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