Direct answer
In cTrader Charts, an “overlay” is any drawing or study that appears on top of the price chart to add context (for example, an indicator line or a drawn shape). To add one, open the chart’s tools or indicator/drawing area, choose the overlay you want, and place it (or apply its settings) on the active chart view.
Mechanics: what you do and what “overlay” means
An overlay differs from the underlying price feed: price is the base series, while the overlay is rendered on top of it.
Common overlay types include:
- Indicator-style overlays: calculated lines or bands that update with the chart.
- Drawing overlays: objects you place manually (trend lines, horizontal levels, shapes).
Typical workflow in cTrader Charts:
- Open the chart for the instrument you want.
- Select the overlay tool (indicator or drawing tool) from the chart interface.
- Add it to the chart:
- For drawing objects: click/drag on the chart where you want the object.
- For indicator-style overlays: confirm the overlay selection, then adjust parameters if the interface provides them.
- Save or keep it active according to the chart’s overlay behavior in your setup.
Example and quick checks
If the overlay does not appear as expected, these checks help you isolate the issue:
- Visibility: confirm the overlay is enabled/selected and not hidden by chart display settings.
- Scope: ensure the overlay was added to the same chart/symbol and timeframe you are currently viewing.
- Chart type/layout: some overlays behave differently depending on whether the chart is in a certain layout or mode.
- Parameters: for indicator overlays, verify the settings (such as period length or calculation source) so the output matches what you expect.
If you still cannot find the overlay controls, look for the chart’s tools menu (often where drawing tools and indicators are grouped) and compare the available options against the chart you are using.
Limitations and how to verify results
Because chart interfaces can vary by version and configuration, the exact button names and menu locations may differ. This means you may need to rely on the general steps—find the overlay tool, add it to the active chart, and confirm its settings—rather than memorizing a single path.
Also, an overlay is only useful if it is configured correctly and renders visibly on the chart you are currently inspecting. Independent verification is straightforward: check that the overlay appears at the expected locations/values after adding it, and that changing chart view (or timeframe) updates or redraws it according to the overlay type (indicator vs drawing).