Getting an order flow indicator running on NinjaTrader 8 is straightforward once you know the steps. This guide walks through importing, applying and configuring it so your footprint, delta and volume tools display correctly from the first chart.
1. Import the indicator
2. Apply it to a chart
Open a chart, right-click and choose Indicators, find the indicator in the list, and add it. For order flow you generally want a tick or volumetric data series rather than a minute series, so each transaction is captured.
3. Key settings to get right
4. Troubleshooting
If the indicator shows no data on historical bars, Tick Replay is almost always the culprit — enable it and reload the chart with F5. If you get a compile error after import, restart NinjaTrader; a single restart resolves the large majority of cases.
You can grab our package from the indicator page. Stuck on a specific error message? Post it in this forum with a screenshot and your NinjaTrader version and we will help you sort it out.
Educational content only. Trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor.
1. Import the indicator
- In NinjaTrader 8 open Tools → Import → NinjaScript Add-On.
- Select the downloaded .zip file — do not unzip it first; NinjaTrader imports the archive as-is.
- Wait for the "import successful" confirmation, then restart NinjaTrader so all assemblies compile cleanly.
2. Apply it to a chart
Open a chart, right-click and choose Indicators, find the indicator in the list, and add it. For order flow you generally want a tick or volumetric data series rather than a minute series, so each transaction is captured.
3. Key settings to get right
- Bid/Ask vs Last: order flow needs bid/ask data. Make sure your data feed provides it and the calculation mode is set accordingly.
- Imbalance threshold: the percentage by which one side must exceed the other to flag an imbalance. Start around 200–300% and adjust per instrument.
- Value area / profile: enable the session profile so you can see value area high, low and point of control.
- Tick replay: enable Tick Replay in Tools → Options → Market Data so historical bars rebuild with true bid/ask volume.
4. Troubleshooting
If the indicator shows no data on historical bars, Tick Replay is almost always the culprit — enable it and reload the chart with F5. If you get a compile error after import, restart NinjaTrader; a single restart resolves the large majority of cases.
You can grab our package from the indicator page. Stuck on a specific error message? Post it in this forum with a screenshot and your NinjaTrader version and we will help you sort it out.
Educational content only. Trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor.