How to install a Sierra Chart chartbook: file location, opening and study checks

How to install a Sierra Chart chartbook in short

To install a Sierra Chart chartbook, copy the .Cht file into the Data folder of your Sierra Chart installation, then open it from File > Open Chartbook. Afterward, confirm that every chart loads data and that all studies and custom files it depends on are present. This guide is a checklist for those three steps: placement, opening and dependency checks.

If you already have the file open and want to verify symbols and data, see our walkthrough on how to import a Sierra Chart chartbook. This article focuses on the file-level installation work before that point.

Before you start: what you are installing

A chartbook is a file with the extension .Cht (older files may be .Chartbook in some contexts, but .Cht is standard). It stores a set of chart windows, their symbols, studies, study settings and layout. It does not necessarily contain the data itself, and it does not always contain custom study code. If you are unsure what a chartbook preserves compared with a study collection, read Sierra Chart study collection vs chartbook.

Gather these items first:

• The chartbook file itself (often delivered in a .zip archive).
• Any extra files shipped with it, such as custom study DLLs, .scss study collection files, or .cpp source files.
• Any readme or notes listing required data feeds and symbols.
• A backup of your current Sierra Chart Data folder, in case you overwrite something.

Chartbook file location

Sierra Chart keeps chartbooks in the Data folder inside your installation directory. A default installation is usually at C:\SierraChart, so chartbooks live in C:\SierraChart\Data. Your installation may be elsewhere if you chose a custom path or run multiple instances.

Find your real Data folder

Do not assume the path. Inside Sierra Chart, use the File menu and look for the option to open the Data Files folder (the exact label can vary by version). This opens the folder Sierra Chart is actually using. Alternatively, go to Global Settings > Data/Trade Service Settings and review the paths shown. The official Sierra Chart documentation explains the folder structure in more detail.

Where each file type goes

• .Cht chartbook files: the Data folder.
• Custom study DLLs: the Data folder, since Sierra Chart loads custom studies from there.
• .scss study collection files: the Data folder as well, or import them through the study collection menu on a chart.
• .cpp source files: the ACS_Source folder, which must be compiled before use.

Unzip the archive first. Placing files while they are still inside a compressed archive is a common reason a chartbook does not appear in the open dialog.

Close before copying

If a chartbook with the same name is already open, close it first. Copying over an open file can fail or cause Sierra Chart to save the older version again when it exits. Rename your existing file (for example add _backup) rather than overwriting it.

Open the chartbook

Once the file is in the Data folder, open it from within Sierra Chart.

1. Choose File > Open Chartbook.
2. Select the .Cht file from the list.
3. Click Open and wait for all chart windows to load.

If you do not see the file, check that it is in the Data folder you identified earlier, and that the extension is not hidden as .Cht.txt by Windows. Turn on file extensions in File Explorer to check.

Check the load

After opening, look at each chart window. A chart that stays blank usually points to a data connection or symbol problem, not a broken chartbook. Confirm you are connected to your data service in the Sierra Chart status area, and that the symbol in each chart matches your feed.

Update the symbol

Chartbooks are often saved with a specific contract, for example ESM5 on the E-mini S&P 500 or NQM5 on the E-mini Nasdaq-100. Futures contracts expire, so a shared chartbook may point to a contract that no longer exists. Open Chart > Chart Settings and change the symbol to the current contract. CME Group publishes contract specifications and expiration schedules at CME Group. The same applies to CL (crude oil) with its monthly expirations. For EURUSD, the symbol naming depends on your data provider.

Missing studies: how to find and fix them

Missing studies are the most frequent installation problem. They show up as a chart that looks stripped down compared with the screenshots, or as an error message mentioning a study or DLL that could not be loaded.

Open the study list

On each chart, go to Analysis > Studies > Studies to Graph. The Studies to Graph list shows every study applied to that chart. A study that cannot be found is often listed by name but fails to draw, or is marked in the log.

Read the message log

Open Window > Message Log. Sierra Chart records errors there when a custom study DLL cannot be loaded or a study function is not found. Copy the exact text, because it names the missing file.

Common causes

• Custom DLL not in the Data folder: copy the DLL there and reopen the chartbook.
• Wrong DLL version: Sierra Chart offers 32-bit and 64-bit builds in different versions, and a DLL must match your build. Ask the author for a compatible version.
• Source file not compiled: if you received a .cpp file, add it to the ACS_Source folder and use Analysis > Build Custom Studies DLL.
• Study collection not imported: some setups depend on a saved study collection. Import it from the Studies window.
• Built-in study with a different name: older chartbooks may reference studies renamed in newer releases. Update Sierra Chart to the latest release and retest.
• Blocked file: Windows can block files downloaded from the internet. Right-click the DLL, open Properties, and unblock it if that option is shown.

Reopen after fixing

After placing the missing file, close and reopen the chartbook so Sierra Chart reloads its studies. Then confirm the study now appears on the chart.

Study dependencies to verify

A chartbook can look correct yet depend on settings outside the file. Check the following before using it.

• Data type: footprint and numbers bars studies need tick-by-tick data with bid and ask volume. Confirm your data feed supplies it. Settings for reading these displays are covered in Sierra Chart numbers bars settings for beginners.
• Historical depth: volume profile and market profile studies need enough intraday historical data downloaded.
• Depth of market: studies using market depth require a feed that provides it, and often a separate entitlement.
• Chart bar period: a chart set to the wrong bar type, such as time instead of volume or range, changes what the study shows.
• Time zone and session times: session settings affect profiles and daily highs and lows. Compare them with your instrument, for example the ES trading session.
• Linked charts: some studies reference other charts by number. If chart numbers changed, the references break.

Save and keep a clean copy

Once everything works, use File > Save Chartbook As to store your own version under a new name. Keep the original untouched so you can compare it if something changes. Sierra Chart also saves a chartbook when you close it, so avoid closing the wrong version.

Installation checklist

1. Back up your Data folder.
2. Unzip the delivery package.
3. Locate the real Data folder from inside Sierra Chart.
4. Copy the .Cht file, DLLs and study collection files into place.
5. Compile any .cpp source files.
6. Open the chartbook using File > Open Chartbook.
7. Update symbols to current contracts.
8. Review the Message Log for study errors.
9. Confirm tick data, depth and history are available.
10. Save under your own name.

Conclusion

Installing a chartbook is mostly careful file placement and dependency checking. Put the files in the correct Data folder, open the chartbook from the File menu, and use the Message Log and Studies to Graph list to find anything missing. A chartbook is a layout and a set of settings, not a trading system, so test it on a demo or replay before you rely on it. If you want to evaluate a ready-made workspace, our guide to an order flow chartbook template explains what to look for. For tested Sierra Chart tools and chartbooks, explore the catalog at SierraOnShop.

FAQ

Can I install a chartbook on more than one Sierra Chart instance?

Yes. Copy the .Cht file and any custom DLLs into the Data folder of each instance. Each installation keeps its own settings, so verify symbols and data feed on every one.

Why does my chartbook open but show no data?

The usual causes are no connection to the data service, an expired futures contract symbol, or missing historical data. Check the connection status and the chart symbol first, then download history.

Will opening a chartbook overwrite my current charts?

Opening a chartbook loads it in addition to what is open, and it does not replace other chartbooks. Saving, however, writes to that chartbook file, so use Save Chartbook As if you want a separate copy.

Do I need to restart Sierra Chart after adding a custom DLL?

Often you only need to close and reopen the chartbook. If the DLL still does not load, restart Sierra Chart and check the Message Log for the exact error.

Is a chartbook safe to open from an unknown source?

The .Cht file stores settings, but accompanying DLLs are executable code. Only run DLLs from sources you trust, and scan files before use.