Backtesting Without Knowing How to Code

[MoneyTrust]

Is there a way to backtest a strategy in NT8 without knowing how to code? Is replaying data and manually executing trades the only way if you can’t code?

[NinjaTrader_Emily]

Hello MoneyTrust,

Thank you for your post.

You mention "backtest a strategy" - do you mean a general trading strategy that you are using to determine your manually placed trades, or an automated strategy that you have imported into the platform from a third party? You may backtest automated strategies using the Strategy Analyzer:

• https://ninjatrader.com/support/help...y_analyzer.htm
• https://youtu.be/RaAWxf2jxp8?feature=shared

The Strategy Analyzer is used for testing NinjaScript strategies, which you may download and import from a third party. If you'd like to build your own strategy without knowing how to code, you could learn some of the basics and use the Strategy Builder to build your strategy using an interface that allows you to set up your strategy conditions and actions. This does not require you to write code in a code editor. For more information about the NinjaScript basics and the Strategy Builder:

• https://forum.ninjatrader.com/forum/...pts#post786040
• https://ninjatrader.com/support/help...gy_builder.htm
• https://youtu.be/VxU4FR6GWNA?feature=shared

Otherwise, if you do not have any NinjaScript strategies imported and you do not plan to build your own strategy, downloading and replaying data would be the best option to backtest your manual trades over a period of time:

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/playback_connection.htm

Please let us know if we may be of further assistance.

[MoneyTrust]

Hello MoneyTrust,

Thank you for your post.

You mention "backtest a strategy" - do you mean a general trading strategy that you are using to determine your manually placed trades, or an automated strategy that you have imported into the platform from a third party? You may backtest automated strategies using the Strategy Analyzer:

• https://ninjatrader.com/support/help...y_analyzer.htm
• https://youtu.be/RaAWxf2jxp8?feature=shared

The Strategy Analyzer is used for testing NinjaScript strategies, which you may download and import from a third party. If you'd like to build your own strategy without knowing how to code, you could learn some of the basics and use the Strategy Builder to build your strategy using an interface that allows you to set up your strategy conditions and actions. This does not require you to write code in a code editor. For more information about the NinjaScript basics and the Strategy Builder:

• https://forum.ninjatrader.com/forum/...pts#post786040
• https://ninjatrader.com/support/help...gy_builder.htm
• https://youtu.be/VxU4FR6GWNA?feature=shared

Otherwise, if you do not have any NinjaScript strategies imported and you do not plan to build your own strategy, downloading and replaying data would be the best option to backtest your manual trades over a period of time:

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/playback_connection.htm

Please let us know if we may be of further assistance.

Yes, a manual, discretionary strategy.

[NinjaTrader_Emily]

Hello MoneyTrust,

Thank you for your reply.

In that case, the following statement applies:

Otherwise, if you do not have any NinjaScript strategies imported and you do not plan to build your own strategy, downloading and replaying data would be the best option to backtest your manual trades over a period of time:
https://ninjatrader.com/support/help...connection.htm

Replaying data and manually executing trades would be the only way with no code involved. Otherwise, if you'd prefer to review reporting on trades that were already placed, you could use the Trade Performance window:

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/trade_performance.htm

Thank you for using NinjaTrader.

[MoneyTrust]

Hello MoneyTrust,

Thank you for your reply.

In that case, the following statement applies:


Replaying data and manually executing trades would be the only way with no code involved. Otherwise, if you'd prefer to review reporting on trades that were already placed, you could use the Trade Performance window:

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/trade_performance.htm

Thank you for using NinjaTrader.

Thanks for clearing that up.

[MoneyTrust]

Hello MoneyTrust,

Thank you for your reply.

In that case, the following statement applies:


Replaying data and manually executing trades would be the only way with no code involved. Otherwise, if you'd prefer to review reporting on trades that were already placed, you could use the Trade Performance window:

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/trade_performance.htm

Thank you for using NinjaTrader.

One more question. In manual backtesting through replay, are the stats kept automatically? Such as wins, losses, drawdowns, balance, etc.

[NinjaTrader_Emily]

One more question. In manual backtesting through replay, are the stats kept automatically? Such as wins, losses, drawdowns, balance, etc.

As mentioned in the help guide, "The Playback101 account properties (e.g., Commissions, Risk, etc.) are created from the Sim101 account when connecting to the Playback Connection and cannot be reset while connected. The Playback101 account will reset with current Sim101 account properties when reconnecting."

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/set_up12.htm

This means that the stats you are referring to would be reset/cleared when reconnecting. This also includes any time you drag the slider in the playback box to a new time. If you'd like to manually save results, you could go to the desired report then right-click and select Export in order to be able to save the report as an Excel file.

Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions or concerns.