The FootPrint OrderFlow Indicator for NinjaTrader displays bid and ask volume distribution at each price level within every bar — providing a more granular view of market activity than standard price candles, which summarize each bar into a single open, high, low, and close.
The indicator extends the standard FootPrint chart with five integrated components: a built-in Volume Profile with POC and Value Area, horizontal and diagonal imbalance detection with stacked imbalance support and zone tracking, per-bar statistical metrics, and tick aggregation for instruments with high price level density. Each component is independently configurable.
One of the key features of this version of the Footprint Indicator is identifying market imbalances – areas on the chart where there is a significant volume disparity between buy and sell activity at specific price levels.
In practical application, recognizing imbalances provides several advantages to the trader:
The indicator supports three methods for classifying buying and selling pressure:
Accumulates volume based on up ticks vs. down ticks. Up ticks are considered buying pressure; down ticks are considered selling pressure. If the current tick price equals the previous tick price, volume is recorded to the same side as the previous tick.
Accumulates volume based on orders filled at the ask or above (buying pressure) vs. orders filled at the bid or below (selling pressure). If the current tick price falls between bid and ask, volume is recorded to the same side as the previous tick.
Accumulates volume based on up vs. down 1-minute bars. Up bars are considered buying pressure; down bars are considered selling pressure. If the close price of the current 1-minute bar equals the previous bar’s close, volume is recorded to the same side as the previous bar.
The FootPrint chart displays the distribution of buy and sell volumes at each price level within each bar. This component helps to detect imbalances and identify price levels where bid or ask volume is significantly higher than the opposite side.
The integrated Volume Profile, featuring POC (Point of Control) and Value Area levels, complements the FootPrint chart by providing insights into the horizontal distribution of volume. The POC highlights the price level with the highest traded volume, while the Value Area defines the range where the majority of trading took place. When combined with imbalance analysis, the Volume Profile provides an additional structural layer — showing not only where price spent time, but also where volume was concentrated and where significant bid/ask disparity occurred within that range.
The indicator detects both horizontal and diagonal imbalances, including stacked configurations, assisting in the observation of volume-based shifts between buyers and sellers.
Flexible signal filtering and alert settings are available for fine-tuning:
When a stacked imbalance is identified, the indicator can automatically draw a zone around it and monitor subsequent price interaction with that zone. This allows traders to track two key events: a breakout — when price moves through the stacked imbalance zone with momentum — and a retest — when price returns to the zone after leaving it. Visual signals are plotted directly on the chart for both events, providing additional context for entries and structural analysis.
An integrated table collects the main analytical metrics for each bar:
For instruments with high tick activity and a large number of price levels within a single bar, a tick aggregation function is provided, allowing multiple price levels to be grouped into a single print. This simplifies the visual analysis of data while preserving the core metrics required for comprehensive market study.
The indicator has the following parameters:
Calculation Type — Selects the method used to classify buying and selling pressure: UpDownTick, BidAsk, or MinuteBased.
Alerts – Configure various types of alerts.
Enable Imbalance Alerts – Enables or disables alerts for detected imbalances.
Enable Stacked Imbalance Alerts – Enables or disables alerts for stacked imbalances.
Stacked Imbalance Alert Threshold – Sets the minimum number of consecutive imbalances to trigger a stacked alert.
Show Volume Profile – Enables or disables the Volume Profile display.
Show Value Area – Enables or disables the Value Area display.
Value Area (%) – Sets the percentage range for the Value Area calculation.
Show POC – Enables or disables the Point of Control (POC) display.
Ticks Per Level – Sets the tick aggregation level for each price step.This defines how many individual ticks are combined into a single price level, simplifying the footprint view without losing essential information.
Imbalance Type – Selects horizontal or diagonal imbalance detection.
Imbalance Ratio – Defines the minimum volume ratio (e.g., 2:1, 3:1) between ask and bid (or bid and ask) to classify the condition as an imbalance.
Imbalance Min. Absolute Difference – Specifies the minimum absolute volume difference required for an imbalance to be considered valid. This helps filter out minor imbalances based on volume differences.
Statistics section — enables or disables the on-screen summary table displaying key metrics per bar: Total Volume, Buy and Sell Volume, Delta, Cumulative Delta, and Max/Min Delta. Each data point can be toggled individually.
Track Stacked Imbalances — Enables tracking of identified stacked imbalance zones on the chart.
Stacked Imbalances Threshold — Sets the minimum number of consecutive imbalances required to form a stacked imbalance zone.
Draw Stacked Imbalances Zone — Enables visual display of the zone drawn around a detected stacked imbalance.
Draw Stacked Imbalances Zone Breakout Signals — Enables visual signals when price breaks out of a stacked imbalance zone.
Draw Stacked Imbalances Zone Retest Signals — Enables visual signals when price returns to retest a stacked imbalance zone.
We can customize this indicator to your needs — adding functions, modifying logic, or integrating it with other tools for your workflow.
We also convert indicators into Automated Trading Strategies with advanced functions (trailing stops, risk management, filters) tailored to your trading style strictly according to your specifications.
Request a free consultation to discuss the technical scope and timeline of your project.
We are committed to the ongoing development and refinement of our indicators. If you’ve spotted a bug, feel that something essential is missing, or have ideas that could make the indicator even better, just send us a message. Your feedback helps us improve and deliver tools that truly meet traders’ needs.
The indicator provides a set of exposed analytical plot outputs designed for structured integration with third-party strategy builders and automation tools such as BloodHound and BlackBird (SharkIndicators), as well as other algorithmic trading environments.
| Analytical Plot Name | Output Values | Description |
| Max. delta | Value | |
| Min. delta | Value | |
| Cum. delta | Value | |
| Delta % | Value | |
| Delta | Value | |
| Sell vol. | Value | |
| Buy vol. | Value | |
| Vol. | Value | |
| Bullish Imbalance Zone Retest | > 0 | Bullish directional detection condition. |
| Bearish Imbalance Zone Retest | > 0 | Bearish directional detection condition. |
| Bullish Imbalance Zone Retest Upper Boundary | Value | |
| Bullish Imbalance Zone Retest Lower Boundary | Value | |
| Bearish Imbalance Zone Retest Upper Boundary | Value | |
| Bearish Imbalance Zone Retest Lower Boundary | Value | |
| Bullish Imbalance Zone Breakout | > 0 | Bullish directional detection condition. |
| Bearish Imbalance Zone Breakout | > 0 | Bearish directional detection condition. |
| Bullish Imbalance Zone Breakout Upper Boundary | Value | |
| Bullish Imbalance Zone Breakout Lower Boundary | Value | |
| Bearish Imbalance Zone Breakout Upper Boundary | Value | |
| Bearish Imbalance Zone Breakout Lower Boundary | Value |
Plot output names and descriptions are technical identifiers intended solely for software integration purposes and do not constitute trading advice, signals, or recommendations.
Nordman Algorithms is a trade name of Nordman Algorithms OÜ (Reg. No. 14435535), registered in Tallinn, Estonia.
Software Nature & User Responsibility — Nordman Algorithms provides algorithmic software tools for technical analysis. Nordman Algorithms is not a financial advisor and is not liable for any losses. All trades conducted based on the software’s output are executed at the user’s sole discretion and risk.
Visual Markers & Signal Disclosure — This software may display visual markers (such as arrows, dots, or alerts) when predefined mathematical conditions are met. These markers are provided for educational and analytical purposes only, must not be interpreted as financial guidance, and do not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any financial instrument. Users must independently validate all visual cues within their own trading methodology.
No Financial Advice — Nordman Algorithms does not provide discretionary trading signals, investment advice, or managed signal services. Our software represents a mathematical visualization of historical and real-time data. The appearance of a visual marker does not guarantee a profitable trade or predict future market behavior.
Trading Risk Warning — Futures, Forex, and options trading involve significant risk. Risk capital is money that can be lost without jeopardizing financial security. Only risk capital should be used for trading. Past performance is not indicative of future results. View Full Risk Disclosure: https://www.nordman-algorithms.com/risk-disclosure/
ESMA Risk Warning — Financial instruments, especially those involving leverage such as CFDs and Forex, are complex and carry a high risk of rapid financial loss. Our software provides analytical outputs and visual markers based on predefined mathematical conditions and does not mitigate or reduce inherent market risks. You should carefully consider whether you understand how leveraged financial instruments work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your capital.
CFTC Rule 4.41 — Hypothetical or simulated performance results have inherent limitations. Unlike actual performance records, simulated results do not represent real trading. Because trades have not actually been executed, these results may under- or over-compensate for the impact of market factors such as liquidity. No representation is being made that any account will achieve profits or losses similar to those shown.
Trademark Notice — NinjaTrader® is a registered trademark of NinjaTrader Group, LLC. No NinjaTrader company has any affiliation with the owner, developer, or provider of the products or services described herein, or any interest, ownership or otherwise, in any such product or service, or endorses, recommends or approves any such product or service.
