How to backtest a MTF strategy

[westofpluto]

I have a strategy that runs on M2 as its main chart. My strategy uses some indicators, including my custom indicators, on M2 and M5 and M10. I use AddDataSeries to add a 1 tick series (for orders) and I also add M5 and M10 as additional data series.

Now I would like to backtest the strategy. I do not need links to sample code, I believe my code is implemented properly. I just need to know what settings to select in Strategy Analyzer for backtesting my MTF strategy. Currently I am using these settings:

Data Series:
Instrument: (My instrument, currently m6e)
Price Based on: Last
Type: Minute
Value: 2
Time Frame:
Start Date: 01/01/2020
End Date: 01/23/2020
Trading Hours: Use Instrument
Break at EOD: checked
Setup:
Include commission: unchecked
Maximum bars lookback: 256
Bars required to trade: 20
Historical fill processing:
Order fill resolution: Standard: (fastest)
Fill limit orders on touch: unchecked
Slippage: 0
Order Handling
Entries Per Direction: 1
Entry Handling: All entries
Exit on Session Close: checked
Order Properties:
Set Order Quantity: Strategy
Time in Force: GTC

Are these settings correct? I am not getting the results I expected. Please advise.

[bltdavid]

Are these settings correct?

Well, unless you get an error, they are, strictly speaking, not wrong.

But knowing if they are correct for your strategy is another issue.

I believe my code is implemented properly.

And just how do you know that?

I am not getting the results I expected. Please advise.

Have you added a ton Print statements to prove everything is correct?
Have you stepped through every line of code in Visual Studio?

What are the results you expect?
What are the results you are getting?

I advise you to go back into your code and add Print statements
to prove everything is correct, that all values are as expected, and
that all code paths for all BarsInProgress values are taken as expected.

I have never seen an issue that couldn't be solved using some very well
placed Print statements.

Some additional thoughts:

Do you have all the Tick & Minute historical data for M6E for the period,
Start Date: 01/01/2020
End Date: 01/23/2020
already downloaded?

Does your Strategy do its own AddDataSeries for every data series your
indicators are adding under the hood?

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello westofpluto,

If the results are not what you expect, it is necessary to enable TraceOrders and use prints to understand the behavior.

Enable TraceOrders, print all values used in the conditions that place orders along with the time of the bar, print the order object in OnOrderUpdate().

Below is a link to a forum post that demonstrates how to use prints to understand behavior.

https://ninjatrader.com/support/forum/forum/ninjatrader-7/strategy-development-aa/99209-date-conditions-not-working?p=791121#post791121

With the information the script is using, you can use this to understand why an order was or was not placed at a specific time you are expecting.

Save the output from the output window (right-click, Save As) to a text file and include this with your next post.
I would be happy to assist with analyzing the output.