NT8 + IB: Dropdown in IB Gateway preventing a connection to a paper account

[Spiderbird]

Hi there!

I just downloaded the newest version of Ninjatrader 8 (8.0.14.2 64-bit) and IB Trader Workstation (Build 9721i (June 11 version)), and I've got a problem (of my own making).

While I can connect just fine to my live account on IB, I can't connected to my paper account because of a dropdown inherent in the first screen of IB. (Trading Mode).

I'm assuming I have to use an earlier version of IB in order to use NT8 to auto-connect, or just manually start up everything, or use Auto Hot Key to work around it.

Anything I'm missing, or am I just waiting on NT to update their configuration options with the next build release?

Thanks in advance!

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello Spiderbird,

You will not be able to select any other account other than built in practice Sim101 unless you have a live license key and you have Global Simulation Mode unchecked.

To view your account balance on the Accounts tab of the Control Center or trade with any connected brokerage account you must:
Have a live license key (either Single Broker, Multi-Broker, or Direct Edition)
Have this license entered into NinjaTrader under Help -> License Key
Have Global Simulation Mode Disabled
- In NT7 click File -> uncheck Global Simulation Mode
- In NT8 click Tools -> uncheck Global Simulation Mode

Once a live license key has been entered and the connection to the brokerage is established the live account will appear on the Accounts tab of the Control Center.

Once Global Simulation Mode is disabled, you can select any live account in the Account drop-down of a trade window such as ChartTrader or the SuperDOM or in the parameters of a NinjaScript Strategy.

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Once you have a live license key, you can log in to your paper trading account in TraderWorkstation, connect using NinjaTrader, and then select your paper trading account.

[Spiderbird]

Hi Chelsea,

No need to upsell NT8. I'm already a full license holder. Thanks anyway though.
And I'll make some clarifications to help you with my situation:

- NT8 is not in Global Simulation Mode. I turned that off right after I set up my connections to IB.
- The problem occurs during a connection attempt from NT8 to IB because of a dropdown menu inherent to IB that NT8 does not account for.

Here's a URL of the image I see in IB after a failed login attempt trying to connect to my IB paper account: https://www.dropbox.com/s/eo4vbwn3mq...Error.PNG?dl=0

I couldn't find anything in the configuration setup for NT8 that accounts for this dropdown. Help?

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello Spiderbird,

Are you signed into the paper trading account in TraderWorkstation?

[Spiderbird]

Hi Chelsea,

When I'm first starting out, IB is not running. It's in the following sequence:

1. Boot computer
2. Start NinjaTrader
3. Select 'IB Paper Account' from the 'Connections' navigation item (something I configured).
4. IB pop-up window appears, but the 'Live Account' dropdown is selected.
5. IB generates a login error.

Let me know if that makes sense.

- R

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello Spiderbird,

Unfortunately, NinjaTrader does not have the ability to select paper trading with the TraderWorkstation login prompt.

To trade the paper trading account, open TWS first, sign to the paper trading account. Then connect with NinjaTrader.

[Spiderbird]

Ahh! That's unfortunate. Can I request that future versions of Ninjatrader address this dropdown as part of the configuration screen for setting up a connection?

Also, this doesn't happen often, but NT8 mistimes when it submits the username portion of the username/password combo. It sometimes feeds the IB window too early and only submits part of the username passed to it.

Thanks in advance!

[NinjaTrader_PatrickG]

To clarify - you'd like the Interactive Brokers connection guide provided by NinjaTrader to contain a note regarding paper accounts letting you know that you must login manually? Just a note next to auto logon saying something like 'live accounts only'?

[Spiderbird]

To clarify - you'd like the Interactive Brokers connection guide provided by NinjaTrader to contain a note regarding paper accounts letting you know that you must login manually? Just a note next to auto logon saying something like 'live accounts only'?

Sure, you can do that if it's the easiest route to take in the short term.

Ideally, you'd want something in the NT configuration screen for a connection to have a twin radio button selection that says:

O - Live Account (selected by default)
O - Paper Account

If paper account is selected, two things occur when connecting to IB:
- The port in NT8 is automatically updated to align with the default IB port for paper trading accounts.
- The IB login window chooses the 'Paper Account' dropdown when connecting through NT8.

Let me know if I can assist further.

- R

[NinjaTrader_PatrickG]

Thanks for the clarification, Spiderbird. I'll submit what you desire as a feature request to the Development Team. I'll update this post when I receive a tracking number. EDIT - the tracking number is SFT-3320.

[Spiderbird]

Sounds great Patrick. I know y'all have a gigantic backlog of feature requests. It's not a deal breaker for me at all. More or less a nice to have so I don't have to manually do it myself.

Thanks for the time and attention!