# Trailing Step in points

* **0 or empty (Disabled):** [Trailing Stop Loss ](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-stop-loss-in-points.md)updates tick-by-tick
* **Comma-separated list of positive integers, in points**:  controls **how often** the SL is allowed to move for each trailing level
  1. `10`
  2. `50,100` 
  3. `30,50,100`

`0` or negative values are ignored (effectively “no step limit” for that position).

After filtering, the remaining values are mapped to levels as described below.

If, after ignoring invalid values, the list is empty, all levels are treated as **having no step** (continuous trailing).

{% hint style="success" %}
**Interaction with** [**Trailing Start**](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-start-threshold-in-points.md)**:** Trailing Start defines when trailing begins; Trailing Step defines how often SL is allowed to advance after trailing is active.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

#### How steps map to levels

The EA internally has `N` trailing levels (built from [**Trailing Start**](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-start-threshold-in-points.md) or from [Trailing Stop Loss](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-stop-loss-in-points.md) alone).

**Trailing Step** is mapped like this:

* If **Trailing Step** is **empty / only zeros**:
  * All levels get step = 0 → no minimum step; SL can update whenever the new position is valid.
* If **Trailing Step** has **one value**:
  * That value is used for **all levels**.
* If **Trailing Step** has **multiple values**:
  * Each **level** uses it's value
    {% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

### 🧠 How It Works

**Example 1 – Single step for all levels**

[**Trailing Start**](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-start-threshold-in-points.md)         = 1000,2000

[Trailing Stop Loss](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-stop-loss-in-points.md) = 700,600

**Trailing Step**          = 50<br>

* Level 1: start 1000, distance 700, step **50**
* Level 2: start 2000, distance 600, step **50**

SL will only move when it can be improved by at least 50 points compared to its previous value.

***

**Example 2 – Different steps per level**

[**Trailing Start**](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-start-threshold-in-points.md)         = 800,1500,2500

[Trailing Stop Loss](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-stop-loss-in-points.md) = 700,600,500

**Trailing Step**          = 100,50

* Level 1: start 800, distance 700, step **100**
* Level 2: start 1500, distance 600, step **50**
* Level 3: start 2500, distance 500, step **50** (reuses last)

This setup:

* Requires a big move (100 points) before the first SL update,
* Then allows finer updates (50 points) at higher profit levels.

<br>
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}

### Important

* Larger steps will make SL advance very rarely and defeat the purpose of trailing.
* Choose values above the broker’s **stop level** and **spread** to avoid blocked or noisy updates.
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="danger" %}
If Trailing SL advance very rarely or never; reduce **Trailing Step value**.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Tips

* If SL “never moves”, your step may be **too large** for the symbol/timeframe.
* If SL moves “all the time”, set a **non-zero** step to smooth it out.
* You can combine:
  * Wider distances + larger steps at the beginning,
  * Tighter distances + smaller steps at higher profit,\
    for a more intelligent trailing curve.

#### Summary

* **Trailing Step**  is optional but powerful.
* It defines the **minimum improvement** (in points) required before SL is moved.
* 0 / empty = no step limit → SL can update whenever a better level is available.
* Lists allow different behavior per trailing level, with the last value reused for any extra levels.
  {% endhint %}


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