Symbols are the primary chart objects. A chart is a collection of symbols with optional lines between them. Symbols have the following properties:
| Location | The position of the center of the symbol, relative to the top left corner of the chart. Locations are precise to 1/1000". |
| Shape | A choice of one of the possible prototype shapes for symbol, as defined by the current shape file. Also, the thickness and style (solid, dash, dot) of the border of the symbol, and an indication of which plane the symbol is drawn in. |
| Size | The height and width of the rectangle bounding the symbol. Measurements are precise to 1/1000". |
| Text | The text displayed inside the symbol. Also, the fonts used by that text, and how that text is positioned (justified) within the symbol. |
| Color | The colors used to draw the border, background and text of a symbol. |
| Picture | An optional bitmap or metafile picture that is displayed to fit within the text area of the symbol. In Chartist-Pro, the picture may also be an OLE object. |
| Reference | An optional command line to display a reference document associated with the symbol. In Chartist-Pro, the reference may also be an OLE object. |
| Orientation | The orientation of the shape, relative to its basic definition. Shapes can be rotated in 90 degree increments, and flipped horizontally and vertically. |
| Text Angle | The angle of the text in the symbol, relative to horizontal. Chartist-Pro |
When symbols are added to the chart, they take on the current default settings for each of the properties that are not explicitly defined during the add operation.