Tips & Tricks for MetaTrader4
This page has been compiled to answer some of the most frequent questions that we receive about using MT4.
The Basics ...
Where do you copy your indicators, scripts and EAs to?
1. Click on the File menu option at the top of the screen
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2. Open Data Folder
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3. Open the MQL4 Folder
4. Open the relevant folder - Experts, Indicators, Scripts or Files (for CSV files) - and copy your file into it 
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5. Right-click in the Navigator Window and select 'refresh' - or restart MT -and your program should appear in the appropriate MT navigator window. Click on the + symbol to expand the list. Top Tip:: save the folder name, that appears in your Windows navigator pane (like above), to your Windows 'Quick Access' list - then you can quickly open the folder without having to open MT. |
The easy way to take a screen shot of your chart
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1. Right-click anywhere on your chart and click on 'Save As Picture'
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2. If you're just sharing your picture with some friends, the easiest way is to do it with a weblink.
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Note: some people report that their MT4 just hangs after doing this without the 'Save As Picture' options showing: press the ALT key and you should see it; your MT4 isn't hanging.
Checking for errors or problems with your indicators / EAs / Scripts
If your programs don't appear to be working or you're getting strange issues, click on the 'Experts' tab, at the bottom of your MT4.
The latest messages appear at the top - do they report any errors?
Try refreshing your chart, e.g. by switching timeframes, to see if the error goes away. Sometimes there aren't enough bars in history or the data didn't load quickly enough, for your program to do what it needed. A timeframe change and back will often resolve the problem. If not, you can right-click on the error to copy it and send to the coder of the program.
Try refreshing your chart, e.g. by switching timeframes, to see if the error goes away. Sometimes there aren't enough bars in history or the data didn't load quickly enough, for your program to do what it needed. A timeframe change and back will often resolve the problem. If not, you can right-click on the error to copy it and send to the coder of the program.
Showing your trade levels so you can move them
Can you not see your trade levels (entry, stop loss and target) on your chart? MT4 provides an option for that so you can click and drag the levels after your order had been entered.
From your MT menu, select Tools, then Options and tick the 'Show trade levels' box..
From your MT menu, select Tools, then Options and tick the 'Show trade levels' box..
Object Descriptions
ATM and eWH use object descriptions a lot. If you don't see text appearing, on a line or other object, where you think there should be, make sure the 'Show object descriptions' is ticked in your chart properties.
- Press F8 or right-click on your chart and select properties
- Select Common
- 'Show object descriptions' ...
Good to Know ...
The quick way to enter your favourite 'Inputs' for an EA or Indicator.
When you have finished entering your licence details and have selected your preferred options, click on the 'Save' button
Give the 'set' file a meaningful name and save it.
When you add the same program to another chart, you can click on the 'Load' button, and chose the relevant 'set' file - no need to keep entering all your details when you load the program.
Alternatively, or additionally, you can save a chart template with your program setup.
Right-click on the chart, select Template then save with a meaningful name.
Top Tip: to have any charts, that you open in the future, use the same template, save as the 'Default' name shown in the list.
You can also create a default template for use with Strategy Tester of your EAs: save the template as "Tester.tpl"
When you add the same program to another chart, you can click on the 'Load' button, and chose the relevant 'set' file - no need to keep entering all your details when you load the program.
Alternatively, or additionally, you can save a chart template with your program setup.
Right-click on the chart, select Template then save with a meaningful name.
Top Tip: to have any charts, that you open in the future, use the same template, save as the 'Default' name shown in the list.
You can also create a default template for use with Strategy Tester of your EAs: save the template as "Tester.tpl"
Change Profiles quickly
Profiles allow you to organise charts into logical groups and reduce the burden on your processor from having too many charts constantly updating. For example, you might want to have separate profiles for M1, , H1 and D1 charts, so you can just switch profiles at certain times of day.
The usual way for switching profiles would be: -
The usual way for switching profiles would be: -
- Select 'File' from your main MT Menu
- Select 'Profile'
- Chose your profile name
Copying objects for quicker drawing
There are times when it's very useful to duplicate objects on your chart, e.g. for identifying where price has moved in similar time and price cycles, or for repeating trend lines. It's simple to do - just hold the CTRL key down when you select an object with your mouse, then move the duplicated object to where you need it.
In this example, we created one rectangle and one diagonal line - the rest are just copies.
In this example, we created one rectangle and one diagonal line - the rest are just copies.
Hot Keys
You can assign hot keys to your programs for quick loading on to charts, without having to navigate the navigator. This is particularly useful for one-time use Scripts. For example, I use ALT E to apply my object extender script to the chart (available from the Free Stuff web page) . Just be careful that you don't reassign some of the MT4 shortcuts to your programs and lose quick-access things like CTRL N to open the Navigator window, or CTRL O for Options.
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Fast Navigation
If someone asks you to check a particular setup on a symbol at a certain time, it can be rather tedious to open the chart and scroll to that time. There is a quicker way ... just press ENTER and instruct MT to open with the 'Fast Navigation Box' in the bottom left of your chart.
In this example, we've instructed MT4 to open the EURUSD H1 chart for the 4th Jan 2017
In this example, we've instructed MT4 to open the EURUSD H1 chart for the 4th Jan 2017
To jump to the beginning of your chart history: press the HOME key
To jump to the very latest bar on your chart: press the END key
Scroll back a few bars: press the LEFT or UP arrow keys
Scroll forward a few bars, press the RIGHT or DOWN arrow keys
To jump back and forth by a whole screen, press PAGE UP for left, PAGE DOWN for right
One bar moving: F12 left; SHIFT F12 right
Chart zoom: + in; - out
Got a good tip? Please send it to us and we'll add it to this page...