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MetaTrader 4, also known as MT4, is a proprietary standalone trading platform designed for trading and analyzing the financial markets. While it’s most frequently connected with Forex trading it can be used to trade other asset classes. If you want to trade with MT4, this is a comprehensive list of brokers who support MT4.
The MetaTrader 4 was developed in 2005 by MetaQuotes Software Corp. a leading developer of financial trading software. The MetaTrader 4 is the most popular Forex trading platform among retail Forex traders as it is intuitive and easy to use. The MT4 platform is rich in functionality for both novice and professional traders.
MT4 offers low latency execution, ensuring trades are processed ultra-fast. It offers you a large library of technical indicators and the possibility to automate trading strategy through an Expert Advisor (EA). Trading using MT4 gives traders access to a wide range of markets, including currency pairs, commodities, indices, and equities.
The MT4 platform can be downloaded for free by directly from the MetaTrader 4 official website, or by downloading it through a broker that has MT4 support. Different versions of the software are available for mobile phones, and different home computers. This installation guide uses a Windows PC as an example.
Once the download is finished, click the “Run” button (see Figure 2).
After launching the installation, a new window will pop-up with the “End-User License Agreement” (see Figure 3). First read the agreement before checking off the box “Yes, I agree with all terms of this license agreement.” Click next to continue to the next step.
Wait until the setup program copies all the files. As soon as all the steps have been completed, click “Finish” to end the installation process.
If you followed this step by step guide on how to install the MT4 terminal on your computer, you should have successfully installed your first MT4 platform, and you are ready to set up the software.
When you first load MT4 your screen should look similar to the one from Figure 1. The only difference will be the name of your preferred broker.
The next step will be to fill in the Authorization form (see Figure 2) that allows you access to your first MT4 demo account. Depending on the Forex broker you’ve chosen to trade with you’ll receive the login and password credentials via email. Select the server specified in the email.
If the authorization operation was successful you should see a label showing the connection status in the bottom right corner of your screen as shown in Figure 3. Once connected, you have full access to the MT4 platform and you’re good to place your first demo trade and start analyzing the market.
In case you haven’t already registered for an MT4 demo account, or you inputted the wrong login credentials, then you should see a label showing “No connection” in the bottom right corner of your screen as in Figure 4.
The simplest to do this is to follow the process described below:
Go to: Menu >> File >> Open an Account >> Select Demo Server
A new window will appear that will prompt you to select the Trading Server. Choose the server that has the word “Demo” in its name (see Figure 6). The server name might be different depending on the broker you signed up with.
A new window will pop up that shows the account types you can choose from. Select “New demo account” (see Figure 7).
After clicking the next button, a new window will appear prompting the trader to fill out personal details to open the new MT4 demo account (see Figure 8). You need to fill out the following information:
After choosing your account and leverage, tick the box “I agree to subscribe to your newsletter” and click next.
A new window, shown in Figure 9, will appear giving the trader a login, password, and investor password credentials for the account. You will also receive an email with your login credentials; make sure you save your password as you’ll need it to login into your account at another time. Click the Finish button you’re set to place your first trade.
The second method used to open a new Demo account is via the Navigator tab on the left side of the screen (see Figure 10). Right click on Accounts to display the pop-up menu and select “Open an Account.” From here, you can follow the same process as described above. If you can’t locate the Navigator tab, then go to top Menu –> View –> Navigator.
After you first complete your MT4 demo account registration, you should already be logged in to MT4. If you’re logged out or need to log in with a different account, you can simply go to Menu > File > Login to Trade Account.
As an alternative, you can manage multiple MT4 demo accounts from the Navigation tab (see Figure 11)
When you first open the MT4 terminal you will have a lot to look at. You should see several charts and windows, and in future sections, we will cover how to navigate through the platform and how to make the best use of its functionalities.
By default, the MetaTrader 4 platform layout is divided into 6 main components (see Figure 1) as follows:
The MetaTrader 4 Main Menu is a collection of all functions that can be performed from inside the MT4 terminal. The Main Menu is located just below the MT4 platform header and consists of six tabs (see Figure 2) that contain different sub-menus.
The File tab gives you access to the following commands and functions:
The View tab allows a trader to manage your MT4 terminal language, as well as what toolbars should be visible on your MT4 platform. The View tab can give you access to the following commands and functions:
The Insert tab gives a variety of indicators and objects that can be used with charts. These are the key features of the Insert tab:
The Charts tab gives you access to managing your charts. The Charts tab can give you access to the following commands and functions:
From the Tools tab, the user can open a new trade and change the MT4 platform Options.
The Window tab gives users access to manage the chart window.
The Help tab gives you access to the MT4 platform user guide as well as a large library of links to the MQL5 website for more detailed information. The Help tab can give you access to the following commands and functions:
The MetaTrader 4 platform has 4 built-in toolbars with different functionalities:
You will notice that the toolbars are separated by minor vertical lines. Every single toolbar command can also be found in the Main Menu. You can customize these toolbars and only assemble the ones used the most. The Standard toolbar contains general commands about the MT4 terminal as follows:
This lets you create a new chart window for any instrument that you select. This lets you manage all your saved profiles. You can save a new profile, remove old profiles and switch between profiles. pen and close the Market Watch window. Open and close the Data Window. Open and close the Navigator window. Open and close the Terminal window. Open and close the Tester window where you can test and optimize your EA. This will open the Order window from where you can execute your trades. This will enable the Expert Advisors on your trading account. The Charts toolbar contains general commands about managing the Chart window as follows: This command will display the charts as a series of bars. This command will display the charts as a series of candlesticks. This command will display the charts as a line connecting the close prices. This command will zoom out. This command will zoom in. This command will arrange the chart windows as a tile. This command enables and disables the automatic shifting of the chart to the left once a new bar or candlestick has started to form. This command will allow you to add a buffer to the left side of the chart. This command will allow you to insert technical indicators into the chart. This command will allow you to switch the time frames. Manage all your profiles, including applying a new template to the current chart The Line Studies toolbar contains graphical objects that can be placed on the charts as follows: The standard cursor for selection mode. The crosshair cursor. In this mode, you’ll be able to see the coordinates of the selected point in the chart This will allow you to draw a vertical line on the chart. This will allow you to draw a horizontal line on the chart. This will allow you to draw a trendline on the chart. This will allow you to draw an equidistant channel on the chart. The Timeframes toolbar contains different time periods that you can switch between. These chart periods can also be customized based on your own needs.
The Market Watch window contains all the available instruments to trade. The Market Watch window has three columns that contain:
Right-click inside the Market Watch window you can add new columns like the spread, the time and the high and the low of the day. Make sure to also select “Show All” which will display all available instruments to trade. You can also open a new trade directly from the Market Watch window by right-clicking on the symbol you want to trade, and selecting “New Order.”
The Data Window is used to display general information from the chart. When you move the cursor over the chart, the Data Window will display the following information:
You’ll also be able to see information about all the indicators attached to the selected chart.
The Navigator Window will give you the chance to have a quick access to different features of the MT4 terminal. The Navigator Window can give you access to the following commands and functions:
From the Navigator Window, you’ll be able to manage all your Live and Demo accounts as well as switch between them. Another feature of the Navigator window is that it will give you access to the Indicators, Expert Advisors and Scripts available in the MT4 platform.
The Terminal Window is a multipurpose window, that allows you to monitor your trades, check your account balance, view open positions as well as managing your EAs. These are the main features of the Terminal Window:
Open the Order window to execute your trade:
The Order window comes with some basic features and options that allow you to properly set up the order the way you want. The following options are available in the Order window:
Once the new trade is executed it will be listed in the Terminal Window as in the figure below:
The MetaTrader 4 terminal allows you to open two different types of trade orders:
The MetaTrader 4 platform also allows you to open new orders directly from the chart window. To enable the One-click Trading functionality, right-click and select “One Click Trading” or press ALT+T. This function will enable you to open, modify, and close current open positions from within the chart.
Once you activate the One-click trading functionality a panel will appear in the top right corner of the chart window. If this is the first time you have activated this feature, a Disclaimer window will pop up. Tick the box “I Accept these Terms and Conditions” and then click OK in order to enable One-click Trading.
When trading using this panel, all trade orders are executed instantly at the best available market price. If you want to place a Pending Order directly from within the chart, place the cursor over the necessary price level you want to Buy or Sell, right-click, and select “Trading” (see Figure 5). Before executing the trade the Order, a window will appear so the trader can adjust the trade’s parameters.
If your trade has a stop loss order or a take-profit order, then your position will be closed automatically if the price reaches either of the two values. If you want to close the position early you can highlight the trade in the Terminal window, right-click and then select “Close Order” (see Figure 6). As an alternative, you can always double-click or select the “x” sign at the end of the order for the same result. You can also take partial profits, thus making a partial close of the trade, by specifying the amount you wish to close and then just click “Close Position.”
You can modify and attach a stop loss (SL) order and a take profit (TP) order of current trades, by locating a trade in the Terminal window, right-clicking, and then selecting “Modify or Delete Order” (see Figure 7). This action will open the Order Window from where you can attach the SL and TP orders. Double-clicking on the open position in the Terminal window will have the same effect. Usually, your Forex broker will only allow you to place SL and TP if they are at least 10 pips away from the current market price. Once you’re done, click Modify and your new SL and TP orders are attached to your trade.
If you want to automate your entire trading process, you can develop your own algorithmic trading programs, which are also called automated trading systems or Expert Advisors if they are developed specifically for MT4. This can be a more efficient way of managing your trading activities, but there are pros and cons that come with trading algorithmically.
The main advantage of algorithmic trading is that you reduce the emotional engagement in your trading allowing you to eliminate any subjectivity from your trading activities. It also allows traders to backtest a strategy which will give you the opportunity to optimize and fine-tune your trade entries. Your automated strategy can also work while you are not monitoring the market, catching more market opportunities.
Mechanical trading systems have also disadvantages. A mechanical trading system can’t adapt to the changing market conditions, which can result in costly losses. Malfunctions or mechanical failures can also affect the performance of your algorithm. Although algorithmic trading might seem to be an easy way to make money, building your own profitable algorithm will require a lot of time and hard work. You also need to be a skilled programmer to develop a profitable system that can profit consistently in the from the markets.
An Expert Advisor is an automated trading strategy or a trading robot that automatically buys or sells in your MT4 account according to its algorithm. They are developed in the MQL4 language. The EAs are not limited to automated trading strategies, but they can also be used in automating your trade management system The MetaTrader 4 platform gives you a wide range of tools to successfully create your own Expert Advisor, backtest your Expert Advisor, as well as to debug possible errors in your algorithm. A library of the available EAs in your MT4 platform can be found in the Navigator window (see Figure 1).
The process of manually installing an Expert Advisor is quite simple. First, locate the installation files on your MetaTrader4 platform, as this where we’re going to copy and install our Expert Advisors directly to into the MT4 platform. To do this click, File ‐‐> Open Data Folder (see Figure 2).
It’s important to note that there are two types of files (see Figure 3) for an Expert Advisor:
The next step is to copy-paste your Expert Advisor file into the MQL4 Experts folder (see Figure 4)
After the installation is completed, restart the MT4 platform in order for the Expert Advisors to become available. It’s important to restart the program after installing an Expert Advisor so MT4 can recognize the new files. The Expert Advisors are located under the Expert Advisors drop down menu inside the Navigator window (see Figure 1). In order to launch the Expert Advisor, you have to drag and drop it into the chart. Once the EA is attached to the chart, you will be able to see the name of the Expert Advisor at the top right‐hand side (see Figure 5). There are three Expert Advisor status modes which are indicated by different icons:
The next step is to check the AutoTrading settings under the Menu ‐‐> Tools ‐‐> Options ‐‐> Expert Advisors tab. This needs to be done in order for the platform to allow your EAs to run. Once the “AutoTrading” option is checked then your EA is ready to run.
The Tester window (CTRL+R) has two functionalities – one for the purpose of backtesting and the other is for EA optimization. Backtesting allows you to see the functionality and profitability of your Expert Advisors.
A chart is a visual representation of the price movements at any given time. The MetaTrader 4 platform offers you the possibility to open up to 99 charts simultaneously. The charts are customizable, and you can open a chart for FX pairs and CFDs. There are numerous ways to open a new chart:
All new charts will have the default template applied automatically, which can then be modified. A new chart window can be opened in an offline environment but the chart will not be updated in real time with new price quotes. To do this select File –> Open Offline.
The MetaTrader4 terminal has 3 types of charts:
To create a bar chart, click the button on the Chart toolbar or press ALT+1.
To create a candlestick chart, click the button on the Chart toolbar or press ALT+2.
To create a bar chart, click the button on the Chart toolbar or press ALT+3. MetaTrader4 offers you the following time periods: 1 Minute, 5 Minutes, 15 Minutes, 30 Minutes, 1 Hour, 4 Hours, Daily, Weekly, and Monthly. You can create a chart for the time you want by using the Timeframes toolbar or by right-clicking on the chart and selecting Timeframes.
Other timeframes toolbar functions are:
MT4 Chart Settings can be managed individually for each chart. Right-click on the chart, then select Properties, or you can press the F8 hotkey. The properties window is used to change the colors used in the chart.
The Common tab offers you different types of commands and functions. These functions have already been discussed throughout this guide, and they are very intuitive to follow.
After you’re done, click OK to save the changes.
A technical indicator is a mathematical calculation based on the historic price and/or volume that helps a trader forecast future market direction. Technical indicators are a huge benefit to traders, particularly if you have a nice charting package. Technical indicators fall into two categories:
A technical indicator is a great tool to help time the entry and exit of a trade.
The easiest way to add a technical indicator over a chart is by clicking the button on the chart toolbar, which calls the indicators sub-menu from where you can choose your desired technical indicator. Usually, if it’s an oscillator indicator, it will appear in a separate indicator window at the bottom of the chart window.
A second method to apply a technical indicator to a chart is to drag-and-drop the desired indicator from the navigator window onto the chart. If you choose a trending indicator like a Moving Average this will be applied directly to the price chart.
Finally, you can access the indicators library directly from the Main Menu. Simply go to Menu –> Insert –> Indicators and choose your preferred technical indicator.
The process of manually installing a technical indicator is quite simple. Locate the installation files on your MetaTrade4 platform, and copy and install our technical indicator directly to your MT4 platform–> File–> Open Data Folder. Locate the MQL4 and Indicator folder where all the indicators are stored, and copy your indicator in there.
After installation is completed, you’ll have to restart the MT4 platform in order for the technical indicator to be viewable in the MetaTrader4 platform. It’s important to always restart after installing the technical indicator, so the MT4 can recognize the new files you have added.
All indicators have settings and parameters that can be changed. When you apply an indicator you can modify the settings according to your own trading needs. Usually, a new window with indicator settings will pop up when you try to attach an indicator to a price chart on the MT4 terminal. For the purpose of this tutorial, we have chosen the RSI indicator to exemplify what type of settings are available to you:
Under the “Levels” tab you can change the indicator settings, which will vary from one indicator to another. Since the RSI is a momentum indicator you only have the 30 and 70 levels as these are the standard RSI overbought and oversold levels. Under the “Visualization” tab you can change which timeframes the indicator is visible on, and on which timeframes the indicator is hidden. Alternatively, you can double-click on the indicator to access the indicator settings. As a third option you can access the indicator settings from the top menu: Charts –> Indicators List –> select your preferred technical indicator and select “Edit.” To remove an indicator from your price chart, you simply have to click on “delete”.
A profile is the best way of managing a group of charts. A profile gives a trader the possibility of saving a group of charts and settings, which is useful if the trader regularly uses the same charts. Whenever you open a saved profile, the group of charts with the saved settings will open exactly in the same position they were in when the profile was saved. You can save as many profiles as you wish under different names, and delete unused ones. The name of the current profile is shown at the bottom status bar window, which is the default profile created when the MT4 platform was installed.
The simplest method, to create a new profile is by clicking the button on the main toolbar. To manage all profiles, and switch between them, go to the main Menu–> File –> Profiles. The “Save Profile” command and this will open a new window where you can choose your preferred profile name.
A template is a collection of chart settings that can be saved and applied to other charts. A template will help you save your preferred chart settings. These include:
When you apply a new template to a price chart, the saved chart settings will be attached to the new chart. Once you have selected your preferred template settings you can save a new template by pressing the button on the Chart toolbar. You can also manage all templates, and apply newly saved templates, from the Main Menu –> Charts –> Template. The “Save Template” command will open a new window where you can choose your preferred template name.
You can use the same template on as many charts as you wish. If you want to assign a predefined template to a trading account, the template name must coincide with the number of the trading account. If you want to modify a template or delete an old template, you have to select the corresponding template by pressing the button on the Chart toolbar to select the appropriate command. The profiles and templates functionalities are designed to make your MT4 experience more efficient. Both are particularly useful tools if you have preferred settings you want to attach to multiple charts.
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