MT4 navigational tips and techniques
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Thread: MT4 navigational tips and techniques

  1. #1


    (NEW MATERIAL IN RED TYPEFACE )

    Hi all

    The subsequent article used to be tacky in the MetaTrader forum, but it seems to have been missing. Therefore I'm re-posting it .

    Utilization of the mouse and mousewheel, and their keyboard equivalents

    Scrolling the chart
    Hold down the mouse button and drag the mouse in the main chart area, to scroll left/right.
    Or you can also simply roll the mousewheel down/up, or utilize the left/right arrow keys, to likewise scroll the chart perspective left/right.
    To scroll a whole screen at one time, use Page Up (scroll ) and Page Down (scroll right).
    To Rename into the leftmost bar on the chart, press Home.To reposition to the latest (rightmost) bar, press Finish.
    To measure forward 1 bar at a time, press F12.
    To measure backward 1 bar at a time, press Shift-F12.
    Scrolling a chart beyond the leftmost bar will add historical bars to the start of the chart, until no more are available from MT4's historical database.

    Moving right to a particular date/time
    To re-position immediately to a particular date, press Enter, then type in the date in the shape DD.MM.YY and press Enter again. Leading zeros may be omitted (e.g. to proceed to 4 July 2005, kind 4.7.5). To re-position to a specific date/time, use the format HH:MM or DD.MM.YY HH:MM (e.g. to place to 8:07am TODAY on a 1-min chart, simply type 8:7).

    You can also utilize the Quick Navigation Box to change either the currency symbol, or the period, thus:

    Inserted Code 1. Time (hours:minutes) example: 08:30; 8:30; 2. Date illustration: 2004.10.16; 16.10.2004; 16.10.04; 3. Date and time example: 2004.10.16 8:30; 16.10.2004 8:30; 16.10.04 8:30; 4. Symbol illustration: GBPUSD; EURUSD; 5. Chart period example: M1; M5; M15; M30; H1; H4; D1; W1; MN; 6. Symbol, chart interval example: GBPUSD, M30; EURUSD, D1; Vertical zoom and re-scale
    it is possible to re-scale the chart vertically by moving the mouse to the vertical axis area at the right of the screen, and then dragging downwards (with the left button down) to compress the chart bars, or dragging upwards to expand them.
    Double click to reset the chart to its original scale.

    Horizontal zoom and re-scale
    Likewise, you can fix the diameter of the price pubs by moving the mouse to the horizontal axis area at the bottom of the screen, and then dragging directly (zoom ) or left (zoom out). Or use the and #8211; keys to attain this.


    Indiors
    Double-click on or close indiors with the left mouse buttonto call their parameter installation windows.
    Right-click to call the indior's context menu.

    If the screen is cluttered with overlapping indiors and/or objects, making it too hard to pick the desirable indior, press Ctrl-I to call up the Indiors dialog window. Double click (or click on the Edit button, or Alt-E) on the indior to edit its attributes (parameters, colors, etc), or click on the Publish button (or Alt-D) to remove it in the chart.
    You can use the Home, End and Page/arrow Up/Down keys to navigate up/down the list.


    Objects
    Double-click on or close an item (line studies, arrows, texts, geometric shapes) to pick the object. Once chosen, you can move an item by clicking on it (or in the case of or trendline or form, it is centre handle) and dragging it to the desired destination. By dragging the handles on the 17, shapes channels etc may be extended. The amount X/Y seems, in which X = the diameter of the shape of candles, and Y = the elevation of the shape in pips.
    Right-click on a chosen object to open its context menu.

    If the screen is cluttered with overlapping indiors and/or objects, making it too hard to pick the desired object(s), press Ctrl-B to call up the Objects dialog window. Left click on the check boxes on/off to select/deselect applicable object(s). Double click (or click on the Edit button, or Alt-E) on an item to edit its attributes (parameters, colors, etc), or click the Publish button (or Alt-D) to remove it in the chart. To quickly delete a whole block of objects, repeatedly press Alt-D or hold it down (careful, they vanish rather quickly!)
    You can use the Home, End and Page/arrow Up/Down keys to navigate up/down the list.
    Click on the'Name' or'Description' going area to sort by name, or description, respectively.
    Left-click to Pick a product. You can use Ctrl-click Shift-click to add a set of sequential items to add a choice and items, or media Ctrl-A to pick all products. Click on the Edit button (or press Alt-E) to edit all items in the group consecutively, or the Delete button (or press Alt-D) to delete all selected items concurrently (careful!) .

    Alternatively, from the chart window, then press Backspace repeatedly to delete the most recently added object(s) on a last-added-first-removed basis (useful if you want to quickly have a look at a Fibo or regression station, then remove it). Press Ctrl-Z to reverse any deletes, in reverse order.
    Or press the Delete key to remove ALL SELECTED objects.

    Parallel Trendlines
    Ctrl left click on a chosen trend line to draw a parallel fashion line (make a station ). Can also be used with horizontal and vertical lines.

    Dupliing objects
    The'Parallel Trendlines' concept extends to ALL objects (vertical, horizontal and fashion lines; shapes - triangle, square, ellipse; text and labels; arrows and arrows; and studies like channels, Fibo, Gann, Pitchfork, etc). Here is how to duplie any item:

    -- Select the item by clicking on it**
    -- While holding down the Ctrl key: move the mouse over any one of the object's handles, and, holding down the left button drag the mouse to where you want the duplied thing to be loed

    This shortcut also duplies each one the proprties of the parent thing, e.g. if you've got red, blue and green objects, and you want to create a green one, simply duplie it. This is quicker than creating a new item, and changing its colour.

    ** Object choice options
    Press Ctrl-O and then Pick the'Objects' tab.

    -- Select thing by single mouse - if checked OFF, you have to double click to pick an item, and right click to change its attributes. Only click to pick an item, and double click to modify its attributes if checked ON.

    -- Select thing after production - if checked ON, any item is automatically chosen immediately after you create it.

    -- Display properties after production - if checked ON, the land modifiion window to the item is displayed, immediately after you make the item.

    OR

    Press Ctrl-B to display the things list. Click on the checkbox (at left) for each item you want selected.

    Info Bubble
    Hover the mouse cursor on or over a component, item or indior to see the instant (help information bubble).

    Crosshair style, and ruler instrument
    Click on the mousewheel to switch cursor to the crosshair mode.
    This may also be achieved by pressing on Ctrl-F, or selecting the crosshair icon in the toolbar. The crosshairs also display vertical (price) and horizontal (date/time) co-ordinates at the right and bottom of the chart.
    Simply left-click to exit crosshair mode.

    Now, this really is something extremely useful I haven#8217;t discovered in the online help:
    While in crosshair mode, hold down the mouse button and drag the mouse to acquire a ruler-type tool which measures vertical (amount of pips) and horizontal (number of bars) in the center of the crosshairs. The tool shows counters in the shape A/B/C in which a is the amount of pubs right or left of the crosshair, B is the amount of pips from crosshair to cursor, and C is the price at the cursor.

    I locate B extremely useful for measuring the amount of pips between any 2 points, thus:
    1) move the mouse to the stage that you need to measure from (the anchor line );
    2) click on the mousewheel to input crosshair style;
    3) then hold down the left button and move the mouse to any number of destination factors, to see the amount of pips between the anchor line and the current mouse destination.
    This saves having to compute this space , as the gap between two prices. Pretty cool!
    You could also use this facility to rely price bars (reading A) between any 2 dates/times.


    Reference and anchor points
    'Fixed chart position' arrow: In the lower left of the chart there's a dark colored** arrow. Dragging it with the mouse sets the benchmark (anchor) stage for the chart. Now once you change the timeframe, or zoom in or out, this stage remains anchored at its existing loion.

    'Chart change' arrow: In the top right of the chart there's additionally a dim colored** arrow. Twist it left or right with the mouse to set the loion for the final (most current) bar on the chart (i.e. set the quantity of empty whitespace at the right of the chart).

    [** the colour is actually set to the identical colour as the Grid colour (press F8 to change the Grid colour in the chart Properties window). Therefore if the arrows are not simple to see, change the Grid color that contrasts better with the chart background.]


    Removing all indiors and objects from the chart
    Load a blank chart (the pair/timeframe does not matter), then change the preferences (press F8) to set colors, grid, etc to fit your preference. Save as a template named (for example) Z. (menu option: /> http://www.greattradingsystems.com/f...der-4-indiors/
    http://allforexindiors.com/Default.aspx
    http://www.metatraderlibrary.com/forex-indiors/

    If you want to delete an expert, script or indior (CAREFUL!) , use Windows Explorer to go to the appropriate folder, and then delete the file together with the EX4 extension. For instance, if you decide that you no longer wish to utilize PCCI, then delete file PCCI.EX4
    That will effectively eliminate PCCI from the habit indiors list in MT4

    The file PCCI.MQ4 includes the source code for PCCI (which you copied from your web resource), the PCCI.EX4 file is the executable code that was created when you did your own compile back step (5). If you want to re-instate the indior, all you need to do is reload the source into MetaEditor (press Ctrl-O and open the appropriate file), and then press F5 to compile it, then re-creates the executable file used by MT4.

    A simpler method of deleting an expert, script or indior is by using the Navigator (press Ctrl-N). Click the item you wish to delete, then press the key, and click Yes to confirm the deletion. Notice that this deletes both the source (. MQ4) and executable (. EX4) files.

    Happy charting!
    David

    Footnote: the above is replicated in the Word doc. If you prefer, you may download the doc, add your own notes or publish it out.

    NOTE: More tips http://articles.mql4.com/189.

    March 27, 2012: Added attached file How to create a ruler to measure multiple R-multiple profit targets. This is useful if you want a measuring tool where you want to vary a SL setting, and also have multiple TP settings (that are R-multiples of the SL) fix themselves automatically. It utilizes MT4's in-built Fibonacci Channels centre, so there is no indy required.


    Miscellaneous connections

    Solving Vista/Win7 issues: http://4xtrader.net/how-to-run-metat...ws-7-or-vista/
    7bit's Debug View thread: https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...d-thought.html
    Steve Hopwood's EA casing: https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...imeframes.html
    MQL4 tutorials: https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...ex-trader.html
    see also: https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...s-reality.html

    MQL4 tutorials (full Collection of hyperlinks ):
    https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...o-journal.html (zip files with full tutorials)
    http://www.metatrader.info/node/34
    http://articles.mql4.com/404
    http://articles.mql4.com/417
    http://articles.mql4.com/466
    http://articles.mql4.com/516
    http://articles.mql4.com/536
    http://book.mql4.com/
    http://docs.mql4.com/ (MQL4 reference guide )
    https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...as-system.html
    Have a look at Jim Dandy's excellent MQL4 tutorial videos : http://www.jimdandyforex.com/lessonvideo-links/

    Br0ker comparison links: https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...ents-euro.html

    TA resources: https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...sd-charts.html

    Useful MQL4 functions (my functions catalog ): https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...d-thought.html
    Format of HST files here: https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...on/71-mt4.html
    Export price history to Excel here: https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...imeframes.html (see later articles in thread also)
    and updated here: https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...ly-target.html
    Export Background indior: https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...00-2008-a.html
    Export bid/ask to Excel (SMJones, DDE-sample. Xls): https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...-question.html
    MT4 Expert Advisor Builder: http://sufx.core.t3-ism.net/ExpertAdvisorBuilder/
    Another egy builder: http://forexsb.com/wiki/start
    MQL4: Manual: http://book.mql4.com/
    Documentation: http://docs.mql4.com/
    Interpreting System Tester Report numbers: http://www.metaquotes.net/experts/ar...tester_report/
    Link to MQL4 resources: https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...agic-wave.html
    Trade/exit management EAs: https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...pile-list.html and https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...nal-245-a.html
    Compendium of EAs (mainly trade management) in forexsaint#8217;s thread: https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...ents-euro.html
    Why MT4 is so widely used: https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...-scalping.html
    What the numbers in MT4's Expert Testing report mean: http://articles.mql4.com/83 and http://articles.mql4.com/127
    utilizing MT4 to plot non-forex charts: https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...newbi-log.html
    and https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...-question.html

    Reading/writing files outside #8230;\experts\files folder: http://articles.mql4.com/720 and http://codebase.mql4.com/4086
    Executing external program: http://forum.mql4.com/16121#109022 and http://support.microsoft.com/kb/238245
    How to set up e-mail alerts in MT4: http://broguetraders.com/2011/02/11/...in-metatrader/
    also https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...ly-target.html
    and https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...ty-knocks.html

    MetaTrader 4 Strategy Tester Tutorial: http://www.easyexpertforex.com/backt...imization.html
    How to attain 90% modelling quality: http://alansforexblog.com/2008/02/27...pert-advisors/
    Free data source for EAs: http://www.forextester.com/datasources.html
    EA review/constriction info: http://eareview.net/tick-data
    Trade juice table on statistical validity: http://www.tradejuice.com/system-tra...ing-system.htm
    Ideas on backtesting: https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...rts-ascii.html

    Possible sources of tick data:
    http://ratedata.gaincapital.com/
    http://www.forextickdata.com/services.htm
    http://www.tickplusdata.com/forexlist.htm
    http://disktrading.is99.com/disktrading/#FOREX
    OMZ to ASCII converter here: http://www.quote-solutions.com/softw...historycentre/
    http://www.tssupport.com/services/hc/
    http://www.goforex.net/forex-directory/forex-data.htm
    http://www.global-view.com/forex-tra...forex-history/
    http://www.thinkingstuff.com/Resourc...5/Default.aspx

    MT4 script to convert tick data to FXT/HST format: http://codebase.mql4.com/516

    Free programming threads:
    https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...o-journal.html
    https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...-big-deal.html
    https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...ty-knocks.html
    https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...mendation.html

    How to read/interpret the stats on a Trade Explorer: https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...ly-target.html

    Pips, lots, spread, swap, risk, position sizing, margin, leverage calculations explained: https://www.forexforum.co.za/general...-question.html
    https://www.forexforum.co.za/attachm...3552606793.doc
    https://www.forexforum.co.za/attachm...6301800818.doc
    https://www.forexforum.co.za/attachm...9789248924.mq4

  2. #2
    96233 Hi guys... know how deselect that box form chart? Is mouse box... I have same information on bottom right so I do not need, block my overview... thanks...

  3. #3
    96233
    Quote Originally Posted by ;
    Hi guys... understand how deselect that box form chart? image is mouse box... I have same information on underside image so I don't desire, block my overview... thanks...
    These aid popups seem to look if you leave the mouse cursor close to the final price of a candle for more than ~ 0.5 minutes. I don't think it's likely to turn off the feature . But should the mouse pointer moves away from the candle, then they soon disappear.

  4. #4
    96233Hi Hanover.
    Your ageless indior OB Ident.mq4 are of much assistance to me.
    When I raised EngulfMargin Percent form 100 to 200 it functioned only for its engulfs not OB. Can I increase the EngulfMargin Percent to your OB.
    [quote][Https://www.forexforum.co.za/trading...newbi-log.html Joined Sep 2006 | Status:... | 6,283 Articles The attached indior - which I composed a long time back - will emphasize OBs (and even more), but a person will have to bring an alert to it.

    It plots white arrows to emphasize external bars (higher high, lower than previous candle), and optionally also yellow arrows to other candles whose body engulfs the previous candle's body. It may be attached to a chart of any pair, any time. It is possible to attach it to chart timeframes should you wish.



    EngulfMarginPct - applies to engulfing body candles only, as opposed to OBs. The body has to be at least X% in height, relative to the height of the body of the candle. E.g. if your system has to be at least two times as high, input 200.
    /quote]

  5. #5
    96233
    Quote Originally Posted by ;
    After I raised EngulfMargin Percent form 100 to 200 it worked only for its engulfs not OB. Do I increase the EngulfMargin Percentage for the OB.
    In the instructions it states EngulfMarginPct - applies to engulfing body candles only, as opposed to OBs. It is not possible to increase the EngulfMargin Percentage for your OB.

    I am quite sorry, but I'm no longer coding or troubleshooting indiors, unless the indior or EA is beneficial to me personally. You could try posting in one of those I code your indiors for threads that are free if you'd like the indior function changed, and somebody else can help you.

    Or whether you're ready to cover the work, you could try https://www.mql5.com/en/job or even https://www.elance.com/r/contractors/q-MQL4 Programming.

  6. #6
    96233
    Quote Originally Posted by ;
    quote These aid popups seem to appear if you leave the mouse cursor near the final price of a candle for more than ~ 0.5 minutes. I don't think it's likely to turn the feature off . But should you move the mouse pointer away from the candle, they soon disappear.
    Thank you Sir... (I know that, I hope for deactivation... )

  7. #7
    When I shift from 1 time frame to another anybody please tell me the way to rectify my time frame tabs remaining highlighted. I'm utilizing Mt 4 platform using ETX Capital.
    If I change to say 1 hr to 4 hr or daily etc, all tabs stay highlighted so that I'm not sure which actual time frame I have on the chart. Thank you btk

  8. #8
    96233
    Quote Originally Posted by ;
    Can anybody please tell me the way to rectify my time frame tabs staying highlighted when I shift from 1 time period to another. I'm using Mt 4 platform using ETX Capital. If I switch to say 1 hr to 4 hr or daily etc, all tabs stay highlighted that I'm not certain which time period I've on the chart. Thanks btk
    There seems to be more graphic issues with the current MT4 variations, way round this is to have a chart indior to display
    currency pair interval. Lots of them about on this forum.

  9. #9
    Shabs19, I'll see if I can find one to perform the trick.

  10. #10

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