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MetaTrader Indicators User’s Tutorial

January 7th, 2008

This tutorial covers indicator installation for MetaTrader 4. If you need info on how to install MetaTrader 5 indicators, please, read my Indicator Tutorial for MetaTrader 5.

There are many free MetaTrader indicators available on-line, but some people still encounter problems in attaching these indicators to a chart or even compiling them when needed. This simple user’s tutorial was made by me for those that want learn attaching custom MT4 indicators.

1. Download custom MT4 indicator and save it to the ’indicators’ folder inside the ’experts’ folder inside your MetaTrader’s installation folder:
Downloading and Saving MT4 Indicator

2. If it’s already compiled (.ex4 file) then fine, if not (.mql file) — double click it with your mouse and it will be opened in MQL editor (this editor is standard for every MetaTrader 4); click the ’Compile’ button at the center top of the editor window — the indicator will be compiled and ready to be attached. There might be some errors or warnings during the compilation, but in most cases there shouldn’t be any. You can try and fix those errors, but usually it takes some time and programming skills to do this.
Compiling MT4 Indicator

3. After you get the .ex4 file in your indicators folder (through compilation or download), you can start using it with your MetaTrader platform. All you have to do is to attach it to the chart. If you know what you are doing you might also want to change some of the indicator’s input parameters.
Attaching MT4 Indicator to Chart

OK. Now you can enjoy your new MT4 indicator and hopefully — better Forex trading results.

48 Responses to “MetaTrader Indicators User’s Tutorial”

  1. bob dawes

    when i follow these instructions to compile i always get a pop up that says compiler could not be opened. tried with several files and they all do the same thing. Please advise thanks

    Reply

  2. Andrei

    Bob.

    What a strange error. Maybe your MT4 wasn’t installed properly. Try re-installing it or download it from a different broker.

    Reply

  3. tony

    pls how long does the compilation process take

    Reply

    Andrei Reply:

    Almost instantly.

    Reply

    Carl Reply:

    ok.. thanks

    Reply

  4. Andy

    is it possible to have a begginer indicator with an alert? your help will be appreciated guys

    Reply

    Andrei Reply:

    Please, ask all Beginner related questions in its dedicated forum:
    http://www.earnforex.com/forum/f12/beginner-5/

    Reply

  5. Codex

    You’re confusing people by giving them too much information by telling them they have to install mq4 files and then open the editor and compile them. The platform will do this automatically when the mq4 file is used for the first time.

    Reply

    Andrei Reply:

    Yeah, but if there are compilation errors in the code they won’t even know it.

    Reply

  6. frank

    Compiled a mq4 with no error, but where’s the ex4? don’t see it showing on my custom indicator column?

    Reply

    Andrei Reply:

    Did you put it in experts/indicators folder? Did you restart MT4 after compiling it?

    Reply

  7. heisamit

    Thank you for the indicators and the valuable information that you have provided on your website. I tried installation of the fisher indicator you have provided on your website for the MT5 platform, however was not able to get it to work, infact I wasnt able to see it in my Navigator column. Could you please let me know how once installs it on the MT5 platform. Thanks in advance.
    PS: I saved the MT5 fisher indicator to the C:\Program files\Metatrader5\MQL5\Indicators\Examples
    Am I doing it right or do I need to save it in some other folder

    Reply

    Andrei Reply:

    For MT5 you have to save Fisher indicator (.mq5 file) into C:\Program files\Metatrader5\MQL5\Indicators\Fisher\
    Then restart MT5.

    Reply

  8. heisamit

    Thanks Andrei, got it. Have a great day

    Reply

  9. Shoofeer

    Hi Andrei, I have tried to download the resistance and support indicators.however when ever I unzip the files, I cant open them. it looks like when you have a word document but microsoft office is not installed in your PC. Kindly help me out as I need this very urgently.Many thanks in advance

    Reply

    Andrei Reply:

    You don’t need to open any files. Just unzip them into experts\indicators\ folder of your MetaTrader 4 terminal folder and restart MetaTrader. But, judging from your description (the type of files isn’t recognized), you don’t have MT4 installed. And you won’t be able to use any of MT4 indicators without installing MT4 platform.

    Reply

  10. Bobo

    It work for me really well,thanks man!

    Reply

    Andrei Reply:

    I am glad that it’s useful.

    Reply

  11. Joe

    I followed the instruction and I can see the price alert ea in the navigator box but I cant drag it into the chart to set price alerts, can some one please help me? Not sure If I’m doing it right. Thank you!

    Reply

    Andrei Reply:

    Actually you shouldn’t be seeing an EA, because it’s an indicator. Are you sure that you’ve copied it to “experts/indicators” folder of your MT4?

    Reply

  12. adeyemi

    pls i can not be able to install this fisher indicator pls, i need easy procedure that it can thought me easily frm begining their insallation.pls i need the indicator urgently.

    Reply

    Andrei Reply:

    What step you can’t understand?

    Reply

  13. adeyemi

    pls from the starting of d installation

    Reply

    Andrei Reply:

    Just follow the tutorial.

    Reply

  14. Ebere

    i tried to install the metatrader 4 trading assistant indicator, but instead of getting the parameters showing buy and sell notification, i got drawn line signals. so i don’t know what could be wrong, please help me resolve this. thanks

    Reply

  15. Drew

    Hey Andrei
    A quick question regarding Amazing EA
    Does my computer need to be switched on for it to operate?
    If I want it to trade with comp switched of do I need to set my entries before I shut down?
    Thanks
    Drew

    Reply

    admin Reply:

    It won’t work if you turn off your computer. You should use VPS hosting to host your MetaTrader platform with an expert advisor if you want it to work with your own computer switched off.

    Reply

  16. Ajagbe-Balogun Kamoru Abefe

    How can i attach alert to beginner?
    Seceondly, I find that beginner triger after the seconld bar , is that how it works?

    Reply

    admin Reply:

    There’s a separate thread in the forum about Beginner indicator: http://www.earnforex.com/forum/f12/beginner-5/

    Reply

  17. singh

    I wnat to know about your indicators alsor for MACD BB BALL. Please call me any time at 818-792-8031
    Thanks.
    Sincerely,

    Satnam Singh

    Reply

  18. victor

    I tried downloading arroow magic indicator mt4

    Reply

  19. Mold forex

    Very good manual, will try find in russian lang

    Reply

  20. victoria

    gracias, me funciono…

    Reply

    admin Reply:

    De nada.

    Reply

  21. Jay

    I did what you instructed. It compiled with no error, but still it does not attach. what should i do next ?

    Reply

    admin Reply:

    What do you mean “does not attach”? What happens when you try attaching it?

    Reply

  22. Martin

    I copied the file to the indicators folder. When I press compile it just says compiling but nothing happens. It doesn’t create the ex4 file.

    Reply

    admin Reply:

    Are you sure that you are compiling the file you’ve copied to indicators folder and not the one that is in some other folder?

    Reply

  23. Martin

    When I tried to change the file in other folder it created the .ex4 file. In indicators folder it does not even change the date of the modification when I modify the source file. I copied the .ex4 file from other folder to the indicators folder and this solved the problem.

    Reply

  24. Leanne

    It worked instantly! Thanks!

    Reply

    admin Reply:

    You are welcome!

    Reply

  25. Jackie

    This is the first time I have ever used MQL editor and within a few minutes I was using the indicator on my charts. Thanks so much.

    Reply

    admin Reply:

    You are welcome! I hope it wasn’t the last time too :-).

    Reply

  26. murali

    same here….Thank you so much…. we can only try….cant we??

    Reply

  27. wiseman

    How must I install dotted indicators in iPad? I already installed MetaTrader4 Platform now I only need to install dotted indicators(red & blue) How must I perform this as I tried and I downloaded a zip folder but it ddnt work.

    Reply

    admin Reply:

    Custom indicators do not work on iPad version of MetaTrader 4.

    Reply

  28. Peter Oldfield

    I have just installed the latest version of the Lot Size Calculator & NO pairs show the “ASK PRICE” – is that correct?
    Cheers Peter

    Reply

    admin Reply:

    What is Lot Size Calculator?

    Reply

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