Update 2016-05-09: The tutorial has been completely revamped to reflect the most current and easiest way to install new indicators in MetaTrader — both MT4 and MT5.
This tutorial covers indicator installation for MetaTrader 4 and 5. Since MT4 Build 600, there is no difference in the way it is done in the two versions of the platform.
There are many free MetaTrader indicators available online, but some people still encounter problems in attaching these indicators to a chart or compiling them. This simple tutorial was created for those who want to learn how to install custom MetaTrader indicators. The process is quite similar to installing a new expert advisor, but there are some differences.
1. Download custom MT4/MT5 indicator and save it anywhere on your PC.
2. Launch your trading platform.
3. Open the platform’s data folder via menu File->Open Data Folder:
Alternatively, you can navigate to the folder using Windows Explorer:
C:\Users\<windows_user_name>\AppData\Roaming\MetaQuotes\Terminal\<instance_id>\</instance_id></windows_user_name> |
4. Open MQL4 folder (or MQL5 if you are installing an MT5 indicator):
5. Open Indicators folder:
6. Paste your indicator file here:
7. If it is an already compiled file (.ex4 or .ex5), then fine. All you need to do is return to your MetaTrader,
8. If it is not a compiled file but a source file (.mq4 or .mq5), then you need to
Normally, there should not be any errors during compilation. However, if some errors appear in the Toolbox subwindow, you can either try fixing them or contact the indicator’s developer to help with the issue. Usually, it takes some MQL knowledge and coding skills to fix such errors. No errors output looks like this:
Compilation errors look like this:
9. After you compile or copy an executable MetaTrader file (.ex4 or .ex5), you can start using the indicator in your platform. All you have to do is 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:
OK. Now you can enjoy your new MetaTrader indicator and hopefully — better Forex trading results.
If you have any questions about installing custom indicators in MetaTrader, please free to ask using the commentary form below.
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
Bob.
What a strange error. Maybe your MT4 wasn’t installed properly. Try re-installing it or download it from a different broker.
▼Reply
pls how long does the compilation process take
▼Reply
Andrei Reply:
July 4th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Almost instantly.
▼Reply
Carl Reply:
February 14th, 2011 at 2:51 am
ok.. thanks
▼Reply
is it possible to have a begginer indicator with an alert? your help will be appreciated guys
▼Reply
Andrei Reply:
July 16th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Please, ask all Beginner related questions in its dedicated forum:
https://www.earnforex.com/forum/f12/beginner-5/
▼Reply
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:
August 10th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Yeah, but if there are compilation errors in the code they won’t even know it.
▼Reply
Compiled a mq4 with no error, but where’s the ex4? don’t see it showing on my custom indicator column?
▼Reply
Andrei Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 8:09 am
Did you put it in experts/indicators folder? Did you restart MT4 after compiling it?
▼Reply
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:
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:58 pm
For MT5 you have to save Fisher indicator (.mq5 file) into C:\Program files\Metatrader5\MQL5\Indicators\Fisher\
Then restart MT5.
▼Reply
Thanks Andrei, got it. Have a great day
▼Reply
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:
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:19 am
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
It work for me really well,thanks man!
▼Reply
Andrei Reply:
December 4th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I am glad that it’s useful.
▼Reply
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:
February 9th, 2010 at 8:29 am
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
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:
August 11th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
What step you can’t understand?
▼Reply
pls from the starting of d installation
▼Reply
Andrei Reply:
August 16th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Just follow the tutorial.
▼Reply
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
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:
December 31st, 2010 at 8:16 am
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
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:
May 29th, 2011 at 11:06 am
There’s a separate thread in the forum about Beginner indicator: https://www.earnforex.com/forum/f12/beginner-5/
▼Reply
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
I tried downloading arroow magic indicator mt4
▼Reply
Very good manual, will try find in russian lang
▼Reply
gracias, me funciono…
▼Reply
admin Reply:
May 23rd, 2012 at 8:59 am
De nada.
▼Reply
I did what you instructed. It compiled with no error, but still it does not attach. what should i do next ?
▼Reply
admin Reply:
June 2nd, 2012 at 6:06 am
What do you mean “does not attach”? What happens when you try attaching it?
▼Reply
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:
June 3rd, 2012 at 9:31 am
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
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
It worked instantly! Thanks!
▼Reply
admin Reply:
July 17th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
You are welcome!
▼Reply
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:
August 13th, 2012 at 7:25 am
You are welcome! I hope it wasn’t the last time too :-).
▼Reply
same here….Thank you so much…. we can only try….cant we??
▼Reply
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:
December 29th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Custom indicators do not work on iPad version of MetaTrader 4.
▼Reply
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:
March 12th, 2013 at 7:36 am
What is Lot Size Calculator?
▼Reply
Yeah, it works fine. accurate indeed! but, I just have a problem. If I wanted deleting the indicator from a chart, its not highlighting.
▼Reply
admin Reply:
May 27th, 2013 at 9:48 am
How do you do that? You can always press Ctrl+i and delete indicator from the list.
▼Reply
Hola un cordial saludo. Quiero utilizar el MArket Profile pero no me funciona. He instaldo otros y funciona perfecto. Ya hice lo que dice el manual en ingles y me sale una Alerta luego de compilaren la línea 19 que es esta:
extern datetime StartFromDate = D”;
Alguna ayuda por favor?
▼Reply
admin Reply:
July 31st, 2013 at 7:10 am
¿Con qué periodicidad utiliza el Market Profile? Trabaja sólo con M5, M15 y M30.
▼Reply
Is there a way to introduce the Position Size Calculator on every chart and is it possible to store the calculator on the tool bar?
▼Reply
admin Reply:
September 28th, 2013 at 8:35 am
Do you mean “with one click”? As far as I know, no. The best you can do is to save a chart template with this indicator on and apply it to different charts.
▼Reply
how do I save it if I am using window8. I can’t find the program files in win8.any suggestion?
▼Reply
I’m having problems in correctly downloading indicators. When I download an indicator it downloads straight into the “download section”, how do I move this indicator to the local disk c drive/programme section…
When I right click on an indicator to “save” in does not give me the option to save into the c drive local disk section.
Your assistance will be appreciated.
Thanks
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
November 26th, 2013 at 2:05 pm
Try right-clicking the download link and choosing “Save Link As” then browsing to your /experts/indicators/ folder.
▼Reply
Hi Andriy,
I tried your suggestion and the indicator still downloads into the “download section”…
thanks.
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
November 27th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
Then open your Downloads folder and copy the indicator to your MetaTrader’s indicators folder.
▼Reply
This does not work unfortunately. When I copy and paste, the MT4 indicators folder does not accept it, unless I’m doing something wrong…
Thanks for all you help, will continue to try…
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
November 30th, 2013 at 9:58 am
What do you mean by “does not accept it”?
▼Reply
It does not paste the indicator into the mt4 indicator section, unless I am doing it wrong…
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
November 30th, 2013 at 1:35 pm
So, what happens when you try to paste it?
1. There is no “Paste” option on the right-click menu?
2. You click “Paste”, but the file does not appear there?
3. The file appears in the folder, but is not present in MT4?
▼Reply
I think the easiest way around this for me, is if you to show me how to cut and past an indicator in the mt4 platform, step by step. I haven’t done this before and I seem to be lost.
Your kind assistance and time is greatly appreciated.
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
November 30th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
Doesn’t this tutorial (above) show just that?
▼Reply
The instructions show where and how to find the downloaded indicator in the Local Disk C then go to Programme Files then Broker etc. etc. until you install the indicator onto your mt4 platform.
My problem is that when I download the Indicator I cannot save it into my Local Disk C but instead goes straight into the download section and this seems to be my problem.
My indicator download goes right in the download section and I cannot find a way to move it from there into the Local Disk or the indicator section of the mt4.
I have tried all your suggestion above and it does not work for me.
Maybe I am doing something wrong when downloading the indicator.
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
November 30th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Do you know where your Downloads folder is? Can you open it and find the indicator there? What browser/plugin are you using to download the indicator?
▼Reply
Yes, I can see it in my download section.
I am using the internet explorer browser.
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
November 30th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
IE (version 11 at least) offers an opportunity to “Save As” by clicking the down-arrow next to “Save” in download dialog. Please see screenshot:
https://www.earnforex.com/blog/images/downladoing-indicator-in-ie.jpg
▼Reply
Yipppeeee at last I got it.
I can’t thank you enough for your time and patience in assisting me with this indicator download.
Thank You and take care.
▼Reply
Hi Andriy
I’ve saved the MQL4 source file to experts/indicators, clicked on the file which opened MetaEditor and clicked Compile and received this error message…
C:\ICMarkets MetaTrader 4\experts\indicators\MarketProfile.mq4;19:34;” – date literal string is incomplete
MT4 was closed when i did the compilation.
The line of code that it was pointing to as erroring was:
#property indicator_chart_window
extern datetime StartFromDate = D”
Any thoughts on how to get this to compile correctly?
Thanks
Damian
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
January 6th, 2014 at 2:21 pm
Is it an error or just a warning?
▼Reply
Damian Reply:
January 6th, 2014 at 8:43 pm
It’s a warning only.
An .exe file is initially created in experts/indicators folder after the compilation but when MT4 is opened, the .exe file disappears (is deleted?) and a .txt file replaces it in the folder containing the same warning message.
Thanks
Damian
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
January 6th, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Do you see MarketProfile under Custom Indicators inside MT4? Warning message is OK. It should not cause any problems.
▼Reply
Damian Reply:
January 7th, 2014 at 8:18 pm
Hi Andrij
I’ve checked the Custom Indicator list in MT4 and Market Profile is not listed?
Thanks
Damian
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
January 7th, 2014 at 8:58 pm
Now that’s strange, because that warning is normal and shouldn’t prevent compilation. Try copying it to MT4 installation of some other broker.
▼Reply
Damian Reply:
January 8th, 2014 at 11:02 am
Strange is a good word!
I’ve loaded Market Profile onto another broker MT4 platform with no problems. Went back to my current broker MT4, cleared the original files, followed the same process to re-load the file in experts/indicators, compiled with the same warning message, and now it’s working fine.
Thanks again Andriy for your support and patience.
Btw, which country are you based in?
Cheers
Damian
Andriy Moraru Reply:
January 8th, 2014 at 12:49 pm
I am glad that you have solved this problem.
I am based in Ukraine.
Hi Andrij
Kiev, L’viv, Odessa??? Ukraine is blessed with many treasures (which are mostly kept secret from foreign travelers). But that’s another discussion!
Дякую
Damian
▼Reply
great, your post is my saviour after struggling to install indicators.
Thanks,
Chris
▼Reply
Hi!
I receive a mq4 file and tpl file. I put mq in to indicators, and tpl to template folder MT4). Now when i want to drag indicator to the chart, nothing happens. Any ideas what is wrong. Do I need ex4 file? When i compile, I receive 12 errors. :(
Thanks
S
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
February 26th, 2014 at 9:27 am
Yes, you need to compile mq4 to ex4, but considering that you have that indicator in the list (you said you drag it to the chart), it is already compiled. Perhaps, the indicator is visible only with its template. Try loading template instead of adding the indicator: Right click on the chart->Template->Load Template.
▼Reply
Thanks so much, i was able to compile it and it reflected on my chart. but how do i use it to calculate my lot size before i even place the trade. that is what i need it for.
thanks.
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
September 12th, 2014 at 3:28 pm
It would help to know what you are talking about.
▼Reply
can you put a decimal point in
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
September 30th, 2014 at 6:08 pm
What do you mean?
▼Reply
Hi,
The indicator is install and on the chart but I don’t see any lines… and solutions for this.
Thank yoiu
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
October 31st, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Which indicator do you mean?
▼Reply
Nice trend I gues it helps slove my problems..I downloaded 2 indicators 1 of them was an mq file nd I moved it to my mt4 indicators..nd d 2nd was an Ex file did d same it showed up bt wen I tried to attach to chat it dint show up..how u sugest I convert to mq file ? Tnx admin..
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
April 7th, 2015 at 8:40 am
There is no need to convert ex4 file to mq4 (besides, it is not possible). mq4 files are compiled into ex4 and then can be attached to the chart. If you already have an ex4 file and nothing happens when you attach it to the chart, then I suggest checking the Experts tab of the Terminal subwindow for any output about errors.
▼Reply
When I try to compile, I get an “EX4 write error”. Any suggestions on how to change that?
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
July 21st, 2015 at 7:03 pm
Please make sure that your MQL4 folder is writable for SYSTEM user.
▼Reply
When I click on the indicator and it pulls up a window it won’t let me click okay or cancel or anything. I can only click the red x
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
August 2nd, 2015 at 8:22 am
At what point does that happen? Could you please show a screenshot?
▼Reply
I dont know how to upload a screenshot but any indicator undere the customs tab, you click, then it pulls up the window with all the options and then it wont let me click ok, cancel, or reset. only the red x will work
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
August 5th, 2015 at 7:18 pm
That’s really strange. Try reinstalling MetaTrader.
▼Reply
I have read so many forums on this and watched you tube videos on how to set up the MT4 Indicators. I have followed every instruction word for word. But when i reopen my MT4 it doesnt show the indicators that i have added that should be in the Navigator of MT4 when its running. I click on the “Open Data Folder” click on “MQL4” then on “Indicators” and my Indicators are inside it but unzipped. Each Indicator shows a logo/ icon of a zip and a creamy back page. Does anyone know what i have to do to get these indicators to work ? I thought by following the same instruction on every MT4 self help site that the files automatically unzipped when copied and dragged into the indicators. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
December 29th, 2015 at 8:51 pm
Try opening the .mq4 file and compiling it in the MQL Editor. Does it give any errors?
▼Reply
Do you have office or agent in Nigeria?
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
January 5th, 2016 at 9:40 pm
No, I do not have an office in Nigeria (or any other country if we are at it). Would you want to come to an office to talk about installing MetaTrader indicators?
▼Reply
What I do with the .mqh file that comes with the indicator PositionSizeCalculator_Main?
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
April 1st, 2016 at 4:50 am
Same thing you do with the .mq4 file – copy it to MQL4/Indicators/ folder.
▼Reply
When I compile the marketprofile indicator I get a warning “date literal string is incomplete” line 36 column 34.
input datetime StartFromDate = D”; // StartFromDate – lower priority
Not sure why but it will not give me the ex4 file.
Then if I click resume debugging, it the indicator popup comes up in a completely different MT4 platform. I can’t get it to come up on the terminal I am using???
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
April 28th, 2016 at 4:58 am
That warning is OK, you should be getting it.
To get .ex4 file, make sure you click Compile (F7), not Start/Resume debugging (F5).
▼Reply
I get 6 errors and have no idea how to fix these
‘TakeProfitLevel’ – undeclared identifier PositionSizeCalculator_Separate.mq4 84 11
‘DeleteLines’ – undeclared identifier PositionSizeCalculator_Separate.mq4 80 8
‘Window’ – undeclared identifier PositionSizeCalculator_Separate.mq4 78 21
‘font_size’ – undeclared identifier PositionSizeCalculator_Separate.mq4 64 28
‘font_face’ – undeclared identifier PositionSizeCalculator_Separate.mq4 64 16
can’t open “C:\Users\lenovo\AppData\Roaming\MetaQuotes\Terminal\62135AE44FDEC7F2E17CC7982861DF10\MQL4\Indicators\PositionSizeCalculator_Base.mqh” include file PositionSizeCalculator_Separate.mq4 48 11
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
August 26th, 2016 at 6:19 am
It looks like you are missing a file – PositionSizeCalculator_Base.mqh. It should be in the same zip-archive with PositionSizeCalculator_Separate.mq4. Just copy it to C:\Users\lenovo\AppData\Roaming\MetaQuotes\Terminal\62135AE44FDEC7F2E17CC7982861DF10\MQL4\Indicators\.
▼Reply
I hope this site is still being monitored as I cannot get the EXE file to load to the charts. I am using Axitrader MT4.
I have tried on 2 different Broker platforms.
I have previously had no trouble installing EA’s etc.
I have both the MQ4 & Ex4 files in Data Folder/MQL4/Indicators.
When compiling the MQ4 file there does not appear to be any way of SAVING it but nevertheless it then appears in Indicators folder.
When I say I cannot attach when dragging the file onto the chart or “Attach File” it does NOT open the window with PSC – Trader, just nothing.
Cheers Peter
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
October 20th, 2016 at 8:47 am
First, it would be useful to get clear with what you are trying to accomplish. Are you trying to install an expert advisor, an indicator, or a script?
Second, are there any errors when you compile the program?
Lastly, if you are trying to attach a PSC-Trader script from the Scripts section of the Navigator subwindow, then it should not open any windows. Scripts are not attached, they just execute and that’s all. For example, PSC-Trader only serves to open trades based on Position Size Calculator indicator.
▼Reply
Thanks for the tutorial! Very clear, and it worked clean & green first time.
▼Reply
Clear explanation, thanks, but for one indicator I’d like, it doesn’t work.
It’s Semafor. I found and downloaded the script (.mq4) and followed your directions for MT4. Compilation appeared to take place smoothly, and its name showed up in the Indicator List. But when I try to “attach to a chart”, nothing visible takes place.
I thought at first that I needed to change its colors (default=black!) but that too made no difference, and when I tried again I found it had reversed my color choice and reverted to black. Even changing the chart background color reveals nothing of Semafor.
Any clues, please? – might I have gotten hold of a rogue version, and if so where can I find a correct one?
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
December 2nd, 2016 at 5:16 pm
Could you please share a download link to the indicator so I could check it?
▼Reply
Sure, thanks. I’ve placed it at http://takelifeback.com/Semafor.mq4
▼Reply
Andriy Moraru Reply:
December 3rd, 2016 at 6:38 am
That’s not an indicator. That’s an expert advisor. See this tutorial on EA installation.
▼Reply
Thank you! I thought it might be a rogue.
Finding and downloading this indicator is quite confusing. Dolphin, for example, advertises that they offer it but when I got their set of hundreds, Semafor was not among them.
Eventually at http://www.forexfactory.com/showthread.php?t=215369, there was a download link attached to a post by contributor mt2414.
It works!
▼Reply
i try to install the indicator than is show up on my indicator windows but i can’t use it and when i compile they are many errors, I need some help please
▼Reply