MetaTrader 5 (MT5) gives traders complete control over their chart layouts and styles. From candlestick colours to technical indicators, every element of the chart can be customised. But repeating the same adjustments every time you open a new chart quickly becomes frustrating.
MT5 Default Template allows traders to save their preferred default appearance, so that it loads for all new charts.
In this guide, we will cover what templates are, what they include, and how to save, load, and manage them effectively.
What Is a Template in MT5?
A template in MetaTrader 5 is a saved chart configuration. It stores all the visual and analytical settings applied to a chart, allowing you to reapply them instantly without starting from scratch.
A template typically includes:
- Chart type (candlestick, bar, or line chart)
- Colour scheme and background settings
- Technical indicators and their parameters
- Drawing objects such as trendlines or Fibonacci levels
- Chart scale and zoom levels
By using templates, you can standardise your chart layouts and create a consistent workflow.
For more MT5 Basics consider checking out our MQL5 fundamentals.
Why Use a Default Template in MT5?
The MT5 Default Template is especially useful if you want all new charts to open with the same appearance. For example, if you prefer a clean candlestick chart with a black background and moving average indicators, saving this as your default template means you never have to set it up again manually.
Other reasons to use default and custom templates include:
- Saving time when opening multiple charts
- Maintaining consistency across all your analysis
- Quickly switching between trading styles such as scalping or swing trading
- Sharing templates with other traders or between devices
How to Set the Default Template in MT5
Here is the step-by-step process to create and set your MT5 Default Template:
- Open a chart in MetaTrader 5.
- Customise the chart appearance by changing the chart type, colours, and grid.
- Add your preferred indicators and adjust their settings.
- Right-click on the chart, hover over Template, and select Save Template.
- Enter the filename as default.tpl.
- Click Save.
From this point forward, every new chart you open in MT5 will automatically use the saved template as its default appearance.
How to Create and Use Multiple Templates
In addition to setting a default template, you can also save multiple templates for different trading scenarios.
For example:
- A scalping template with short timeframes and fast indicators
- A swing trading template with moving averages and RSI
- A clean chart template for drawing support and resistance levels
To create multiple templates:
- Customise your chart to match the desired setup.
- Right-click on the chart, go to Template, and select Save Template.
- Enter a unique filename (e.g., Scalping.tpl or Swing.tpl).
- To apply a saved template, right-click the chart, select Template, then Load Template, and choose the desired file.
This flexibility allows you to switch quickly between trading styles without manually adjusting your charts each time.
Best Practices for Managing Templates
- Use clear, descriptive names for each template to avoid confusion.
- Save a backup of your templates in case you reinstall MT5.
- Regularly update your templates if your strategy evolves.
- Keep your default template simple and add complexity with secondary templates.
How to Set the Backtest Tester Template
If you use MT5 to backtest indictors and expert advisors, you surely noticed how “ugly” the default chart style is.
You can set you preferred colors and style for the visual backtest chart, also known as tester, creating a template for it.
Create your preferred visual appearance for the backtester chart and then call it “tester”, in this way it will always be used by default for all visual backtests.
Conclusion
The MT5 Default Template is a simple but powerful feature that saves time and keeps your trading environment consistent. By setting your preferred chart appearance as the default, you can focus on trading instead of repeatedly customising charts.
Mastering templates in MT5 is one of the easiest ways to streamline your workflow and stay organised in your trading journey.
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