How to Install a Custom Indicator in MT5

Before you start

• MetaTrader 5 installed — see How to Install MetaTrader 5.
• The indicator's MT5 file (.ex5). An MT4 .ex4 will not load in MT5. Extract .zip downloads first.

What you'll learn

• Install a custom indicator in the right folder.
• Add it to a chart and change its settings later.
• Reuse the setup with a template.

Steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Open the data folder

   In MT5, choose File → Open Data Folder, then open MQL5 → Indicators.

   Mark as done: Open the data folder
2. 2

   Step 2: Copy the indicator file

   Paste the .ex5 file into Indicators (a sub-folder per product is fine).

   Mark as done: Copy the indicator file
3. 3

   Step 3: Refresh the Navigator

   Open the Navigator (Ctrl+N), right-click Indicators and choose Refresh.

   Mark as done: Refresh the Navigator
4. 4

   Step 4: Add it to a chart

   Drag the indicator from the Navigator onto a chart, or double-click it. It can also be found under Insert → Indicators → Custom.

   Mark as done: Add it to a chart
5. 5

   Step 5: Set its inputs and colours

   Use the Inputs tab for its parameters and the Colors tab for its appearance, then click OK. Some indicators draw on the price chart; others open their own window beneath it.

   Mark as done: Set its inputs and colours
6. 6

   Step 6: Edit it later

   Right-click the chart and open Indicators List (Ctrl+I), select the indicator and choose Properties to change its settings or Delete to remove it.

   Mark as done: Edit it later
7. 7

   Step 7: Save the chart as a template

   Right-click the chart and choose Templates → Save Template. Applying that template to another chart adds the same indicators with the same settings.

   Mark as done: Save the chart as a template

Troubleshooting

The indicator doesn't appear in the Navigator

It must be an .ex5 in MQL5\Indicators of the data folder. Refresh the Navigator or restart MT5.

It's on the chart but shows nothing

Check the Experts tab (Ctrl+T) for errors, and scroll back — some indicators need a minimum number of bars, so open a chart with more history.

Historical signals look perfect but live ones don't

Some indicators recalculate past values (repaint). Watch it live for a while before relying on its history.