How to Move Charts in MetaTrader

How to Navigate Charts in MetaTrader? (Step by Step Tutorial)

Moving charts in MetaTrader is one of the simplest yet most vital skills every trader should learn. Using this feature, you can easily move your price chart left, right, up, or down to better analyze the market. Below, we explain the steps to move charts in a step by step manner.

Step One: Select Your Desired Chart

First, open the MetaTrader software and select the chart you want to move. You can go to the "Market Watch" section from the top menu and double click on the currency pair you want to open its chart. If the chart is already open, simply click on the corresponding tab at the bottom of the screen.

Step Two: Activate Manual Movement Capability

To start moving, activate the Drag and Drop feature as follows:
• Click on the chart and hold the mouse button.
• Now you can drag the chart to the left or right. This is especially useful for examining past price data.
If you notice that the chart automatically returns to the last candle while moving it, most likely the "Auto Scroll" option is enabled. To disable this feature:

1. Look at the toolbar above MetaTrader.
2. Click on the "Auto Scroll" button (an icon with two downward arrows) to turn it off.

Step Three: Use Keyboard Arrow Keys

If you prefer not to use the mouse, you can move the chart using the arrow keys on your keyboard:
• Left key: Move the chart to the past.
• Right key: Move the chart forward.
This method is particularly useful when you need more precise control.

Step Four: Zoom for Better Navigation

Sometimes, to see more or fewer details on the chart, you need to zoom. You can use the zoom buttons (+ and ) in the toolbar above. The more you zoom in on the chart, the less space is displayed on the screen, and chart movement will be more precise.

Step Five: Return to the Initial Position

If after moving the chart you want to quickly return to the latest price, simply press the End key on your keyboard. This will automatically move the chart to the current market area.

Key Settings to Improve Chart Navigation Experience in MetaTrader

Moving charts in MetaTrader sometimes might seem difficult due to the software's default settings. To improve user experience and prevent issues such as automatic chart return to the last candle or unwanted movement, you can check and change the following settings:

Enable or Disable Auto Scroll

One of the most common problems when moving charts is their automatic return to the latest price candle. This issue occurs due to the Auto Scroll feature being enabled. As mentioned earlier, you can disable this feature by clicking on the corresponding icon in the toolbar.

Activate Chart Shift for Easier Movement

Chart Shift is another useful MetaTrader setting that allows you to create more space on the right side of the chart. This feature is essential for technical analyses that require empty space for pattern prediction. To enable it:

1. Go to the toolbar above MetaTrader.
2. Click on the "Chart Shift" button (an icon with a small arrow and parallel lines).
3. A small triangle appears at the top of the chart. By dragging this triangle, you can create more empty space on the right side of the chart.

Adjust Timeframes

Sometimes moving charts in different time frames can be time consuming. If you plan to work in longer timeframes (such as H4 or Daily), it's better to optimize your timeframe settings:
• Select your desired timeframe from the top menu of the software.
• To see more details, you can use shorter time frames such as M1 or M5.

Using Mouse and Keyboard for Faster Chart Navigation

One of the best methods for fast and precise chart navigation in MetaTrader is the simultaneous use of mouse and keyboard. This combination helps you have more control over the chart and spend less time.

Using Click and Drag

This method is simple and fast:
• Click on the chart and hold the mouse.
• Now you can move the chart in any direction by moving the mouse.

Keyboard Shortcuts

MetaTrader has various keyboard shortcuts that make chart navigation easier:
• Page Up: Moves the chart significantly to the past.
• Page Down: Moves the chart forward.
• Home: Takes the chart to the beginning of historical data. • End: Returns the chart to the latest price data.

Mouse and Keyboard Synchronization

You can simultaneously use the mouse for dragging the chart and the keyboard for changing zoom or quick movement. For example:

1. Use mouse dragging to go to the section of the chart you want to examine.
2. Then use the arrow keys to select a more precise position.

Pro Tip: Using the Mouse Scroll

If your mouse has a scroll wheel, you can roll it up or down to move the chart to the past or future, respectively. This method is very fast and user friendly, especially if you want to search through historical data.

Moving Charts Across Multiple Monitors: Practical Tips for Professional Traders

If you use multiple monitors for trading and market analysis, moving and managing charts in MetaTrader can be challenging. But by learning a few simple tips and using MetaTrader's capabilities, you can organize your charts optimally and make the most of your monitor space.

Opening Multiple Charts in MetaTrader

MetaTrader allows you to open multiple charts simultaneously. To do this:

1. From the top menu of MetaTrader, go to "File".
2. Click on "New Chart" and select the currency pair you want to open.
3. The new chart opens in the main MetaTrader window.

You can open several different currency pairs or assets this way and then manage each one.

Moving a Chart to Another Monitor

To transfer a chart to another monitor:

1. Click on the chart tab at the bottom of the screen to activate it.
2. From the top menu of MetaTrader, go to "Window" and select "Detach Chart".
3. Now you can drag and drop the chart as a separate window onto another monitor.

This method is very useful for traders who like to view different charts on separate monitors, especially if you use strategies that require analyzing multiple timeframes or different assets.

Resetting Windows

After moving charts between monitors, you might want to return everything to its original state. To do this:

1. From the "Window" menu at the top of the screen, select "Tile Windows".
2. All charts will be displayed neatly and orderly in one window.

Common Problems in MetaTrader Chart Navigation and Their Solutions

Chart navigation in MetaTrader is usually simple, but sometimes issues arise that prevent the chart from moving smoothly or correctly. In this section, we examine common problems and their solutions.

Problem 1: Automatic Return of Chart to the Last Candle

This problem occurs when the "Auto Scroll" option is active. As explained in previous sections, you can disable this option from the toolbar. But if the problem persists:

1. Go to the "Tools" menu.
2. Select "Options".
3. In the "Charts" tab, make sure the "Auto Scroll" option is disabled.

Problem 2: Chart Locking

Sometimes the chart might completely lock, and you cannot move it. This problem usually occurs due to the "Lock Chart" feature being active. To fix it:

1. Right click on the chart.
2. From the menu that appears, select "Properties".
3. Make sure no option for locking the chart is enabled.

Problem 3: Jerky Chart Movement

If you notice that the chart moves unevenly or with delay, the problem might be with your system's hardware. To improve performance:

1. Reduce the number of open charts.
2. From the "Tools" menu, go to "Options" and in the "Charts" tab, reduce the "Max Bars in Chart" number. This causes fewer data to load on the chart, resulting in smoother movement.

Problem 4: Incomplete Chart Display on Another Monitor

If after transferring the chart to another monitor, part of it is not displayed:

1. Check the resolution of the second monitor.
2. Go to MetaTrader settings and from the "View" menu, select "Full Screen" for the chart.

Professional Tricks for Chart Management in MetaTrader

Chart management in MetaTrader is not limited to just moving them. By using a few simple tricks, you can increase your efficiency and spend more time analyzing the market. Here are some of these tricks:

Saving Chart Settings

After setting up your chart (such as zoom, timeframe, or display type), you can save these settings so you don't have to repeat them in the future.

1. Right click on the chart.
2. Select "Template" and then "Save Template".
3. Enter a name for your settings and save it.

Now you can load these settings anytime by right clicking on the chart and selecting "Load Template".

Using Profiles

Profiles allow you to save a set of charts and their settings all at once. This feature is very useful for traders who work with multiple currency pairs or timeframes.

1. From the "File" menu, go to "Profiles".
2. Click on "Save As" and enter a name for the profile.
3. You can load your profile whenever you want.

Quick Return to Previous Chart Location

If you're analyzing a chart and accidentally move to another section of data, you can return to the previous location using the Ctrl + Z shortcut. This feature helps you not get lost among historical data or your analyses.

Setting Price Alerts on the Chart

To avoid constantly searching on the chart, you can set price alerts:

1. Right click on the chart and select "Trading".
2. Then activate "Alert" and enter your desired price level. When the price reaches this level, MetaTrader will alert you.