In the world of prop company trading, every second counts. You don't have time to waste clicks and navigate through countless options in search of the appropriate tool. That’s why understanding MT5 shortcuts and clever hacks can really improve your trading skills. Although MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is an advanced trading platform with many capabilities, most traders hardly use it. This article is for you if speed and efficiency are important to you, particularly in a high-pressure prop trading environment.
Let's explore some of the greatest MT5 workarounds and shortcuts that can help you save time.
Keyboard Shortcuts Every Prop Trader Should Know
You most likely use shortcuts throughout the day while you're not trading. Use Ctrl+C to copy, Ctrl+V to paste, and Ctrl+Z to undo. MT5 trading platform has its own set of time-saving instructions that when utilized properly can change everything.
Here are the essential MT5 keyboard shortcuts you should memorize:
F9: opens the window for the New Order. A true lifesaver when you have to make a trade fast.
Ctrl + T: The Terminal window which contains your trades, history, and alerts, can be toggled at the bottom.
Ctrl + N: To access your indicators, scripts, and Expert Advisors, it is quite helpful to open the Navigator window.
Ctrl + M: Market Watch window. This one displays all the prices and symbols that are accessible.
Ctrl + L: Shows or hides volume on the chart.
Ctrl + Y: Shows or conceals period separators to make day/week transitions easy to see.
+ / -: Zoom in and out of the chart.
Enter: Opens the search window for rapid symbols. Do you want to buy EURUSD? Type it in, press Enter, and you're done.
Once you get these under your fingers then you'll wonder how you ever traded without them.
Custom Hotkeys for Orders and Scripts
The ability of MT5 to connect hotkeys to custom scripts can be a big help with prop firm challenges. Suppose you have a script that uses pre-established SL/TP values to place a purchase order quickly. You can set it to Alt + B and execute it instantly rather than dragging and dropping or clicking about.
Here’s how to do it:
Go to the Navigator window (Ctrl + N).
Find your custom script under Scripts.
Right-click on the script and select Set hotkey.
Assign the key combo of your choice.
This is particularly helpful for scalping or making fast entrances in volatile markets when waiting might cost you money.
One-Click Trading: Activate It Immediately
You've probably seen the Are you sure? confirmation screen that appears before a trade. Yes, that must be removed. One-click trading is your friend if you're seeking to trade props quickly.
To activate it:
Go to Tools > Options > Trade tab.
Check the box that says One Click Trading.
Agree to the terms.
With just one click, you may now trade straight from the chart or Market Watch. Use it carefully because a single click means there are no second chances.
Templates: Save Your Favorite Chart Setups
Have you ever found yourself creating the same chart arrangement each day? With templates, you can avoid the headache. These enable you to preserve a particular chart configuration, complete with indicators, colors, and timeframes, and then reload it with a single click.
Here’s the move:
Set up your chart the way you like it.
Right-click on the chart > Template > Save Template.
Give it a name like MyPropSetup.
Next time you open a new chart and just apply that template. It saves so much time.
Profiles: Create Separate Workspaces for Different Strategies
This is an important one for prop firm traders who have to manage several techniques. Many chart setups can be saved as a workspace and grouped together using profiles. As a result, you may have a profile for news trading, another for scalping, and one for swing trading.
To create and switch between profiles:
Go to File > Profiles.
Click Save As to create a new profile.
Use Next Profile / Previous Profile to switch between them quickly.
It keeps your workspace clean and focused.
Drag-and-Drop Symbol Switching
If you were unaware of this trick, be ready to be surprised. Any symbol in the Market Watch window can be immediately dragged onto a chart. It maintains your layout while automatically changing the chart to that symbol.
Do you need to quickly check USDJPY? Simply pull it over. No need to play with the menu or open a new chart.
Fast Time Frame Switching
Forget clicking around to change timeframes. MT5 has built-in keyboard shortcuts for all the major ones:
M1: Alt+1
M5: Alt+2
M15: Alt+3
M30: Alt+4
H1: Alt+5
H4: Alt+6
D1: Alt+7
W1: Alt+8
MN: Alt+9
Just tap the right combo, and you're instantly looking at a different timeframe.
Mouse Scroll + Ctrl = Zoom Hack
Do you want to use the chart to zoom in or out without having to look for buttons? Simply use the mouse scroll wheel while holding down Ctrl. It effortlessly zooms in and out and it becomes addictive after a while.
When you combine it with click-and-drag panning, chart navigation becomes incredibly efficient.
