MT5 Chart Templates: Save and Reuse Your Perfect Chart Setup

What Are Chart Templates?

A chart template in MetaTrader 5 is a saved configuration file that stores everything about a chart's appearance and analytical tools. When you spend time configuring a chart with specific indicators, color schemes, drawing objects, and settings, a template lets you save that configuration and apply it instantly to any other chart.

Without templates, every time you open a new chart or switch instruments, you would need to manually add each indicator, adjust its parameters, set the timeframe, and configure the visual appearance. For traders who monitor multiple instruments with the same analytical setup, this repeated configuration wastes valuable time and introduces inconsistency.

Templates save the following elements: chart type (candlestick, bar, line), color scheme (background, candles, grid), all attached indicators with their parameters, timeframe, zoom level, chart scale, and any drawing objects. They do not save the trading instrument itself, which makes them portable across different symbols.

Templates vs Profiles: Understanding the Difference

Think of templates as "chart skins" and profiles as "workspace snapshots." Use templates to ensure every chart you open has the same analytical setup. Use profiles to save and switch between different trading sessions (e.g., a "Forex" profile with EUR/USD, GBP/USD charts and a "Commodities" profile with Gold and Oil charts).

Creating a Chart Template

Follow these steps to create a chart template:

1. Configure your chart exactly how you want it: add indicators, set colors, choose your timeframe, and adjust the chart scale
2. Right-click anywhere on the chart
3. Select Template > Save Template
4. Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "Scalping_M5_Clean" or "SwingTrade_H4_Full")
5. Click Save

Use a consistent naming convention for your templates. Include the strategy type and timeframe in the name so you can quickly identify which template to use. For example: "Trend_H1_MA_RSI" tells you it is a trend-following setup for the H1 timeframe using Moving Averages and RSI.

Applying Templates to Charts

To apply a saved template to any chart:

1. Right-click on the target chart
2. Select Template from the context menu
3. Click on the template name you want to apply

The chart instantly transforms to match the saved template. All indicators load with their saved parameters, colors change to the template's scheme, and drawing objects appear. The trading instrument and historical data remain unchanged — only the visual and analytical overlay changes.

You can also apply templates to multiple charts rapidly by holding Ctrl and clicking each chart to select it, then applying the template once. This batch application is useful when setting up a fresh workspace.

Setting a Default Template

A default template is automatically applied to every new chart you open. To set one:

1. Configure a chart with your preferred default settings
2. Right-click > Template > Save Template
3. Name it exactly "default" (without quotes)
4. Click Save

From now on, every new chart you open in MT5 will use this template automatically. This is particularly useful for maintaining a consistent base setup across all charts. You can always apply a different template on top if a specific chart needs a different configuration.

Managing and Organizing Templates

As your template collection grows, organization becomes important. Here are strategies for keeping templates manageable:

• Use prefixes: Name templates with strategy prefixes like "SCALP_", "SWING_", "TREND_" for easy filtering
• Version your templates: When you update a template, save it as "Trend_H1_v2" rather than overwriting. This lets you revert if the new version does not work as expected
• Delete unused templates: Right-click > Template > Delete Template removes templates you no longer use
• Back up regularly: Copy the Templates folder from your MT5 data directory to a backup location

Template files are stored in: MQL5\Profiles\Templates\ within your MT5 data folder. Access it through File > Open Data Folder in MetaTrader 5.

Sharing Templates with Others

MT5 templates are simple .tpl files that can be shared between traders:

1. Navigate to the Templates folder (File > Open Data Folder > MQL5 > Profiles > Templates)
2. Copy the .tpl file you want to share
3. Send it via email, messaging, or file sharing
4. The recipient copies the .tpl file into their own Templates folder
5. The template appears in their Template menu after refreshing

Important: If the template uses custom indicators, the recipient must also have those indicators installed. Built-in indicator templates work universally without additional setup.

Example Template Setups

Clean Price Action Template

• Chart type: Candlestick
• Background: #1A1A2E
• Bull candles: #00C853
• Bear candles: #FF1744
• Grid: Disabled
• Indicators: None (pure price action)
• Best for: Support/resistance analysis, candlestick pattern recognition

Trend Following Template

• Moving Average (50, Exponential, Close) — blue line
• Moving Average (200, Exponential, Close) — red line
• RSI (14) in a sub-window
• Background: Dark with subtle grid
• Best for: Identifying and trading with the prevailing trend

For detailed indicator configurations, visit our indicators guide.

Scalping Template

• Moving Average (9, Exponential, Close)
• Bollinger Bands (20, 2.0)
• Stochastic Oscillator (5, 3, 3)
• One-click trading panel enabled
• Timeframe: M1 or M5
• Best for: Quick entries and exits on short timeframes

Working with Chart Profiles

While templates manage individual charts, profiles manage your entire workspace. Create profiles for different trading sessions or strategies:

1. Arrange your workspace with all desired charts and their templates
2. Go to File > Profiles > Save As
3. Enter a profile name (e.g., "Morning_Forex_Session")
4. Switch profiles via File > Profiles and selecting the desired one

Profiles save which charts are open, their positions and sizes, the applied templates, and the symbols displayed. Switching profiles instantly rearranges your entire workspace. This is invaluable if you trade different markets at different times of day.

Frequently Asked Questions