MT5 Advanced Features Guide

Beyond the Basics: Professional MT5 Trading

While most traders use only basic MT5 features, the platform offers powerful professional tools that can significantly improve your trading edge. This guide covers advanced features that separate amateur traders from professionals.

What You'll Master

🎯 Advanced order types for precise entries
⚡ One-click trading for scalping
📊 Market depth analysis (DOM)
🤖 Algorithmic trading with Expert Advisors
📱 Professional mobile trading
🔧 Custom indicators and scripts

Advanced Order Types

MT5's exclusive order types give you surgical precision in volatile markets. Master these to improve your entries and risk management.

Buy/Sell Stop Limit Orders

The most powerful MT5-exclusive order type. Combines a stop order with a limit order for maximum control.

Buy Stop Limit Example

EUR/USD at 1.0900, expecting breakout above 1.0920

• Stop Price: 1.0920 (triggers order)
• Limit Price: 1.0925 (max you'll pay)
• Result: Buy between 1.0920-1.0925

Prevents slippage on breakouts

Sell Stop Limit Example

GBP/USD at 1.2500, expecting breakdown below 1.2480

• Stop Price: 1.2480 (triggers order)
• Limit Price: 1.2475 (min you'll accept)
• Result: Sell between 1.2475-1.2480

Ensures better price on breakdowns

When to Use: High-impact news releases, market opens, or any situation where slippage is a concern.

Time-Based Orders

Order Expiration Types

GTC (Good Till Cancelled)

Remains active until manually cancelled

Today

Expires at end of trading day

Specified

Set exact expiration date/time

Specified Day

Expires on specific date at market close

Trailing Stop Advanced Settings

Beyond basic trailing stops, MT5 offers sophisticated trailing configurations:

✓
Points-based trailing: Trail by specific point distance
✓
Percentage trailing: Trail by percentage of price movement
✓
Step trailing: Move stop only after minimum profit threshold

One-Click Trading for Scalpers

Enabling One-Click Trading

1. Enable in Terminal:
Tools → Options → Trade → Enable One-Click Trading
2. Accept Risk Disclosure:
Read and accept the one-click trading agreement
3. Activate on Charts:
Alt+T or click trading panel icon on chart

Chart Trading Panel

Quick Actions:

• Instant buy/sell at market
• Pre-set volume selection
• Current spread display
• Profit/loss preview

Hotkeys: Buy (B), Sell (S), Close All (X)

Market Watch Trading

Trade directly from Market Watch window:

• Double-click: Open standard order
• Drag to chart: Instant position
• Right-click: Quick order menu

Perfect for news trading and scalping multiple pairs

⚠️ One-Click Trading Risks

• No confirmation dialog - trades execute instantly
• Easy to accidentally open positions
• Requires disciplined risk management
• Practice on demo account first

Depth of Market (DOM) Analysis

Understanding Market Depth

DOM shows real-time buy and sell orders at different price levels, revealing market sentiment and potential support/resistance zones.

EUR/USD Market Depth

ASK (Sell)

1.0925 | 2.5M

1.0924 | 1.8M

1.0923 | 3.2M

1.0922 | 0.9M

PRICE

---

1.0921

---

BID (Buy)

4.1M | 1.0920

2.3M | 1.0919

1.7M | 1.0918

3.5M | 1.0917

DOM Trading Strategies

Order Flow Imbalance

Trade direction of larger order volume

Absorption Patterns

Identify where large orders absorb selling/buying

Iceberg Detection

Spot hidden large orders being filled

DOM Best Practices

✓ Use on liquid instruments only
✓ Combine with price action analysis
✓ Watch for spoofing (fake orders)
✓ Monitor volume at key levels
✓ Practice reading order flow patterns

Algorithmic Trading with Expert Advisors

MT5's algorithmic trading capabilities let you automate strategies, backtest with precision, and execute trades 24/7 without emotion.

MQL5 Programming Advantages

Object-Oriented

Create complex, reusable trading systems

Multi-Threaded

Faster backtesting and optimization

Event-Driven

React to market events in real-time

Strategy Tester Features

Testing Modes

• Every tick: Most accurate (slow)
• 1 minute OHLC: Balanced speed/accuracy
• Open prices only: Fast preliminary testing
• Math calculations: For non-trading EAs

Advanced Features

• Multi-currency testing
• Visual mode with replay
• Optimization with genetic algorithms
• Forward testing validation

Professional Testing Workflow

1. Backtest on 2+ years of data
2. Optimize on 70% of data
3. Validate on remaining 30% (out-of-sample)
4. Forward test on demo for 1-3 months
5. Start live with minimal position size

EA Management Best Practices

Risk Controls

• Set maximum daily loss limits
• Use virtual stop losses
• Implement equity protection
• Add spread filters

Monitoring

• Use VPS for 24/7 operation
• Set up email/push alerts
• Log all trading decisions
• Regular performance reviews

Creating Custom Indicators

Indicator Development Process

Define Your Logic

Clear rules for calculations and signals

Use MQL5 Wizard

Generate indicator skeleton automatically

Code Implementation

Write calculation logic in OnCalculate()

Test & Debug

Verify calculations match expectations

Popular Custom Indicators

• Combined momentum oscillators
• Multi-timeframe trend indicators
• Volume profile analysis
• Custom volatility measures
• Pattern recognition tools
• Market structure indicators

Performance Optimization

• Minimize calculations per tick
• Use arrays efficiently
• Cache repeated calculations
• Limit historical bars processed
• Optimize drawing operations
• Test on different timeframes

Professional Mobile Trading

Mobile-Exclusive Features

Trading Widgets

Monitor positions without opening app

Biometric Security

Face ID/fingerprint for quick access

Push Notifications

Custom alerts for price levels and orders

Gesture Trading

Swipe to close, pinch to zoom charts

Mobile Trading Setup

1. Sync with Desktop
Login with same credentials to sync
2. Configure Alerts
Set price alerts for key levels
3. Customize Interface
Arrange favorite pairs and tools
4. Enable Notifications
Allow push notifications for orders
5. Practice First
Master mobile interface on demo

Mobile Trading Best Practices

✓ Use mobile for monitoring, desktop for analysis
✓ Set up one-tap trading for emergencies only
✓ Keep charts simple on small screens
✓ Use horizontal mode for better chart view
✓ Always use stop losses on mobile trades

Pro Tips & Hidden Features

Chart Shortcuts

Space - Crosshair cursor
F8 - Chart properties
F11 - Full screen
Home/End - Jump to start/end
Page Up/Down - Fast scroll

Hidden Features

• Chart screenshots to MQL5 community
• Virtual hosting for EAs
• Synthetic instruments creation
• Custom symbol import
• Tick chart recording

Performance Hacks

• Disable news if not needed
• Limit max bars in chart
• Use profiles for quick switching
• Minimize open charts
• Regular platform cleanup

Mastering MT5: Your Next Steps

Implementation Roadmap

Week 1-2: Order Mastery

• Practice stop limit orders on demo
• Master one-click trading safely
• Set up trailing stops properly

Week 3-4: Analysis Tools

• Learn DOM interpretation
• Create custom indicators
• Optimize chart workspace

Month 2: Automation

• Test simple EAs
• Learn basic MQL5
• Backtest strategies

Month 3: Integration

• Combine all features
• Develop trading routine
• Go live with small size

Ready to Start?

Begin with our comprehensive MT5 guide for beginners.

Start with basics →

Calculate Your Risk

Use our tools to size positions correctly.

Access calculators →

Learn Key Terms

Master trading terminology in our glossary.

Browse glossary →

Remember: Advanced features are powerful tools, but they don't replace solid trading fundamentals. Master risk management first, then enhance your edge with these professional features.

Learn Risk Management →