Download the Demo version to test on live demo account before purchase at end of this blog
Dashboard Main View – Detailed Interface Breakdown
This section explains the primary dashboard view, where you manage symbols, monitor market conditions, load indicators, and execute trades.
Each numbered element in the image corresponds to a functional control described below.
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Clicking the question mark icon activates help mode.
Once enabled, hovering over any dashboard element will display a tooltip explaining its function.
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2. Minimize Dashboard
This button minimizes the dashboard into a compact quick-access panel.
Only essential trading buttons remain visible.
For details on the minimized layout and its functions, refer to the minimized dashboard section.
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3. Close Dashboard
Completely removes the dashboard from the chart and deletes all related objects.
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4. Current Symbol Selector
Displays the symbol of the chart where the dashboard is running.
Clicking it opens the Market Watch list so you can switch instruments instantly.
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The left (<) and right (>) arrows let you move sequentially through symbols.
When changed, the chart updates automatically.
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6. Market Clock
Clicking the clock cycles through three time displays:
1. Broker server time
2. Your local computer time
3. Candle countdown, showing how long remains until the current candle closes
This helps with precise timing for entries and exits.
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7. Information Window
The (i) button opens the information panel containing:
• Account statistics
• Account status details
• Symbol trading specifications
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8. Quick Trade Lines
Instantly places trade setup lines on the chart so you can visually define entry, Stop Loss, and Take Profit and execute trades faster.
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9. General Settings
Opens the dashboard settings panel where you can configure:
• Magic number
• Notifications
• Saved dashboard profiles
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Main Dashboard Tabs
10. Indicators Tab (First Main Tab)
This tab focuses on market analysis and signal generation.
Here you can:
• Load indicators
• Adjust entry and exit scoring rules
• Monitor all Market Watch symbols in one table
Many common indicators are already available, and more may be added through updates.
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11. Trading Tab (Second Main Tab)
This tab focuses on trade execution and management.
It allows you to:
• Open trades quickly
• Apply management tools such as trailing stops or recovery logic
• Close trades precisely and efficiently
This tab will be explained fully in its dedicated section.
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Indicators Table Explanation
Inside the Indicators tab, the dashboard displays a structured table showing signals across symbols.
12. Symbol Column
Each row corresponds to a symbol from Market Watch.
To change which symbols appear, simply modify your Market Watch list.
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13. Example Loaded Indicator
This column shows an example of a loaded indicator.
In the image, the example is an AMA indicator on the D1 timeframe.
It displays the indicator buffer value, which influences the Entry Score and Exit Score calculations.
(Your dashboard may show different indicators depending on what you load.)
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14. Session Column
A built-in indicator showing current and upcoming trading sessions.
Example:
USA | N:AUD in 3H
Means the current session is New York and the next session will be Australia in 3 hours.
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15. Entry Score Column
Represents the calculated trade entry strength.
• Higher values indicate stronger entry potential.
• Blue values suggest buy opportunities.
• Red values suggest sell opportunities.
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16. Exit Score Column
Represents the calculated trade exit strength.
• Higher values suggest better exit conditions.
• Red values indicate stronger signals to exit sell trades.
• Blue values indicate stronger signals to exit buy trades.
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Indicator Management Controls
17. Add Indicator
Opens a guided window allowing you to add custom indicators to the table.
18. Delete Indicator
Removes a selected indicator column.
19. Edit Indicator Settings
Let's you adjust parameters of indicators currently displayed.
20. Show / Hide Indicators
Allows toggling visibility of indicators in the table.
Some indicators, such as News and Session, are built into the dashboard.
Minimized Dashboard View – Quick Access Panel
When the dashboard is minimized, it transforms into a compact control panel that still provides access to essential tools for fast trading and navigation.
Even in this smaller mode, you can manage symbols, monitor time, and execute quick actions without reopening the full interface.
Below is an explanation of each element shown in the minimized view:
1. Current Symbol Selector
Displays the symbol of the chart where the dashboard is active.
Clicking it opens the full Market Watch list so you can switch instruments quickly.
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2. Previous / Next Symbol Controls
The left (<) and right (>) arrows allow you to move through symbols sequentially.
The background chart updates automatically when the symbol changes.
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3. Market Clock
Clicking the clock cycles between three useful time displays:
This helps with timing entries and exits more precisely.Server Time (broker time)
Local Time (your computer time)
Candle Countdown showing how long remains until the current candle closes
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4. Quick Screenshot Button
Allows you to instantly capture a screenshot of the chart, including all indicators and the dashboard overlay.
This is useful for trade journaling, sharing analysis, or keeping records.
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5. Quick Trade Lines
Adds interactive trade lines directly to the chart so you can quickly define entry, Stop Loss, and Take Profit visually and execute trades faster.
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6. General Settings
Opens the dashboard settings window where you can configure:
________________________________________Magic number
Notifications
Profile save/load options
7. Help & Window Controls
Includes:
________________________________________A question mark icon that enables tooltip mode. After clicking it, hovering over dashboard elements shows their explanations.
A minimize button to collapse or expand the dashboard.
8. Close Button
Closes the dashboard completely and removes all its graphical objects from the chart.
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Info Window – Statistics Tab Overview
This section explains the first tab of the Info window, which displays detailed account statistics. Each numbered area in the image represents a specific data block or control, described below:
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1. Statistics Tab
This is the main statistics tab of the Info window. It provides an overview of your trading account performance, including profit, losses, trade distribution, and drawdown metrics. All fields shown here are explained below.
2–3. Account Tab & Symbol Tab
These buttons allow you to switch between different information views.
Their functionality will be explained later together with their dedicated screenshots.
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4. Symbol Selection Dropdown
This dropdown allows you to filter statistics by market symbol.
- If All Symbols is selected, the dashboard shows performance across your entire account.
- If a specific symbol is selected, statistics will reflect only trades from that instrument.
This helps traders analyze performance per market.
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This menu lets you filter trades based on how they were opened.
Options include:
- All Magics (Default) – Includes every trade: manual trades, all Expert Advisors, and dashboard trades.
- FXTools Orders – Shows only trades opened using the FXTools dashboard.
- All Bots Orders – Displays only trades opened by automated systems (Expert Advisors), excluding manual trades.
- Manual Orders – Shows only trades opened manually by the trader.
You can select multiple options simultaneously to customize the data view.
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Performance Metrics Explained
6. Total Net Profit
Shows the overall profit or loss of the account balance.
It is calculated as total profits minus total losses.
7. Gross Profit
Displays the sum of profits from all winning trades.
8. Gross Loss
Displays the sum of losses from all losing trades.
9. Profit Factor
This value equals gross profit divided by gross loss.
It is commonly used to evaluate the effectiveness of a trading strategy.
10. Total Trades
Shows the total number of executed trades in the selected filters.
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Trade Direction Statistics
11. Short Trades
Total number of sell trades opened.
12. Long Trades
Total number of buy trades opened.
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Drawdown & Period Performance
13. Today Balance Drawdown
Shows the drawdown experienced today only, based on account balance.
14. Maximum Balance Drawdown
Displays the largest drawdown recorded in the account's history.
15. Today P/L
Shows the total profit or loss generated today.
16. Month P/L
Shows the total profit or loss for the current month.
Info Window – Account Tab Overview
This section explains the second tab of the Info window, which displays key information about your trading account provided by the broker.
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1. Account Tab
This tab presents the main account status and trading permissions, helping you monitor available funds, margin usage, and trading permissions.
2. Balance
Shows the current account balance, excluding floating profits or losses from open trades.
3. Equity
Displays the real-time account equity, which equals balance plus the floating profit or loss of open trades.
4. Profit
Shows the current floating profit or loss from open positions.
5. Free Margin
Indicates how much capital is still available to open new trades.
6. Margin
Shows the amount of funds currently locked as collateral for open trades.
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7. Trade Allowed
This field shows whether trading is permitted on the account.
Some brokers may temporarily restrict trading activity due to account limits, verification issues, or market conditions.
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8. Expert Allowed
If this option is disabled, automated tools cannot execute trades.
To allow the FXTools dashboard to open and close trades, two settings must be enabled:
Step 1: Activate the Algo Trading button in the MetaTrader terminal toolbar.
Step 2: When attaching the FXTools dashboard, open the Common tab (next to Inputs) and check Allow Algo Trading.
Both permissions must be enabled for the dashboard to operate correctly.
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9. Hedge / Netting Mode
This indicates the account's position system:
• Hedging Mode: Allows multiple trades on the same symbol, including opposite directions (buy and sell simultaneously).
• Netting Mode: Only one combined position per symbol is allowed.
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10. Account Type
Shows whether the account is Real or Demo.
11. Leverage
Displays the trading leverage provided by the broker, which determines how much exposure you can control relative to your balance.
Info Window – Symbol Tab Overview
This section explains the third tab of the Info window, which displays trading specifications of the symbol attached to the current chart.
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1. Symbol Tab
This tab provides the technical trading parameters for the current instrument.
2. Symbol
Displays the name of the instrument currently opened on the chart.
3. Trade Mode
Indicates whether trading this symbol is allowed.
Some brokers provide multiple versions of the same instrument, but only certain ones may be tradable.
4. Spread
Shows the current difference between the Bid and Ask price of the symbol.
5. Minimum Volume
Displays the smallest allowed trade size (lot) for this instrument.
6. Maximum Volume
Shows the largest allowed trade size.
7. Volume Step
Defines the minimum increment by which trade size can be increased or decreased.
8. Tick Value
Represents the monetary value of one tick movement in the account currency.
9. Stop Levels
Shows the minimum allowed distance between the current price and Stop Loss or Take Profit levels.
10. Swap Long
Displays the overnight swap value applied to buy positions held after rollover.
11. Swap Short
Displays the overnight swap value applied to sell positions held after rollover.
Dashboard Settings Window Overview
This section explains the Settings window, where you can configure the dashboard's behavior, notifications, and saved profiles.
This tab controls the general operation and customization of the dashboard.
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1. Magic Number
This field defines the magic number assigned to all trades opened by the dashboard.
Magic numbers help distinguish dashboard trades from manual trades or other Expert Advisors.
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2. Zoom Factor
Controls the visual scale of the dashboard on the chart.
• A larger value makes the dashboard appear bigger.
• A smaller value makes it more compact.
This helps adapt the interface to different screen sizes and resolutions.
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3. Phone Notifications
If you use the MetaTrader 5 mobile app, you can receive dashboard alerts directly on your phone.
To enable this:
1. Open MetaTrader terminal Options (Ctrl+O).
2. Go to the Notifications tab.
3. Enable Push Notifications.
4. Enter your MetaQuotes ID (MQID) from your mobile app.
Once configured, enabling phone notifications in the dashboard will send alerts whenever dashboard activity changes.
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4. Pop-Up Alerts
When enabled, any dashboard activity or trade event will appear as a pop-up alert on your chart.
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5. Email Notifications
If your email is configured in Options → Email tab, enabling this option allows the dashboard to send trading notifications via email.
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Trade Event Notification Options
These settings let you choose which events should trigger alerts.
6. Trade Modified
Sends a notification when a trade is changed, such as:
• Stop Loss modified
• Take Profit changed
• Pending order price adjusted
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7. Auto-Management Changes
If enabled, you will receive alerts when trade values are modified automatically by the dashboard's management system.
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8. Trade Opened
Notifies you whenever a new trade is executed.
9. Trade Closed
Notifies you whenever a trade is closed.
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Saving and Loading Dashboard Profiles
The dashboard allows you to store multiple configuration profiles for quick switching. (showed in video)
10. Name Field
Enter a custom name to save the current dashboard layout and settings.
11. Save
Click Save to store the current configuration under the entered name.
12–13. Choose Name
Previously saved profiles will appear in a dropdown list so you can select one.
14. Load
Loads the selected saved profile instantly.
15. Delete
Removes the selected saved profile from the list.
Adding Indicator Window – Load Tab Overview
When you click the Add Indicator (+) button, a new window opens to guide you through loading and configuring an indicator.
The first tab in this window is the Load tab, where you select the indicator file and its basic settings.
Below is a detailed explanation of each element in this tab.
1. Load Tab
• This is the first step of adding an indicator.
Here you specify the indicator file and, optionally, its preset configuration file.________________________________________
2. Calculations Tab
• After loading the indicator, you can move to the Calculations tab, where you define how the indicator contributes to scoring and signal logic.
This tab will be explained in its own section.________________________________________
3. Display Tab
• The Display tab controls how the indicator appears on the chart and in the dashboard table.
This will also be explained separately.________________________________________
• Clicking Example automatically fills the fields with a sample configuration using built-in MetaTrader indicators.
This is useful for learning how the loading fields should be completed.________________________________________
• After loading an indicator, clicking this button opens a preview window where you can:
- Choose a symbol
- Select the buffer number
- Choose how many bars to load
• After pressing Load, you will see how the indicator behaves on a real chart and which buffer produces which values.
This helps identify the correct buffer for scoring calculations.________________________________________
6. Market Indicator Presets
• If your indicator is not from the MetaTrader Market, leave this option as None.
• However, if your indicator was purchased from the Market, it may already be included in our preloaded presets, which automatically configure many settings for you.
• If your Market indicator is not listed, you can suggest it to us via private message along with details of how its scoring logic works.
We may include it in future updates.• Example of available presets:
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7. Column Display Name
• This field defines how the indicator name appears in the dashboard table.
• We recommend using a short name so it fits neatly in the column header.
You can choose any name you prefer.________________________________________
8. Indicator File Path
• Here you enter the path to the indicator file.
• The indicator must be located inside the Indicators folder of your MetaTrader Data directory.
- If it is inside a subfolder, include the folder name
Example:
Examples/Bears.ex5- If it is directly inside the Indicators folder, simply write:
Bears.ex5• Make sure the name matches the file exactly and includes the .ex5 extension.
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9. Set File Path (Optional)
• If you want to load the indicator with default settings, leave this field empty.
• Otherwise, you can specify a .set file stored in the Presets folder of the Data directory.
- If inside a subfolder, include the folder name
- Otherwise, just write the filename, for example:
Bears.set________________________________________
10. Timeframe Selection
• Choose the timeframe on which the indicator should run.
A dropdown list of common timeframes is provided for convenience.________________________________________
11. Notes Field
• This field is used mainly for Market indicators.
It may display warnings or important notes about the selected indicator before loading.________________________________________
• After filling all required fields, click Next to proceed.
• If any field contains an error, it will be highlighted in red so you can correct it.
Adding Indicator Window – Calculations Tab Overview
Second Tab of Adding Indicators
What is this tab for?
Here you enter calculation rules for the indicator you want to add. These rules tell the dashboard how to score your indicator's signals.
📌 Important: To use this tab, you need some knowledge about the indicator, specifically its buffer numbers (the value you want to base the signal on). If you don't know this information, you can ask the indicator's developer.
How It Works
In this tab, you adjust and determine rules for each entry:
When to get a Buy signal
When to get a Sell signal
How much maximum score you want for each entry
You can set multiple different conditions for an entry and adjust them so that:
All conditions must be met for the signal to appear (AND logic)
Any condition separately triggers the entry signal (OR logic)
You can also set rules for each symbol separately or for all symbols together.
Important Notes
Each time you set the conditions and click Add Rule, you add one rule
If you want multiple rules, you must select each entry rule settings and click Add Rule again
If you only enter a rule for Buy or Sell (but not both), the opposite condition will be calculated automatically for the other direction
Detailed Field Explanations
1. Signal
Here you select the signal direction:
Buy – Conditions for a buy (long) entry signal
Sell – Conditions for a sell (short) entry signal
2. Buffer A
For each entry, you have two variables that you want to compare.
Buffer A is the first value of these two. You set which value of the indicator you want to use.
Example: "If the indicator's first value is bigger than the candle close, then it's a buy signal"
📌 Technical Note: Buffers are numbered starting from 0 (the first value of the indicator is buffer index 0). The dashboard automatically detects available buffers in the indicator so you can choose from them. If you don't know which buffer corresponds to what you see on the chart, ask the indicator's developer.
3. Buffer A Shift
Here you choose the shift of Buffer A.
Shift moves the buffer value forward or backward in time. For example, 1 means use the value from 1 candle ago.
4. Operation
Here you choose the comparison operator between the two values (Buffer A and Operand B).
5. Operand B
Unlike the first value (which is always a buffer of the indicator), the second value (Operand B) can be chosen from different options.
6. Buffer B
This field appears only if you choose "Buffer" in Operand B.
Here you select a different buffer of the indicator (cannot be the same as Buffer A).
If you choose OHLC in Operand B, this area will show a list of candle values instead (Open, High, Low and Close).
7. Shift (for Buffer B)
This is the shift for Buffer B. It works the same way as Buffer A Shift (item 3).
8. Digits
You set the digits (decimal places) of Buffer B value.
By default, this is the same as the symbol's digit count (e.g., 5 digits for most forex pairs).
9. Apply
Here you choose where to apply the rule.
10. Max Score on Change
What does this do?
The dashboard's calculation has a max score curve. When you set this to true (enabled):
The first time the condition is met, it receives the maximum score at that exact point
After that, the score slowly lowers over time
This is useful for signals that are only valuable at the exact moment of change (e.g., a crossover) and lose value afterward.
11. Signal Valid For
You set how many candles the signal will remain valid.
After this many candles pass without the signal being acted upon, the signal expires.
Example: If you set 3, the signal is valid for 3 candles after it first appears.
12. Score Margin
You set the maximum score for your signal here.
📌 Note: The score should be positive for both Buy and Sell signals.
13. Add Rule
After adjusting all the settings above, click this button to add the rule to your list.
14. Show Rule Button
Click this button to see the list of rules you have already added.
15. Remove Rule
When you click Show Rule, each rule in the list has a checkbox. You can:
Select the checkbox of the rule(s) you want to remove
Click Remove Rule to delete them
16. Mode
After adding all your rules, you select the mode for how they should be evaluated:
📌 Note: Buy and Sell rules are always calculated separately.
17. Next
After finishing your calculations, click Next to go to the next tab.
Adding Indicator Window – Display Tab Overview
Operators Table
| Operator | Meaning |
|---|---|
| > | Greater than |
| < | Smaller than |
| >= | Greater than or equal to |
| <= | Smaller than or equal to |
| = | Equal to |
Operand B Options
| Option | Meaning |
|---|---|
| (1) Buffer | Another buffer of the indicator (must be different from Buffer A) |
| (2) Constant | A fixed number you enter (e.g., -1, 1, 1.5, -10.9) |
| (3) Zero | The second value is always 0 |
| (4) Price | The second value is the Ask or Bid price (you choose from dropdown) – useful to check if an indicator value has crossed the current market price |
| (5) OHLC | Candle values: Open, High, Low, Close – useful to compare indicator values with candle prices |
| (6) Not Empty | For indicators that only appear on some candles (like arrows or dots). You only need to check if the value appeared (is not empty) – that becomes your entry signal |
Apply Options
| Option | Meaning |
|---|---|
| All | The rule applies to all symbols |
| Specific Symbol | The rule applies only to the specific symbol you select. This is useful when an indicator has values that are specific to one symbol only. |
Mode Options
| Mode | Meaning |
|---|---|
| All rules must be met | You only get an entry signal when every rule for that direction (Buy or Sell) is satisfied at the same time |
| Any rule can be met | You get an entry signal when at least one rule for that direction is satisfied |
Third Tab of Adding Indicators: Display
After finishing adding the calculation rules for your indicator, you go to the third and last sub-tab of adding indicators, which is Display.
What is this tab for?
Here you set how to show Buy and Sell signals on your chart for the indicator you want to add. You can customize the appearance of signals so they are easy to recognize at a glance.
Detailed Field Explanations
1. Buy Icon
Here you select the icon that will appear on your chart for Buy signals.
You can choose from a dropdown list of available icons.
2. Sell Icon
Here you select the icon that will appear on your chart for Sell signals.
You can choose from a dropdown list of available icons.
3. Buy Size
Here you select the size of the Buy signal icon to be displayed on the chart.
Larger sizes are easier to see; smaller sizes are less intrusive.
4. Sell Size
Here you select the size of the Sell signal icon to be displayed on the chart.
5. Buy Color
Here you choose the color of the Buy signal icon.
Common choices: Green, Blue, or any color that visually represents "buy" to you.
6. Sell Color
Here you choose the color of the Sell signal icon.
Common choices: Red, Orange, or any color that visually represents "sell" to you.
7. Done and Add
What happens when you click this button?
Once you click Done and Add, the indicator will be:
Loaded into the dashboard
Calculated based on the rules you set in the Calculations tab
⏱️ Note: This process may take a few minutes depending on:
The number of symbols you have selected
How many candles are on your chart
The speed and complexity of the indicator itself
8. Show Button
If you select this button, a new window appears showing you a preview of how the icon you selected will be displayed on the chart.
This helps you test your icon choices before finalizing.
9. Example of Buy Icon
This area displays a preview example of your chosen Buy icon with its selected size and color.
10. Example of Sell Icon
This area displays a preview example of your chosen Sell icon with its selected size and color.
Summary – Adding an Indicator Workflow
After completing all three tabs and clicking Done and Add, your custom indicator is ready to use with the dashboard.
| Step | Tab | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Input | Select the indicator file and basic properties |
| 2 | Calculations | Set buffer rules, comparisons, scoring, and logic |
| 3 | Display | Choose icons, sizes, and colors for Buy/Sell signals |
Links to related blogs:
Open, Close & Filters Guide
Trail, Grid & Martingale Guide
Recovery & Breakeven Guide
