How to Draw Trendlines on MT5 (Mac)

In MT5, you can draw trendlines anywhere on the chart. This guide explains the basic methods for drawing, modifying, and customizing trendlines.

How to Draw a Trendline

Switching to Trendline Drawing Mode

To draw a trendline, switch to trendline drawing mode. This can be done in one of the following ways:

Method 1: Use the Toolbar

Click the trendline icon in the toolbar. After clicking, move the cursor over the chart, and the cursor will switch to trendline drawing mode.

Method 2: Use the Menu

Select "Trendline" from "Objects" under the "Insert" menu. Then move the cursor over the chart, and the cursor will switch to trendline drawing mode.

How to Draw a Line

In trendline drawing mode, click at the starting point of the trendline, drag to the endpoint, and release the mouse to complete the trendline.

How to Modify a Line's Position on the Chart

To modify a line’s position on the chart, first select the line. Here's how to toggle selection and deselection:

Check if a Line is Selected or Deselected

You can tell if a line is selected by the display on the line. When selected, small squares appear at the start, end, and midpoint of the line.

Toggle Line Selection

Hover the cursor over the line and double-click to toggle between selected and deselected.

Modify the Start and End Points

Hover the cursor over the start or end point of the line and drag to move the points freely.

Move the Line Position

To move the line while keeping its shape, hover the cursor over the center square and drag to reposition the line.

Modifying a Line via the Properties Window

Detailed modifications can be made via the line’s properties window. You can access this window in one of the following ways:

Method 1: Right-Click on the Line

When the trendline is selected, right-click on the line and choose "Properties" from the menu to open the properties window.

Method 2: Use the Object List

Right-click on the chart and select "Objects List" from the menu. Click on the line you want to modify from the list and select "Properties" on the right to open the properties window.

The properties window consists of three tabs: "Common", "Parameters", and "Visualization". Here are the items you can set on each tab.

  • The settings under the "Common" tab and the "Extend" settings under the "Parameters" tab are saved and will be applied the next time you draw a line.

Modifications in the "Common" Tab

The "Common" tab allows you to set the line's name and style.

Line Name

You can change the line’s name under "Name" in the properties window. The line's name will appear in the objects list, etc.

Line Description

You can add a description in the "Description" field. If "Show object descriptions" is checked in the chart properties, the description will appear near the line.

Line Style

You can specify the line's color, type, and thickness under "Style". If the line is thickened, only a solid line can be selected due to system limitations.

If "Show object in background" is checked, the line will be displayed behind candlesticks. Unchecking it will display the line in front of candlesticks. Checking "Disable selection" prevents the line from being selected by double-clicking on the chart.

Modifications in the "Parameters" Tab

The "Parameters" tab allows you to specify the start and end points by date (time) and price, as well as set extensions to the left and right of the line.

Specify Start and End Points

The start point can be specified by entering the "Date" and "Value" in the upper section of the "Parameters" tab, and the end point can be specified in the lower section. Use this method for precise placement of the trendline.

Extend Left and Right

Check "Extend right" to extend the line from the endpoint, and check "Extend left" to extend the line from the start point.

Modifications in the "Visualization" Tab

The "Visualization" tab allows you to specify which timeframes the line is displayed on.

Select Timeframes for Display

If "All timeframes" is checked, the line will be displayed on all timeframes. Unchecking this allows you to toggle the display for each timeframe individually. (The line will only be displayed on the timeframes that are checked.)