Introduction to MT4 Platform Interface

The following screen shot below indicates the main MT4 platform inter-face. As a beginner trader trying to learn how to execute orders in the online trading market, the main tool for trading the markets is the MT4 software software. This MT4 platform software is the software which you will connect to your broker with & execute trade positions & monitor your account balance from this MT4 platform.

The MetaTrader 4 platform is provided for free through the various different broker web sites. This MT4 platform software resembles the illustrations explained below:

Main Areas of this MetaTrader 4 platform as is displayed and shown above are:

1. MT4 Navigation Menus
2. ToolBars
3. MetaTrader 4 Chart Window Panel
4. MT4 Navigator Window Panel
5. MetaTrader 4 MarketWatch Window
6. MT4 Terminal
7. MetaTrader 4 Connection Bars

For this MT4 guide we shall look at a brief introduction for each of the learn MetaTrader 4 platform:

1. Navigation Menus

The MetaTrader 4 navigating menus are:

1. File Menu
2. View Menu
3. Insert Menu
4. Charts Menu
5. Tools Menu
6. Window Menu
7. Help Menu

These are the main MT4 navigation menus that can be used to navigate the MetaTrader 4 platform. As a beginner you as a stock indices trader can start by pressing any of these MetaTrader 4 navigation menus in order to familiarize yourself with the various MetaTrader 4 buttons which are arranged as MT4 sub menus within these MT4 navigation menus.

The MetaTrader 4 navigating menus will be described and covered & explained in details & particulars in the next MetaTrader 4 guides about navigating menus.

2. ToolBars

The MT4 tool-bars are used to manipulate MT4 stock charts, either by placing MT4 indicators, MetaTrader 4 line studies, change MT4 time-frames and load MetaTrader 4 template from a listing of saved MetaTrader 4 templates.

These MetaTrader 4 toolbars will be discussed on other MetaTrader 4 tutorials that will outline each MetaTrader 4 button on this MetaTrader 4 toolbar & how to add and customize these MT4 tool bars.

3. Chart Window Panel

This MT4 stock chart window is the main area where MetaTrader 4 stock charts are portrayed and one can analyze the trend direction of a MT4 stock chart whether up or down, place MetaTrader 4 stock chart technical indicators for technical analysis & even place orders from these MT4 stock charts.

4. Navigator

MT4 Navigator will contain data about MetaTrader 4 accounts, whether demo or real, this MT4 panel window will also have a list of all MT4 indicators as well as MT4 Expert Advisors/EAs & scripts.

One can choose which MetaTrader 4 stock account to login by expanding the Accounts menu, choose a MT4 indicator by expanding the MT4 indicator menu or choose an MetaTrader 4 Expert Advisor by expanding the EA menu.

5. MarketWatch

MetaTrader 4 MarketWatch panel is used to show streaming price quotes for MetaTrader 4 indices instruments. This can listing as many symbols provided by your MT4 broker or few selected by a stock indices trader. To conserve internet band width, right-click inside the MetaTrader 4 marketwatch window & choose "Hide All", so as to hide the MT4 symbols that you as a trader aren't transacting on this MT4 software and save on inter-net band width.

6. Terminal

This is MetaTrader 4 panel that is like the bank account area for your MetaTrader 4 trades, on this MetaTrader 4 panel window you as a Stock Index trader can view your account balance, profit & losses statement, equity, margin used & also generate a copy of all your MT4 trade transactions history.

This MT4 panel will also list all open trades & calculate all the profit & loss in realtime as the charts move upwards/downwards.

7. Connectivity Bar

MetaTrader 4 connection bars - Red bars are for no connectivity, green bars show that there's connection to the servers and MetaTrader 4 trading orders can be placed. These MetaTrader 4 connection status bars should always be in green when one is signed in to their MT4 demo practice trade account or MT4 real account.

The MetaTrader 4 platform main levels form the MT4 software interface and will be the main levels to be explained in detail in next learn MT4 tutorials. For now it is best to download MetaTrader 4 platform and enlighten yourself with the MetaTrader 4 platform inter-face.

Why Software is Required for Opening Stock Index Trade Transactions with Brokers

Platform is software that is used to access the market & interpret & analyze these price movements using charts & stock technical analysis tools. There are various reasons why one requires to use a good platform. A good indices software can determine if a as a stock index trader you make profit or not.

So why does a trader need a good Stock Software:

To connect to the Online Broker Server:

To place a trade order a trader needs to use a trading software platform that will connect to the trading servers of their broker and this will allow them to open & close trade orders. Good softwares will connect with ease to the brokers' servers & allow stocks traders to place orders at any time from their desktop computer PC.

To analyze the price charts using technical analysis tools

To open a buy or sell indices order a trader needs to first interpret the direction of indices using charts. This is why all good platforms provide indices trade tools such as price charts, indicators and various different time frames from which a trader can analyze price moves using the time frame of their choice.

From the above software interface, summary of all data required by a trader is provided on this MT4 platform inter-face

• Connection - connection to the broker servers
• Charts - stock price graphs which display the prices
• Tool-Bars - tool-bars to add tools & analysis trading indicators on charts
• Market Watch - for displaying available financial instruments on MT4
• Data window - provides MetaTrader 4 account data and other indicator data
• Exchange rates - shows current price on a trading chart
• Menu bar - Shows all menu items on MT4 software

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