For a prop company, speed and clarity are crucial while trading. Not only are you pressing buttons on a screen, but you are also handling someone else’s money under pressure. Also, a disorganized platform that looks like a poorly designed PowerPoint presentation from 2008 is the last thing you need in a market that is changing quickly.
This is where customizing your MT5 workplace is useful. Although MT5 is undoubtedly a strong platform, it can feel a little generic at first. The good news? It’s flexible, and with a little modification, you can create your own stylish command center. Imagine it like customizing your workstation, just digital.
Why Customization Matters in Prop Trading
Let’s discuss why this is even more important before we get into the specifics. Prop trading is not the same as trading on your own account. You’re working under guidelines, restrictions, and review times. Each click is important. You must accurately control risk, keep an eye on several charts, and respond quickly to opportunities.
You save time if your workstation is well-organized. It reduces mental clutter. Above all, it helps you prevent those dreaded oops moments, such as forgetting to set your stop loss or accidentally trading on the wrong pair. Customizing your MT5 setup will help you trade more intelligently, not just look good.
Streamline Your Chart Layout
Most traders are visual beings. We live and breathe on charts. Cleaning up those charts is the first step toward creating a clear workspace.
Ditch the Noise
Start by removing anything you don’t use. That includes:
- Grid lines
- The Ask line
- Volume bars
Less clutter = more clarity.
Create a Color Scheme That Works for You
Not everyone likes the black or white chart themes that MT5 comes with by default. Some traders find white backdrops easier to read, while others favor dark mode for extended sessions. Choose whatever feels good for your eyes, as there is no right or wrong option.
To customize chart colors:
- Right-click on the chart
- Select Properties
- Go to the Colors tab
Choose colors for candles, background, grid, etc.
Tip: Save your custom style as a template by right-clicking → Templates → Save Template so you can apply it across multiple charts in one click.
Organize Your Market Watch
The Market Watch Window Ctrl+M is your quote board. It shows bid/ask prices for all symbols. But by default, it throws every available instrument at you, and unless you’re trading all 50 currency pairs, that’s way too much.
Trim the Fat
Right-click inside the Market Watch window and choose Hide All. Then, add back only the pairs or assets you trade by right-clicking → Symbols → selecting your pairs, and clicking Show.
For prop traders, this typically means:
The majors are EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, etc.
A few minors or crosses you specialize in
Maybe an index or two if allowed by your firm
This keeps your quote board tidy and focused with no distractions.
Sort and Rename
Want to get fancy? MT5 doesn’t let you rename symbols directly, but you can drag and drop them to reorder. Group similar assets together, like all your USD pairs, so scanning becomes muscle memory.
Use Chart Profiles Like a Pro
Ever wish you could switch between different chart setups instantly? That’s where Profiles come in. They let you save entire layouts, charts, pairs, timeframes, indicators, and the work.
Here’s how to use them effectively:
Create Focused Profiles
Think about your trading workflow. You might have a setup for:
Morning analysis
Intraday trading
News trading
Evaluation tracking
To create a new profile:
Set up the workspace how you like it
Go to File → Profiles → Save As
Name something clear, e.g., Intraday Setup
Now you can toggle between entire workspaces without manually reconfiguring every chart.
Add and Arrange Essential Panels
MetaTrader 5 comes with multiple dockable panels, a Navigator, a Terminal, a Strategy Tester, etc. These can eat up valuable space if left messy.
Keep Only What You Need
Most prop traders regularly use:
Navigator for accounts, indicators, scripts, and EAs
Terminal for trade management, journal, Exposure
Market Watch
Close everything else unless you have a reason to keep it open. Less is more.
To show/hide panels, use the View menu or keyboard shortcuts:
Ctrl+N = Navigator
Ctrl+T = Terminal
Ctrl+M = Market Watch
Dock Panels Intelligently
Drag and dock panels so they don’t overlap your charts. Most traders dock Market Watch and Navigator on the left, and the Terminal at the bottom. It’s a layout that just works.
If you’re using a multi-monitor setup you should consider dragging some charts or panels to a second screen. More real estate = more room to breathe.
Automate With One-Click Trading
Speed is king in prop trading. If you’re still manually entering lot sizes and clicking Buy through pop-ups, you’re behind the curve.