Custom Chart

1. Advantages and Features

• works at any open chart window (called "base chart" further on in this document);
• looks like a common chart after uploading (see Screenshots);
• open history file format is used;
• MetaTrader 4 and 5 data format can be used;
• allows to create the charts of synthetic or non-standard symbols;
• has built-in Data Window (see Screenshot 4);
• major part of the objects from the MetaTrader 5 standard set can be used for technical analysis (see Screenshot 2);
• both online and offline charts can be created;
• bars opening time can be controlled up to milliseconds;
• user indicators and Expert Advisors can be created based on synthetic symbol chart (see Screenshots 3, 6).

3. Indicator Buffers

Indicator buffer index	Contents
0	Contains selected price constant. The buffer allows other indicators that use the first form to get the data.
1	Bar opening time
2	Bar opening price
3	Bar high price
4	Bar low price
5	Bar closing price
6	Bar color
7	Market volume
8	Tick volume
9	Spread

4. Data Window

Open history files format described in the MetaTrader 4 user guide. Users can take a ready-made history file or create it themselves. Then iCustomChart indicator can be used for a chart display.

History file format is the following one. History file header goes first:

struct HistoryHeader
{
  int		version		// base version
  char		copyright[64];	// copyright
  char		symbol[12];	// symbol
  int		parameter;     // symbol period or parameter
  int		digits;        // number of digits after the decimal point in a symbol
  time_t	timesign;      // base creation time sign
  time_t        last_sync;    // last synchronization time
  int		unused[13];	// for future use
};

The version of the base for MetaTrader 4 history files is displayed as "400", while for MetaTrader 5 it is "500". This is important, as each version has its own bar data structure.

The standard representation of the bars array following the header for the version "400" history file looks as follows:

#pragma pack(push,1)
struct RateInfo
{
 time_t   ctm;	  // time in seconds
 double	  open;	  // bar opening price
 double	  low;	  // bar low price
 double   high;	  // bar high price
 double   close; // bar closing price
 double   vol;	  // volume
};
#pragma pack(pop)

The standard representation of the bars array for the version "500" history file looks as follows:

#pragma pack(push,1)
struct MqlRates
{
 datetime time;         // bar time in seconds or milliseconds
 double   open;         // open price
 double   high;         // high price for the period
 double   low;          // low price for the period
 double   close;        // closing price
 long     tick_volume;  // tick volume
 int      spread;       // spread
 long     real_volume;  // market volume 
};
#pragma pack(pop)

Note that bar time can be set either in seconds or in milliseconds for version "500". iCustomChart can correctly recognize both time formats.

Note: users bear responsibility for a history file correctness.