MT4 Templates: Save Your Chart Setup (2026)
MT4 templates save your chart colors, indicators, EA settings, and display preferences in a single .tpl file. Create one by right-clicking your chart, selecting Template, then Save Template. Apply it to any chart with one click. Save your most-used setup as "default.tpl" and every new chart opens with your preferred configuration automatically.
If you have ever spent ten minutes configuring a chart only to lose those settings after a platform restart, MT4 templates are the solution. I use templates daily to maintain consistent chart setups across all my XAUUSD charts, and they are especially valuable for EA traders who need to replicate the same configuration across multiple charts or computers. This guide covers every configuration option, from basic color schemes to advanced EA template deployment on a VPS.
In This Guide
What MT4 Templates Save
A template captures the complete visual and functional state of your chart. Here is exactly what gets saved:
| Setting Category | Saved in Template | Not Saved |
|---|---|---|
| Chart Colors | Background, candle colors, grid, volumes | -- |
| Chart Type | Bar, candlestick, or line | -- |
| Indicators | All attached indicators and their parameters | -- |
| Expert Advisors | Attached EA and its input parameters | -- |
| Scale & Display | Zoom level, auto-scroll, chart shift | -- |
| Symbol | -- | Chart instrument (XAUUSD, EURUSD, etc.) |
| Account Info | -- | Login credentials, server |
Creating an MT4 Template
Follow these steps to create your first template:
- Set up your chart exactly how you want it: Choose your preferred colors, chart type, and timeframe
- Add indicators: Attach any indicators with your preferred parameters (e.g., 200 EMA, RSI 14)
- Attach EA if desired: If you want the template to include an EA, attach it and configure all input parameters
- Right-click on the chart
- Select Template, then Save Template
- Name it descriptively: Use names like "GoldenViper_H4" or "XAUUSD_Analysis" so you can identify templates quickly
- Click Save
Naming convention tip: I use the format "Purpose_Timeframe" for all my templates. For example: "GoldenViper_H4" for my EA chart, "Analysis_H1" for manual analysis, and "Clean_D1" for a minimal daily chart. This makes it easy to find the right template months later.
Applying MT4 Templates
To apply a saved template to any chart:
- Open a new chart or click on an existing one
- Right-click on the chart
- Select Template
- Click your saved template name
- All settings apply instantly -- colors, indicators, EA, everything
The chart symbol does not change when you apply a template. If you have a EURUSD chart open and apply a template created on XAUUSD, the template's visual settings apply but the chart remains on EURUSD. This is by design and allows you to use the same visual setup across different instruments.
The Default Template: Automate Every New Chart
The most powerful MT4 templates feature is the default template. When you save a template as "default.tpl," every new chart you open automatically uses those settings. This is a significant time-saver:
- Consistent analysis: Every chart starts with your preferred colors and indicators
- EA auto-attach: If you include an EA in the default template, it attaches to every new chart automatically
- Professional workflow: No more manually configuring each chart after opening
Warning: Be careful with including an EA in your default template. Every new chart will have the EA attached and potentially trading. Only do this if you specifically want the EA to run on every chart you open. For most traders, I recommend creating a separate EA template rather than including it in the default.
MT4 Templates for EA Trading
Templates are especially valuable for XAUUSD EA traders. Here is how I use them with Golden Viper EA:
Creating an EA Template
- Open a chart with the correct symbol and timeframe
- Attach Golden Viper EA and configure all input parameters
- Verify the EA is running correctly (smiley face, no errors)
- Right-click the chart, select Template, then Save Template
- Name it "GoldenViper_H4" (or your preferred timeframe)
Deploying on a VPS
When setting up a new VPS or reinstalling MT4:
- Copy your .tpl file to the VPS templates folder
- Open a new XAUUSD chart
- Apply the template -- EA attaches with all your settings instantly
- No need to manually re-enter every parameter
This is especially useful if you manage multiple VPS instances or need to update your EA version across several installations. Templates ensure consistent configuration every time.
Template File Management
Locating Template Files
Templates are stored as .tpl files in your MT4 data directory:
- In MT4, go to File, then Open Data Folder
- Navigate to the "templates" subfolder
- You will see all saved templates as .tpl files
Backing Up Templates
- Copy the entire templates folder to a backup location
- Store backups on cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) for access from any device
- Include template backups in your regular trading setup documentation
Transferring Templates
- Copy .tpl files from one MT4 installation to another
- Works across different computers and VPS instances
- Templates are compatible across MT4 versions from the same broker
- Note: templates may not transfer perfectly between MT4 and MT5 due to format differences
MT4 Templates vs Profiles
MT4 has two workspace-saving features that traders often confuse:
- Templates: Save settings for a single chart (colors, indicators, EA). Applied one chart at a time.
- Profiles: Save the entire workspace layout -- all open charts, their positions, sizes, and templates. Restore your complete multi-chart setup with one click.
I use both: templates for individual chart configurations, and profiles for my complete trading workspace. My "GoldenViper" profile opens four charts (XAUUSD H4, H1, M15, and D1) with the correct template applied to each. See our broker guide for platform-specific setup tips.
Frequently Asked Questions About MT4 Templates
What do MT4 templates save?
MT4 templates save chart colors and style, attached indicators with their parameters, attached Expert Advisors with their input settings, chart timeframe, scale settings, and drawing objects. They do not save the chart symbol or account information, so you can apply the same template across different instruments and accounts.
Where are MT4 template files stored?
MT4 templates are stored as .tpl files in the templates folder inside your MT4 data directory. Access this folder by going to File, then Open Data Folder, then navigating to the "templates" subfolder. You can copy these files to back up your templates or transfer them to another MT4 installation on a different computer or VPS.
Can I include an EA in my MT4 template?
Yes, templates save the attached EA and all its input parameters. When you apply the template to a new chart, the EA attaches automatically with your saved settings. This is especially useful for deploying Golden Viper EA across multiple charts or reinstalling after a VPS migration.
What is the default.tpl template in MT4?
The default.tpl template is automatically applied to every new chart you open in MT4. If you save your preferred setup -- colors, indicators, chart type -- as "default.tpl," every new chart starts with those settings already configured. This eliminates repetitive manual configuration.
How do I transfer MT4 templates to another computer?
Copy the .tpl files from your templates folder (File, Open Data Folder, templates) on the source computer to the same folder on the destination computer. After copying, restart MT4 on the destination machine. The templates will appear in the Template menu when you right-click any chart.