This script is a specialized tool for the MetaTrader 4 platform designed to enhance navigation and visual management on trading charts. It simplifies the user experience by providing a dedicated control panel of buttons that allow for quick timeframe switching and chart zooming without needing to navigate through standard menus.
Core Functionality
1. Interactive Control Panel Upon loading, the script automatically generates a row of interactive buttons on the chart. These buttons are organized to provide immediate access to common trading needs:
- Zoom Controls: Buttons labeled with "+" and "-" allow for instant zooming in and out of the price action.
- Timeframe Shortcuts: A comprehensive suite of buttons for various timeframes, including M1 (1 Minute), M5, M15, M30, H1 (1 Hour), H4, D1 (Daily), W1 (Weekly), and MN (Monthly).
2. Visual Feedback and State Management The script includes logic to ensure the user always knows which timeframe they are currently viewing. It performs a "live check" of the active chart:
- If the chart matches a specific button (e.g., you are looking at the H1 chart), that specific button will change its visual style (switching between black and white colors).
- When any other button is clicked, the script automatically resets all other buttons to a neutral state, ensuring only the active timeframe remains highlighted.
3. Seamless System Integration Rather than just changing the numbers on the screen, the script communicates directly with the trading platform's core interface. When a button is pressed, it sends specific background commands to the software to:
- Instantly flip the chart to the requested timeframe.
- Execute zoom actions precisely as if the user had performed them manually.
User Experience Summary
For a trader, this script acts as a "Quick Navigation Bar." It eliminates the repetitive clicking required to switch between different time periods, providing a streamlined workflow that keeps the focus on market analysis rather than software navigation.
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timeframe_zoom_per_chart
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Timeframe_zoom_per_chart.mq4 |
//| Girard Matthieu |
//| https://www.mql5.com |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#property copyright "Girard Matthieu"
#property link "https://www.mql5.com"
#property version "1.00"
#import "user32.dll"
int PostMessageA(int hWnd,int Msg,int wParam,int lParam);
int GetWindow(int hWnd,int uCmd);
int GetParent(int hWnd);
#import
#property strict
#property indicator_chart_window
//---
int intParent;
int intChild;
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator initialization function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int OnInit()
{
Print("start oninit");
//--- Lot button +
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_ZommInButton",0,0,15,25,15,2,"Z+","Arial",10,clrWhite,clrBlack,clrWhite,false,false,false,false,0);
//ObjectSetString(0,"ZommInButton",OBJPROP_TOOLTIP,"Use can use 'P' key instead");
//--- Lot button -
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_ZommOutButton",0,24,15,25,15,2,"Z-","Arial",10,clrWhite,clrBlack,clrWhite,false,false,false,false,0);
//ObjectSetString(0,"LotSizeButtonMinus",OBJPROP_TOOLTIP,"Use can use 'M' key instead");
//--- M1 button
if(Period()==PERIOD_M1)
{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_M1Button",0,48,15,25,15,2,"M1","Arial",8,clrBlack,clrWhite,clrBlack,false,false,false,false,0);
}else{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_M1Button",0,48,15,25,15,2,"M1","Arial",8,clrWhite,clrBlack,clrWhite,false,false,false,false,0);
}
ObjectSetString(0,"TZPC_M1Button",OBJPROP_TOOLTIP,"Choose 1 Minute period");
//--- M5 button
if(Period()==PERIOD_M5)
{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_M5Button",0,72,15,25,15,2,"M5","Arial",8,clrBlack,clrWhite,clrBlack,false,false,false,false,0);
}else{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_M5Button",0,72,15,25,15,2,"M5","Arial",8,clrWhite,clrBlack,clrWhite,false,false,false,false,0);
}
ObjectSetString(0,"TZPC_M5Button",OBJPROP_TOOLTIP,"Choose 5 Minutes period");
//--- M15 button
if(Period()==PERIOD_M15)
{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_M15Button",0,96,15,25,15,2,"M15","Arial",8,clrBlack,clrWhite,clrBlack,false,false,false,false,0);
}else{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_M15Button",0,96,15,25,15,2,"M15","Arial",8,clrWhite,clrBlack,clrWhite,false,false,false,false,0);
}
ObjectSetString(0,"TZPC_M15Button",OBJPROP_TOOLTIP,"Choose 15 Minutes period");
//--- M30 button
if(Period()==PERIOD_M30)
{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_M30Button",0,120,15,25,15,2,"M30","Arial",8,clrBlack,clrWhite,clrBlack,false,false,false,false,0);
}else{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_M30Button",0,120,15,25,15,2,"M30","Arial",8,clrWhite,clrBlack,clrWhite,false,false,false,false,0);
}
ObjectSetString(0,"TZPC_M30Button",OBJPROP_TOOLTIP,"Choose 30 Minutes period");
//--- H1 button
if(Period()==PERIOD_H1)
{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_H1Button",0,144,15,25,15,2,"H1","Arial",8,clrBlack,clrWhite,clrBlack,false,false,false,false,0);
}else{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_H1Button",0,144,15,25,15,2,"H1","Arial",8,clrWhite,clrBlack,clrWhite,false,false,false,false,0);
}
ObjectSetString(0,"TZPC_H1Button",OBJPROP_TOOLTIP,"Choose 1 Hour period");
//--- H4 button
if(Period()==PERIOD_H4)
{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_H4Button",0,168,15,25,15,2,"H4","Arial",8,clrBlack,clrWhite,clrBlack,false,false,false,false,0);
}else{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_H4Button",0,168,15,25,15,2,"H4","Arial",8,clrWhite,clrBlack,clrWhite,false,false,false,false,0);
}
ObjectSetString(0,"TZPC_H4Button",OBJPROP_TOOLTIP,"Choose 4 Hours period");
//--- D1 button
if(Period()==PERIOD_D1)
{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_D1Button",0,192,15,25,15,2,"D1","Arial",8,clrBlack,clrWhite,clrBlack,false,false,false,false,0);
}else{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_D1Button",0,192,15,25,15,2,"D1","Arial",8,clrWhite,clrBlack,clrWhite,false,false,false,false,0);
}
ObjectSetString(0,"TZPC_D1Button",OBJPROP_TOOLTIP,"Choose 1 Day period");
//--- W1 button
if(Period()==PERIOD_W1)
{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_W1Button",0,214,15,25,15,2,"W1","Arial",8,clrBlack,clrWhite,clrBlack,false,false,false,false,0);
}else{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_W1Button",0,214,15,25,15,2,"W1","Arial",8,clrWhite,clrBlack,clrWhite,false,false,false,false,0);
}
ObjectSetString(0,"TZPC_W1Button",OBJPROP_TOOLTIP,"Choose 1 Week period");
//--- MN button
if(Period()==PERIOD_MN1)
{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_MNButton",0,238,15,25,15,2,"MN","Arial",8,clrBlack,clrWhite,clrBlack,false,false,false,false,0);
}else{
ButtonCreate(0,"TZPC_MNButton",0,238,15,25,15,2,"MN","Arial",8,clrWhite,clrBlack,clrWhite,false,false,false,false,0);
}
ObjectSetString(0,"TZPC_MNButton",OBJPROP_TOOLTIP,"Choose 1 Month period");
//---
intParent= GetParent(WindowHandle(Symbol(),Period()));
intChild = GetWindow(intParent,0);
//---
return(INIT_SUCCEEDED);
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator iteration function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int OnCalculate(const int rates_total,
const int prev_calculated,
const datetime &time[],
const double &open[],
const double &high[],
const double &low[],
const double &close[],
const long &tick_volume[],
const long &volume[],
const int &spread[])
{
//--- return value of prev_calculated for next call
return(rates_total);
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| ChartEvent function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void OnChartEvent(const int id,
const long &lparam,
const double &dparam,
const string &sparam)
{
if(id==CHARTEVENT_OBJECT_CLICK)
{
if((StringFind(sparam,"TZPC_")>-1))
{
if(!(StringFind(sparam,"TZPC_Zomm")>-1))
{
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M1Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M1Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M1Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M5Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M5Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M5Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M15Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M15Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M15Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M30Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M30Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M30Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_H1Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_H1Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_H1Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_H4Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_H4Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_H4Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_D1Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_D1Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_D1Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_W1Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_W1Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_W1Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_MNButton",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrWhite);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_MNButton",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_MNButton",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrWhite);
}
}
if(sparam=="TZPC_ZommInButton")
{
PostMessageA(intParent,0x0111,33025,0);
}
if(sparam=="TZPC_ZommOutButton")
{
PostMessageA(intParent,0x0111,33026,0);
}
if(sparam=="TZPC_M1Button")
{
PostMessageA(intParent,0x0111,33137,0);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M1Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M1Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrWhite);
///ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M1Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrBlack);
}
if(sparam=="TZPC_M5Button")
{
PostMessageA(intParent,0x0111,33138,0);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M5Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M5Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrWhite);
// ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M5Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrBlack);
}
if(sparam=="TZPC_M15Button")
{
PostMessageA(intParent,0x0111,33139,0);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M15Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M15Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrWhite);
//ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M15Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrBlack);
}
if(sparam=="TZPC_M30Button")
{
PostMessageA(intParent,0x0111,33140,0);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M30Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M30Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrWhite);
//ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_M30Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrBlack);
}
if(sparam=="TZPC_H1Button")
{
PostMessageA(intParent,0x0111,35400,0);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_H1Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_H1Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrWhite);
//ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_H1Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrBlack);
}
if(sparam=="TZPC_H4Button")
{
PostMessageA(intParent,0x0111,33136,0);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_H4Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_H4Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrWhite);
//ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_H4Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrBlack);
}
if(sparam=="TZPC_D1Button")
{
PostMessageA(intParent,0x0111,33134,0);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_D1Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_D1Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrWhite);
//ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_D1Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrBlack);
}
if(sparam=="TZPC_W1Button")
{
PostMessageA(intParent,0x0111,33141,0);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_W1Button",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_W1Button",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrWhite);
//ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_W1Button",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrBlack);
}
if(sparam=="TZPC_MNButton")
{
PostMessageA(intParent,0x0111,33334,0);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_MNButton",OBJPROP_COLOR,clrBlack);
ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_MNButton",OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,clrWhite);
//ObjectSetInteger(0,"TZPC_MNButton",OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,clrBlack);
}
}
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
bool ButtonCreate(const long chart_ID=0, // chart's ID
const string name="Button", // button name
const int sub_window=0, // subwindow index
const int xx=0, // X coordinate
const int yy=0, // Y coordinate
const int width=50, // button width
const int height=18, // button height
const ENUM_BASE_CORNER cornerr=CORNER_LEFT_UPPER,// chart corner for anchoring
const string text="Button", // text
const string font="Arial", // font
const int font_size=10, // font size
const color clr=clrBlack, // text color
const color back_clr=C'236,233,216', // background color
const color border_clr=clrNONE, // border color
const bool state=false, // pressed/released
const bool back=false, // in the background
const bool selection=false, // highlight to move
const bool hidden=true, // hidden in the object list
const long z_order=0) // priority for mouse click
{
//--- reset the error value
ResetLastError();
//--- create the button
if(ObjectFind(chart_ID,name)<0)
{
if(!ObjectCreate(chart_ID,name,OBJ_BUTTON,sub_window,0,0))
{
Print(__FUNCTION__,
": failed to create the button! Error code = ",GetLastError());
return(false);
}
//--- set button coordinates
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_XDISTANCE,xx);
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_YDISTANCE,yy);
//--- set button size
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_XSIZE,width);
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_YSIZE,height);
//--- set the chart's corner, relative to which point coordinates are defined
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_CORNER,cornerr);
//--- set the text
ObjectSetString(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_TEXT,text);
//--- set text font
ObjectSetString(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_FONT,font);
//--- set font size
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_FONTSIZE,font_size);
//--- set text color
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_COLOR,clr);
//--- set background color
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_BGCOLOR,back_clr);
//--- set border color
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_BORDER_COLOR,border_clr);
//--- display in the foreground (false) or background (true)
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_BACK,back);
//--- set button state
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_STATE,state);
//--- enable (true) or disable (false) the mode of moving the button by mouse
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_SELECTABLE,selection);
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_SELECTED,selection);
//--- hide (true) or display (false) graphical object name in the object list
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_HIDDEN,hidden);
//--- set the priority for receiving the event of a mouse click in the chart
ObjectSetInteger(chart_ID,name,OBJPROP_ZORDER,z_order);
//--- successful execution
}
return(true);
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
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