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How-to · Market Watch

How to Add Symbols to MT4

Most instruments are hidden in MetaTrader 4 by default, so a pair or asset you want may not appear in Market Watch until you switch it on. Here's how to add symbols to MT4, show everything at once, and hide what you don't trade.

By Daniel Reyes, Platforms Editor

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To add symbols to MT4, right-click anywhere in the Market Watch window and choose Symbols (or press Ctrl+U), expand the category — Forex, Metals, Indices, and so on — then select the instrument and click Show. MetaTrader 4 hides most instruments by default, which is why a pair or asset you want often isn't visible until you reveal it. Here's the full process.

How to add a symbol in MT4

  1. Open the Symbols window

    Right-click anywhere in the Market Watch window ▸ Symbols (or press Ctrl+U).

  2. Expand the category

    Expand the category that holds the instrument — e.g. Forex, Metals, or Indices.

  3. Select the symbol and click Show

    Select the symbol, then click Show (or double-click it). To reveal everything, click Show All.

  4. Close the window

    Click OK. The symbol now appears in Market Watch, ready to chart or trade.

Once a symbol is shown, you can open its chart by dragging it from Market Watch onto the chart area, or by right-clicking the symbol and choosing Chart Window. To open an order, right-click the symbol ▸ New Order.

Tip: Show All reveals everything

If you'd rather not hunt through each category, right-click in Market Watch ▸ Symbols and click Show All to display every instrument your broker offers on that account. The list can get long — hide the ones you don't trade with the steps below.

How to hide symbols you don't trade

A cluttered Market Watch makes it easy to click the wrong instrument. To remove one, right-click the symbol in Market Watch and choose Hide — this only removes it from the list, it doesn't affect your account or any open positions. You can show it again at any time from the Symbols window (Ctrl+U). Note that MT4 won't hide a symbol that has an open position or a pending order attached to it.

What if the symbol still isn't there?

If an instrument doesn't appear in the Symbols window at all — not just hidden in Market Watch, but missing from the category lists entirely — then your broker doesn't offer it on that account. Instrument availability varies by broker and even by account type, so the same login on a different account can carry a different set of markets. Contact your broker to confirm whether the symbol is available and on which account.

You can only chart and trade what's shown

You can't open a chart — or place a trade — for a symbol that isn't shown in Market Watch, so add it there first. Adding a symbol just makes it visible; it doesn't open a position or commit any money. Practise on a free demo before risking real funds. Nothing here is financial advice, and most retail traders lose money.

Find the markets you want on a free demo

Open a free MT4 demo, reveal the full symbol list with Show All, and explore the forex, metals and index markets a broker offers — with virtual money, before going live.

Open a free MT4 demo → How to use MT4

⚠ Trading forex and CFDs is high-risk and most retail traders lose money. This is not financial advice.

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission if you open a broker account through our links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Related

New to the platform? Start with how to use MT4. Once your symbols are showing, see how to trade gold on MT4, trade indices on MT4, and work with charts and timeframes.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add a symbol to MT4?

Right-click anywhere in the Market Watch window and choose Symbols (or press Ctrl+U), expand the category — such as Forex, Metals, or Indices — select the symbol, and click Show (or double-click it). The instrument then appears in Market Watch and you can open its chart or place a trade. To reveal every instrument at once, click Show All.

Why can't I find a symbol in MT4?

Most instruments are simply hidden in Market Watch by default. Open the Symbols window (Ctrl+U) and use Show or Show All to reveal them. If the symbol isn't listed in the Symbols window at all, your broker doesn't offer it on that account type — different accounts can carry different instruments, so contact your broker to confirm.

What is the keyboard shortcut to add symbols in MT4?

Press Ctrl+U with MT4 in focus to open the Symbols window, where you can Show or hide instruments. You can also right-click inside Market Watch and choose Symbols to open the same window.

How do I show all symbols in MT4?

Open the Symbols window (right-click in Market Watch ▸ Symbols, or Ctrl+U) and click Show All. Every instrument your broker provides on that account appears in Market Watch. Be aware this can make the list long — you can hide the ones you don't trade by right-clicking them and choosing Hide.

Can I open a chart for a symbol that isn't in Market Watch?

No. A symbol must be shown in Market Watch before you can open its chart or trade it. Add it first via the Symbols window (Ctrl+U ▸ Show), then drag it onto the chart area or right-click it and choose Chart Window. This is general information, not financial advice, and most retail traders lose money.

Trading foreign exchange and contracts for difference (CFDs) carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Leverage can work against you as well as for you. You could lose some or all of your deposited funds; do not trade with money you cannot afford to lose. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Nothing on MT4Download.com is financial, investment, or trading advice. Consider your circumstances and seek independent advice if needed.