If you’ve been trading with a prop firm for any length of time, you already know that every second counts. Whether you’re scalping forex pairs, analyzing price action across timeframes, or managing multiple trades simultaneously, speed and efficiency are crucial. And when it comes to platforms, MetaTrader 5 (MT5) isn’t just popular because it looks nice—it’s powerful, fast, and packed with tools.
But a lot of traders never scratch the surface of what MT5 can really do. They click around, open new orders manually, and drag their mouse from one chart to the next. Meanwhile, seasoned traders—especially those in prop firms who are under tight drawdown rules and daily targets know that keyboard shortcuts and little platform tricks can make a massive difference.
So let’s see MT5 shortcuts that can save you time.
Why Shortcuts Matter in Prop Firm Trading
Trading for a prop firm is nothing like trading your personal account. There’s more pressure. You’ve got rules. Often, there are targets you must hit to progress or maintain your funded status. And guess what? Every wasted click or slow reaction can throw off your flow.
Speed isn’t about being reckless—it’s about removing friction. If it takes you 10 extra seconds to find your crosshair tool or close a trade manually, that’s time you’re not reacting to the market.
Using MetaTrader 5 shortcuts means:
- Faster chart analysis
- Quicker trade execution
- More time focusing on actual strategy
- Less time fumbling around with windows, tools, and settings
The Must-Know MT5 Keyboard Shortcuts
F9 – New Order
The fastest way to open the order window. Instead of right-clicking and selecting “New Order,” just tap F9. It brings up the order panel so you can quickly execute a trade. Perfect for those fast market moves where hesitation isn’t an option.
Prop tip: Set default volume and order type in your platform settings so you’re not wasting time adjusting every time.
F8 – Chart Properties
Want to quickly change how your chart looks? F8 opens the chart settings. This is super handy when you’re switching between chart styles like candlesticks vs. line chart or tweaking colors for better visibility.
F11 – Full Screen Mode
This one’s a game-changer if you’re working on a single monitor or laptop. Full screen mode strips away all distractions and lets you focus on just the chart. Tap F11 again to exit.
Ctrl + T – Terminal Window
This opens or hides the terminal window at the bottom of the platform. The terminal is where you see your trades, account history, news, alerts, and journal logs. If you need to monitor open positions without losing chart space, this shortcut is your best friend.
Ctrl + N – Navigator
The navigator window is where you access accounts, indicators, EAs, and scripts. Need to drag a custom indicator onto your chart fast? Ctrl + N gets you there in a flash.
Chart Navigation Shortcuts That’ll Save You Hours
Analyzing charts is a huge part of trading and the quicker you can scroll through timeframes or symbols, the more focused you’ll be. Here’s how to do it like a pro:
Ctrl + F – Crosshair Tool
When you want to measure price movement or distance between candles, this shortcut switches your cursor to the crosshair. Super handy when you’re checking pip distance or tracking how long a trend has lasted.
Arrow Keys – Chart Scrolling
The left and right arrows scroll your chart horizontally. Up and down scroll vertically. It’s a simple shortcut but it beats dragging with your mouse every time.
Home / End – Jump to Chart Start or End
Tap “Home” to zoom out all the way to the beginning of your chart data. Hit “End” to go right back to the most recent candle. No more clicking and dragging endlessly.
Page Up / Page Down – Jump Through History
Page Up moves the chart back one full screen of candles. Page Down moves it forward. This is the easiest way to scan history fast without losing your place.
+ / – – Zoom In or Out
Need to zoom in on price action? Hit the “+” key. Want to zoom out and get a bird’s-eye view? Tap “-”. These keys are far quicker than messing with toolbar icons.
Speed Up Your Order Management
One thing prop firms often monitor is how well you manage risk. That includes stop loss and take profit settings, as well as quick responses to market changes. These shortcuts help you stay sharp.
Alt + W – Close All Charts
Want to clean up your platform in a single move? Alt + W gives you the window menu where you can close all open chart tabs at once.
Alt + F4 – Close Current Chart Window
Just want to get rid of one chart without clicking the little “X”? Alt + F4 will close the active chart.
Ctrl + W – Close Trade Terminal Tab
When you’ve got multiple tabs open in your terminal, Ctrl + W closes the one you’re currently viewing. Small time-saver but it adds up.
Right-click + One-Click Trading
This isn’t a keyboard shortcut but it’s crucial. Enable one-click trading from your chart (top left corner). Once it’s on, right-click and instantly buy or sell with just a single tap. Lightning fast.