Converting Charts and Layouts into Templates

There are times when you might need to turn your favorite layout or chart into a template.  This is good just to keep as a backup in case anything were to happen to the chart or layout, but it can also be helpful when you need to take the same set of indicators, expert advisor, etc. and apply them to a new ticker symbol.  The steps below outline the process for turning your chart or layout into a template, and then applying this template to a new symbol.

MetaStock Instructions

Converting a saved chart (.MWC file) or layout (.MWL file) to a template (.MWT file):

Converting

1. Open your saved chart or layout (typically through the File-->Open menu and selecting the appropriate File Type in the File Type drop-down then double clicking on your saved file).
2. Once your saved chart/layout is opened, click File-->Save As, then change the Save as type from Layout or Chart to Template.  Give the template a name on the File name line and click the Save button.

Applying the template to a new symbol

1. Open the Power Console (P button or File-->Open Power Console).
2. Type in the desired symbol on the Select instrument(s) line or select the symbol from a list.
3. Click Next.
4. If you are not using a multiple timeframe template, click the Browse button, select your template, click Apply, then click Open chart (skip steps 5,6,7).
5. If you are using a multiple timeframe template, click Open Chart.
6. Right-click on the chart and choose Apply Template.
7. Ensure “Use Template’s Periodicity” is checked, select your template and click Apply.

Saving a single-symbol chart/layout

1. Click File-->Save.
2. Give the chart/layout a name on the File name line and click Save.

Saving a multi-symbol layout

1. In the lower right corner of each chart in the layout, you will have a “Choose Instrument” button.  Click this button and click the “Options” tab.
2. Make sure the option is set to “Use Chart as Template”.  You may want to checkmark “Keep Line Studies” if you have trendlines/symbols/text specific to the symbol you are changing to.  Make sure “Change All charts in layout” is not checked and click back to the “Instrument” tab.
3. Type in the symbol you want to change the chart to and click the “Choose Instrument” button.
4. Repeat the above steps for each chart in the layout that you want to change.
5. Click File-->Save.
6. Give the layout a name on the File name line and click Save.