In the article, we review the process of importing 1-minute resolution historical FX data from csv files into MetaTrader 5 (MT5) (the process of importing into MT4 is slightly different, please review Importing Historical CSV data into MT4

The FX data in this instance is in the format {Date,Time,Open,High,Low,Close} which is relatively straightforward to import into MT5.

Removing the Default Historical Data Limitation in MT5

The first step is to remove the dafault limitation in the amount of historical data MT5 can access.

1. In the main menu, select Tools Select Options (Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+O )
2. Select Charts. In a new window, click on the Charts tab
3. Set the maximum value to Unlimited if not already the case:
   
4. In the main menu, select View
5. Next, select Symbols. (Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+U)
6. Double click on FOREX or MAJORS or FOREX MAJORS
7. Double Click on the currency pair you wish to import
8. Select Create Custom Symbol
9. Once you have created the symbol, check you have selected the correct Symbol by selecting the symbol to be copied from the COPY FROM selection at the bottom left of the Custom Symbol window.
10. Change the Symbol name, top right, to differentiate it from the original name. Something like EURUSD-FirstRate.
11. Click OK.
12. Check and select the newly created custom symbol.
13. Now you just need to go to the Bars tab on top of the Symbol windows.
14. Click on the Import Bars button at the bottom of the tab to open the Import Data Window.

Importing the Historical Data into MT5

Now we can proceed to import the csv data files data in MT5

1. Click on Import at the bottom of the window. A new window will pop up:
2. Click on BROWSE
3. Make sure that: SEPARATOR is a , (comma).
4. The time zone for any FirstRate Data file is GMT. Your broker is likely to use a different time zone. If so you need to set a Shift value. For example, if your broker operates in GMT+2, you need to select +2 in the Shift field. Click OK.
5. Once loading is complete, you’ll see a message offering to recalculate the data for other timeframes. Press OK. Then restart the trading platform.