How to Create Screenshots Using Built-In Methods of MetaTrader

[Forex Trader]

The necessity of publishing charts screenshots on web sites occurs rather frequently. In the most cases, traders use the method of direct copying through PrintScreen (Alt+PrintScreen) and subsequent cropping with the help of other applications. Unfortunately, screenshots obtained in this way often look unpresentably, have residual "undercuts".

Fortunately, there is a standard function in MetaTrader 4 which serves for creation of screenshots and saving them in either GIF or BMP format (File -> Save as Picture or through the chart context menu):



After the function of saving pictures has been called, the window of choosing modes of screenshot generation will open:



Active Workspace
Screenshot of the full window of the program, including all its subwindows



Unfortunately, there are not always enough colors to display correctly all colors of the screenshot of the full window when saving in GIF format supporting maximum 256-color pictures. The result will be better if such pictures are primarily saved in BMP format and then processed using another program. There is no problem of color limitation for screenshots of individual chart windows.

Active Chart (as is)
Screenshot of the active selected chart window with its current dimensions



Active Chart (with adjusted size)
Generation of a pure chart with adjusted size and without additional interface elements, such as window header, window frame, etc.



The third method allowing to obtain a pure picture of exact size is the most suitable for generation of informative screenshots.

Knowledge Base: How to Create Screenshots Using Built-In Methods of MetaTrader
"How to Create Screenshots Using Built-In Methods of MetaTrader"