Hello,
I am trying to use Tickstory tick data for MT4 backtesting, but MT4 does not seem to recognize the exported data.
What I have done:
- Downloaded tick data successfully in Tickstory
- Exported data to MT4 using Tickstory
Problems:
- FXT and HST files do not appear to be used by MT4
- M1 chart only shows data up to November 2025
- Strategy Tester shows "no data" or does not run properly
Environment:
- Platform: MetaTrader 4
- Broker: FXTF / JFX
- Symbol: GBPJPY
- OS: Windows 10 / 11
Note: I am a beta tester and currently have access to the Advanced Tester license.
Could you please advise what might be missing or incorrectly configured?
Thank you.
MT4 does not recognize Tickstory exported data (FXT/HST not used)
Re: MT4 does not recognize Tickstory exported data (FXT/HST not used)
Hi Somu,
If you are getting a "no data" error when testing, it is most likely due to you not having correctly mapped data correctly to your MT4 symbol. To do this, ensure that when you export to MT4, on the "MT4 Settings" tab, select your broker's symbol from the "Map to" box (as described in our manual).
NOTE: If you cannot see any values in the Map to box, make sure you have started MT4 and logged in to your broker at least once prior to your export. This will ensure that all the symbol information is available for selection. Of course, also make sure you have correctly configured your Metatrader installation in Tickstory's File->Settings.
Please ensure you are getting 99.9% modelling quality in your back-tests prior to introducing the Advanced Tester. This will make sure your data export is correct prior to your advanced testing.
If you haven't already, please check out this video for the basic steps to get you started with MT4 back-testing.
Please let us know if you have any issues.
Thanks.
If you are getting a "no data" error when testing, it is most likely due to you not having correctly mapped data correctly to your MT4 symbol. To do this, ensure that when you export to MT4, on the "MT4 Settings" tab, select your broker's symbol from the "Map to" box (as described in our manual).
NOTE: If you cannot see any values in the Map to box, make sure you have started MT4 and logged in to your broker at least once prior to your export. This will ensure that all the symbol information is available for selection. Of course, also make sure you have correctly configured your Metatrader installation in Tickstory's File->Settings.
Please ensure you are getting 99.9% modelling quality in your back-tests prior to introducing the Advanced Tester. This will make sure your data export is correct prior to your advanced testing.
If you haven't already, please check out this video for the basic steps to get you started with MT4 back-testing.
Please let us know if you have any issues.
Thanks.
Re: MT4 does not recognize Tickstory exported data (FXT/HST not used)
Thank you for your reply.
I understand the importance of correctly mapping the symbol
using the "Map to" option, and I have confirmed that the symbol
is properly mapped and that MT4 has been started and logged in
before exporting.
With MT4 (Broker A), the export itself completes successfully,
however the backtest still does not run correctly.
I suspect this may be related to broker-specific suffixes
added to the symbol name.
Because of this, I tried using another MT4 installation
with a simpler symbol structure (Broker B).
However, in this case, Tickstory reports:
"This is not a valid MT4 installation folder",
even though the MT4 is installed outside of Program Files
and terminal.exe exists directly in the selected folder.
At this point, I am unsure whether this is related to
a specific MT4 build, installer type, or some other
condition Tickstory checks when validating an MT4 installation.
Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.
I understand the importance of correctly mapping the symbol
using the "Map to" option, and I have confirmed that the symbol
is properly mapped and that MT4 has been started and logged in
before exporting.
With MT4 (Broker A), the export itself completes successfully,
however the backtest still does not run correctly.
I suspect this may be related to broker-specific suffixes
added to the symbol name.
Because of this, I tried using another MT4 installation
with a simpler symbol structure (Broker B).
However, in this case, Tickstory reports:
"This is not a valid MT4 installation folder",
even though the MT4 is installed outside of Program Files
and terminal.exe exists directly in the selected folder.
At this point, I am unsure whether this is related to
a specific MT4 build, installer type, or some other
condition Tickstory checks when validating an MT4 installation.
Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.
Re: MT4 does not recognize Tickstory exported data (FXT/HST not used)
Hi Somu,
Regarding broker suffixes, this should be simply resolved by ensuring the appropriate symbol is selected in the "Map to" field. Once the symbol with the suffix is selected, there is nothing else you need to do. If you can provide the following screenshots to assist you further:
1) The Tickstory "Export to MT4" settings you are using (including the "MT4 Settings" tab)
2) The MT4 Strategy Tester window (which shows the symbol name)
3) Your "MT4 Data Folder" FXT contents (go to File->Open data folder in Metatrader and then browse to tester/history and take a screenshot).
4) The 'Report' tab in the Strategy Tester (which shows the modelling quality).
5) The Strategy Tester "Journal" tab after you have completed a back-test.
Regarding the selection of the terminal, Tickstory will check for the existence of an MT4 terminal.exe and a file (named <Data Folder>/history/<servername>/symbols.sel) which should be created by MT4 once you have logged in. If these 2 criteria are not met, you will get the "not a valid installation" message. If you have done this already, be sure to check your Help->About in Metatrader and make sure it is actually Metatrader 4 and not 5. In many instances, Metatrader tries to redirect you to Metatrader 5 even though their links are saying MT4 to encourage their users to move over. In the unlikely case that something needs to be forced, you can refer to this postto edit your Tickstory configuration file.
Hope this helps.
Regarding broker suffixes, this should be simply resolved by ensuring the appropriate symbol is selected in the "Map to" field. Once the symbol with the suffix is selected, there is nothing else you need to do. If you can provide the following screenshots to assist you further:
1) The Tickstory "Export to MT4" settings you are using (including the "MT4 Settings" tab)
2) The MT4 Strategy Tester window (which shows the symbol name)
3) Your "MT4 Data Folder" FXT contents (go to File->Open data folder in Metatrader and then browse to tester/history and take a screenshot).
4) The 'Report' tab in the Strategy Tester (which shows the modelling quality).
5) The Strategy Tester "Journal" tab after you have completed a back-test.
Regarding the selection of the terminal, Tickstory will check for the existence of an MT4 terminal.exe and a file (named <Data Folder>/history/<servername>/symbols.sel) which should be created by MT4 once you have logged in. If these 2 criteria are not met, you will get the "not a valid installation" message. If you have done this already, be sure to check your Help->About in Metatrader and make sure it is actually Metatrader 4 and not 5. In many instances, Metatrader tries to redirect you to Metatrader 5 even though their links are saying MT4 to encourage their users to move over. In the unlikely case that something needs to be forced, you can refer to this postto edit your Tickstory configuration file.
Hope this helps.