How to enable and use the DDE feature on MT4

Here's a guide on how to enable and use the DDE feature in MT4:

1. Launch MT4: Open your MT4 platform and log in to your trading account.

2. Enable DDE: To enable the DDE feature, go to "Tools" in the top menu and select "Options." In the Options window, navigate to the "Server" tab. Check the box that says "Enable DDE server" and click "OK" to save the changes.

3. Set Up DDE Connection: Once the DDE server is enabled, you can establish a DDE connection between MT4 and other applications (e.g., Microsoft Excel).

4. Open Excel: Open Microsoft Excel on your computer.

5. Create a New Workbook: In Excel, create a new workbook or open an existing one where you want to receive data from MT4.

6. Establish a DDE Link: In Excel, go to the cell where you want to enter the DDE link. Enter the following formula in the cell:

   \=MT4|!

   Replace with the name of your MT4 server, and with the desired data you want to retrieve. For example, to get the current ask price of a currency pair on the "OANDA-Demo" server, you can use the formula:

   \=MT4|OANDA-Demo!ASK

   Note: The data items you can retrieve through DDE depend on your broker's configuration and the available DDE fields.

7. Establish the DDE Connection: After entering the formula, press Enter to establish the DDE connection between Excel and MT4. The cell will display the corresponding value from MT4.

8. Update DDE Data: The DDE link in Excel will update automatically based on the real-time data from MT4. The data will update whenever there is a change in the linked value.

By using the DDE feature in MT4, you can retrieve real-time data from the platform and display it in external applications like Microsoft Excel. This can be useful for creating custom dashboards, performing data analysis, or building automated trading systems that use data from MT4.

Please note that the availability and functionality of DDE may vary depending on your broker's configuration and the specific version of MT4 you are using. Some brokers may disable or restrict DDE access for security or performance reasons. It's recommended to consult with your broker or refer to the MT4 documentation for any specific instructions or limitations regarding the DDE feature.