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EA to read CSV file and plot values in indicator window

  • #1
  • First Post: Edited 6:47am Sep 30, 2010 6:34am | Edited 6:47am
*** Indicator, not EA****
(not sure what I was thinking as I was typing.)

I am looking to get some information about the file read features on MQL4 so that I can draw the values of a CSV file on the chart. I will plot say 253 values on a daily chart and need to know a bit more about the file seek, read, etc functions before I can do so. Basically the data looks like this:


9/17/2008188.88
9/18/2008190.19
9/19/2008193.1
9/22/2008195.36
9/23/2008195.09
9/24/2008195.8
9/25/2008196.425
9/26/2008195
9/29/2008194.65
9/30/2008187.74
10/1/2008188.86
10/2/2008187.48
10/3/2008185.94


From that I need to plot the values on the date specified which will be contained within a CSV file. How would I go about accomplishing this.
Every time you use 'hopium' in a post, God kills a kitten.
  • #2
  • Sep 30, 2010 2:28pm Sep 30, 2010 2:28pm
I've adapted an old indy of mine to accommodate your data format.

The values in your file date back to 2008, hence you'll need to scroll backward a long way on your chart, to find a meaningful section of the plot.

The code itself should give you an idea as to how the File processing statements operate; and also how the dates/times in the file are re-mapped, to synchronize with the bars on the chart.
Attached File(s)
File Type: mq4 Plot External Data.mq4   61 KB | 3,463 downloads
  • #3
  • Oct 1, 2010 2:44am Oct 1, 2010 2:44am
Quoting hanover
I've adapted an old indy of mine to accommodate your data format.

The values in your file date back to 2008, hence you'll need to scroll backward a long way on your chart, to find a meaningful section of the plot.

The code itself should give you an idea as to how the File processing statements operate; and also how the dates/times in the file are re-mapped, to synchronize with the bars on the chart.
Excellent. This will be a v1 of the indicator, v2 will end up calling it via dll through a socket connection. That said, it will be made available for the public after this is up and running. MT4 is just unable to do the calculations for the indi so it's being done outside of MT4, hence the need for this type of solution. It's been a while since I've programmed MQ4 (or anything for that matter) so I"m more than a bit rusty.

Thanks so much for your help. The comments in your mq4 make it very clear.
Every time you use 'hopium' in a post, God kills a kitten.
  • #4
  • Edited 7:58am Oct 1, 2010 3:47am | Edited 7:58am
OK, Let me attach a sample CSV file for you to check out, because currently it always gives a value of 0.

and the errors given are:

2010.10.01 14:44:02Plot External Data AUDCAD,H4: initialized
2010.10.01 14:44:02Plot External Data AUDCAD,H4: ArrayInitialize function internal error
2010.10.01 14:43:54Plot External Data AUDCAD,H4: loaded successfully

The specific error is 4053 ("Some array error") which isn't a whole lot of help


Attached File(s)
File Type: csv AUDCAD.csv   7 KB | 1,853 downloads
Every time you use 'hopium' in a post, God kills a kitten.
  • #5
  • Oct 1, 2010 4:31pm Oct 1, 2010 4:31pm
Quoting profxtrader
OK, Let me attach a sample CSV file for you to check out, because currently it always gives a value of 0.

and the errors given are:

2010.10.01 14:44:02Plot External Data AUDCAD,H4: initialized
2010.10.01 14:44:02Plot External Data AUDCAD,H4: ArrayInitialize function internal error
2010.10.01 14:43:54Plot External Data AUDCAD,H4: loaded successfully

The specific error is 4053 ("Some array error") which isn't a whole lot of help


Attachment
Try the attached version. The problem was caused partly by your changing the data format from the sample in post #1, i.e. [m/dd/yyyy value]

The attached version is designed to work with your newly supplied format of [dd.mm.yyyy,value], and also only if the data is provided in ascending date sequence (earliest date at the start of the file).
Attached File(s)
File Type: mq4 Plot External Data.mq4   62 KB | 2,550 downloads
  • #6
  • Oct 6, 2010 3:55am Oct 6, 2010 3:55am
Quoting hanover
Try the attached version. The problem was caused partly by your changing the data format from the sample in post #1, i.e. [m/dd/yyyy value]

The attached version is designed to work with your newly supplied format of [dd.mm.yyyy,value], and also only if the data is provided in ascending date sequence (earliest date at the start of the file).
I'd like to speak with you in private about something, but you're unable to accept PM's. How can I contact you?
Every time you use 'hopium' in a post, God kills a kitten.
  • #7
  • Oct 6, 2010 9:24am Oct 6, 2010 9:24am
Quoting profxtrader
I'd like to speak with you in private about something, but you're unable to accept PM's. How can I contact you?
I've re-enabled private messaging for a short time.
  • #8
  • Jun 10, 2013 3:35pm Jun 10, 2013 3:35pm
is it possible for you to give me a simple code to do below part?
I have csv file which contains my entry data in my indicator (format: name;value)
I need a code to add to my indicator to read each line and fill the value of each parameter
names in the file and indicator are similar
thanks
  • #9
  • Feb 9, 2014 6:22pm Feb 9, 2014 6:22pm
I have COT data (CSV) and have tried to use it with PlotExternalData without success. Data is formatted as follows:

04-02-14 202690
28-01-14 218738
21-01-14 208112
14-01-14 201372
07-01-14 194668
31-12-13 206886

Just trying to produce a simple line indicator to display at bottom of MT4 chart. How do I tweak PlotExternalData to work for me?

Cheers!
  • #10
  • Mar 1, 2014 5:12am Mar 1, 2014 5:12am
Quoting Myfxpt
I have COT data (CSV) and have tried to use it with PlotExternalData without success. Data is formatted as follows: 04-02-14 202690 28-01-14 218738 21-01-14 208112 14-01-14 201372 07-01-14 194668 31-12-13 206886 Just trying to produce a simple line indicator to display at bottom of MT4 chart. How do I tweak PlotExternalData to work for me? Cheers!
Hi Myfxpt

First change all the data you have to (dd.mm.yyyy,value) format in excel, then sequence the data into ascending format and save it in CSV format.

while saving it put text demiliter as ( ' ) and field delimiter as ( , ).

Put this file in experts/files folder, and load the indicator and type the file name in input tab.
  • #11
  • Feb 19, 2017 4:36am Feb 19, 2017 4:36am
Quoting hanover
{quote} Try the attached version. The problem was caused partly by your changing the data format from the sample in post #1, i.e. [m/dd/yyyy value] The attached version is designed to work with your newly supplied format of [dd.mm.yyyy,value], and also only if the data is provided in ascending date sequence (earliest date at the start of the file). {file}

Hanover,

I would really like to do something similar with trading history file,

could you please see if your old tools work on this file trading history.csv

I am looking to display all open and closed positions on the chart

thanks
Attached File(s)
File Type: csv 129797.history.csv   154 KB | 517 downloads
  • #12
  • Feb 19, 2017 2:42pm Feb 19, 2017 2:42pm
Quoting forexsimple
could you please see if your old tools work on this file trading history.csv I am looking to display all open and closed positions on the chart
'Plot external data' indicator expects to find a csv file with data in the format
[date][time],[value]
[date][time],[value]
[date][time],[value]
....
then it will plot the values in a separate sub-window. See screenshot (and latest published version, and more info) here.

Both your requirement and your csv format are very different, hence you would need to get a new indicator coded. Some possible ideas here.
  • #13
  • Feb 19, 2017 11:25pm Feb 19, 2017 11:25pm
Quoting forexsimple
I am looking to display all open and closed positions on the chart
Possible alternative solution to that described in post #12:
1. Download the latest version of the 'Trades History from CSV.ex4' indicator in the 'Files for traders.zip' here.
2. Rename your data file to 'DetailedStatement.csv' and copy it to the /MQL/Files folder.
3. Attach the indicator to your chart using the default settings. Trades for that chart should appear as white/green/red lines on the chart:
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: PPI 158.png Size: 19 KB

4. To see the trade detail, either turn object descriptions on (press F8, then see screenshot below), or hover the mouse cursor over the relevant lines, and the help bubble will pop up showing the detail.
Attached Image

If this doesn't work, you'll need to have an indicator coded to suit your requirements (see link in post #12).
  • #14
  • Mar 7, 2017 10:55pm Mar 7, 2017 10:55pm
Quoting hanover
I've adapted an old indy of mine to accommodate your data format. The values in your file date back to 2008, hence you'll need to scroll backward a long way on your chart, to find a meaningful section of the plot. The code itself should give you an idea as to how the File processing statements operate; and also how the dates/times in the file are re-mapped, to synchronize with the bars on the chart. {file}
Hi hanover,

When tried to compile the "Plot External Data.mq4", I got following error,

'StringReplace' - override system function Plot External Data.mq4 1105 8

Can it be repaired?
Also a little help on the date format, mine is m/d/yyyy h:mm

Regards
piptakers
  • #15
  • Mar 8, 2017 2:11am Mar 8, 2017 2:11am
Quoting piptakers
When tried to compile the "Plot External Data.mq4", I got following error, 'StringReplace' - override system function Plot External Data.mq4 1105 8 Can it be repaired? Also a little help on the date format, mine is m/d/yyyy h:mm
Either (1) use .EX4 file only (latest version is attached to this post) and delete obsolete .MQ4 file from computer.
or (2) compile old .MQ4 using MT4 build 509 editor/compiler and libraries here.

Please attach your data file so that I can check the exact format of the date.
Attached File(s)
File Type: ex4 Plot External Data.ex4   23 KB | 618 downloads
  • #16
  • Mar 8, 2017 8:33pm Mar 8, 2017 8:33pm
Quoting hanover
{quote} Either (1) use .EX4 file only (latest version is attached to this post) and delete obsolete .MQ4 file from computer. or (2) compile old .MQ4 using MT4 build 509 editor/compiler and libraries here. Please attach your data file so that I can check the exact format of the date. {file}
Hi hanover,

Thanks.
Here goes my data format-

2/1/2017 0:00,15.6483
2/1/2017 0:05,26.808
2/1/2017 0:10,37.9656
....

Regards
piptakers
  • #17
  • Mar 9, 2017 7:11am Mar 9, 2017 7:11am
Quoting piptakers
Here goes my data format- 2/1/2017 0:00,15.6483 2/1/2017 0:05,26.808 2/1/2017 0:10,37.9656 ....
Use indicator attached to post #15.
Make sure the data file is in your .../MQL/Files folder.
File needs to be in ascending date/time sequence (earliest date at the top).

Try setting the parameters as follows (without the quotes):

DateFormat = "MM/DD/YYYY HH:II"
DateDelimiters = "/ :"
FieldDelimiter = ","

Fingers crossed.
  • #18
  • Mar 21, 2017 10:49pm Mar 21, 2017 10:49pm
Quoting hanover
{quote} Use indicator attached to post #15. Make sure the data file is in your .../MQL/Files folder. File needs to be in ascending date/time sequence (earliest date at the top). Try setting the parameters as follows (without the quotes): DateFormat = "MM/DD/YYYY HH:II" DateDelimiters = "/ :" FieldDelimiter = "," Fingers crossed.
Dear hanover,

I tried, in vain, all your suggestions, but was unable to get the required output as indicator.
Also, I was unable to decode your code.

So I did a search and research and wrote some piece of code for the same. Its working now.

I am attaching the mq4 file and the csv data file (with sample data), so that others can benefit from it.
My requirement was simple to plot the values 2 columns (2nd and 3rd column of csv) without any calculations.
I have put comments and remarks inside the mq4 for the help, if some one wants to do some calculations.

The format of the date & time, in my case, is m/d/yyyy h:mm (CSV/Excel Date Format).

I hope others will benefit from the code.

Regards
piptakers
Attached File(s)
File Type: mq4 Plot External Data_2.mq4   3 KB | 1,617 downloads
File Type: csv File2.csv   67 KB | 1,084 downloads
  • #19
  • Mar 23, 2017 3:10pm Mar 23, 2017 3:10pm
Quoting piptakers
So I did a search and research and wrote some piece of code for the same. Its working now. I am attaching the mq4 file and the csv data file (with sample data), so that others can benefit from it. ........ I hope others will benefit from the code.
I'm sure they will. Many thanks for your contribution.
  • #20
  • May 11, 2017 8:34am May 11, 2017 8:34am
Quoting hanover
{quote} I'm sure they will. Many thanks for your contribution.
Dude,

I tried last version Plot external data.ex4.
It is very useful idea & tool, but it very, very slow down MT4. (after restart i am waiting 10minutes to reinicialize :-( )
Please do you have some unbugged version or .mq4 source code file to find problem and correct it?

Thanks a lot.

Ales
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