This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to achieve 100% history quality in your MT5 backtests using the Tick Data Suite.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Step 1: Downloading Tick Data with the Tick Data Suite
• Step 2: Exporting Data from Tick Data Suite
  • Step 2.1: Exporting 1-Minute Bar Data
  • Step 2.2: Exporting Tick Data
• Step 3: Creating a Custom Symbol in MetaTrader 5
• Step 4: Importing Data into MetaTrader 5
  • Step 4.1: Importing 1-Minute Bar Data
  • Step 4.2: Importing Tick Data
• Step 5: Backtesting Using the Imported Tick Data

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that achieving 100% history quality does not ensure the accuracy of your backtest results. 
It simply indicates that MT5’s history quality algorithm considers the tick data adequate. 
Exercise caution when interpreting backtest outcomes and always forward-test your strategies on a demo account before risking real funds.

Step 1: Download tick data with the Tick Data Suite

• Download and install the Tick Data Suite from eareview.net if you do not have it installed. You can sign up for a free 14 day trial.
  
  
• Open the Tick Data Manager from the Windows Start menu.
  
  
• Choose your desired source for tick data. For more information on tick data sources, please visit Selecting a tick data source. For the purpose of this guide, we will use Dukascopy.
  
  
  
  
• Select the desired currency pair(s) (for this guide we will use GBPUSD) and click the download button. Wait for the download to finish.
  
  
  
• By default, the download button will download the whole range of available data, from the Start date to the current date. If you'd like to change the date range, you can do so via the  "..." Symbol Operations button located to the right of your chosen currency pair.

Step 2: Exporting Data from Tick Data Suite

Step 2.1: Exporting 1-Minute Bar Data

• Click the "..." Symbol Operations button located to the right of your chosen currency pair in the Tick Data Manager.
  
  
• In the pop-up window, navigate to the "Export bars" tab. This tab will only be available after downloading tick data for that symbol.
  
  
  
• Configure the following parameters:

1. Start and End Dates.
2. Format: Select "MetaTrader".
3. GMT offset and DST: Refer to your broker's specifications. For detailed information, please see our guide on Using GMT and DST.
4. Click the "Timeframes" button and select the M1 (1-minute) timeframe. Click OK to confirm your selection.
   
   
   

• Click the Start Export button and choose the destination folder for your file. Add "M1_bar_data" or whatever else you'd like in the name of the file for easy identification and click Save. This will generate a CSV file containing bar data. 

Note: Using a file viewer instead of spreadsheet software is recommended if you'd like to inspect large .csv files.

Step 2.2: Exporting Tick Data

• Click the "..." Symbol Operations button located to the right of your chosen currency pair in the Tick Data Manager.
  
  
• In the pop-up window, navigate to the "Export ticks" tab. This tab will only be available after downloading tick data for that symbol. 
  
  
  
• Configure the following parameters:

1. Start and End Dates.
2. Format: Select "MetaTrader".
3. GMT offset and DST: Refer to your broker's specifications. For detailed information, please see our guide on Using GMT and DST.

• Click Start Export, choose the desired save location. Add "tick_data" or whatever else you'd like in the name of the file for easy identification and click Save. This will generate a CSV file containing the tick data.

Step 3: Creating a Custom Symbol in MetaTrader 5

• Open your MetaTrader 5 terminal and press CTRL+U or go to View -> Symbols.
  
• This will open the Symbols menu.
• Click on Create Custom Symbol.
  
  

1. In the Copy From: field, choose the corresponding symbol for your data (e.g., GBPUSD).
   
   
2. Rename the copied symbol by adding "_TDS" (or whatever you prefer, 4 characters maximum) to its name (e.g., GBPUSD_TDS).
   
   
3. Click "OK" to create the custom symbol. It will now appear under the "Custom" category in your Symbols window.

Step 4: Importing Data into MetaTrader 5

Step 4.1: Importing 1-Minute Bar Data

• In the Symbols window, select the custom symbol you created (e.g., GBPUSD_TDS) from the Custom symbols and click on the Bars tab.
  
• Ensure that the timeframe is set to M1.
• Click "Import Bars".
   
• Click Browse and select the file you created in Step 2.1 and click OK.
  
  

Step 4.2: Importing Tick Data

• After importing the bar data, navigate to the "Ticks" tab in the Symbols window.
• Click "Import Ticks" and select the tick data CSV file exported from Tick Data Manager in Step 2.2 and click OK.
  

Step 5: Backtesting Using the Imported Tick Data

• Open the strategy tester in MetaTrader 5. 
• Choose your desired expert advistor (EA) and backtesting settings. 
• Select "Every tick based on real ticks" for the most accurate results. Consider setting a realistic delay using the "Server ping" or "Random delay" option.
• Select your custom symbol in the symbol dropdown menu (e.g. GBPUSD_TDS)
  
  
• Adjust the commission settings to match your broker's fees.
• Click "Start" to begin backtesting.
• The history quality in your backtest results should now be at 100%.
  

Important Note: You will need to periodically repeat steps 1, 2 and 4 to include the latest tick data in your custom symbol for more accurate backtesting. You can automate this process by Downloading tick data using command line options and then Exporting data using command line options.