How to Load an MT5 Set File and Check It Matches Your EA Version

How to load an MT5 set file

To load an MT5 set file, open the expert advisor's Inputs tab (from the chart properties window or the Strategy Tester), click Load, and select the .set file. Then compare the loaded values with the EA's input list, because a preset made for a different EA version can load partly or silently skip parameters. Always check the result before running the EA on a live account.

This guide covers the loading steps, a compatibility check, and what to do when values do not match. For general input meanings, see our guide to MT5 expert advisor settings for beginners.

What a set file is

A set file is a plain text file with the extension .set. It stores a list of input names and values for one expert advisor, such as lot size, stop distance, session hours and risk mode. It does not contain the EA code, and it does not carry permissions like algo trading or DLL imports. Those remain terminal and chart settings.

Because a preset is just names and values, it only makes sense for an EA whose input names and types match. This is the root of most loading problems.

Where to put the file

MT5 can load a set file from any folder, but keeping presets organized helps.

1. In MT5, choose File, then Open Data Folder.
2. Open the MQL5 folder, then Presets.
3. Copy your .set file there.

The Presets folder is the default location the file dialog opens to, so your files are easy to find. Keep a naming habit such as EAName_v2.3_ES-style-notes.set so the version is visible without opening the file.

Load the preset on a chart

1. Open the chart of the instrument you want, for example EURUSD on M15.
2. Drag the EA from the Navigator onto the chart, or double-click it.
3. In the window that opens, go to the Inputs tab.
4. Click Load and choose the .set file.
5. Review every value in the list.
6. Open the Common tab and confirm that algo trading is allowed.
7. Click OK.

If the EA is already on the chart, press F7 to reopen its properties and repeat from step 3.

Load the preset in the Strategy Tester

Open the Strategy Tester (Ctrl+R), choose the EA, then use the Inputs tab and right-click for the Load option. Loading the preset here lets you run a test with the same values before using it live. Our walkthrough on how to test an expert advisor in MT5 explains reading the report afterward.

Check set file compatibility

MT5 does not always warn you when a preset does not fit. Run these checks every time.

Compare input names and count

After loading, scroll the full Inputs list. Any input that looks like its default value may not have been in the file. Open the .set file in a text editor and compare each line, which has the form InputName=Value, against the list on screen. Missing names, renamed inputs or extra lines point to a version mismatch.

Match the EA version

Check the version in the EA's description, the file name or the vendor's changelog. A preset built for version 1.x may not suit 2.x if inputs were renamed, reordered, or had their meaning changed. Ask the seller which version the preset was exported from, a point also raised in this due-diligence checklist for MT5 expert advisors.

Check types and enumerations

Dropdown inputs are stored as numbers. If a newer EA added an option to the middle of a list, an old number can now point to a different mode. Read the dropdown text on screen, not just the numeric value in the file.

Check instrument-specific values

Presets are tied to a symbol's conditions. A distance of 50 points means something very different on EURUSD with five digits than on a CFD for NQ or CL, where tick size and contract value differ. Read the contract details in the MT5 Market Watch specification and, for futures references, the CME Group contract specifications for ES. Convert distances and lot sizes deliberately instead of assuming they carry over.

Review risk inputs first

Before anything else, check lot size, risk percent, maximum open positions, daily loss limits and any martingale or grid toggle. A preset may have been exported from a different account size or currency. Lower these to values you understand and can afford, since a loaded preset is not a recommendation for your account.

Common problems and fixes

• Load button does nothing or file not listed: make sure the extension is .set and the file is not saved as .txt.
• Values reset after restart: save your configuration by using Save in the Inputs tab, and keep the chart template with the EA attached.
• Inputs differ from the vendor's screenshot: the EA version probably differs. Reinstall the matching build or request the correct preset.
• Preset loads but EA does not trade: check the AutoTrading button, the Common tab permissions and the Experts log. The official MetaTrader 5 help on expert advisor properties explains these settings.
• Strange characters in the file: save it in the original encoding, which MT5 usually writes as UTF-16.

Save your own preset

Once you have verified the values, click Save in the Inputs tab and give the file a clear name that includes the EA version, symbol and timeframe, such as EAName_v2.3_EURUSD_M15.set. Keep a short note of what you changed from the vendor's defaults. This makes it simple to return to a known state after an update.

A safe loading routine

1. Back up the existing preset by saving it before loading a new one.
2. Confirm the EA build and the preset's version agree.
3. Load the file and review every input line by line.
4. Adjust risk and symbol-specific values.
5. Run a Strategy Tester pass and a demo account session.
6. Check the Experts and Journal tabs for errors.

A demo session is not proof of future behavior, but it reveals loading and permission issues cheaply.

Conclusion

Loading a set file takes a minute, but trusting it without checking is where problems start. Load it from the Inputs tab, compare names and values against the installed EA version, adapt risk and instrument settings, and test on demo first. Nothing here predicts performance, and any preset should be treated as a starting configuration only. If you work with order flow tools and automated systems, SierraOnShop offers Sierra Chart tools, MT5 expert advisors and trading courses to help you build a careful workflow.

FAQ

Can I load a set file made for a different EA?

Technically MT5 may accept the file, but only inputs with identical names will apply. Everything else stays at default, so the result is unreliable. Use presets only with the EA they were exported from.

Does a set file include my broker or account details?

No. A set file stores input values only. Be careful, though, as some inputs can hold text such as comments or magic numbers, so open the file before sharing it.

Why does my set file show different lot sizes on another broker?

Brokers set different minimum lots, steps and contract sizes. If the EA uses fixed lots, check that the value fits the symbol's volume step in the Market Watch specification.

Can I edit a set file in a text editor?

Yes, since it is plain text, but keep the InputName=Value format intact and save in the same encoding. Reload it and verify every line on screen afterward.

Do I need to reload the preset after updating the EA?

Often yes. Updates can reset or rename inputs, so reopen the Inputs tab, load the matching preset and recheck the list.