After importing history and preparing data for testing by generating ticks we can start testing some trading strategy. Switch to Testing Mode with this drop down list:

and press the Start Test button, you will see next dialog:

You can start test from the first date in range of generated ticks (if you generated ticks from 01/01/2005 to 31/02/2005 you will start from 01/01/2005). This dialog has 2 more options to start test: you can continue previous test from the same date when you stopped it (with all your history and opened positions being restored):

or, you can define first date to start, that could be useful if you generated big ticks history and want to test some situations on different dates:

Last two options are enabled only in registered version and unavailable in demo version. After you selected preferred option, press the Start testing button. If you did not set "Set Pause mode after connect" option, then you will see how price is changing and form new bars. If Pause option was set, program will wait until you press Pause button again to continue:

Now you can test your trading strategy by placing orders and see how strategy works (will be discussed in next tutorials). You can regulate speed of testing with the next control bar:

1. Pause button - you can set pause mode to pause price changing and analyze situation. Also Pause mode enables buttons 4, 5, 6. Pause could be set and released with Right SHIFT key.

2. Speed of price changing. By moving this track bar you define how fast your testing time goes.

3. Tick package size. Here you can set how often to update charts, if you set Every tick - charts will be updated after every tick processing, if you set 15 minutes - charts will be updated after processing 15 minutes ticks package. It also affects speed.

4. Move back by single bar. This button is available only when Pause set. It will delete 1 bar in terms of current time frame. If current time frame is 1 hour - you will go back on 1 hour, if you had some closed trades they could be restored. You can also use BACKSPACE key for this.

5. Move forward by single bar. This button is available only when Pause set. You will go forward on 1 bar in terms of current time frame. If current time frame is 1 hour - you will go forward on 1 hour. It affects all the charts. You can also use SPACE key for this.

6. Move forward by tick package size. This button is available only when Pause set. You will go forward on time defined by tick package size (3). You can use F11 key for this.

This is visual testing mode when you can see your trades and place them manually. Forex Tester also can test automated strategies written with C++ and Borland Delphi. You can find API and examples how to write custom indicators and strategies in <Forex Tester>\Examples\ folder after installation. API help is enabled over Help -> Indicators API/Strategies API menu in Forex Tester. You can backtest automated strategies with Fast Test option or with Strategy Optimizer tool.

Also check our forum:
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