Trading Journal Excel Template (2024)

Keeping a trading journal is one of the most important tasks for serious traders. It helps to track the development and makes it easy to decide on the next move. However, this task becomes quite time-consuming after a while, especially for high-volume daily traders. For this reason, we have built an easy-to-use yet strong Trading Journal Spreadsheet Template.

The best part is, all in Excel! So, you don’t need to spend time learning complex software or web services for this job.

Moreover, we have developed this trade journal template with the help of Ayers Capital Pty. Ltd., an international trading firm from Australia.
Bryce Edwards, the owner of Ayers Capital, also uses this Trading Journal in his daily processes.

Besides, most of our users have a habit of sharing monthly results with the #somekatradingjournal hashtag on Twitter! Why not join them?

How to use Trading Journal Template?

Let’s have a look at the sections of this template one by one:

Trading Journal Excel Template (1)

Raw Data:

This is where you input your raw data (which you can export from your broker or agency software). We have prepared two versions for easier data management. (The trading journal package contains two versions: One is the default version, and the other is the IRESS Viewpoint version).

  • If you’re using IRESS Viewpoint, you can directly use the Viewpoint version.
  • If you’re using IRESS Pro, you can adapt your output data and easily use any of the available versions of our Trade Journal.
  • If you’re using the thinkorswim platform, you can simply adapt your data and use the Default version of our product.
  • If you’re using Interactive Brokers or any other platforms, please let us know and we can provide you converter that will work for you.

Trading Journal Excel Template (2)

You will simply input your data into the white cells. We have put some dummy data, please don’t forget to replace them with your own. From the top section, you can control commission rates, and also you can select the Contract Time. You can use either Exit Time or Entry Time.

Trading Journal Excel Template (3)

In addition, if you want to define different rates per broker, you can do this in the Settings section of the trade journal template. You can also write different commissions for each row manually. (Manual inputs have priority in calculations)

Trading Journal Excel Template (4)

When you are done with putting your data, press the “REFRESH” button to reflect changes to the Trade Log section. Some rows can be ignored if data is missing, there is an open position or the date format is wrong. So check the Data Control Messages. Finally “Reset Table” button clears all existing data.

Trade Log:

This is where your raw data is calculated, filtered, and displayed per transaction. Because as we mentioned before, this section is being fed from Raw Data. So, if you need to edit something please work on the Raw Data section of the Trading Journal.

Trading Journal Excel Template (5)

If you think your transactions look good and correct according to your data, you can proceed to analyze dashboards to check your development and trends.

On the right side of this section, you will notice the Metadata selections, which feed the Metadata Analysis we mentioned below.

Trading Journal Template – Weekly & Monthly Dashboard:

Here you can see the weekly/monthly performance of your transactions. You can make the selection from the top section (multiple selections allowed). New days and filters will appear as you add new data to the Raw Data section.

Trading Journal Excel Template (6)

All Trades Dashboard:

Here is the dashboard of the trading journal where you see the overall performance of your logs. The Cumulative Net Profit / Loss chart will give you a good idea about your decisions in the long term.

Trading Journal Excel Template (7)

Metadata Analytics:

This section is fed from the data you input on the right side of the Trade Log. (You can edit these metadata drop-downs in the Settings section)

Broker Call Tracker:

This is an independent section in which you can input some specific data for your trading log. Similar to the metadata analytics, these drop-downs can be edited in the Settings section.

Settings:

In this section, you can input your source data for the drop-downs used throughout the trading journal. This will affect the metadata analytics and broker call tracker sections as mentioned above.

Trading Journal Excel Template (9)

Finally, you can also manage the Entry Time calculation here. Furthermore, you can define intervals for different categories in this trading journal Excel template. What you input is the start time for that category. So if your Date field in the Raw Data section also consists of Time data, the tool will automatically calculate and reflect it to the Metadata Analytics report.

Trading Journal Spreadsheet Template Features:

  • Easy-to-use trading journal for traders
  • Works in Excel, no need for complex software
  • Compatible with both Mac and Windows
  • No installation is needed, ready to use
  • Professionally designed dashboards
  • Full Print Ready stock journal
  • White Label
  • Daily / Weekly / Monthly Views
  • On Sheet Instructions
  • Compatible with Excel 2013 and later versions
  • Includes VBA code and macros

Trading Journal Template is a ready-to-use Excel Template and provided as-is. If you need customization on your reports or need more complex templates, please refer to our Custom Services.

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Trading Journal Excel Template (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a trading journal in Excel? ›

The first step is to startup excel and create a sheet for your trades. You can use the first sheet name Sheet1 or rename it to Trades if you like. Add a column header for each data point you would like to track for each trade.

How do you fill out a trading journal? ›

In its simplest form, a successful trading journal includes such elements as:
  1. Date and time of a trade.
  2. The instrument being traded.
  3. Position size.
  4. A long or short position.
  5. Entry and exit points.
  6. Result of the trade when the position has been closed.

Is a trading journal worth it? ›

Main Benefits of Trading Journals

The trading journal helps traders identify what strategies are most profitable. By tracking performance over numerous trades, traders see what entry and exit methods work best. A journal allows traders to recognize weaknesses in their trading.

How to maintain share trading in Excel? ›

Excel Templates for Stock Market
  1. Efficiently track Stock prices with Excel's Stock Lookup.
  2. Utilize Stock Price history analysis to inform your investment strategy.
  3. Track Foreign Exchange rates in addition to stock prices.
  4. Creating and organize your personalized stock watchlist in Excel.

Can Excel be used for trading? ›

Excel offers a variety of built - in functions and tools that can be used to create and analyze trading strategies , such as data analysis , pivot tables , and macros .

Can you use Excel for journal entries? ›

Journal entry lines can be copied and pasted into the template from another spreadsheet. All the tools and functions that are available in Excel can be used to enter data into the template. Clear the data that you have already entered in your journal entry template.

What should a trading journal look like? ›

In sum, a trading journal should always include potential trade areas that you are considering entering into — including particulars like possible support and resistance levels, patterns, or trends. Keeping track of these points makes it easier for you to identify any opportunities in the markets.

What is an example of a trade journal? ›

Examples of trade journals include Police Chief, Education Digest, Energy Weekly News, Aviation Week and Space Technology, Engineering News Record, Design News, and Traffic World.

What does a good trading journal look like? ›

A trading journal should, at a minimum, include details such as the strategy's name, direction (long or short), dates of opened and closed positions, entry and exit prices, position size, max drawdown, risk/reward ratio, and profit/loss. Additional sections for recording emotions are also suggested.

What are the disadvantages of trade journals? ›

Disadvantages of trade publications
  • Not peer-reviewed, although author is usually a professional with expertise in their field.
  • Use of specialised terminology may limit readability.
  • Evidence drawn from personal experience or common knowledge, rather than rigorous research.
Apr 18, 2024

What is the best trading journal for TradingView? ›

TradesViz is the only online journal that gives you full freedom to visualize your performance in the way you want. Find your true trading edge with TradesViz. Notes, Tags and Trade Plans: Easily manage per-day, per-etrade notes and even add plans to analyze your rules and mistakes.

Is it realistic to make money trading? ›

It is possible to earn money with day trading and make a living from it and generate high income - but the chances are extremely low. A maximum of three percent of all traders achieve long-term profits; the vast majority lose large sums of money.

What is the best free portfolio tracker? ›

My top 5 recommendations are:
  • Empower: Best portfolio tracker overall.
  • Seeking Alpha: Best for investment research.
  • Stock Analysis: Best simple, uncluttered interface.
  • Kubera: Best for crypto, NFTs, and DeFi.
  • Sharesight: Best for international investors.
Jan 11, 2024

How do I create a stock inventory template in Excel? ›

How to create an Excel inventory spreadsheet
  1. Create a spreadsheet. To create a new spreadsheet, you can open Excel, click on "Menu", and select "New". ...
  2. Add product categories as columns. ...
  3. Add each product to the spreadsheet. ...
  4. Adjust quantities as the company's products change.
Feb 12, 2024

What is a trading spreadsheet? ›

The Trade Spreadsheet gives you a complete breakup of every trade that you execute. You can use the information that this feature provides to identify profitable patterns that you can use for your future trades.

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