My Free Trading Journal (Excel Spreadsheet) 2025

Trading journal spreadsheet download

Download my trading journal spreadsheet for free and start logging your trades today. While it might not be the fanciest sheet out there, it covers the essentials—profits, losses, strategy insights, and lessons learned.

 

Why are Trading Journals Essential?

Maintaining a trading journal is pivotal in developing a trading approach that aligns with your personal characteristics and market philosophies. Just as keeping a personal diary allows reflection and learning from past experiences, a trading journal offers the same benefits for traders. It enables you to identify successful strategies and, crucially, to prevent recurring mistakes.

Tips for Trading Journal Templates

To simplify the process, each trade should have its own row in the journal. If you adjust your position by scaling in or out, each adjustment should have its own line. I’ve used a color code to differentiate between the data you need to input and what is automatically calculated.

For those skilled with Excel, there’s the opportunity to delve deeper into intricate calculations and long-term projections of your portfolio’s worth. While this is engaging, it’s crucial to focus on three primary columns: the profit or loss of each trade, the rationale behind it, and the lessons learned.

It’s important to record every trade promptly after it occurs. Keeping your journal updated prevents accumulating a backlog and ensures you can recall the reasons behind your trading decisions.

Spreadsheet Columns and Their Details

Below are details for the spreadsheet headers:

  • Trade #: A counter for each transaction.
  • Entry Date: The date the position was opened.
  • Ticker: A text box for identifying the traded asset, such as stock tickers.
  • Quantity: Use positive numbers for purchases and negative for short sales.
  • Entry $$: The total initial cost or proceeds.
  • Exit Date: The closing date of the position.
  • Exit $$: The total proceeds or costs upon exit.
  • Note: Break down trades into single lines if you scale in or out of positions.
  • Profit/Loss: Automatically calculated.
  • Days: The trade duration, also calculated automatically.
  • Protective Stop: The stop-loss value for protecting positions.
  • Target: The price target at position initiation.
  • Reward to Risk: The ratio of potential gain versus acceptable loss.
  • Strategy: Description of the trade’s rationale.
  • Conviction: Your confidence level upon entering the trade.
  • Comment: Any additional insights, such as market conditions or improvements.
  • Win/Loss: Indicator of profit or loss.
  • Lesson Learned: Insights gained from the trade.

Trading Metrics Box

At the spreadsheet’s top, a trading metrics box acts as a dashboard for evaluating your trading performance and habits. These metrics become increasingly meaningful as you accumulate trading experience. It’s important to recognize the difference between skill and luck. A longer trading history leads to more accurate conclusions.

Best Trading Journals

For those seeking alternatives to Excel or more sophisticated analyses, TraderSync is highly rated for its convenience and insights. Other options include Tradervue, Trademetria, Chartlog, and Edgewonk. Check our comprehensive guide to trading journals for more options.

Using Excel in Trading

Microsoft Excel is a popular tool among traders. Beginners can track trades in their journals, while advanced users may leverage it for risk assessment, market data analysis, or custom chart creation.

What Should a Trading Journal Include?

At a basic level, a trading journal should document:

  • The date the trade began.
  • The asset traded.
  • The position size.
  • The closure date of the trade.
  • The profit or loss incurred.
  • A reason or comment for each trade.

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