How to set up a trading journal

Posted on 2023-04-21

Setting up a trading journal requires a few steps to ensure that you are collecting the right data and that it is organized in a way that is useful for you. Here are some steps to follow:

Choose a format: You can use a physical notebook or an electronic spreadsheet to keep your trading journal. Choose a format that you are comfortable using and can access easily.

Determine what information to record: Decide what information you want to track in your trading journal. This might include the date and time of the trade, the currency pair, the entry and exit points, the stop loss and take profit levels, the reason for the trade, and any notes about your emotions or thought process during the trade.

Create columns and headings: Create columns and headings for each piece of information you want to track in your journal. Be sure to include dates and currency pairs in the columns to make it easier to sort and filter data later.

Add filters and conditional formatting: If using an electronic spreadsheet, you can add filters and conditional formatting to make it easier to analyze the data. For example, you might want to filter trades by currency pair or by the outcome (profit or loss). You can also use conditional formatting to highlight trades that met specific criteria (e.g., trades that met your strategy rules).

Make it a habit: Get in the habit of recording every trade you make in your trading journal. This will help you get a better understanding of your trading patterns and identify areas for improvement.

Analyze and adjust: Review your trading journal regularly to identify patterns and areas for improvement. Use this information to adjust your trading strategy and make better trading decisions in the future.

By following these steps, you can create a trading journal that will help you track your progress and improve your trading performance over time.


Looking to learn about forex? Take our crash courses at our Forex University. If you’re looking to setup a demo trading account then click here. Finally, if you’re looking for Forex Signals, Forex Portugal provides free & premium signals on-demand.

Found this article helpful?

[ 0 Out of 0 Found Helpful ]

Still no luck? we can help!

Submit a ticket and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Support Chat Available
Account login is required to start, please login to your account to proceed.