Excel & Manual Trade Journal Import
If you keep a manual trade journal in Excel or Google Sheets, you can import it directly into AlgoChef. This guide shows you how to format your data for a smooth import.
Minimum Required Columns
Your spreadsheet needs at minimum three columns:
| Column | Example |
|---|---|
| Entry Date | 2024-01-15 09:30 |
| Exit Date | 2024-01-15 14:45 |
| Profit/Loss ($) | 1250.00 |
That's it. Everything else is optional but unlocks additional metrics.
Recommended Format
For the richest analysis, include these columns:
| Column | Example | What It Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Date | 2024-01-15 09:30 | Required |
| Exit Date | 2024-01-15 14:45 | Required |
| Profit/Loss ($) | 1250.00 | Required |
| Side | Long | Long/short breakdown |
| Entry Price | 4750.25 | MAE/MFE analysis |
| Exit Price | 4762.50 | MAE/MFE analysis |
| Quantity | 2 | Position sizing metrics |
| Commission | 4.50 | Net profit after costs |
Exporting from Excel as CSV
- Open your spreadsheet in Excel
- Click File → Save As
- Choose CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv) as the file type
- Save the file
Exporting from Google Sheets as CSV
- Open your spreadsheet in Google Sheets
- Click File → Download → Comma-separated values (.csv)
- Save the file
Importing Into AlgoChef
- Navigate to Strategy Hub → Import
- Upload your CSV file
- Use the column mapping wizard to match your column names to AlgoChef fields
- Set your Initial Capital
- Click Import
Tips for Clean Imports
Tip
Consistent date format — Use the same date format throughout your spreadsheet. AlgoChef auto-detects common formats but inconsistencies in a single file can cause import errors.
- No blank rows — Remove any blank rows between trades before exporting
- No summary rows — Remove totals, averages, or summary rows at the bottom — AlgoChef only expects one row per trade
- No merged cells — Merged cells do not export cleanly to CSV
- Header row required — Keep your column headers in row 1
- Losses as negatives — Losing trades should have negative P&L values (e.g., -450.00)
Troubleshooting
Import wizard not detecting my columns? Make sure your header row is in row 1 with no blank rows above it. Column names don't need to match exactly — the wizard lets you map them manually.
Dates not recognized? Avoid Excel's formatted date display — export dates in a standard format like YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss or MM/DD/YYYY. See the CSV Format Reference for all supported date formats.
Metrics seem wrong after import? Double-check your Initial Capital setting — this affects all percentage-based calculations including CAGR and drawdown percentages.
Next Steps
- CSV Format Reference — Full field specifications
- Understanding Your Dashboard — What to do after import
- Run Monte Carlo Simulation — Stress-test your imported strategy
Tip
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