Trade Logging

CandleLog provides two ways to log your trades: manual entry for individual trades and CSV import for bulk uploads from your broker. Both methods capture all the essential information needed to track and analyze your trading performance.

Manual Trade Entry

For quick logging or trades from brokers without CSV export, use manual entry.

Required Fields

Every trade requires these core fields:

Optional Fields

Enhance your trade records with additional details:

Trade Status

Trades can be in two states:

• OPEN - Position still active, no exit price/time
• CLOSED - Position closed, P&L calculated

Adding a Trade

1. Navigate to the Trades page
2. Click "Add Trade"
3. Fill in the required fields
4. Add optional details as needed
5. Attach screenshots if desired
6. Click "Save"

CSV Import

For bulk importing trades from your broker, use the CSV import feature. This is ideal for end-of-day journaling or importing historical trades.

Supported Brokers

CandleLog's smart parser automatically detects and handles these formats:

• Tradovate - Futures trading platform
• ThinkOrSwim - TD Ameritrade platform
• Interactive Brokers (IBKR) - Multi-asset broker
• E*TRADE - Stock and options broker
• Generic Format - Standard CSV with common column names

How CSV Import Works

1. Upload - Select your broker's CSV export file
2. Detection - CandleLog identifies the format automatically
3. Parsing - Trades are extracted and converted
4. Preview - Review trades before importing
5. Import - Confirm to add trades to your journal

Import Preview

Before importing, you'll see a preview showing:

• Total number of trades detected
• Closed vs open trades
• Total P&L from the import
• Winning trade count
• Each trade with symbol, direction, prices, P&L

Timezone Handling

CSV timestamps often lack timezone information. CandleLog lets you specify the source timezone:

1. Select your broker's timezone (defaults to America/Chicago for Tradovate)
2. Trades are converted and displayed in Eastern Time (ET)
3. All data is stored in UTC for consistency

Account Number Override

If your CSV doesn't include account numbers or you need to override them:

1. Enter the account number in the override field
2. All imported trades will be assigned to that account

Download Templates

Need help with CSV format? Download broker-specific templates:

• Generic template
• ThinkOrSwim template
• Tradovate template
• IBKR template
• E*TRADE template

Templates show the expected column headers and data format.

Futures Trading Support

CandleLog has built-in support for futures contracts:

Tick Size and Value

For accurate P&L calculation on futures:

• Set the tick size (e.g., 0.25 for ES)
• Set the tick value (e.g., $12.50 for ES)
• P&L calculates automatically based on price movement

Common Futures Contracts

Screenshot Documentation

Attach chart screenshots to your trades:

• Upload multiple images per trade
• Reference your entry/exit on the chart
• Document market context
• Review setups when analyzing performance

Trade Executions

For trades with multiple entries or exits (scaling):

• Add individual executions with price, quantity, timestamp
• Track average entry/exit prices
• See complete execution history

Best Practices

Log Immediately

Log trades as soon as possible after execution while details are fresh. This ensures accuracy and captures your real-time thinking.

Document Your Reasoning

Use the notes field to record:

• Why you entered the trade
• What you saw on the chart
• How you felt during the trade
• What you learned from the outcome

Tag Consistently

Create a consistent tagging system:

• Setup types (e.g., breakout, reversal, trend)
• Market conditions (e.g., trending, ranging, volatile)
• Time of day (e.g., open, midday, close)

Attach Screenshots

Visual documentation is invaluable for review:

• Capture your chart at entry
• Mark key levels and patterns
• Include multiple timeframes if relevant