Free Trading Journal Excel Template

Record your trades, review performance and learn from repeated decisions with the Trading Turtle Trading Journal.
This free Excel template helps you track entries, exits, stop-loss levels, targets, position size, fees, profit and loss,
R multiple and account drawdown in one structured workbook.

FREE TRADING JOURNAL TEMPLATE

Download and Track Your Trades

Download Your Trading Journal

Keep your trade records in a reusable Excel workbook instead of temporary browser storage.

Structured Trade LogRecord entry, stop, target, exit, quantity, fees and notes.
Automatic Performance MetricsReview net P/L, R multiple, win rate, expectancy and drawdown.
Your File Stays With YouSave, rename and back up the workbook wherever you choose.
Excel workbook · 200 trade rows Download Trading Journal Compatible with Microsoft Excel and spreadsheet apps that support .xlsx files.

The journal is an educational record-keeping template, not financial advice. Downloaded files are not synchronized with Trading Turtle.

How to Use the Trading Journal

  1. Download the Excel workbook and save a working copy on your computer or preferred cloud-storage folder.
  2. Open the Instructions sheet and enter your starting account balance.
  3. Add each completed trade to the Trade Log using one row per trade.
  4. Complete the input fields for market, symbol, direction, setup, timeframe, prices, quantity, fees and notes.
  5. Leave the calculated cells unchanged so the workbook can calculate profit and loss, risk, R multiple, running balance and drawdown.
  6. Review the Dashboard after building a meaningful sample of trades—ideally at least 20 rather than judging a strategy from only a few outcomes.
  7. Back up the workbook regularly and keep separate copies before making major changes.

How the Trading Journal Works

The workbook contains four connected sheets:

  • Instructions: explains the workflow and stores the starting account balance.
  • Trade Log: provides space for up to 200 trades and calculates key results automatically.
  • Dashboard: summarizes completed trades, wins, losses, win rate, net profit and loss, average R, profit factor, average win, average loss, payoff ratio, expectancy, best trade, worst trade and maximum drawdown.
  • Lists: supports consistent dropdown selections for markets, direction, setups and timeframes.

The blue cells in the Trade Log are intended for manual input. Light calculated cells use formulas and should not be overwritten unless you understand how the workbook works. The Dashboard becomes more useful as the number and quality of completed records increase.

Important: A journal is only as reliable as the information entered. Record trades honestly and consistently, including losses, fees, execution mistakes and trades that did not follow the plan.

More tools: Position Size Calculator | Trade Planner | Drawdown Calculator | Pre-Trade Checklist

WHAT DOES IT TRACK?

Turn Individual Trades into Useful Records

  • Record the Complete Trade Plan
  • Calculate Performance Automatically
  • Review Patterns Over Time

A trading journal is not simply a list of winning and losing trades. Its value comes from connecting decisions, risk, execution and outcomes over a meaningful sample.

TRading journal centre image

“A trading journal turns memory into evidence
—and evidence gives a trader something real toimprove.”

TRADING PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Benefits of Keeping a Trading Journal

Identify Repeated Strengths and MistakesTrade notes and setup labels make it easier to find patterns that memory may miss. You can review which setups produced stronger results and whether losses came from the strategy, execution or rule-breaking.
Measure More Than Win RateWin rate alone does not show the size of wins and losses. Metrics such as average R, payoff ratio, expectancy, profit factor and drawdown provide a broader view of historical performance.
Support a More Consistent ProcessRecording the same information after every trade encourages a repeatable review routine. Over time, the journal can show whether position size, account risk and execution stayed aligned with your rules.

– Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a trading journal?

A trading journal is a structured record of trading decisions and outcomes. It normally includes the setup, entry, stop-loss, target, exit, position size, fees, profit or loss and notes about execution.

Why should traders keep a journal?

A journal creates evidence that can be reviewed later. It can help traders identify repeated setups, risk-management problems, execution mistakes and differences between the written plan and the actual trade.

What is included in the Trading Turtle journal template?

The workbook includes Instructions, a 200-row Trade Log, a performance Dashboard and dropdown Lists. It calculates profit and loss, planned risk, R multiple, outcome, running balance, equity peak and drawdown.

Is the trading journal free to download?

Yes. The Trading Turtle journal is provided as a free educational Excel template. You may download it and keep your own working copy.

Does Trading Turtle store my journal data?

No. The workbook is downloaded to your device and is not synchronized with Trading Turtle. We do not receive the trades you enter. You are responsible for storing and backing up the file.

Will clearing my browser cache delete the journal?

No. After downloading and saving the workbook, it exists as a normal file rather than temporary browser data. Clearing browser cache should not delete a file saved in your Downloads folder or another chosen location. You should still maintain backups.

Can I use the journal for stocks and cryptocurrency?

Yes. The market list includes stocks, cryptocurrency, futures, options, forex and other categories. You can also adapt setup names and notes to match your process.

Does the Dashboard guarantee that a strategy will remain profitable?

No. The Dashboard summarizes historical information entered into the workbook. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and the metrics cannot account for missing or inaccurate records.

Is this trading journal financial advice?

No. It is an educational record-keeping template. It does not provide personalized financial advice, trading signals or investment recommendations.