How to copy the Google Sheets trading journal template
This is the correct way to use a shared Google Sheets trading journal template: you make your own copy, then log trades in your version so your data stays private.
Steps (desktop)
- Open the sheet.
- Click File → Make a copy.
- Name it (example: “Trading Journal - 2026”).
- Choose a Drive folder, then click Make a copy.
Privacy + consistency tip
After copying, treat the sheet like a system: log planned risk and fees every time. Inconsistent fields turn Sheets into random notes (and your analytics becomes meaningless).
What’s inside the Google Sheets trading journal
This sheet is designed around a simple idea: capture the minimum fields needed for a real performance review. Your journal should create decisions, not just store history.
Trade log
- • One row per trade
- • Risk + outcome fields
- • Setup tags for segmentation
- • Notes for learning
Risk-first journaling
- • Planned risk tracking
- • R-multiple support
- • Net P&L focus
- • Fee-aware performance
Weekly review ready
- • Filter by setup tag
- • Identify mistakes
- • Compare best vs worst
- • Build a simple plan
Upgrade path: ProfitPulse analytics
Use Sheets to build consistency. Upgrade when you want automated analytics like expectancy, profit factor, drawdown, time-of-day performance, and deeper filtering by setup and context.
What to track in a Google Sheets trading journal
These fields make Sheets meaningful. Without risk and net results, your review becomes guesswork.
Core fields (every trade)
Optional (high signal)
- • Time window / session
- • Market regime (trend/range)
- • Hold time
- • Mistake tags
- • Screenshot links
Weekly review workflow (15 minutes)
A trading journal only helps if you review it. This workflow keeps it simple and consistent.
Step 1: Segment trades
- • Best setup vs worst setup
- • Followed plan vs deviated
- • Best time window vs worst
- • Big winners vs big losers
Step 2: Make 3 decisions
- • What to do more of
- • What to stop doing
- • One rule to enforce next week
Google Sheets trading journal limitations
Sheets is great for lightweight journaling. But if you’re serious about performance review, you’ll likely outgrow it.
Common problems
- • Manual entry becomes inconsistent
- • Charts/analytics require maintenance
- • Harder to filter across months reliably
- • Setup-level performance review is slow
Upgrade path: ProfitPulse
ProfitPulse is built for traders who treat trading like a business-automated metrics, cleaner review, and futures-focused workflows. If you want deeper analytics (expectancy, profit factor, drawdown), upgrade when you’re ready.
Usage & license
This Google Sheets template is provided for personal use. Please don’t redistribute, resell, or republish it (or derivatives) as your own.