How to import trades into a trading journal: screenshots, MT4, MT5 and CSV
intent: trade · Published
Importing broker trade reports or trade history screenshots reduces typing, but an import only copies what the file or image shows. Check your export or screenshot before importing, review the newly saved rows against your broker statement right after import, and add the setup, planned risk and decision notes that broker statements do not record.
You can keep a complete trade log by typing rows into a spreadsheet or by importing supported files into a journal app. Neither automated imports nor keeping a trading journal guarantees trading profits.
Compare ways to get trades into your journal
Pick an entry method that matches how your broker exports history and how many trades you log each week:
| Method | Source format | What it captures | What you must verify or add |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual spreadsheet entry | Free CSV template in Excel or Google Sheets | Every field you type, including setup, emotion and notes | All execution numbers, dates, fees and spreadsheet formulas |
| Trade report import | Supported Exness, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) CSV or HTML reports | Closed trade symbols, direction, lot size, timestamps and reported profit or loss | Date range, timezone, commission or swap columns, and setup or risk notes |
| Screenshot OCR import | Full-screen image of a broker trade history list | Visible symbol, direction, volume, prices, date and result read by OCR | Suspect or cut-off rows, decimals, minus signs, fees and decision notes |
| Analysis image attachment | Chart screenshot attached to a trade or backtest | Visual chart context alongside the trade record | Does not create trade numbers; pair it with a verified trade row |
If you prefer a spreadsheet without an account, start with the free CSV trading journal template. If you use intent: trade, the import panel supports trade report files, screenshot OCR and chart image attachments.
Prepare clean broker reports and screenshots before importing
1. Exporting MT4, MT5 or Exness trade reports
When exporting a CSV or HTML history report from MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 or Exness, set a clear start and end date before generating the file. Use the same timezone and account currency across your weekly exports.
- Export closed positions for the period you are reviewing. Keep open positions, pending orders, deposits and withdrawals separate from completed trade outcomes.
- Check whether the exported profit column is gross or net of commission and swap fees.
- Keep live account exports separate from demo or backtest records.
2. Capturing trade history screenshots for OCR
Image quality and screen layout directly affect what optical character recognition (OCR) can read. Before uploading a screenshot of your trade history:
- Use a full-screen, uncropped view of the closed-trades list at native resolution. Blurred or compressed images can cause missed rows or misread digits.
- Scroll the list so the bottom trade rows are not hidden behind mobile navigation bars or the MetaTrader 5 bottom toolbar. If a row is partly covered, take a second screenshot with that row fully visible.
- Close notification banners, floating chat heads or tooltips that cover prices, dates or minus signs.
In intent: trade, both report and screenshot imports save detected rows immediately. Trade report imports return the imported and readable-row count plus any skipped duplicates, without row-level OCR warnings, so you must manually reconcile saved dates and profit figures against your broker statement. Screenshot OCR imports additionally report suspect rows (such as an unreadable date or missing profit figure) or rows cut off near the bottom toolbar. Review the newly saved trades right after import and edit or delete any misread row.
Post-import verification checklist and reconciliation example
Treat a newly imported batch as unverified until the saved trade count and net result match your broker history for the same period:
- Match the closed trade count: Compare the number of newly saved rows with the closed positions in your broker report for the exact date range and timezone.
- Check symbols, sizes and prices: Verify the instrument name, Buy or Sell direction, lot size, entry price and exit price on each saved row.
- Remove overlapping or duplicate rows: When importing multiple screenshots or overlapping date ranges, delete any extra rows from an earlier period that were not automatically deduplicated.
- Reconcile commissions and financing fees: Confirm whether commissions and swaps are included in the net result. Do not subtract fees twice if the imported figure already includes them.
- Add planned risk and process notes: Edit each saved trade to record your initial Stop Loss, Take Profit, setup name and entry reason while the decision is still clear.
Here is a hypothetical import reconciliation example. A trader imports two mobile screenshots covering Friday's session, and the newly imported rows show a combined gain of 145 USD. The broker statement for the same day shows a net closed result of 112 USD. Reviewing the saved batch reveals one 25 USD trade from Thursday at the top of the first screenshot and 8 USD in commission and swap fees that were not shown in the compact mobile list.
| Verification step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Imported batch total before verification | 145 USD |
| Remove overlapping prior-day trade | -25 USD |
| Subtract unrecorded commission and swap fees | -8 USD |
| Verified net result matching broker history | 112 USD |
Reconciling the saved batch right after import prevents an overlapping screenshot or missing fee column from distorting your trading journal metrics or your weekly trading journal review.
Copyable import verification checklist
Copy this checklist into your review notes or spreadsheet when importing a batch of trades:
Import source (MT4, MT5, Exness report or screenshot OCR):
Date range and broker timezone:
Account currency:
Closed trade count in broker statement vs imported rows:
Overlapping or duplicate rows removed:
Commission and swap handling (included in row or adjusted):
Suspect or toolbar-hidden rows corrected:
Trades still missing initial Stop Loss, setup or entry reason:
Product boundaries, plans and companion guides
Downloading the free CSV trading journal template requires no account or subscription. You can open it in Excel or Google Sheets and enter trades manually at no cost.
In intent: trade, creating, editing, importing and restoring trades requires an active Standard or Grand subscription. Creating an account does not start a free trial. Signed-in users without an active subscription can still read, export and delete existing trades.
Web plans are Standard at 14.99 USD per month and Grand at 29.99 USD per month, before tax. Annual web subscriptions are Standard at 143.90 USD per year or Grand at 287.90 USD per year, saving 20% compared with 12 months at the regular monthly price, before tax and excluding INTT25. Standard includes screenshot imports and up to 15 AI chart analyses per day. Grand includes up to 50 per day, custom pairs and a weekly AI digest when you log at least three trades in the last seven days.
Compare manual spreadsheets and app workflows in our free versus paid trading journal guide, review currency-specific fields in the forex trading journal guide, see the full daily routine in how to keep a trading journal, or inspect all trading journal features.
For recordkeeping and review. Not investment advice.