Getting your trade data into JournalPlus is straightforward regardless of which broker you use. JournalPlus uses universal CSV import that works with any broker worldwide.
The goal: Get your trades flowing from your broker into JournalPlus so you can focus on analysis and improvement instead of data entry.
Step 1: Export Trade History from Your Broker
Each broker has a slightly different export process, but the general steps are the same:
Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- Log in to Client Portal
- Go to Reports > Activity Statements
- Select your date range
- Choose CSV format and download
TD Ameritrade / Charles Schwab
- Open thinkorswim or Schwab.com
- Go to Monitor > Activity and Positions (thinkorswim) or History (Schwab)
- Select date range
- Export as CSV
Robinhood
- Open the Robinhood app or website
- Go to Account > Statements & History
- Download monthly statements or request full data export
IG (UK/Global)
- Log in to IG platform
- Go to My Account > Transaction History
- Select date range and export as CSV
Trading 212
- Log in to Trading 212
- Go to History > Transaction History
- Export as CSV
Fidelity
- Log in to Fidelity.com
- Go to Accounts > Activity & Orders
- Select date range and download as CSV
E*TRADE (Morgan Stanley)
- Log in to E*TRADE
- Go to Accounts > Transaction History
- Select date range and export
Webull
- Open Webull app or website
- Go to Account > Trade History
- Export as CSV
TradeStation
- Log in to TradeStation
- Go to Account > Trade History
- Export as CSV
Generic Broker (Any Other)
- Log in to your broker’s website or app
- Find the Trade History, Statements, or Reports section
- Select your date range
- Download as CSV or Excel
Step 2: Upload CSV to JournalPlus
- Log in to JournalPlus
- Navigate to Settings > Import
- Select your broker from the dropdown list
- Click Upload and select your CSV file
- Wait for the file to process
JournalPlus auto-detects the CSV format for major brokers. If your broker is recognized, fields are mapped automatically.
Step 3: Map Fields to JournalPlus Format
For recognized brokers, field mapping is automatic. For other brokers, you may need to manually map columns:
Required Fields
| JournalPlus Field | What It Means | Common CSV Column Names |
|---|---|---|
| Date/Time | When the trade was executed | Date, TradeDate, Execution Time |
| Symbol | The ticker or instrument | Symbol, Ticker, Instrument |
| Side | Buy or sell | Side, Action, Type, B/S |
| Quantity | Number of shares/contracts | Qty, Quantity, Amount, Shares |
| Price | Execution price | Price, Avg Price, Fill Price |
Optional Fields (Recommended)
| JournalPlus Field | What It Means | Common CSV Column Names |
|---|---|---|
| Fees/Commission | Trading costs | Commission, Fees, Charges |
| P&L | Profit or loss | P&L, PnL, Realized P&L |
| Asset Type | Stock, option, future, etc. | Type, Asset Class, Instrument Type |
| Currency | Trade currency | Currency, CCY |
Mapping these optional fields gives you more accurate analytics. Without fees, your P&L will be gross rather than net.
Step 4: Review and Confirm Import
After mapping, JournalPlus shows you a preview of the imported trades. Check:
- Trade count - Does it match the number of trades in your date range?
- Symbols - Are tickers parsed correctly?
- Prices - Do execution prices look right?
- Dates - Are timestamps in the correct order?
- P&L - If mapped, does P&L look reasonable?
If everything looks correct, confirm the import. Your trades are now in JournalPlus and ready for analysis.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
”Unrecognized CSV format”
Your broker may use a non-standard format. Use the manual mapping option to match columns yourself.
Missing trades
Check that your date range in the broker export covers the period you want. Some brokers only export the current month by default.
Duplicate trades
If you import the same date range twice, JournalPlus will flag potential duplicates. Choose to skip duplicates during import.
Wrong prices or quantities
Check if your broker uses a different decimal format (commas vs periods). Some European brokers use commas as decimal separators.
Currency issues
If your broker reports in a non-USD currency, make sure the currency field is mapped correctly so P&L conversions are accurate.
Setting Up a Regular Import Routine
For best results, make trade importing part of your regular routine:
- After each trading session - Export and import for same-day review
- Weekly - Import the full week every weekend for weekly review
- Monthly - At minimum, import monthly to keep your journal current
The more frequently you import, the more value you get from JournalPlus analytics. Daily imports enable same-day trade review while the context is still fresh.
Why CSV Import Works Well
CSV import is a reliable and flexible approach. Here are its advantages:
- Universal compatibility - Works with any broker that exports data
- Accurate settlement data - CSV files contain your broker’s official figures
- No API keys to manage - No developer accounts, OAuth tokens, or permissions
- Works offline - Export your data even when third-party APIs are down
- Privacy control - You choose exactly when and what data to share
The small effort of downloading and uploading a file is typically under two minutes per import, a worthwhile trade-off for universal broker support.
People Also Ask
Which brokers does JournalPlus support?
JournalPlus supports trade imports from any broker that provides CSV or Excel trade history exports. This includes Interactive Brokers, Charles Schwab, Robinhood, IG, Trading 212, Fidelity, E*TRADE, Webull, TradeStation, and hundreds of others worldwide. There are no native API integrations — all imports are via CSV.
What if my broker is not listed?
If your broker is not in the auto-detect list, you can use the generic CSV import option. Upload your file and manually map the columns (date, symbol, quantity, price, fees) to JournalPlus fields. This works with any broker that exports trade data.
How often should I import my trades?
We recommend importing daily or weekly for the most timely analysis. At minimum, import once per week to keep your journal current. Set a reminder in your trading routine to export and upload after each session.
Can I import from multiple brokers at once?
Yes. JournalPlus supports importing from multiple brokers into a single journal. Each import is tagged with the broker source, and all trades are consolidated in unified analytics. This is ideal for traders who use different brokers for different asset classes.
What file formats are supported?
JournalPlus accepts CSV and Excel (XLS, XLSX) files. Most brokers export in CSV format by default. If your broker only provides PDF statements, you will need to convert them to CSV first using a spreadsheet application.
Will duplicate trades be detected?
JournalPlus includes duplicate detection logic that checks for matching trade date, symbol, quantity, and price. If a potential duplicate is found during import, you will be prompted to skip or override it.
