This Excel commodity trading journal is built specifically for traders working in oil, gold, natural gas, agricultural products, and other commodity markets. Unlike generic trade logs, it includes fields for contract specifications, margin requirements, rollover dates, and seasonal patterns — the details that commodity traders need but general journals ignore. Download it free and start tracking your commodity trades today.
What’s Included
- Trade Log Worksheet — The main entry sheet with columns for commodity, contract month, exchange, entry/exit price, contracts traded, margin used, and P&L calculated from your contract specs
- Contract Specifications Sheet — A reference table for every commodity you trade, including ticker, exchange, contract size, tick value, and initial margin requirement
- Margin Tracker — Tracks margin utilization across open positions so you can see total capital commitment at a glance
- Rollover Date Calendar — A dedicated sheet for logging first notice dates and last trading days for each contract month across your active commodities
- Seasonal Pattern Notes — Space to record seasonal tendencies and compare your actual trade results against historical patterns
- P&L Summary Dashboard — Automatic breakdowns by commodity sector (energy, metals, agriculture) with basic charts showing performance distribution
- Trade Notes Column — Structured fields for recording your thesis, setup type, and post-trade review for each entry
How to Use
Step 1: Set Up Your Contract Specs
Open the Contracts sheet and enter the commodities you actively trade. Fill in columns B through F with the ticker, exchange, contract size, tick value, and margin requirement. For example, crude oil (CL) on NYMEX has a contract size of 1,000 barrels and a tick value of $10. This sheet feeds the P&L formulas in your trade log.
Step 2: Log Each Trade
Switch to the Trade Log sheet and enter each trade in a new row. Select the commodity from the dropdown in column A (populated from your Contracts sheet), then fill in the contract month (e.g., CLM26 for June 2026 crude), entry price, exit price, and number of contracts. The P&L in column J calculates automatically. Add your trade thesis and setup notes in columns K and L.
Step 3: Track Rollover Dates
Use the Rollover Calendar sheet to log first notice dates and last trading days for contracts you hold. Check your broker or the exchange website (CME, ICE, NYMEX) for exact dates each quarter. Highlight any dates falling within your typical hold period so you can plan rolls before deadlines arrive.
Step 4: Review Seasonal Patterns
After building a sample of 20 or more trades, use the Seasonal Notes sheet to review whether your commodity trades aligned with historical seasonal trends. For example, natural gas often rallies into winter heating season — did your long NG trades during October through December outperform your summer entries?
Step 5: Analyze Performance by Sector
The Summary sheet breaks down your P&L by energy, metals, and agricultural sectors. Review which commodity groups generate your best returns and which consistently underperform. This analysis helps you allocate focus and capital toward your strongest commodity markets.
Key Benefits
- Commodity-specific P&L formulas — No manual tick value calculations. Enter prices and contracts, and the spreadsheet handles the math using your contract specs sheet
- Rollover awareness — A dedicated calendar prevents the expensive mistake of holding through first notice date or contract expiration
- Sector-level performance tracking — See whether your edge is in energy, metals, or agricultural markets instead of treating all commodities as one bucket
- Margin visibility — Track how much capital is committed across open positions to avoid margin calls during volatile sessions
Template vs JournalPlus App
| Feature | This Template | JournalPlus App |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Import | Manual entry | Auto-import from 50+ brokers |
| Contract Specs | Manual reference sheet | Built-in specs for 200+ contracts |
| P&L Calculation | Basic formulas with tick values | Real-time with commissions and fees |
| Rollover Tracking | Manual calendar entries | Automatic rollover date alerts |
| Seasonal Analysis | Free-text notes | Historical seasonal overlays on charts |
| Analytics | Summary sheet with basic charts | 30+ metrics including sector breakdowns |
| Price | Free | $159 one-time |
This template is a solid starting point for any commodity trader who wants structured record-keeping without cost. When your trading volume grows and you need automatic imports, real-time analytics, and built-in contract databases, JournalPlus picks up where the spreadsheet leaves off.
Download
Download the free Commodity Trading Journal Excel template and start tracking your oil, gold, and agricultural trades with proper contract-level detail. No account required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fields should a commodity trading journal include?
A commodity journal needs contract specifications (size, tick value, exchange), margin requirements, rollover dates, entry/exit prices, number of contracts, and seasonal context. These fields go beyond what a standard stock journal tracks because commodities have expiration cycles and physical delivery considerations.
Can I use a regular trading journal for commodities?
A general trading journal Excel template works for basic trade logging, but it will miss commodity-specific details like contract months, tick values, margin utilization, and rollover timing. This template adds those fields so your journal reflects how commodity markets actually work.
How do I calculate P&L for commodity trades in Excel?
Multiply the price difference (exit minus entry) by the contract multiplier and number of contracts. For example, a crude oil trade with a $2.50 move on 2 contracts equals $2.50 × 1,000 barrels × 2 = $5,000. This template includes formulas that handle this calculation automatically using your contract specs sheet.
Why track rollover dates in a trading journal?
Missing a rollover deadline can result in physical delivery obligations or forced liquidation at unfavorable prices. Tracking first notice dates and last trading days for each contract month helps you plan rolls in advance and avoid costly surprises. Pair this with a futures trading journal if you trade both commodity and financial futures.
Is this Excel commodity trading journal template really free?
Yes, the template is completely free to download and use. No email or account is required. It includes all worksheets, formulas, and charts described on this page.
