The TRADING JOURNAL SPREADSHEET

2012-01-25T00:08:00.000-08:00

Excel Skills Builder

Although you don’t need to know much about Excel to use the TJS Trading Journal Spreadsheet, I am sometimes asked, “How can I learn more about Excel?”

There are many books on the subject, along with low-cost courses at your local community college but if you’re looking for an easy interactive way to sharpen your Excel skills, Microsoft has put together a set of online tutorials for Excel.

To learn more, click one of the following links:

Excel 2010 Skills Builder
Excel 2007 Skills Builder
Excel 2003 Training

2012-01-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

New features coming to the TJS Elite!!! *** Beta testers needed ***
Some noteworthy enhancements are:

1) File size is now much smaller - Opens and Saves quicker.
2) TradingLog - New Candlestick (Weekly/Monthly) progress chart.
3) TradingLog - New Equity calculations (Open, Closed, Account).
4) TradingLog - New "Scale In/Out" icon.
5) Macro Automations

TradingLog - 'Quick-click' link to insert new trade rows.
TradingLog - 'Quick-click' link to "Sort" by Exit Date - Great for Swing/Position traders.
TradingLog - 'Quick-click' link to enable and disable the MAE/MFE analysis columns.
Tracking sheet Category headings are now synced with the TradingLog Tracking Code headers.
AUTOMATIC Data-transfer from old file to the new file!

If you are a current TJS Elite (All-in-One) user and would like to get a free advanced beta copy of this v3 version, please contact me at: Greg@TradingSpreadsheets.com

2012

2012-01-03T00:39:00.000-08:00

We're now underway in to a New Year and TJS would like to thank you for your support of the TJS products and wish you much happiness, health and prosperity in 2012.

If you've purchased the new TJS Elite, please know that the product collects no moss around here. We are adding some interesting touches to the Elite versions which should be complete within the next month. 100's of hours spent and substantial expenses on outsource coding, but rest assured... these updates are no charge to existing users.

Keep Tracking & Analyzing!

2011-10-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

Trading Q and A

Q: Is there a way to track other things?... I'm working with 'stops', and I want to track the size stop necessary for each trade so as to not get stopped out.

A: You can certainly track different exit management techniques in the Exit Strategy section of the Tracking sheet. I’ll go into more detail below just in case I didn’t understand your question correctly, and then I’ll comment more just in case there is a hidden question in there somewhere ;-)

2011-10-07T17:56:00.001-07:00

Your Trading "Edge"

In pertaining to the TJS products, your 'edge' can be defined as this: "The TJS will give you the statistical analysis necessary to form the basis of all future decision making processes. The 'edge' simply put, is gaining the confidence knowing your trading plan is working in specific Performance-tracking segments, or knowing when certain aspects of your plan need to be refined, or abolished."

When trading with 'confidence', you are more apt to pulling the trigger each and every time you are presented with an opportunity that your analysis states has a positive expectancy. When trading with confidence and information to back it up, you can justifiably allow for more risk to be taken on those trade-types, gradually increasing your profits over time. Conversely, you will know what is taking away from your bottom-line so your focus can remain on what is working.

...here's to finding your edge!

Trading Progress

2011-07-27T17:56:00.000-07:00

“Trading Progress”… Here are some ways to help you achieve the behavior/psychology needed to reach your goals of becoming a competent market trader.

For more on the psychological part of trading, I really recommend reading, “Trading In The Zone” by Mark Douglas. This is one of my few trading "bibles".

What is a trader, you say?

2011-06-28T14:44:00.000-07:00

Interesting video I just ran across... sums it all up pretty well. Worth a peek.

Update Excel!

2011-06-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

When is the last time you updated Excel or (MS Office)?

If you haven't done so recently, you may want to think about it, especially if you've been incurring issues. Click on the Microsoft "Update Excel" link (above) to download the updates.

You'll also have the ability to set up your updates automatically (from the links on the left side of the Windows Update box).

Quick 'Summary' Using Excel's Status Bar

2011-05-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

For those that don't know... Excel displays a very helpful summary in the (lower status bar) window.

Just scroll & highlight any numeric data column and you'll see some interesting calculations come to life:

* Sum
* Average
* Minimum
* Maximum
* Count (# of items)

Unlike a formula entered into a cell, you cannot permanently keep these results in your trading spreadsheet, but when you want a quick answer to a question on your input area, it can't be beat for its quick and instant display.

To change your choice of what the status bar displays, just right-click in the status bar to see your choices (towards the bottom-half), then check or uncheck the ones you want displayed.

Click the image to see an example using the new TJS Elite.

Bye Bye April... Hello May

2011-05-03T13:10:00.001-07:00

Bye April, hello May! I hope you all had a successful trading month and are eager to continue (or start) your trade-tracking endeavor.

Remember, success does not always mean being profitable, especially for beginning traders. You can judge your success by how well you followed your trading plan, and how diligent you were in recording ...and reviewing your trades.

Let May be the month where you continue tracking your trades, adding key data needed to properly analyze your results and progress. This data will soon present patterns of mini successes and failures so you know what to focus on, and perhaps... what needs to be abolished.

Remember, I am always here to lend a hand if you need any assistance getting up and running with your TJS Trading Journal Spreadsheet. Don't let the file sit in a dark directory somewhere collecting computer dust. Put the file icon front and center on your desktop. Make it your friend and ally and... create some data!

What's next?

2011-05-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

TJS is looking to raise the bar on spreadsheet trade-tracking. We're thinking... all markets from 1-file, menu driven, multiple broker ledger, new design, more tracking capabilities, interactive macros, etc.

What do you think... comments, suggestions... anyone!

2011-05-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

You don't need the luck of the Irish when you're trading with a sound trading-plan and tracking your progress with the TJS!

This St. Patrick's Day -- onward, your best chance for success is to follow your plan, track your trades, then adjust your plan when your analysis suggests to do so.

Be disciplined and keep a detailed trade log for consistency and ultimate success.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Greg at TJS

Forex and Futures - update

2011-05-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

New "Position Sizer" sheet added to the Forex and Futures Pro v7 products.

Never be at a loss as to how many contracts can be purchased. Calculations are based on specific user-defined parameters. This is a great tool to stay consistent with your money management regime, which all consistently profitable traders adhere to.

Current "Pro v7" product users can get this updated file for free. Just go to the (link above) and submit the form.

Options traders - update

2011-05-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

Options traders -- Revised formula for (# Days in Trade)... The calculation will now allow you to calculate the # Days in Trade without having to enter an exit date. Good for those trades that expire without an actual exit. You'll just leave the Exit Date column blank. When the trade expires, the sheet will tell you, and automatically... display the # of Days that the trade lasted.

Please email me if you would like the formula for this column, or send me your file so I can make the adjustment for you.

Thank you fellow user Karl for submitting and contributing this revision.

Forex Survey Poll

2011-05-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

January 4, 2011
For all Forex TJS users... Take this poll to help create a better trade-tracking experience!

January 17, 2011
The Forex TJS survey/poll is in... If you'd like to view the results, please click on this link, then scroll down to the bottom of the page.

A special thanks to those that took the time to participate. You may see some exciting revisions to your next Forex product version : )

Using Excel's Auto Filter feature...

2011-05-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

Let's assume you have a good amount of data that lends itself to being fitered, and you wish to separate specific trading criteria for a list of trades. This can easily be done with Excels Auto Filter feature, and most TJS products are already pre-programmed to make use of this feature, with just a click of the mouse.

Want to know more? Click the link above.

Attaching chart screenshots to the TJS

2011-05-03T11:56:00.000-07:00

Are you reviewing your trades properly? One great way to review your trades is to attach your trading chart screenshots of each trade, to your TJS journal.

Personally, I take just one screenshot and hyperlink it to the symbol of each trade. However, with that one screenshot I show multiple views of the trade with various timeframes and notaded with specifics like: Support/Resistant points, Trendlines, Entries, Stop price, Target price, Scale out exits, and final Exits.

I'll then do a periodic review of my trades, comparing the notes of each trade (from the Entry/Exit Journal section) to the screenshots. It can be enlightening!

However you wish to do it, some variance of the process... should be done, to really make your journal complete.

Trading Journals and Trading Plans - Starting Anew

2011-05-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

By Greg Thurman

Just recently, I was asked my recommendation on whether or not I would start my trading journal over as we were approaching the new trading year. Here was my response...

[READ FULL ARTICLE]

Trading Journal - What is the minimum data you MUST record?

2011-05-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

Created by Lance Beggs of YourTradingCoach.com, using the TJS v4 product

Feb 5, 2009

Trading Journal or Trading Spreadsheet - Waste of Time?

2011-05-03T11:24:00.000-07:00

By Greg Thurman

As a full-time day trader now for nearly six years, I know what a roller-coaster life can be when first entering the market arena. I also know how much easier your trading life can be with the proper tools, tactics and mindset.

[READ FULL ARTICLE]

New TJS product - Pro v7

2011-05-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

Newly updated product line information is now on the www.TradingSpreadsheets.com site, and ready for delivery. If you are a current user of an older TJS version and would like to upgrade to the new "Pro v7" product, please let me know - you have a 50% discount coupon waiting for you!