Complete Guide to Trading Journal Templates
Discover the best trading journal templates, where to download free ones, how to customize them, and how our TradeJournal dashboard gives you ready-made templates you can edit or use straight away.
Why Use a Trading Journal Template?
A trading journal template isn't just a log of your trades—it's your tool for improvement. As trading experts emphasize: consistent actions lead to consistent results.
"One of the biggest take-aways is you must have a consistent set of actions."
Pattern Recognition
By logging trades via a consistent format, you'll start spotting what works and what doesn't. Identify your winning setups and eliminate losing patterns.
Emotional Awareness
Capture emotional states like fear, greed, and distraction—so you stop trading on autopilot and start making conscious decisions.
Objective Decision-Making
With structured data, you can review actual performance instead of relying on memory—making smarter, data-driven adjustments.
Tracking for Success
Free templates (Excel, Google Sheets, web apps) reduce setup work so you can focus on using your journal rather than building one from scratch.
What Fields Should Your Template Include?
A comprehensive template captures more than date, symbol, and profit. It should cover the before, during, and after of every trade.
Before the Trade
When you identified the setup
What you're trading (e.g., EUR/USD, USDZAR)
Long (buy) or Short (sell)
Why you're entering this trade
Percentage of account at risk
Where you'll exit if wrong
Your profit target
Expert insight: "The journal should include strategy name, direction, dates, prices, size, drawdown, risk/reward, profit/loss and emotional notes." — Quantified Strategies
Where to Get Free Trading Journal Templates
Compare the best free and paid template options available for South African traders:
TradeZella
Spreadsheet
Features:
Pros
Cons
Best for: Beginners testing journaling
Tradervue
Web Platform
Features:
Pros
Cons
Best for: Active traders wanting automation
HighStrike Template
Google Sheets
Features:
Pros
Cons
Best for: Risk-conscious traders
TradeJournal Dashboard
Custom Platform
Features:
Pros
Cons
Best for: Serious traders wanting premium features
Pro Tip: Start with Free, Customize Later
Pick one of these templates to start immediately, then customize it to your trading style and goals. Don't overthink it—the best template is the one you'll actually use consistently.
How to Use and Customize Your Template
Follow these steps to maximize the value of your trading journal template:
Choose Your Format
Select between spreadsheet, physical journal, or dedicated software
Spreadsheet
Free, flexible, good for manual tracking
Physical Journal
Good for minimalists who prefer writing
Journal Software
Analytics, auto-import, professional features
Customize to Your Style
Tailor the fields to match your trading approach
Forex Traders
Add currency pair, spread, slippage fields
ZAR Focus
Include local broker, ZAR conversion fields
Strategy-Specific
Add fields for your unique setup types
Commit to Consistency
Log every trade using the same format every time
Immediate Logging
Record trades right after closing
Pre-Trade Planning
Fill setup fields before entering
Same Format Always
Build meaningful, comparable data
Use TradeJournal Dashboard
Or leverage our preset templates in the dashboard
Choose Template
Pick from ready-made professional templates
Edit to Fit
Customize fields to your trading style
Log Directly
Track trades in one integrated platform
Review & Analyze
Systematically review your journal for insights
Weekly Review
Spot repeated mistakes and triggers
Monthly Metrics
Calculate win rate, P&L, expectancy
Filter & Tag
Find patterns by strategy, time, instrument
Step 4 Shortcut: Use TradeJournal's Dashboard
As part of the TradeJournal service, we give you preset trading journal templates in our custom dashboard builder. You can:
- Choose one of our ready-made templates designed by professional traders
- Edit it to fit your trading style (add/remove fields with a few clicks)
- Log your trades directly in the dashboard for seamless review and analytics
This ensures you're using a professionally designed journal template without building from scratch.
Step 5: Review and Analyze Regularly
Your journal is only valuable if you review it systematically. Here's how to extract maximum insights:
Weekly Review
Check for repeated mistakes, emotional triggers, and which setups are winning or losing consistently.
- Pattern identification
- Emotional awareness
- Quick corrections
Monthly Review
Calculate key metrics like win rate, average profit/loss, expectancy, and compare to your goals.
- Win rate calculation
- Average P/L analysis
- Goal tracking
Filter & Tag
Tag trades by strategy, time of day, and instrument to filter and find specific patterns.
- Strategy comparison
- Time-based analysis
- Instrument performance
"A trading journal helps you find your edge in the markets."
— Trading expert Rayner Teo emphasizes that systematic review is where the real learning happens.
6 Tips to Get Maximum Value from Your Template
Follow these practical tips to ensure your trading journal template becomes a powerful tool for improvement:
Start Simple
Over-complex journals don't get used. Begin with core fields and add more as you develop the habit.
Add Visual Context
Include screenshots or chart clips where possible. Visual context helps you remember the trade setup.
Rate Your Trades
Use A/B/C grades to reflect on strategy execution and emotional control, not just profit.
Tag Everything
Categorize by strategy, instrument, session time so you can filter and compare performance.
Learn, Don't Just Log
Review entries to understand what didn't work and why you deviated from your plan.
Set Concrete Goals
E.g., 'Reduce emotional trades by 30%' or 'Increase Strategy X win rate by 5%'.
Trader Wisdom: Keep It Simple
"My number one suggestion for novices is to keep a journal. There is power in simplicity." — Experienced trader on Reddit
Don't let the perfect become the enemy of the good. Start with a simple template and evolve it over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a trading journal template?
A trading journal template is a pre-formatted spreadsheet or tool that lets you log every trade (entry, exit, size, strategy, emotion, and more) in a consistent way so you can review and improve your performance over time. It provides structure to ensure you capture all critical information.
Can I get a free trading journal template?
Yes! There are many excellent free options online: spreadsheets from TradeZella, downloadable templates from HighStrike, and even full journal platforms with free plans like Tradervue. Download one of these and customize it to match your trading style and preferences.
What fields should my trading journal template include?
At minimum: date/time, instrument, entry price, exit price, position size, profit/loss, and reason for trade. Best-in-class templates also include: stop-loss, take-profit, emotional state, strategy name, market conditions, and screenshot/chart reference. More detail leads to better insights.
How often should I review my trading journal?
You should log trades as soon as they're closed (or during if needed). Then: Weekly - look for patterns and mistakes; Monthly - calculate metrics like win rate, average P/L, expectancy, and compare to your goals; Quarterly - make strategic adjustments to your trading plan based on what the data shows.
What makes TradeJournal's templates special?
With TradeJournal, you get preset journal templates inside our custom dashboard builder. You can choose one of our professionally designed templates or edit and tailor them to your exact trading style. Then log your trades directly in the same dashboard, enabling seamless review and analytics designed specifically for South African traders and beyond.
Should I use Excel, Google Sheets, or dedicated software?
It depends on your needs. Excel/Google Sheets are free, flexible, and work offline—great for beginners. Dedicated software like Tradervue or TradeJournal offers auto-import, advanced analytics, and cloud access—ideal for serious traders who want automation. Start simple, then upgrade as your needs grow.
Start Journaling Today and Transform Your Trading
A great trading journal template is one of the most under-utilized tools for serious traders. By choosing the right template, customizing it to your needs, using it diligently, and reviewing your data systematically, you give yourself the real advantage of clarity, discipline, and continuous improvement.
At TradeJournal, we've made it simple: pick a built-in trading journal template from our dashboard, customize it to your trading style, and start logging your trades today. You'll be amazed at how quickly you uncover patterns, improve your strategy, and build consistent performance.