A professional trading journal is one of the most effective tools a trader can use to improve decision-making, maintain discipline, and analyse performance over time.
This guide explains what a trading journal online is, how to build one, which core components it must include, and how ready-made templates can help beginners stay consistent. We also include practical trading journal examples you can use when working across Forex, stocks and CFDs.
What Is a Trading Journal Online and Why Traders Need One
A trading journal online is a structured record of your trades, decisions and outcomes. Traders use it to review performance, identify behavioural patterns, and stay accountable to their strategies.
A journal trading set-up helps you:
- Track entries, exits and rationale.
- See which strategies work consistently.
- Understand how emotions affect performance.
- Improve discipline by recording every trade.
For those new to trading, a journal provides clarity. For experienced traders, it becomes a data-driven diary that supports continuous improvement. You can explore more trading concepts in the ActivTrades Education Centre.
Trading Journal Format – Key Components Every Journal Should Include
A clean trading journal format helps you capture information in a way that can be reviewed quickly. The best trading journal set-ups generally include:
- Trade Information: Instrument, position size, direction, date and time.
- Strategy Notes: Why you entered, signals used, and pre-trade conditions.
- Risk Parameters: Stop-loss, take-profit, risk-reward ratio and volatility considerations.
- Emotional Notes: Your mindset before, during and after the trade.
- Results & Outcomes: Profit, loss, duration and deviations from the plan.
- Post-Trade Review: What worked, what didn’t, and what you will change next time.
This level of detail turns raw trade entries into actionable insight.
Trading Journal Template - Ready-Made Formats for Beginners
Using a structured trading journal template helps beginners build consistency from day one. Templates ensure you track the same data each time, making it easier to compare results over weeks and months.
Excel Trading Journal Template
An Excel trading journal template provides clear columns and formulas for calculating metrics such as win rate, average return and risk-reward. It suits traders who prefer offline, spreadsheet-based analysis.
Common features include automatic P/L tracking, running totals and customisable filters.
Google Sheets Trading Journal Templates
A Google Sheets trading journal template works well for traders who need cloud access. You can update the journal from any device, collaborate with mentors, or store long-term performance data.
It supports simple automation, colour coding and easy duplication.
Free Trading Journal Template
Many traders start with a free trading journal template to test different formats. These templates often include basic trade logs, space for notes, and simple performance metrics.
Free options exist across Excel, Google Sheets and PDF formats, giving beginners a way to start without commitment.
Trading Journal Examples
Below are simplified trading journal examples showing how traders might complete entries across different markets.
Example 1 – Forex Trade
- Asset: EUR/USD
- Strategy: Breakout after consolidation
- Entry: 1.0852
- Stop-Loss: 1.0830
- Notes: Entered when price broke resistance; aligned with strong CPI data.
- Result: +24 pips; execution aligned with plan.
Example 2 – Stock CFD Trade
- Asset: Tech company share-CFD
- Strategy: Reversal on daily support
- Entry: Support bounce with increased volume
- Notes: Strong earnings expected; monitored risk.
- Result: -0.7% due to early stop triggered. Review timing.
Example 3 – Index Trade
- Asset: GER40
- Strategy: Trend continuation
- Emotional Notes: Slight hesitation after previous loss.
- Outcome: +1.2% with disciplined exit.
These trading journal samples help traders think through each stage of the process.
Trading Journal Online for Forex, Stocks and CFDs
How you use your trading journal may differ across markets:
Forex Trading Journal
- Often includes pip values, spreads and sessions.
- Traders track macro events and liquidity windows.
Learn more about currency markets at the ActivTrades Forex Page.
Stock Trading Journal
- Focuses on earnings, sectors, corporate news and volatility.
- Journals may include notes on long-term fundamentals.
CFD Trading Journal
- Tracks leverage, overnight financing and risk controls.
- Helps traders understand how contract size and margin affect performance.
Each market requires slightly different metrics, but the structure of the journal remains consistent.
Best Practices for Using Your Online Trading Journal
To get value from your journal trading set-up, consistency matters more than complexity.
Here are best practices used by disciplined traders:
Daily Habits
- Record every trade immediately.
- Track emotional responses honestly.
Weekly Reviews
- Identify patterns in wins and losses.
- Check adherence to strategy rules.
Monthly and Quarterly Reviews
- Assess overall performance.
- Review major mistakes and strengths.
- Adjust strategy only when supported by data.
An online trading journal is most effective when combined with sound risk management and a structured routine.
Online Trading Journal - FAQs
What is a trading journal?
A trading journal is a record of your trades, strategies, and outcomes, helping you review and improve your performance.
Why should beginners use a trading journal?
It helps beginners track progress, develop discipline and understand which decisions lead to better outcomes.
Can I use a trading journal online?
Yes. Many traders use online trading journal tools across Google Sheets, spreadsheets or purpose-built platforms.
What should a trading journal diary include?
It normally includes trade details, strategy notes, risk parameters, emotional observations and post-trade reviews.
Is a free trading journal enough?
For most beginners, a free version provides everything needed to start building consistency.
The information provided does not constitute investment research. The material has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is to be considered to be a marketing communication.
All information has been prepared by ActivTrades (“AT”). The information does not contain a record of AT’s prices, or an offer of or solicitation for a transaction in any financial instrument. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information.
Any material provided does not have regard to the specific investment objective and financial situation of any person who may receive it. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. AT provides an execution-only service. Consequently, any person acting on the information provided does so at their own risk. Forecasts are not guarantees. Rates may change. Political risk is unpredictable. Central bank actions may vary. Platforms’ tools do not guarantee success.