Getting your trades into a journal should not feel harder than the trading itself.
That is why TradeDoctorAI gives traders two practical ways to start journaling: you can import your trade history from a file, or you can use SnapJournal to capture trades quickly from screenshots and notes.
Both methods are useful. File import is best when you already have a broker export, spreadsheet, or trade history file. SnapJournal is best when you want to quickly journal a trade from a chart screenshot, especially if you are reviewing manually or do not want to clean up a spreadsheet first.
In this guide, we will walk through both workflows step by step so you can start using TradeDoctorAI to review your trades, find patterns, and understand your trading behavior more clearly.
The faster you get your trades into the journal, the faster your trading data can start teaching you something useful.
Why Importing Trades Matters
A trading journal becomes valuable when it contains enough real trade data to review patterns.
One trade can show a mistake. A full trade history can show a habit.
When you import trades into TradeDoctorAI, you can start reviewing questions like:
- Which setups are working best?
- Which trades are causing the biggest losses?
- Do you trade worse after a losing trade?
- Are you moving stops or increasing risk?
- Do your best trades happen in certain market conditions?
- Are emotional trades hurting your performance?
TradeDoctorAI is designed to help traders move beyond basic logging. Once your trades are imported, you can use AI review to analyze execution, risk, psychology, and repeated mistakes.
The Two Main Ways to Add Trades to TradeDoctorAI
There are two simple ways to bring your trading data into TradeDoctorAI:
| Method | Best For | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| File Import | Importing many trades from a broker export or spreadsheet | CSV, spreadsheet, or trade history file |
| SnapJournal | Quickly journaling trades from screenshots, charts, or manual review | Chart screenshot and short trade notes |
If you already have months of trading data, start with file import. If you want to journal today’s trades quickly, use SnapJournal.
Before You Import: Prepare Your Trade Data
Before uploading anything, take a few minutes to prepare your data. Clean data creates better trade review.
At minimum, your trade file should include:
- Date and time: When the trade opened and closed
- Symbol: The asset, pair, stock, future, or crypto traded
- Direction: Long or short
- Entry price: Where the trade opened
- Exit price: Where the trade closed
- Position size: Lot size, shares, contracts, or units
- Profit or loss: The final result
If you have extra details, include them too:
- Stop loss
- Take profit
- Fees or commissions
- Trade duration
- Strategy or setup name
- Notes
- Tags
You do not need a perfect file to begin. But the more complete your data is, the more useful your TradeDoctorAI analysis can become.
Method 1: How to Import Trades Using a File
File import is the fastest way to add a larger trade history into TradeDoctorAI.
This method is ideal if you have exported trades from your broker, trading platform, prop firm dashboard, or spreadsheet.
Step 1: Export Your Trade History
Start by downloading your trade history from your broker or trading platform.
Look for options such as:
- Account history
- Trade history
- Closed positions
- Export trades
- Download CSV
- Statement export
Most platforms allow you to export trades as a CSV or spreadsheet file. If you are exporting from a broker statement, make sure you are downloading closed trades, not only open positions.
Step 2: Check the Date Range
Choose the period you want to analyze.
For beginners, a good starting point is:
- Last 30 days for a quick review
- Last 3 months for early patterns
- Last 6 months for deeper analysis
- Full trade history if you want the broadest view
If your file is very large, you can start with a smaller period first and add more later.
Step 3: Clean the File If Needed
Before importing, open the file and quickly check that the columns make sense.
Look for:
- Clear column names
- No empty header rows
- No duplicate trades
- Correct date format
- Closed trades only, if that is what you want to review
- Profit and loss shown clearly
You do not need to rebuild the entire spreadsheet. Just make sure the core trade information is readable.
Step 4: Open TradeDoctorAI and Go to Import
Log in to TradeDoctorAI and go to the trade import area.
Choose the file import option and upload your CSV or spreadsheet file.
TradeDoctorAI will use the file to create journal entries from your trade history so you can begin reviewing them inside the app.
Step 5: Match Your Columns
If prompted, match your file columns to the correct TradeDoctorAI fields.
For example:
| Your File Column | TradeDoctorAI Field |
|---|---|
| Instrument | Symbol |
| Open Price | Entry Price |
| Close Price | Exit Price |
| Side | Direction |
| Net P&L | Profit or Loss |
| Volume | Position Size |
This step matters because accurate mapping helps TradeDoctorAI analyze your trades correctly.
Step 6: Review the Import Preview
Before confirming the import, review the preview carefully.
Check a few trades manually:
- Is the symbol correct?
- Is the trade direction correct?
- Are entry and exit prices in the right place?
- Does profit and loss match your broker record?
- Are dates and times accurate?
If something looks wrong, go back and adjust the column mapping or clean the file.
Step 7: Confirm the Import
Once the preview looks right, confirm the import.
Your trades should now appear inside your TradeDoctorAI journal. From there, you can start tagging setups, adding notes, reviewing risk, and using AI analysis.
Step 8: Add Missing Context
Imported files usually include trade facts, but they may not include the full story.
After importing, add context to your most important trades:
- Setup type
- Market condition
- Entry reason
- Exit reason
- Emotion before entry
- Rule adherence
- Screenshot
- Lesson learned
This is where your journal becomes more powerful. The file tells TradeDoctorAI what happened. Your notes help explain why it happened.
Method 2: How to Add Trades Using SnapJournal
SnapJournal is useful when you want to journal trades quickly from screenshots and short notes.
Instead of starting with a broker export, you start with the chart. This is especially helpful for traders who review setups visually, trade manually, or want to capture the thinking behind a trade while it is still fresh.
Step 1: Take a Clear Screenshot of the Trade
Capture the chart you want to review.
For best results, your screenshot should show:
- The traded symbol
- The timeframe
- Entry area
- Exit area, if the trade is closed
- Stop loss area
- Target area
- Key support or resistance
- Relevant indicators, if used
Try not to crop the chart too tightly. TradeDoctorAI needs enough context to understand the setup.
Step 2: Mark the Important Levels
Before uploading, add simple labels if possible.
Useful labels include:
- Entry
- Stop
- Target
- Exit
- Support
- Resistance
- Breakout
- Retest
Keep the screenshot clean. A few clear marks are better than a chart covered in drawings.
Step 3: Open SnapJournal
Go to SnapJournal inside TradeDoctorAI.
Upload your screenshot and prepare to add a short note about the trade.
The goal is to capture the trade quickly without needing a full spreadsheet.
Step 4: Add a Short Trade Description
Write a simple note explaining the trade.
Include:
- What setup you were trading
- Why you entered
- Where your stop was
- Where your target was
- How you felt before entry
- Whether you followed the plan
Example SnapJournal Note
BTC/USD long trade. Setup was a pullback continuation after price retested prior resistance as support. Entry was after bullish confirmation. Stop was below the pullback low. Target was the prior daily high. Emotion before entry was calm. Trade followed the plan.
This gives TradeDoctorAI enough context to create a useful review.
Step 5: Let TradeDoctorAI Review the Screenshot and Notes
Once the screenshot and notes are added, use the AI review to help analyze the trade.
TradeDoctorAI can help you review:
- Setup clarity
- Entry quality
- Stop placement
- Target logic
- Risk-reward
- Emotional context
- Possible mistakes
- Lessons for future trades
This turns a simple screenshot into a more useful journal entry.
Step 6: Save the Trade to Your Journal
After reviewing the SnapJournal result, save it to your TradeDoctorAI journal.
If any details are missing, add them manually:
- Symbol
- Direction
- Result
- R-multiple
- Setup tag
- Emotion tag
- Rule adherence
The more consistent your tags are, the easier it becomes to find patterns later.
File Import vs. SnapJournal: Which Should You Use?
Use file import when you want to bring in many trades at once.
Use SnapJournal when you want to capture the quality of a specific trade visually.
| Use File Import If… | Use SnapJournal If… |
|---|---|
| You have a broker export | You have a chart screenshot |
| You want to import many trades | You want to review one trade quickly |
| You want performance metrics | You want visual trade feedback |
| You already tracked trades elsewhere | You are journaling manually after a session |
| You want to analyze months of data | You want to capture trade context while fresh |
Many traders use both. They import their full trade history with file import, then use SnapJournal for important trades, emotional trades, best trades, worst trades, or trades with chart context that needs deeper review.
Best Practice: Import Data, Then Add Human Context
Trade data alone is helpful, but it is incomplete.
A file can show that you lost -1R on EUR/USD. It may not show that you entered after a losing streak, felt rushed, ignored your confirmation rule, or traded during a choppy session.
That is why the best workflow is:
- Import your trade history.
- Add setup and market condition tags.
- Add emotional notes to key trades.
- Upload screenshots for important trades.
- Use AI review to identify repeated mistakes.
- Review patterns weekly.
This gives TradeDoctorAI both the numbers and the story behind the numbers.
What to Check After Importing Trades
After your trades are inside TradeDoctorAI, do a quick quality check.
- Are all trades showing correctly?
- Are long and short trades labeled properly?
- Are dates and times accurate?
- Are profit and loss values correct?
- Are fees included or excluded?
- Are duplicate trades removed?
- Are partial exits handled correctly?
This step is worth doing. Clean journal data leads to better analysis.
How to Use Imported Trades for AI Review
Once your trades are imported, do not stop at the trade list.
Use TradeDoctorAI to review:
- Your best and worst trades
- Your largest losses
- Your most repeated mistakes
- Your performance by setup type
- Your performance by market condition
- Your risk-reward and R-multiple results
- Your emotional trading patterns
- Your rule adherence over time
This is where importing becomes valuable. The goal is not just to store trades. The goal is to understand what your trading history is trying to show you.
Common Import Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Importing Without Checking the File
Always review your file before uploading. Small column errors can create confusing journal data.
Mistake #2: Only Importing Winning or Losing Trades
Your journal needs the full picture. Import both winners and losers so TradeDoctorAI can analyze patterns honestly.
Mistake #3: Skipping Setup Tags
If every trade is untagged, it becomes harder to find your edge. Tag trades by setup type whenever possible.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Screenshots
Screenshots help explain chart context. Add them to trades where entry quality, stop placement, or market structure matters.
Mistake #5: Treating Import as the Finish Line
Importing is only the beginning. The real value comes from review, diagnosis, and behavior change.
Featured Answer: How Do You Import Trades Into TradeDoctorAI?
You can import trades into TradeDoctorAI by uploading a trade history file, such as a CSV or spreadsheet, or by using SnapJournal to capture trades from screenshots and notes.
File import is best for adding many trades at once. SnapJournal is best for quick visual journaling and reviewing individual trades with chart context.
FAQ
What file should I use to import trades?
Use a trade history export from your broker, platform, spreadsheet, or prop firm dashboard. CSV files are usually the easiest format to work with.
What information should my trade file include?
Your file should include date, symbol, direction, entry price, exit price, position size, and profit or loss. Extra fields like stop loss, target, fees, setup type, and notes can improve review quality.
What is SnapJournal?
SnapJournal is TradeDoctorAI’s screenshot-based journaling workflow. It helps traders capture and review trades visually using chart screenshots and short notes.
Should I use file import or SnapJournal?
Use file import for bulk trade history. Use SnapJournal for individual trades, chart-based review, emotional trades, best trades, worst trades, or any trade where visual context matters.
Can TradeDoctorAI analyze my trades after import?
Yes. Once your trades are imported and organized, TradeDoctorAI can help review performance, identify repeated mistakes, analyze risk, compare setups, and detect emotional trading patterns.
Final Thoughts: Import First, Then Diagnose
Importing trades into TradeDoctorAI is the first step toward better review.
File import helps you bring in your trade history quickly. SnapJournal helps you capture chart context and trade decisions visually. Together, they give you a stronger journal than a simple spreadsheet or memory-based review.
Start by importing your trades. Then add context: setup type, market condition, emotion, risk, screenshots, and lessons. From there, use TradeDoctorAI to analyze what keeps repeating.
The goal is not just to collect trades. The goal is to understand them well enough to trade better next time.