A spreadsheet journal: a record you can understand

What a spreadsheet provides

A spreadsheet lets you choose fields, filter records and keep explanations alongside results. It can be enough at the beginning if you have relatively few exercises and maintain a stable format. This assessment describes a workflow without comparative application testing. The distinction between CSV and workbook formats is based on official Microsoft documentation reviewed on 12 October 2026.

Start with a small table

Use one row per trade or decision and assign a unique identifier. Keep the date and time zone, instrument, scenario, planned rule, action taken, simulated costs and review. Distinguish information recorded at decision time from later comments. A screenshot link can preserve context if the file exists and remains accessible. Include deliberate decisions to stay out when relevant to the exercise.

• Use short tags with consistent definitions.
• Mark unknown data as pending rather than turning it into zero.
• Separate new exercises from repeats of familiar scenarios.

Save without losing your work

CSV exchanges rows and columns but does not preserve a complete workbook structure, charts or formatting. Save your analysis workbook as XLSX or ODS, using CSV for interchange. On import, check encoding, delimiters, dates and numeric fields. Review sample records and the row count before analysing the full dataset.

A simple review

Net result equals gross result minus costs that have not already been included. Avoid subtracting them twice. Review rule adherence separately: a profitable simulated trade can contain a process error. Keep dated backups and omit login details or personal identification. The journal’s usefulness depends on the quality and continuity of its records.