Frequently Asked Questions
General
Does FTJ require an internet connection?
No. FTJ is fully offline. An internet connection is only needed for two optional features:
Fetching exchange rates.
Connecting to cTrader for broker integration.
Where is my data stored?
Everything is stored in a local database file (e.g. C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\TradingJournal.db).
There is no cloud storage, no accounts, and no telemetry. You fully own your data.
Can I back up my data?
Yes - simply copy the .db file to a backup location.
Can I use FTJ on Mac or Linux?
Not currently. FTJ is a Windows desktop application. There are no immediate plans for macOS or Linux ports.
Can multiple people use the same database?
FTJ is designed for single-user operation. If you need multi-user access, each user should maintain their own database file.
Trades & Data
Why is my P&L showing as zero for some trades?
This usually means a missing exchange rate. If the trade’s currency differs from the account’s base currency, FTJ needs an exchange rate to convert. Check the Rates view for missing rates, or click Fetch Rates to download them automatically.
What happens if I import the same file twice?
Duplicate trades are detected based on a combination of entry date, instrument, direction, and entry price. If an imported trade matches an existing trade on these fields, it is skipped to prevent duplicates. You can safely re-import the same file without creating duplicate entries.
Can I edit imported trades?
Yes. Once imported, trades are fully editable like any manually created trade. You can add strategies, confluences, journal notes, images, and self-reflections.
How do I delete all my trades and start fresh?
The easiest way is to create a new database from Settings → New Database. Alternatively, you can delete individual trades from the Trades view.
What does “Derived from executions” mean?
This badge appears when a trade’s entry/exit data is computed from individual execution fills rather than being entered manually. The aggregated values (VWAP, total quantity, total fees) are calculated automatically.
Analytics
Why are some charts empty?
Charts require sufficient data to render. Most need at least a few closed trades. The drawdown chart and equity curve need trades sorted by date with valid P&L values. Risk metrics need at least 10 closed trades.
Broker Integration
Which brokers are supported?
Currently, cTrader-powered brokers are supported. This includes brokers that use the cTrader platform (Pepperstone, IC Markets, FxPro, Spotware, etc.).
Is my broker login stored securely?
FTJ uses OAuth 2.0 for cTrader authentication. Your broker credentials are never stored in FTJ - only an access token and refresh token are stored locally. These tokens can be revoked from your cTrader account settings at any time.
Troubleshooting
FTJ is running slowly.
If your database has grown very large (10,000+ trades with many images), performance may degrade. Try:
Reducing image sizes in Settings (lower max dimensions or file size).
Closing other resource-heavy applications.
Use the Database Recovery option in Settings to optimize the database file.
I see garbled characters in imported data.
This is likely an encoding issue. Save your CSV file as UTF-8 before importing. FTJ auto-detects encoding, but some exotic encodings may not be handled correctly.
The application crashed - did I lose my data?
Your data is safe. FTJ saves to the database immediately when you click “Save Changes”. Unsaved edits (changes made since the last save) may be lost, but all previously saved data is intact.
Community & Support
For help and discussion, join the Forgalis community on Discord:
Please note that support is community-driven and not provided via email.