Trading journal guides

Find the guidance that matches the review problem.

Compare journal approaches, understand local-first workflows and see how screenshots, imports and structured review fit together before deciding what belongs in your process.

These resources explain product and journaling workflows. They are not trading advice.

Focused guides and comparisons

Read the guide closest to your current decision.

Each page has a distinct purpose. Start with the question you are actually trying to answer rather than reading everything in order.

Platform and workflow

Choosing a Windows trading journal

Review what a dedicated Windows application changes compared with browser-first tools, including desktop workflow, local journal data and structured review.

Useful when: you are comparing journal formats before installing anything.

Read the Windows journal guide
Workflow comparison

Trading journal vs spreadsheet

Compare the flexibility of a spreadsheet with the built-in structure of a dedicated journal without pretending one option is automatically right for every trader.

Useful when: your spreadsheet works, but maintenance and review are becoming harder.

Compare the workflows
Broker and platform imports

MT4, MT5, cTrader and file imports

Compare FTJ’s read-only MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and CSV workflows and see how platform-level compatibility differs from a short list of individually integrated brokers.

Useful when: you want to know whether FTJ can work with your platform or exported history.

Compare the import workflows
MetaTrader local-terminal imports

MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 history import

Understand how FTJ reads active accounts from selected local terminals, including the MT4 Expert Advisor bridge, the MT5 bridge, history requirements and compatibility boundaries.

Useful when: you use MT4 or MT5 and want clear setup expectations before connecting a terminal.

Read the MetaTrader import guide
Visual review context

Keeping screenshots with journal records

See why chart images become more useful when they remain connected to the trade, notes and structured review fields instead of living in a separate folder.

Useful when: screenshots are important to your review but difficult to organise consistently.

Read the screenshot workflow guide
Privacy and connectivity

Understanding local-first and offline boundaries

Separate the local journal workflow from the internet access still used for installation, updates, licensing and optional broker integrations.

Useful when: data control matters and you want precise expectations rather than a vague “completely offline” claim.

Read the local-first guide

Move from context to product use

Use a guide to decide, then verify the workflow yourself.

Watch the relevant product tutorial or install the free Demo with a small set of real journal records. Full Access is the single paid product level if you later need the complete available feature set.