Upload Trades Using a CSV File
For brokers and platforms that do not sync directly with HybridTrader yet
A CSV file is a spreadsheet saved as plain text. Most trading platforms can export one. Upload it to HybridTrader and we will read your trades, help you match the columns, and add them to your journal — no manual entry needed.
1. What is a CSV file?
CSV stands for Comma Separated Values. It is a simple text file that looks like a spreadsheet. Each row is one line of text. Each column is separated by a comma.
You do not need to understand how it works. You just need to export it from your broker platform and upload it here.
2. How the upload works
Uploading a CSV takes three steps. You do not need to do anything technical — the system guides you through each one.
- Upload your file. Drag and drop your CSV file onto the upload area, or click Browse files to find it on your computer. Only
.csvfiles are accepted. Maximum 500 rows per upload. - Match your columns. The system reads your file and tries to guess which column means what. For example, it might see a column called Symbol and understand that this is the instrument. You can check each match and correct any that are wrong. This step only takes a minute.
- Review and confirm. You will see a preview of your trades before anything is saved. Rows with problems are shown clearly. Rows with errors are skipped — the rest are imported cleanly. Choose which trading account to import into, then click Confirm and import.
3. What your file needs
Your file needs a header row (the first row with column names) and at least one data row (a trade). The more information you include, the better your journal will be.
Two fields are always required. Everything else is optional but strongly recommended:
| Field | What it means | Example | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument / Symbol | What you traded | XAUUSD | Yes |
| Entry Price | Price when the trade opened | 2345.50 | Yes |
| Open Time | When the trade was opened | 2026-05-28 09:15 | Recommended |
| Direction | Buy or Sell | Buy | Recommended |
| Size | Lot size, units, or quantity | 0.10 | Recommended |
| Close Price / Exit | Price when the trade closed | 2352.10 | Recommended |
| PnL | Profit or loss from the trade | 65.00 | Recommended |
| Close Time | When the trade was closed | 2026-05-28 11:30 | Optional |
| Fees | Commission or swap charges | 1.20 | Optional |
| Notes | Any text notes about the trade | Breakout setup | Optional |
4. A good CSV example
Here is what a well-formatted CSV file looks like:
Open Time,Instrument,Direction,Size,Entry Price,Close Price,PnL
2026-05-28 09:15,XAUUSD,Buy,0.10,2345.50,2352.10,65.00
2026-05-28 10:30,EURUSD,Sell,0.20,1.08750,1.08420,66.00
2026-05-28 14:05,US100,Buy,1.00,18750.00,18720.00,-30.00- 1The first row (shown in blue) contains the column names. This is the header row.
- 2Each trade is on its own row — one trade per line.
- 3Profitable trades show a positive PnL number.
- 4Losing trades show a negative PnL with a minus sign, for example -30.00.
- 5Prices and sizes use plain numbers only — no currency symbols, no extra words.
5. Column names — flexible but clear
Your broker may use different column names. That is usually fine. When you upload, the system tries to recognise your columns automatically. You can also adjust any suggestions in the mapping step.
For example, the system may understand that:
| Your file says | HybridTrader understands |
|---|---|
Symbol | Instrument / Symbol |
Open Price | Entry Price |
Volume | Size / Quantity |
Profit | PnL |
Open Time | Open Time |
Close Time | Close Time |
Type | Direction (Buy/Sell) |
Commission | Fees |
Ticket | External Trade Reference |
If the system cannot match a column, it will ask you to select it manually. You are always in control.
6. Date and time format
Use a clear, standard date and time format. The recommended format is:
Best format
YYYY-MM-DD HH:MMExample: 2026-05-28 09:15
The system can often handle other common formats. But vague or ambiguous dates will cause problems. Avoid:
28/05/26
Is this May 28 or June 28?
May 28th at 9am
Not a recognised format
yesterday
No exact time
2026.05.28
Dots instead of dashes can confuse parsers
7. Instrument names
The instrument name in your file should match something HybridTrader knows. Standard names work best:
XAUUSDEURUSDGBPJPYGBPUSDUS100US30BTCUSDUSOILDE40Some brokers use their own versions of instrument names. For example:
| Broker name | Likely HybridTrader match |
|---|---|
GOLD | XAUUSD |
NAS100 / USTEC | US100 |
DJ30 | US30 |
XAUUSDm | XAUUSD |
EURUSD.pro | EURUSD |
DE40.cash | DE40 |
XBRUSD | USOIL |
What happens if the system does not recognise the name?
The system will ask you to confirm the match. For example: your file says NAS100 — did you mean US100? Once confirmed, we aim to remember that for next time.
8. Direction — Buy or Sell
Tell us whether each trade was a buy or a sell. Use simple, clear values:
BuySellLongShortBuy and Long mean the same thing. Sell and Short mean the same thing.
Values to avoid:
BSUpDown1-1YOLObuy itSingle letters and shorthand values can cause confusion. If your broker uses 0 and 1, the system may still recognise them — but plain words are always safer.
9. Profit and loss (PnL)
PnL should be a plain number. No currency symbols, no words.
Good
125.50-42.750.00Avoid
£125.50+$125.50Loss 42.75profitPositive = profit. Negative = loss.
A losing trade of 42.75 should be written as -42.75, not 42.75 or Loss 42.75.
10. Common problems
If your upload fails or trades are skipped, check for these common causes:
No header row
The first row must contain column names, not trade data.
Fix: Add a row at the top with names like: Open Time, Symbol, Direction, etc.
Multiple trades in one row
Each row must be exactly one trade.
Fix: Split any combined rows so each trade is on its own line.
Blank rows in the middle of the file
Empty rows confuse the upload.
Fix: Delete any blank rows before saving the file.
Currency symbols in number fields
For example: £100.00 or $42.50.
Fix: Remove the symbol and use a plain number: 100.00 or 42.50.
Commas inside numbers
For example: 1,234.56 — the comma may be read as a new column.
Fix: Use 1234.56 instead. Remove thousands separators.
File saved as .xlsx (Excel format)
HybridTrader reads .csv files, not .xlsx files.
Fix: In Excel, use File → Save As → CSV UTF-8 or CSV.
Screenshot instead of a file
We need the actual CSV file, not an image of it.
Fix: Export the CSV from your broker platform and upload that file.
Merged cells (from Excel)
CSV files should be simple and flat.
Fix: Unmerge all cells before saving as CSV.
11. Export from Excel
If your trade data is in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet:
- Open your spreadsheet in Excel.
- Check that the first row contains clear column names.
- Click File.
- Click Save As.
- Under file type, choose CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited) or simply CSV.
- Click Save. Excel may warn that CSV does not support multiple sheets — that is normal. Click Yes to continue.
- Upload the saved .csv file to HybridTrader.
12. Export from Google Sheets
If your trade data is in Google Sheets:
- Open your Google Sheet.
- Click File in the top menu.
- Click Download.
- Choose Comma Separated Values (.csv).
- The file will download to your computer. Upload it to HybridTrader.
13. Pre-upload checklist
Before uploading, run through this quick check. If you can tick every box, your upload should go smoothly.
Clean file in, clean journal out.
The CSV uploader is designed to work with clean, simple trade data. The closer your file is to the examples in this guide, the smoother the upload will be. If something does not work, contact support and tell us which section of this guide you are stuck on.