How to export NinjaTrader trades
For journaling, you want executions/fills (not just summary), so partial fills, timestamps, and costs are preserved.
In NinjaTrader, use its reporting/export tools to export executions or trade history to a format you can journal (CSV where available). Focus on the view that contains fills and timestamps.
Make sure commissions/fees are included (or available) and that entry/exit times are present so you can tag sessions and evaluate slippage.
Exports rarely include your stop plan. Add planned risk (stop distance in ticks) and tag each trade by setup and session.
Compute expectancy and profit factor by setup and session-not just overall-so you can identify where edge truly exists.
What fields matter for NinjaTrader journaling
NinjaTrader exports can be detailed-use that to your advantage. These fields make your performance “auditable.”
| Field | Why it matters | How to use it in review |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol + contract type | Micros vs minis change cost impact and behavior. | Segment by symbol + micro/mini. |
| Fill timestamps | Needed for session and hold-time analysis. | Tag RTH/ETH and analyze performance shifts. |
| Fill prices | Lets you compute slippage vs plan and true entry quality. | Compare planned vs actual; identify execution leaks. |
| Quantity (contracts) | Sizing inflates $ without changing edge. | Prefer expectancy in R when size varies. |
| Commissions/fees | Costs are a strategy variable in futures. | Review net, not gross. |
| Net P&L | Only net answers “is this viable?” | Compute PF/expectancy on net results. |
| Planned risk (you add) | Enables realized R and fair comparisons. | Compute realized R per trade. |
| Setup + session tags (you add) | Turns logging into evidence. | PF/expectancy by setup + session. |
Futures vs forex differences (for NinjaTrader journaling)
NinjaTrader is commonly used in futures-style workflows. If you track multiple markets, don’t assume metrics translate 1:1.
- Tick size/value defines risk.
- Costs can flip expectancy.
- Sessions (RTH/ETH) shift edge.
- Pip value changes with pair and lot size.
- Spread is often the main cost.
- Session behavior differs from futures microstructure.
Best journaling workflow for NinjaTrader
This workflow is designed to be repeatable weekly and strict enough to be accurate.
Export executions weekly. Keep raw data to preserve partial fills and timestamps.
Add planned risk, setup tags, and session tags. Consistency creates signal.
Compute expectancy + profit factor by setup/session and decide keep/modify/cut.
Software reduces review friction and keeps tagging consistent as trade volume grows.
FAQ
Does NinjaTrader have a trading journal
NinjaTrader includes reporting and trade history, but most traders still use a dedicated journal to standardize fields, add setup/session tags, and compute review metrics. The goal is weekly decisions, not just a log.
How to export NinjaTrader trades
Export executions or trade history using NinjaTrader’s reporting/export tools. Capture fill timestamps/prices, quantity, commissions/fees, and net P&L. Then add planned risk and tags so you can compute expectancy and profit factor by setup and session.
Ninjatrader trading journal
A NinjaTrader trading journal is a workflow that turns exports into a dataset: costs + net P&L, tick-aware planned risk, realized R, setup tags, session tags, and weekly review metrics to drive decisions.
Free vs paid futures journals comparison
Free templates are best for starting quickly and enforcing correct fields. Paid apps become worth it when they reduce review friction, keep tagging consistent, and make expectancy/profit factor review fast and repeatable. See: free trading journal.