If your broker isn't directly supported by TradeZella, you can still bring your trades in using the Generic CSV upload. Download one of two templates, fill it out, and upload it — or upload your own file and map its columns to TradeZella's fields.
First, make sure your broker is actually unsupported. Check the List of Supported Brokers and Platforms — if yours is on it, use its direct integration instead, which is faster and more reliable than importing a file manually.
How Do I Access the Upload Page and Download the Generic Template?
Go to the Add Trade page.
Click Add New Account.
In the search bar, type "Generic" and select it to create a Generic File Upload account.
On the Upload file screen, choose your format and click Download template under Execution-based format or Trade history format.
Both templates — the Execution-based format and the Trade history format — are also attached at the end of this article for reference.
To upload into an account you already created, click the "+" (Add Trades) button next to your existing Generic File Upload account on the Add Trade page.
Which Format Should I Use — Execution-Based or Trade History?
TradeZella offers two Generic templates. Pick the one that matches how your data is structured.
Execution-Based format — one row per execution, so each buy and each sell gets its own row. TradeZella pairs the executions into complete trades for you. Best for stocks, options, and futures.
Trade History format — one row per completed (closed) trade, with the open and close details on the same row. Best for forex and CFD.
💡 Tip: If you're not sure, check your broker's export. If it lists every fill separately, use the Execution-Based format. If it lists one line per finished trade with an open and close price, use the Trade History format.
How Do I Fill Out the Template?
Open the downloaded template. You'll see the column headers with a few example rows. Add your trades in new rows beneath the headers, then delete the example rows before uploading.
Execution-Based Template Fields
Enter each execution on its own row — including both the buy and the sell — so a single round-trip trade uses two rows.
Date & Time — use the combined Date&Time column, or fill the separate Date and Time columns. Date format is mm/dd/yy (e.g., 10/27/22). Time uses 24-hour format (e.g., 13:44:31); AM/PM is also accepted (e.g., 1:44:31 PM).
Symbol — the asset symbol (e.g., ES, NQ, AAPL).
Buy/Sell — enter Buy or Sell.
Quantity — number of shares or contracts.
Price — the execution price.
Spread — the asset type: Stock, Single (for options), Future, Forex, or Crypto.
Expiration (optional) — contract expiration date, e.g., 28 Oct 22. For futures you can also use a format like JUN 21 without the day.
Strike (optional) — options only; enter the strike price.
Call/Put (optional) — options only; enter Call or Put.
Commission (optional) — commissions for the trade.
Fees (optional) — any additional fees.
Trade History Template Fields
Enter one row per completed trade.
Open Time / Close Time — the timestamps when the trade opened and closed (e.g., 2024-01-15 09:30:00).
Symbol — the asset symbol (e.g., EUR/USD, BTCUSD, ES).
Direction — the direction of the trade: Buy/Sell or Long/Short.
Volume — number of units, lots, or contracts.
Open Price / Close Price — the prices the trade opened and closed at.
P&L — profit or loss for the completed trade.
Spread — the asset type: Stock, Single, Future, Forex, or Crypto.
Commission (optional), Swap (optional), Currency (optional).
Expiration / Strike / Call/Put (optional) — options only.
How Do I Upload My File?
Return to the Upload file screen in TradeZella.
Set the Time zone to match the timestamps in your file.
Set the Date Format to match the dates in your file.
Drag and drop your CSV file into the upload area, or click Upload file to browse for it.
⚠️ Important: Make sure the Date Format you select matches your file. Mismatched date formats cause those rows to be skipped.
If your file's columns match the generic template, your trades import automatically. If they don't, TradeZella opens the column mapping screen (details below).
What If My File Doesn't Match the Template? (Column Mapping)
You don't have to reformat your file to match the template exactly. If TradeZella can't match your columns automatically, it opens a Map columns screen where you match each of your file's columns to the correct TradeZella field.
At the top, choose Execution format or Trade format to match how your file is structured.
TradeZella auto-suggests matches where it can — these show a green Matched status. Set the rest using the dropdown next to each field.
All required fields must be mapped before the Import Trades button becomes active.
Optionally, check "Save this mapping for future uploads to this account" so you won't have to remap next time.
Click Import Trades.
Required fields to map:
Execution format — Date + Time (one combined column or two separate columns), Symbol, Buy/Sell, Quantity, and Price.
Trade format — Open Time, Close Time, Symbol, Direction, Volume, Open Price, and Close Price.
💡 Tip: If you have a lot of trades, or your broker file needs more than column matching — for example, splitting it into separate buy/sell rows, or cleaning it up — you can have an AI assistant reformat it for you. See: How to Use AI (Claude or ChatGPT) to Convert an Unsupported Broker File into TradeZella's Generic CSV Format.
Example: Filling Out the Execution-Based Template
Suppose you’re entering a trade for a Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 Index (MNQ). Here’s how you would fill out the CSV template:
Example Trade Data from an unsupported broker's file:
Data Filled in the Execution History Generic Template:
Because the Execution-Based format uses one row per execution, a single round-trip trade is split into two rows — one for the buy and one for the sell — even though your broker may show it as a single line.
What If My File Is From a Supported Broker?
If the file you upload is actually from a broker TradeZella already supports, TradeZella detects it automatically and shows a Broker detected prompt — for example, "This looks like a TradingView Paper Trading file."
Click Switch to [Broker] to use that broker's dedicated import page, which is set up specifically for that broker's files.
Or click Continue with Generic to keep importing through the Generic template.
Important Notes
Two rows per trade (Execution-Based only): Enter each execution separately, including both the buy and the sell. This applies to the Execution-Based format. The Trade History format uses one row per completed trade.
Match your date format and time zone: Set both to match your file before uploading, or rows may be skipped.
Supported file types: CSV is recommended. TXT and XLSX files are also accepted.
Supported asset types: Stocks, Futures, Options, Forex, Crypto, and CFDs.
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team—we’re here to help!