At TradeStops, we are committed to your success. We want you to be a Power User – someone who has the confidence to be a self-directed investor. The first step to this is having a portfolio in our system.
This week, we will teach you another portfolio technique.
For those that don’t want to sync their portfolio from their brokerage, there is a solution. It is the CSV upload feature. It is easy to do, and takes just five steps.
Five Steps to Upload
It takes only five steps to successfully import your data from your brokerage directly into TradeStops. You will need to:
- Download your data from your brokerage
- Check your file type
- Upload the file to TradeStops
- Review the data
- Click Finish and Import
For an in-depth explanation of this process, click here.
Downloading Tips
Each broker is different in how they let you download data. You will likely be able to download a spreadsheet of your stocks from wherever you see the list of your stocks. There should be an icon of a downward pointing arrow or text that contains “download.”
If you can’t locate the download button, contact your broker directly. Our customer success agents are happy to help you, but they won’t be able to locate the download button for you at your brokerage.
They might even be able to email it to you. Make sure to ask them to have the file type as a CSV.
Download Location by Internet Browser
Each Internet Browser will put your downloaded file into a folder on your computer. Some Browsers will let you choose where to put the file. For the most part, though, your file will go to your Download folder. You can access it quickly, directly from the Internet.
Chrome
When you click download, the file will appear at the bottom of the page. Just click on the file to open it. You can then work with the file and make any changes you would like.
Remember to save your changes. Pay attention to where the file is saved in your computer.
Firefox
When you download a file with Firefox, it will appear in the top right corner of your page. Click on the downward pointing arrow, and then click on the file name.
The file will then open. Make your changes, and remember to save them. Pay close attention to where the file is saved on your computer.
Internet Explorer
After you download the file, it will appear at the bottom of the page. Click Open to open the file.
Make any changes that you would like, and save the changes. Remember to take a note of where the file is saved on your computer.
Safari
After you download the file, it will go to your folder. To access the file, click on Go and then Downloads. Then, open the file that you just downloaded.
Make your changes, and remember to save them. Pay close attention to where the file is saved on your computer.
Position Tricks
When you download your CSV file, you do not need to include a plethora of information from the broker. The simpler, the better. Let TradeStops do the work for you.
Data to include:
- Column titles
- Symbols
- Entry Dates
- Shares
Do NOT include a comma in the number of shares – only use numbers.
If there are other columns of data, you can just delete that information from the CSV file. You can learn how to edit files here. The CSV file will function the same as a normal Excel file. Make sure to save your changes. You can always ask your broker to do this for you.
The CSV file also does not support options now, so make sure to NOT include options in your file. Errors can occur otherwise. We are considering developing the CSV upload feature to include options in the future. Your options can always be added after the stocks have been uploaded.
Number of Positions Trick
If you have many stocks in one portfolio, it is best to break the CSV file into multiple files. This will help the upload processing time and avoid errors. Again, you can use the link just above to edit your file to make multiple files. You can ask the broker to help you as needed.
Remember, the simpler, the better. The two files can always be combined into one portfolio later in TradeStops after you upload them. Our Customer Success team can help you with doing this. Just please note that an uploaded portfolio cannot be combined with a synced portfolio.
Uploading to TradeStops Tips
You will upload your CSV file to TradeStops from the Portfolios tab in the program.
- Click Add Portfolio
- Click Import from File
- Click Get Started
- Click on the text that says “Click here.”
This will open the File Explorer on your Computer. Locate where you saved your CSV file. Click on the CSV title, and then click Open.
If you forgot to add column titles, that’s okay. Our system will prompt you to add the column titles. Just click on the drop-down box, select the appropriate title, and then click Next.
Follow the rest of the prompts, or use this tutorial link, to finish the import process.
Become a TradeStops Power User
That was a lot of information to take in all at once. It can be a little challenging at first when learning the downloading and uploading process. With a little practice, you will be able to upload your files like a pro.
You’ll be one step closer to being the self-directed investor you always wanted to be.
To Your New Portfolios,
Customer Success Team
