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CSV Import Troubleshooting

Having trouble importing trades from your broker? This guide covers common issues and how to solve them for each supported broker.

Check Your Broker's Export Guide

Each broker has specific export steps. Make sure you're exporting the correct file type from the right location in your broker's platform.

General Import Issues

Language Requirement: English Only

Important: Tradavity only supports CSV exports in English. If your broker platform is set to a different language, column headers and data formats will be different and the import will fail.

Before exporting, set your broker platform to English:

  • NinjaTrader: Tools > Options > General > Language > English
  • MetaTrader 4/5: View > Languages > English
  • TradingView: Profile icon > Language > English
  • Tradovate: Settings > Language > English

After changing language, restart the platform and then export your trades.

Why English Only?

Each broker uses specific column headers (like "Entry price", "Profit", "Side") that we parse to extract your trade data. Translated headers won't be recognized.

"File format not recognized"

Cause: You uploaded the wrong file type or selected the wrong broker.

Solutions:

  • Verify you selected the correct broker in the import dialog
  • Make sure the file is CSV format (not XLSX, PDF, or HTML)
  • Check you exported from the correct section of your broker's platform
  • Try a different export type if your broker offers multiple options

"CSV file is empty"

Cause: The file has no data rows, only headers (or nothing at all).

Solutions:

  • Check you have trades in the date range you exported
  • Try exporting a different date range
  • Open the file in a text editor to verify it has content

"Missing columns" error

Cause: The CSV doesn't have the required columns for that broker/export type.

Solutions:

  • You may have selected the wrong export type (e.g., "Orders" instead of "Trades")
  • Try a different export option from your broker
  • See broker-specific requirements below

No trades appear after upload

Cause: The file parsed but no valid trades were found.

Solutions:

  • Check the date filter in the import preview
  • Make sure trades are closed (open positions may not import)
  • Verify you have actual trades, not just orders or deposits

Trades grouping incorrectly

Cause: Your grouping settings don't match your trading style.

Solutions:

  • Go to Settings > Grouping and try a different mode
  • Use "Per Order" mode for maximum control
  • Use manual merge in the preview to combine trades
  • See CSV Import Guide for grouping details

TopStepX

How to Export

  1. Log into your TopStepX account
  2. Go to the Trades or Orders tab
  3. Click Export at the bottom right
  4. Select your date range
  5. Save the CSV file

Which Export Type?

  • Trades - Recommended for quick import with pre-grouped trades and P&L
  • Orders - Use if you need detailed execution data or SL/TP detection

Common Issues

  • Import fails: Make sure you select the matching type in Tradavity (Trades or Orders)
  • Empty file: Verify you have closed trades in the selected date range

NinjaTrader

How to Export (NinjaTrader 8)

  1. Open Control Center and go to Trade Performance
  2. Click the Display dropdown and select Trades or Executions
  3. Set your desired date range and click Generate
  4. Right-click the results and select Export
  5. Choose CSV as the save type

Which Export Type?

  • Trades - Recommended for pre-grouped trades with P&L and bonus metrics (MAE/MFE)
  • Executions - Use for individual fills with Entry/Exit markers

Common Issues

  • Import fails: Verify your CSV contains the proper headers. Don't open and re-save in Excel - it may change the format
  • Wrong date format: Select the correct date format during upload in Tradavity

Tradovate

How to Export

  1. Open Tradovate desktop application
  2. Go to the ACCOUNTS tab and select your account
  3. Click the gear/settings icon next to your account
  4. Select Position History, Fills, or Orders tab
  5. Enter your date range and click Go
  6. Click Download Report

Which Export Type?

  • Position History - Recommended for pre-matched trades with P&L
  • Fills - Individual execution details
  • Orders - Order-level data with status

Common Issues

  • Import fails: Make sure you select the matching type in Tradavity
  • Missing commissions: Tradovate exports may not include commissions - add manually after import
  • Wrong timezone: Data exports in local timezone - ensure correct timezone selection during import

TradingView (Paper Trading)

How to Export

  1. Open any chart and select Paper Trading at the bottom
  2. Click the three-dot menu on the History table
  3. Select all columns (Side, Type, Qty, Price, Fill Price, Status, Commission, etc.)
  4. Click the TradingView logo dropdown and select Export data
  5. Choose Balance History or Order History

Which Export Type?

  • Balance History - Recommended for pre-matched trades with P&L
  • Order History - Individual orders with fill data
Select All Columns

If your file fails to upload, it may be due to missing columns. Make sure you select all columns when exporting.

Common Issues

  • Import fails: Ensure all columns are selected before exporting
  • Wrong date format: Select the correct date/time format during upload
  • Paper trading only: For real broker trades, export from your actual broker

MetaTrader 4 (MT4)

How to Export

  1. Open MT4 and locate the Terminal window
  2. Go to the Account History tab
  3. Right-click and select your time period (All History, Last 3 Months, etc.)
  4. Right-click again and select Save as Report
  5. Save the HTML file to your computer
HTML Format

MT4 exports as HTML, not CSV. This is normal - Tradavity handles HTML reports.

Common Issues

  • Import fails: The HTML file must be in English. Go to View > Languages > English before exporting
  • Empty report: Select "All History" to include all closed trades
  • Wrong broker: Download MT4 from your specific broker, not a generic source

MetaTrader 5 (MT5)

How to Export

  1. Open MT5 and access the History tab in the Terminal window
  2. Right-click, choose Orders, and select your time period
  3. Right-click again and select Report > HTML
  4. Save the HTML file to your computer

Common Issues

  • Import fails: The HTML file must be in English. Go to View > Languages > English before exporting
  • Wrong broker: Download MT5 from your specific broker (e.g., forex.com users need forex.com's MT5)

Duplicate Trades

Problem: Same trades appear multiple times after importing.

Cause: Tradavity doesn't automatically detect duplicates. If you import the same date range twice, you'll have duplicate entries.

Solutions:

  • Before importing, check Trade History for existing trades in that date range
  • Use the date filter in import preview to select only new trades
  • If duplicates exist, use Select mode in Trade History to bulk delete them

Wrong P&L Calculations

Problem: P&L values don't match what your broker shows.

Possible causes:

1. Multiplier issues (Futures)

  • Each futures contract has a specific multiplier (ES=$50, MES=$5, NQ=$20, etc.)
  • Tradavity auto-detects common symbols, but may miss unusual ones
  • Edit the trade and set the correct multiplier manually if needed

2. Fees not included

  • Some exports include fees, others don't
  • Check if your export has a fees/commission column
  • Add fees manually after import if needed

3. Currency mismatch

  • Make sure your trading account currency matches your broker
  • Some brokers report in different currencies

4. Partial vs full position

  • If you scaled in/out, P&L may be split across trades
  • Check grouping settings to combine related executions

File Size Limits

If your file is very large:

  • Export a smaller date range
  • Split into multiple imports
  • Maximum file size is 10MB

Still Having Issues?

If you can't resolve your import issue:

  1. Note the exact error message
  2. Note which broker and export type you selected
  3. Save a copy of your CSV file (remove any sensitive account numbers)
  4. Contact Support with these details

Include:

  • Broker name and platform version
  • Export type you used
  • The error message
  • A sample of the CSV data (first few rows, redact account numbers)