Journal
The Expert Advisor Builder creates an automated trading journal during each test run. The generation and export of this trading journal are always active. This journal is populated with valuable data that can be used to scrutinize the trading module through an Excel file or an automated process. Please be aware that the analysis performed by an automatic process is not included in this user manual.
Concept diagram
The concept diagram provided below depicts the function block associated with this page.
Folder path and data organization
The Expert Advisor Builder saves its output in a designated tester folder. This folder can be conveniently accessed through the Windows start menu or via a shortcut set up on your Windows desktop. Both options are illustrated below.
Alternatively, enter the following line into your Windows file explorer path to access the Journal output folder.
%AppData%\MetaQuotes\Terminal\Common\Files\FEA Trading Tester Data\Expert Advisor Builder 2.0\Journal
In both scenarios, you will encounter the following folders. Please navigate as shown in the illustration until you find the Journal Evaluation Excel file.
Open this file with Microsoft Excel and follow the steps in the Import sheet.
Data import
The trading journal's raw output is a CSV file. This file can be used for direct, computer-assisted processing or imported into the pre-formatted Excel journal file. To import the trading data, open the Excel file and click the Import button on the Import sheet.
To reproduce the journal in this chapter, you can download and use the SET file package um_eab_fojo_4_v_2_0.zip.
The import process may take a few seconds, depending on the volume of raw journal data. The Excel journal file should be in the same folder as the Final output folder, which contains the raw CSV export generated by the Expert Advisor Builder. The Excel file is automatically generated in the correct folder.
Further down this page, you'll find examples of each automatically generated journal diagram. These comprehensive data diagrams provide an easy-to-understand overview of your trading history. Each diagram can be displayed or hidden according to your visual preferences.
It requires installing Microsoft Excel on your computer and enabling the macro feature. Excel will prompt for this when opening the Journal Evaluation file for the first time. Please enable the content. If you are missing the evaluation Excel file, you can download it here.
Diagram - Equity
This diagram illustrates the progression of equity over a series of trades. The vertical axis represents account equity, while the horizontal axis denotes the number of trades executed.
Diagram - Volume (in lots)
This diagram displays the volume associated with each trade. The vertical axis shows the volume size in standard lots, and the horizontal axis indicates the number of trades executed.
Diagram - SL/TP Maxed Out (in %)
This diagram depicts the proximity of the actual price to the stop loss and take profit limits. The vertical axis signifies the price changes in pips towards the stop loss and take profit levels. In contrast, the horizontal axis represents the holding time of a trader, measured in milliseconds. Each trade is denoted by a pair of squares: red and green.
Diagram - Performance (in %)
This diagram demonstrates the performance at the end of each trade. The vertical axis illustrates the performance in percent, starting from zero at the beginning of the journal record. The horizontal axis shows the number of trades executed. Positive values indicate good trading performance and vice versa.
Diagram - Drawdown (in %)
This diagram portrays the drawdown at the end of each trade. It is represented as a positive percentage value on the vertical axis, with zero indicating a good value. The larger the drawdown, the worse the trading strategy. The horizontal axis illustrates the number of closed trades.
Diagram - Commission, Swap, Profit
This diagram portrays the drawdown at the end of each trade. It is represented as a positive percentage value on the vertical axis, with zero indicating a good value. The larger the drawdown, the worse the trading strategy. The horizontal axis illustrates the number of closed trades.
Diagram - Slippage Open
This diagram represents the slippage encountered when opening each trade. The horizontal axis illustrates the number of closed trades, while the vertical axis shows the slippage as an absolute price difference. These values can be used to evaluate your broker's order execution quality, with lower values being better.
Diagram - Slippage Close
This diagram represents the slippage encountered when closing each trade. The horizontal axis illustrates the number of closed trades, while the vertical axis shows the slippage as an absolute price difference. These values can be used to evaluate your broker's order execution quality, with lower values being better.
Diagram - Execution Time Open (in us)
This diagram illustrates the time required to open each trade. The horizontal axis displays the number of trades, and the vertical axis shows the execution time in milliseconds. Please note that these values are not representative in tester mode; only live trades can be used to evaluate your broker's order execution time.
Diagram - Execution Time Close (in us)
This diagram illustrates the time required to close each trade. The horizontal axis displays the number of trades, and the vertical axis shows the execution time in milliseconds. Please note that these values are not representative in tester mode; only live trades can be used to evaluate your broker's order execution time.
Raw data as table
This Journal Data sheet contains the raw data identical to the CSV output. This data table is used to generate the above diagrams. As you can see, there are numerous data points available.
