How to Screenshot Trades for Your Journal
Chart screenshots add visual context to your journal. Here's how to capture and organize them efficiently.
Chart screenshots are the most underused feature of trading journals. A screenshot captures what no data field can: the exact visual context of your trade entry. Your support/resistance levels, your indicators, the candle patterns, the volume profile — all frozen at the moment of your decision.
Best practice: take TWO screenshots per trade — one at entry and one at exit. The entry screenshot shows what you saw when you decided to trade. The exit screenshot shows what actually happened. Comparing them during review reveals whether your reads are accurate.
Keep screenshots organized by date. Name them consistently: "2026-03-27_MYM_long_entry.png" and "2026-03-27_MYM_long_exit.png". When you review trades weeks later, you should be able to find the relevant chart in seconds.
Keyboard shortcuts for fast screenshots: Windows = Win+Shift+S (snip tool), Mac = Cmd+Shift+4 (area capture). TradingView also has a built-in camera icon in the top-right that captures the current chart. Some journal tools like TradeRipper capture screenshots automatically.
What TradeRipper Gives You
- Auto-capture for Tradovate on TradingView
- CSV import for any broker
- Real-time psychology tagging
- 14+ analytics charts
- Trade review workflow
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does a trading journal help?
A journal reveals patterns in your trading that are invisible without data: which setups work, how emotions affect your P&L, and whether your discipline is improving over time.
Is there a free trial?
TradeRipper offers 7 days of full access, no credit card required. But you can also start with a free spreadsheet — the tool matters less than the habit.