FAQ

How do I set up the add-on for the first time?

1. Install the tradeGIST add-on from the Google Workspace Marketplace and make your copy of the official template — no license key needed, and your first run starts a 14-day Pro trial; see the Getting Started guide.
2. Optionally configure your API keys in the ⚙️ Settings dialog (CoinMarketCap for crypto, Massive.com for options). When you have a license, activate it in the License tab.
3. Add your assets, accounts, and tax rates in the respective sections of the Configuration sheet.
4. Enter your initial transactions in the Transactions sheet and run Generate Trades to populate calculations.

What happens when my Pro trial ends?

You move to the free tier automatically. There's nothing to cancel, nothing is charged, and no card is ever on file. The free tier has the same features as Pro, capped at 30 transactions. Above the cap, Generate Trades stops with a license-required message and the sheets it already generated stay as they are until you activate a license, which you can get here.

Do I lose any data when the trial ends?

No. Nothing is deleted, hidden, or locked. Every transaction and every sheet the add-on generated stays in your spreadsheet, readable and exportable, exactly as it was.

Can I start a new trial by reinstalling the add-on?

No. The trial is granted once per Google account, not once per install or per spreadsheet, so reinstalling the add-on or making a new copy of the template doesn't start a second one.

What can I still do on the free tier?

Everything Pro does, up to 30 transactions — trade matching, taxes, wash sale detection, options, snapshots, and the Dashboard. The transaction cap is its only limitation.

What is the difference between FIFO and LIFO matching methods?

• FIFO (First In, First Out): Matches the oldest buy transactions first when selling. Default and commonly used for tax purposes in many jurisdictions.
• LIFO (Last In, First Out): Matches the most recent buy transactions first. May affect tax calculations differently.

Example: If you bought 100 shares at $10 each on Day 1 and 100 at $15 on Day 2, selling 100 shares under FIFO would use the $10 cost basis; under LIFO, it would use $15.

How are tax rates applied?

Tax rates are set in the Configuration sheet for long-term (>365 days) and short-term (≤365 days) holdings, per asset type (equity, options, crypto). The add-on calculates capital gains based on matched trades and applies the appropriate rate.

Note: Consult a tax professional, as rates vary by location and may change annually.

Can I import my historical transactions from my broker?

Yes. Use the File > Import feature in Google Sheets™, or simply copy and paste rows from a CSV export provided by your broker:

1. Align your data with the tradeGIST column headers (Date, Asset Type, Op, Ticker, Volume, Price, etc.).
2. Paste the data into the Transactions sheet.
3. Click tradeGIST > Transactions > Generate Trades to scan and match the new data.

You can also connect a service like Zapier to insert transactions automatically based on events from your brokerage account.

Why are my prices not updating?

• Check that your API keys are correctly entered in the ⚙️ Settings dialog (use the Test button to verify each key).
• Ensure the asset symbols are accurate (e.g., "BTC" for Bitcoin).
• Confirm the asset's Data entry mode in the Configuration sheet isn't set to Manual (which skips automatic updates).
• Run Update prices from the tradeGIST menu.

How are live prices fetched?

• Equity: By adding the GOOGLEFINANCE formula.
• Crypto: Using your CoinMarketCap API key.
• Options: Using your Massive.com API key.

How do I update GOOGLEFINANCE prices automatically?

To ensure GOOGLEFINANCE prices update automatically without manual refreshes, adjust your spreadsheet settings. Go to File > Settings, then select the Calculation tab. Set Recalculation to "On change and every minute". This allows GOOGLEFINANCE formulas to refresh prices approximately every minute.

Note: This setting applies to the entire sheet and may increase recalculation frequency, potentially affecting performance with large datasets.

How do I handle stock splits?

Record splits in the Configuration sheet under "Stock Splits" with the ticker, date, and split ratio. The add-on adjusts historical prices and holdings accordingly.

Example: For a 2-for-1 split of AAPL on 2020-08-31, enter Ticker: AAPL, Date: 2020-08-31, Split amount: 2. This will halve historical prices before the split.

What are snapshots and how do they work?

Snapshots capture your portfolio's state daily, including values, holdings, and custom data. They enable performance tracking over time and are used for Dashboard charts.

Configuration: Enable Automated snapshots and set the Daily snapshot hour in the ⚙️ Settings dialog, and ensure assets have Take snapshot checked in the Configuration sheet.

How do I customize charts on the Dashboard?

Adjust the chart parameters in the Dashboard tab of the ⚙️ Settings dialog, such as the number of days or assets to display. Changes apply automatically to the Dashboard.

Example: Set Lookup days to 180 for a 6-month performance chart.

How do I add more assets to the configuration?

The asset area of the Configuration sheet (the light yellow background) holds up to 100 rows by default. To add more, open Data > Named ranges, edit the asset_config range so its last row covers your complete list, and optionally extend the light yellow background to match.

Is my data secure?

Data is only stored in your Google Sheets™ file, which uses Google's security. The add-on does not transmit data to external servers beyond API calls for prices.

Note: Regularly back up your sheet.

How do I report bugs or request features?

Open the tradeGIST menu and click 💬 Send feedback to tell us what's confusing, broken, or missing without leaving your spreadsheet. For bugs, include your support key — found in the ⚙️ Settings dialog → App information tab — along with as many details as possible of what you were doing and the error messages.