Skip to main content

FAQ

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

  1. Request your free license key from the main website and obtain the official Google Sheets™ template from the setup guide.
  2. Install the tradeGIST add-on from the Google Workspace Marketplace.
  3. Open the ⚙️ Settings dialog to activate your license (License tab) and configure your API keys (CoinMarketCap for crypto, Massive.com for options).
  4. Add your assets, accounts, and tax rates in the respective sections of the Configuration sheet.
  5. Enter your initial trades in the Transactions sheet and run "Generate trades" to populate calculations.

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 bulk import my historical trades?​

Yes. You can bulk import transactions by using the File > Import feature in Google Sheets™ or by simply copying and pasting rows from a CSV export provided by your broker.

To ensure the data processes correctly:

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

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" manually 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.

Can I import trades from another platform?​

The add-on does not support direct imports. Manually enter transactions into the Transactions sheet, or use Google Sheets™' import features to copy data from CSV exports. You can also connect services like Zapier to automatically insert the transactions based on events from your brokerage accounts like HTTP hooks.

Tip: Ensure columns match the template (e.g., Date, Asset, Symbol, Volume, Price).

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 number of assets you can add by default in the configuration is limited by the area with the light yellow background, which extends until row 100. If you need to add more assets, extend the named range to include your complete list.

To do that, click on "Data" > "Named ranges" and locate the "asset_config" named range. You can edit the named range and modify the last row to include all of your assets.

You can then apply the same light yellow background to the new named range area.

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?​

Contact support via the add-on's help menu. For bugs, provide your support key, which you can find in the ⚙️ Settings dialog → App information tab, along with as many details as possible of what you were doing and the error messages.