Interactive Brokers file guide

How to open an Interactive Brokers .tlg file

Downloaded an IBKR trade log and not sure what to do with it? Learn what a .tlg file is, why it is hard to read manually, and how to turn it into a trade review.

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Imported Interactive Brokers trade log in SimpleTradeLog

What is an IBKR .tlg file?

An Interactive Brokers .tlg file is a trade log export. It contains trading activity from IBKR in a format intended for software import, auditing, and record keeping rather than casual reading.

That is why double-clicking the file often feels confusing. Your computer may not know which app should open it, and even if a text editor opens the file, the rows are not organized like a trading journal.

The short answer: you can open a .tlg file with a text editor, but you need journal software to turn it into useful P&L, commissions, fees, and performance analysis.

Why the file is difficult to read manually

A broker export is raw data. A journal answers trader questions.

Rows need context

Executions, partial fills, and adjustments need to be grouped before they tell a clear story.

Costs matter

Commissions and fees can change the result you actually kept.

Dates need filtering

A useful review usually starts with a day, week, month, or tax year.

Symbols need grouping

You need to know which tickers helped and which repeatedly hurt results.

How to open and use a .tlg file

  1. 1
    Download the trade log from IBKR
    Export the period you want to review and save the .tlg file somewhere easy to find.
  2. 2
    Import it into SimpleTradeLog
    Open SimpleTradeLog and select the IBKR trade log during import.
  3. 3
    Review the processed trades
    Check trade count, symbols, dates, net P&L, commissions, and fees.
  4. 4
    Analyze what changed
    Use dashboards, statistics, calendar view, and symbol filters for the actual review.

Can I convert .tlg to CSV?

In some workflows traders export other IBKR reports as CSV instead. But a simple file conversion is not the same as journaling. You still need to parse executions, apply costs, group trades, and build reports.

If your goal is performance review, it is usually faster to import the file into a journal built for the Interactive Brokers format.

From raw file to review

SimpleTradeLog imports IBKR .tlg files directly

SimpleTradeLog is built around Interactive Brokers exports. Import your .tlg trade log or activity statement .csv, then review net performance after commissions and fees.

Imported trades and cashflows stay stored locally on your computer.

SimpleTradeLog dashboard after importing an IBKR trade log

Continue researching IBKR imports

Follow the Interactive Brokers statement import guide, compare the best trading journal for Interactive Brokers, explore AI trade analysis, or see why traders choose an offline trading journal.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Interactive Brokers trade log files.

What program opens an IBKR .tlg file?

A text editor may open the raw file, but a trading journal is needed to turn it into useful trade history and performance analysis.

Can SimpleTradeLog import .tlg files?

Yes. SimpleTradeLog imports Interactive Brokers .tlg trade logs and activity statement CSV files.

Is a .tlg file the same as a statement CSV?

No. They are different Interactive Brokers export formats, but both can be useful inputs for a trading journal when supported.

Does SimpleTradeLog upload my trade log?

No. Imported trades and cashflows stay local on your computer.

Open your IBKR trade log as a journal

Import your .tlg file and review net P&L, costs, symbols, dates, and trading performance without spreadsheet cleanup.

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