From Spreadsheet to Software: The Complete Migration Guide
You've built your Excel spreadsheet over the years. You know where the formulas are, you know the shortcuts, you've put hours into it. Switching to dedicated software feels like a leap into the unknown — yet most investors do it in less than an afternoon.
This guide takes you step by step through the entire migration: from auditing your spreadsheet, to CSV import from each broker, to the final check that everything is correct.
Before You Start: Audit Your Spreadsheet
A good migration starts with good preparation. Before importing any data, analyse what you have.
List all brokers you've bought assets from
Include inactive ones too. Historical transactions matter for average cost calculation.
Identify all asset types in your portfolio
Stocks, ETFs, bonds, crypto, unlisted assets (real estate, PE, etc). Each category has a different import flow.
Verify dates are in the correct format
CSVs often require dates in YYYY-MM-DD or DD/MM/YYYY format. Check before exporting.
Check dividends and corporate actions
Stock splits, mergers, spin-offs need to be handled manually. Note them separately.
Decide the migration start date
You can import your full history or just from 1 January of the current year. More history = more accurate performance calculation.
Export a test CSV from one broker
Before doing everything at scale, test the process with a single broker to understand the file format.
You don't need everything perfect before starting. You can always add missing transactions later. The key is not to create duplicates.
Migration Strategy: Which Approach to Choose
There are three main approaches to migration. The choice depends on your portfolio's complexity and how much history you want to preserve.
Full CSV import
You have one or more brokers that support CSV export with full transaction history
- 1.Export the CSV from the broker's panel (choose "full history")
- 2.Create a portfolio in DonkyCapital for each broker
- 3.Upload the CSV in the Import section
- 4.Review the imported transactions
- 5.Repeat for each broker
High — full history is preserved
Snapshot migration
You want a clean starting point without history. Ideal if your portfolio is many years old and you're not interested in past performance.
- 1.Note current positions (asset, quantity, avg cost) from your Excel or broker
- 2.Create a portfolio in DonkyCapital
- 3.Enter a "Buy" transaction for each position at today's date with the historical average cost
- 4.The portfolio will show the correct value from now on
Medium — future performance is accurate, past performance is not
Hybrid migration
You have brokers with CSV available and others without. Use CSV for supported ones, snapshot for the rest.
- 1.CSV import for supported brokers
- 2.Manual snapshot entry for others
- 3.Consolidate everything under a single consolidated portfolio
High for imported brokers, medium for others
Tip: if you've used Degiro, Scalable Capital or Fineco, CSV import is natively supported in DonkyCapital. Start there.
CSV Import: Broker by Broker
Each broker has its own export procedure. Here's how to export the CSV from the most common brokers in Europe.
Degiro
Portfolio → Activity → Export → CSV
CSV with columns: Date, Product, ISIN, Transaction type, Quantity, Price, Amount, Fees
Select the widest date range possible. The format is directly compatible with DonkyCapital's import.
Scalable Capital
Account → Documents → Transaction history → Export CSV
CSV with columns: Date, Description, ISIN, Quantity, Unit price, Total amount
Scalable exports orders and dividends separately. Export both files and import them in sequence.
Fineco
Fineco Money → Movements → Filter by period → Download CSV
CSV with variable structure. May require manual processing before import.
The Fineco format can vary. Check the columns before uploading. If in doubt, use manual entry.
Interactive Brokers
Client Portal → Statements → Flex Statement → CSV
Structured CSV with multiple sections (trades, dividends, commissions)
Use the "Trades" report for transactions. You can customise columns in the Flex report.
Trading 212
Account → History → Export CSV
CSV with columns: Action, Time, ISIN, Ticker, Name, Quantity, Price, Result
The format is clean and well-structured. Most fields map directly to the import format.
Other brokers
Varies by broker. Look for "export movements" or "download account statement" in the user panel.
If there's no direct CSV format, use manual entry or the snapshot approach.
For brokers not natively supported, use the snapshot migration strategy.
If your broker doesn't support CSV export or the format isn't compatible, don't worry: you can always enter transactions manually in DonkyCapital, one by one or in bulk.
Step-by-Step Migration in DonkyCapital
Follow these steps in the exact order for a clean migration without duplicates or errors.
Create your DonkyCapital account
Sign up at app.donkycapital.com. No credit card required. The free account already supports CSV import and multi-broker management.
Create a portfolio for each broker
In DonkyCapital you can have multiple distinct portfolios — one for Degiro, one for Scalable, etc. — and see them all consolidated in a single dashboard. This structure reflects reality and makes reconciliation easier.
Import the CSV from the first broker
Go to Settings → CSV Import → upload the file. DonkyCapital will automatically map the columns. Review the preview before confirming.
Verify the imported transactions
After import, go to the Transactions section and compare the number of imported operations with the total in your Excel. Check the last 5–10 transactions by date and amount.
Repeat for each broker
Repeat steps 2–4 for each broker. Don't mix brokers in the same portfolio — keep the separation for easier reconciliation.
Add unlisted assets (if any)
For real estate, private equity, art or other unlisted assets, use the "Unlisted Assets" section in DonkyCapital. Enter the purchase value, date and update the price manually whenever you wish.
Add crypto (if any)
For Bitcoin, Ethereum and other tokens, use "Add Transaction" → "Cryptocurrency" tab. Prices are updated automatically.
Configure your dashboard
Explore the available widgets: allocation by asset class, historical performance, benchmark comparison, geographic distribution. Customise the dashboard according to your priorities.
Reconciliation: Verify Everything is Correct
After migration, spend 15–20 minutes verifying that the data is correct. This is the most important phase for future accuracy.
| Total portfolio value | Compare the total in DonkyCapital with the current value reported by your broker (or your old Excel). The difference should be < 1%. |
| Number of open positions | Count the open positions in DonkyCapital and compare with your Excel. Any discrepancy indicates a missing or duplicate transaction. |
| Average purchase price | Check the average cost of the 3–5 largest positions. If it differs significantly, there's probably a missing transaction or an unhandled split. |
| Historical dividends | If you've also imported dividends from the CSV, check that the total dividends received matches your Excel. |
| Crypto and unlisted assets | Manually verify crypto and unlisted positions — these are never imported automatically. |
If you find discrepancies, don't try to fix them all at once. Focus on the largest positions and leave the small ones for later. The portfolio will still be much more accurate than the spreadsheet.
After Migration: What Changes
Once the migration is complete, your workflow changes radically. Here's what you gain immediately.
Always updated prices
You no longer need to open Yahoo Finance and manually update prices. DonkyCapital updates them automatically for all listed assets.
Correctly calculated performance
TWR (time-weighted return) and MWR (money-weighted return) calculated automatically — the same metrics used by professionals.
Real-time allocation
Instantly see how you're distributed across stocks, ETFs, crypto, bonds and unlisted assets. No formulas, no manual updates.
Automatic benchmarks
Compare your performance against MSCI World, S&P 500 or inflation in one click. In Excel it took hours of work.
Monthly report in one click
No more copy-pasting between sheets. The monthly performance report is always ready.
Mobile access
Your portfolio is always with you, updated in real-time, on any device — without opening an Excel file.
Migration FAQ
How long does migration from Excel to DonkyCapital take?
For a typical portfolio with 1–3 brokers and fewer than 100 transactions: 30–90 minutes with CSV import. For more complex portfolios or manual entry: 2–4 hours. It's a one-time investment that saves hours every month.
Can I keep my Excel running in parallel during the transition?
Yes, and it's actually recommended for the first 1–2 months. Use DonkyCapital as the primary system but keep the old Excel available for comparison. After verifying that the data is correct, you can stop updating the spreadsheet.
What happens if I import duplicate transactions?
DonkyCapital shows a preview of transactions before importing. If you see duplicates, you can deselect them before confirming. If you've already imported duplicates, you can delete them from the Transactions section by filtering by date.
How do I handle historical stock splits during migration?
Stock splits that occurred before the import date are not handled automatically. You need to enter them manually as a "Split" transaction type in DonkyCapital. Once entered, the average cost and quantities are recalculated correctly.
What if my broker isn't in the supported list?
You can always enter transactions manually in DonkyCapital. Use the snapshot strategy: enter a buy transaction for each current position at its historical average cost. From that point on, DonkyCapital tracks everything automatically.
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