How to Use the P&L Widget on Your TradeLyser Dashboard
The P&L widget (profit and loss) is among the most-used tiles on the TradeLyser dashboard. It answers a simple question quickly: Am I up or down for the period I care about? Displayed with color coding, optional percentage change, and sometimes a trend indicator, the widget turns your closed-trade economics into a headline number you can check at open, midday, and close—without opening full reports.
The P&L widget is a view of calculated performance, not the source of truth. Trades live in your journal and broker sync; reports provide audit-level detail. Use this widget for habit and direction; use Generate reports for reconciliation and Interpret widget metrics when numbers disagree across tiles. Add the widget through Add widgets to your dashboard and tailor placement via Customize your dashboard.
If the dashboard or widget will not load, see Dashboard not loading. For incorrect totals, verify filters and sync before contacting support@tradelyser.com.
What the P&L widget shows
Depending on variant (small tile vs larger card), the widget may include:
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Net P&L amount | Profit or loss in account currency for the filtered period |
| Color | Green (profit), red (loss), neutral (near breakeven) |
| Percentage change | Relative move vs reference (e.g. prior period or balance context) |
| Trend arrow | Short-term direction vs previous window |
| Sparkline (some variants) | Intraday or recent progression |
TradeLyser may offer related tiles such as Today’s P&L, Monthly P&L, or Account Balance & P&L—each emphasizes a different time horizon. Confirm which variant you added in the widget library.
How P&L is calculated (conceptual)
Dashboard P&L generally reflects realized results from closed trades in the selected scope, consistent with your TradeLyser calculation settings (fees, taxes, adjustments). Open positions may appear elsewhere (open positions view), not always in the same net P&L tile.
| Factor | Effect on widget |
|---|---|
| Date range | Only trades inside range count |
| Account filter | Scoped to selected broker account |
| Tags / strategies | Applied if dashboard filters include them |
| Fees and tax settings | Per Settings |
When widget P&L differs from a broker app, compare definition (realized vs MTM), date boundaries (trade date vs settlement), and charges.
Add the P&L widget to your dashboard
- Open Dashboard.
- Click Edit Layout (see Customize dashboard).
- Click + Add Widget in a slot.
- In the library, find Performance (or similar) category.
- Select P&L, Net P&L, or the specific variant you need.
- Choose small slot for KPI-style, large only if the variant requires it.
- Click Save Layout.
Place the P&L widget top-left or top row if it is your first daily check. Pair with Win rate widget on the same row.
Read the widget: colors and numbers
| Display | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Green positive amount | Net profit for filtered period |
| Red negative amount | Net loss for filtered period |
| Near zero / neutral | Breakeven or immaterial result |
| Large % with small ₹ | Small base denominator—context matters |
| Arrow up with red amount | Possible shorter window improving vs prior slice while still net red |
Do not trade from color alone. A green day on a red month still warrants review. Combine with Daily performance widget for day-level bars and Performance chart widget for cumulative curve.
Filters that affect the P&L widget
The widget responds to dashboard-level controls:
| Filter | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Account | Single broker vs consolidated view |
| Date range | Today, week, month, custom |
| Strategy / tags | When enabled, isolates subset |
Changing filters updates the widget without re-adding it. Document your “default” range so morning checks stay comparable day to day.
P&L widget vs other performance tiles
| Tile | Best for |
|---|---|
| P&L / Net P&L | Headline result for period |
| Today’s P&L | Session management |
| Monthly P&L | Calendar month tracking |
| Account Balance & P&L | Balance context + P&L |
| Equity curve (large) | Path and drawdown over time |
Avoid three tiles that repeat the same period net P&L; remove extras per Remove widgets.
Daily workflow with the P&L widget
- Pre-market: Note month-to-date or week P&L for risk context (not for prediction).
- Mid-session: If using Today’s P&L variant, monitor discipline—not revenge trading.
- Post-close: Check net P&L vs daily bar in Daily performance.
- Weekly: Compare to Generate reports P&L analysis.
- Monthly: Align with Monthly performance widget.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Checks |
|---|---|
| Shows zero | No closed trades in range; widen dates; verify import/sync |
| Wrong amount | Account filter; fees/tax settings; duplicate accounts |
| Stale after sync | Refresh dashboard; wait for sync complete |
| Widget missing | Re-add from library; correct template (Switch templates) |
| Red but broker shows green | Realized vs unrealized; date definition |
Email support@tradelyser.com with account, date range, and screenshot of widget vs report row.
Best practices
- Fix one default date range for morning review.
- Pair P&L with win rate and profit factor—profitability is not win rate alone.
- Use reports for tax and audit, widget for behavior.
- After strategy change, revisit whether today or MTD variant fits.
- Learn full metric glossary in Interpret widget metrics.
Frequently asked questions
Does the P&L widget include open positions?
Usually net P&L tiles focus on closed trades; open P&L may be on other screens or widgets. Check tooltip text.
Why did P&L change when I switched accounts?
Each account has its own trade set; the widget scopes to the selected account.
Can I show P&L for one strategy only?
If dashboard or global filters support strategy/tags, yes; otherwise use strategy board or filtered reports.
Is P&L gross or net of fees?
TradeLyser typically shows net after configured fees/taxes—confirm in settings.
Why is percentage misleading?
Small starting equity or short window inflates percentages; prioritize absolute rupees for risk decisions.
Can I export the widget value?
Use Generate reports for export; widgets are for display.
Small vs large P&L widget?
Small for KPI strip; large when the variant includes chart or breakdown—pick one primary P&L tile.
Widget green but monthly widget red?
Different date ranges—align filters.
Does removing the widget delete P&L data?
No. Data remains; only the tile is removed.
Who do I contact for wrong P&L?
support@tradelyser.com with trade example ID if available.
Related guides
- Add widgets to your dashboard
- Customize your dashboard
- Win rate widget
- Daily performance widget
- Monthly performance widget
- Performance chart widget
- Interpret widget metrics
- Generate reports
- Dashboard not loading
Mentor and accountability use
When sharing performance with a mentor, screenshot the P&L widget with visible date range and account so context is clear. Mentors often ask for report exports to validate widget headlines—prepare both from the same filter set. The widget supports daily accountability; reports support coaching conversations.
Quick reference: P&L widget
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Add | Edit Layout → + Add Widget → P&L / Net P&L |
| Place | Top row, small slot |
| Pair | Win rate, profit factor |
| Verify | Account + date range |
| Deep dive | Generate reports |
Tax and record-keeping note
The P&L widget supports operational awareness during the year; statutory tax filing may require broker statements and TradeLyser reports with aligned fiscal settings. Export periodic reports from Generate reports rather than relying on dashboard screenshots alone. When charges or adjustments are backfilled, widget P&L may shift retroactively for the affected range—refresh after sync completes.
Scaling and position size
Rising P&L with flat or falling expectancy per trade can mean you increased size without improving edge. Use Interpret widget metrics to separate “more rupees because of size” from “more rupees because of better decisions.” The P&L widget is the scoreboard; expectancy and profit factor explain the game.
Multi-account traders
When you manage multiple broker accounts in TradeLyser, decide whether the P&L widget should show consolidated or per-account results. Consolidated view supports household-level review; per-account view isolates which connector needs attention. Switch account filter before comparing to broker apps—mixing accounts is a frequent cause of “wrong P&L” support tickets. Document your default in a journal note so weekly reviews stay comparable.
Support: support@tradelyser.com for TradeLyser P&L or calculation questions.