How to Upload a CSV File for Security Transfers

IBKR supports the upload of multiple positions via a CSV File (comma-separated values file) for various transfer methods.

What is a CSV File?

The file must be saved as CSV File (comma-separated values) which is saved with filename extension .csv.

CSV is a plain text form with a series of values separated by commas.

In your Excel Workbook,

  1. Switch to the File tab, and then click Save As.

  2. In the Save as type box, choose to save your Excel file as CSV (Comma delimited).

What information must the CSV file contain?

The file must contain the following information in the order listed below.

Please Note

  • If your assets are listed on different exchanges/currencies, please enter the currency in which you purchased and hold your assets currently at your financial institution.

  • If you use Symbol instead of ISIN, and the symbol exists multiple times, you will get a "Check To Add" displayed after the upload, to select the position you actually hold at your financial institution.

  • Cash Balances can only be added for transfer method ACAT and ATON.

  • Short Stock only eligible for transfer method ACAT and ATON.

Asset Class Security Identifier Quantity Currency Long/Short Put/Call Strike Expiration Date (Optional)
Stock ISIN or Symbol

Quantity of Shares

(Only integer numbers; no fractions)

The currency you purchased your asset at your current financial institution. Long or Short N/A N/A N/A
Bond ISIN or CUSIP

Nominal Value of Bond (Face Value)

(Enter Face Value Example: A position of 100 bonds with face value 1000 USD each, enter 100000)

The currency you purchased your asset at your current financial institution. N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mutual Fund ISIN or CUSIP

Quantity

(Please enter quantity separating fractions (decimals), if any, with point ("."). Example: 1000 (no fractions) OR 1234.567 (fractions/decimals).

The currency you purchased your asset at your current financial institution. N/A N/A N/A N/A
Warrant ISIN or Symbol

Quantity

(Only integer numbers; no fractions)

The currency you purchased your asset at your current financial institution. Long Put/Call Strike Expiration Date (Use format: YYYYMMDD)
Option Underlying ISIN or Symbol

Number of Contracts

(Only integer numbers; no fractions)

The currency you purchased your asset at your current financial institution. Long or Short Put/Call Strike Expiration Date (Use format: YYYYMMDD)
CASH (ONLY ACAT +ATON Transfers) CashBalance/MarginLoan

Amount

(Please enter amount separating decimals, if any, with point (".").

Example: 100000 (no decimals) OR 100000.50 (decimals).

Enter Currency of your Cash Balance e.g. USD, GBP, EUR, HKD etc. N/A N/A N/A N/A

 

What means multi-listing of assets and why do I have to provide a currency?

Refers to a listing of any security on more then one stock exchange (foreign stock exchange) and are eligible for deposits and settlement in more then one Central Security Depository in addition to its domestic exchange (home market).

Securities can therefore be traded in different exchanges and different currencies (USD, GBP, EUR, HKD etc).

When IBKR ask you to enter the "currency", we want you to enter the currency you purchased the assets and are holding these at your Financial Institution. Your Financial Institution`s portfolio statements should show you the currency the asset is held right now.

When an asset is listed multiple times for the same currency on different exchanges, IBKR will show you a "Multi Listing Selection" that allows you to select the asset you currently hold at your financial institution and exchange you bought them.

How does a sample of a CSV File prepared for upload look like?

Here is a sample of an .csv (comma-separated-values) file opened in Excel prepared for upload:

Please note that Excel does not display the field separators (comma) but automatically translates the fields into columns.

In order to keep the correct format, please make sure to always save the file with extension .csv (comma-separated-values).

Here is a sample of a plain text file (comma-separated) which can be saved as .csv file:

Short Stock ATON/ACAT Scenario