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DATA · BACKTEST TRADE LISTS

Crypto Backtest Trade Lists: Null vs Zero - Handle Missing Fields Correctly

A backtest trade list should have one row per trade with entry, exit, size, fees and result. Missing exits and zero-fee rows are where results get flattered.

By ChartsPod Editorial Team · Reviewed by ChartsPod Research
Published · Updated · 5 min read

Short answer

In a backtest trade list, a missing exit usually means the trade was still open at the end of the test — it should be marked open and either closed at the last price (flagged) or excluded, not counted as zero P&L. A fee of 0 should appear only if the test intentionally used no costs. Zero-volume bars in the data should not produce fills. Check the list for these cases before trusting summary statistics.

Fields and what missing values mean

FieldNull / absent meansZero / empty means
ExitOpen at test end—
FeeNot modelled: unknown0: costs switched off
SlippageNot modelled0: assumed none
Fill bar volume—0: fill unrealistic
P&LUndefined if open0: flat trade
Backtest Trade Lists: how to read each fieldBacktest Trade Lists: how to read each field: Exit — Open at test end; Fee — Not modelled: unknown; Slippage — Not modelled; Fill bar volume — 0: fill unrealistic; P&L — Undefined if open.ExitOpen at test endFeeNot modelled: unknownSlippageNot modelledFill bar volume0: fill unrealisticP&LUndefined if open
Backtest Trade Lists: missing vs zero, field by field. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

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Handling policy

Policy for this sourcePolicy for this source: Mark trades open at test end; Confirm cost settings; Reject fills on zero-volume bars; Recompute summary from the list; Report open-trade count.POLICY FOR THIS SOURCEMark trades open at test endConfirm cost settingsReject fills on zero-volume barsRecompute summary from the listReport open-trade count
Apply this policy to every backtest trade lists request. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

Illustrative: a strategy shows 62% wins, but 11 open trades at test end were counted as zero-P&L 'non-losses'. Excluding them gives 58%.

Conclusion

Related: Crypto Trading-Journal Exports: Null vs Zero - Handle Missing Fields Correctly, ChartsPod Backtest Cost Settings: Settings to Check Before Your First Analysis.

Check the list for these cases before trusting summary statistics.

Test Crypto Backtest Trade Lists on a perpetual chart; no account is needed to chart.

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Questions readers ask

How should open trades at test end be handled?

Flag them; close at last price or exclude.

Is a zero fee realistic?

Only if costs were deliberately off.

Can fills happen on zero-volume bars?

Not realistically.

Sources and methodology

Field definitions come from DEX Screener's API reference, CoinGecko's onchain API documentation and Binance's Spot API documentation, read 17 October 2026. Where a schema was not visible in the documentation, this guide says so and describes defensive handling rather than asserting field behaviour.

  1. TradingView Pine Script: Strategies — simulated fills and assumptions.
  2. ChartsPod: product overview, pricing and FAQ — free terminal, venues, modules, no order placement; checked 17 Oct 2026.

This article explains research tools and workflows. It is not financial advice, does not recommend buying or selling any asset and does not predict prices. Crypto derivatives carry a risk of rapid and total loss of margin.

CHARTSPOD EDITORIAL EDITION · RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ONLY · NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE.