# Changing the Primary Currency

## Changing the Currency Format

The Portfolio Tracker’s default currency is set to USD, but you can change the primary currency if you’re using a different base currency.\
For example, if you’re in Canada and trading in Canadian dollars, you can change the primary currency to CAD. Here’s how:

1. Open a new instance of the Tracker, go to any of the Account tabs  and click in cell <mark style="color:green;">**C2**</mark> in the Top Line Stats.
2. In the menu,  go to <mark style="color:green;">**View > Inspector > Format**</mark> to reveal the Sidebar.&#x20;
3. At the top of the sidebar, click on the **Cell** tab. The **Data Format**, should be set to "Smol Currency".  Click on "<mark style="color:green;">**Edit Custom Format**</mark>" &#x20;
4. In the modal that opens up, you'll see a number of rules, each starting with a <mark style="color:green;">**$**</mark> sign. Click on that sign and select the currency you want to use instead.&#x20;
5. Do this for each rule, then click OK.&#x20;

You'll notice that the currency of the Tracker has now been changed to display CA$ everywhere. &#x20;

<figure><img src="https://1714922137-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl25uds0OJbgRcq45kX3M%2Fuploads%2FuwUK83RdPG2JPT2ITN7d%2FScreenshot%202025-04-17%20at%204.15.11%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=65a80266-2dc7-4af5-9c10-81626732b463" alt="Smol Compute– Premium Templates for Apple Numbers."><figcaption><p>Change the currency format</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
If you find that this takes up too much space in your cells, you can go back and edit the format custom format "Smol Currency". You can get rid of the currency symbol altogether. &#x20;
{% endhint %}

### Video Walkthrough

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LOlgIz3se0>" %}
Video Guide&#x20;
{% endembed %}

## Trading in your local currency.&#x20;

**if you change the primary currency you'll want to enter trades for assets&#x20;*****denominated in your newly chosen primary currency.***&#x20;

***We recommend making***[ ***special assignations*** ](https://guides.smolcompute.xyz/1/how-to/stocks-listed-on-non-us-exchanges)***for each non-usd-denominated asset you trade.***&#x20;

For example, if I want to enter trades for **Bitcoin denominated in CAD**,  I'll specify in the Special Assignations table that the ticker "BTC" refers to the asset code "BTC-CAD". Doing so will ensure that the current price of Bitcoin is quoted in CAD. If I don't do this, the current value of my holdings will be denominated in USD, while your cost basis will be in CAD, which will produce an erroneous P\&L.

Similarly, if you are trading stocks of the Onex Corporation listed on a Canadian stock market, you'll want to enter its asset code next to the ticker you wish to use for it (in this case, ONEX). The Tracker will then remember that the ticker ONEX refers to stocks of the Onex Corporation denominated in Canadian dollars.

<figure><img src="https://1714922137-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl25uds0OJbgRcq45kX3M%2Fuploads%2FjLLWEvSBAgR6sGGsxHQD%2F2024-10-08%20at%2000.26.26.png?alt=media&#x26;token=91237af4-7e81-45b9-9ef4-175c58709ccc" alt="Trading assets in your local currency - Investment Tracker for Apple Numbers"><figcaption><p>Making Assignations for CAD denominated assets.</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Special Assignations are optional. I could simply enter ONEX.TO directly in the Trade Log. The Special Assignation allows for a cleaner trade entry.&#x20;
{% endhint %}