The file should contain one entry per line and have a comma between each of the fields. To accomplish this, the Excel entries should be saved as a ‘comma delimited file’ otherwise known as a ‘csv’ file.

There should be no imbedded commas, double quotes, single quotes or decimal points in any of the fields.

All dates are in a month/day/year format: mm/dd/yy or mm/dd/yyyy. examples: 02/04/04, 02/04/2004, 2/2/04, etc.

1. Security (stock) name – up to 80 characters long with no imbedded commas;
2. Unique Lot Id (Optional) – unique user defined identifier up to 50 characters in length. This field is not used in the calculation but is included in the output file;
3. Merger Date – mm/dd/yy or mm/dd/yyyy or blank;
4. Option or Stock – "Call", "Put", or blank for stock;
5. Option expiration month – 2 numeric positions, 01 through 12 – or blank for stock;
6. Option strike price – Do not use decimal points; eg., 42 1/2 not 42.5 – or blank for stock;
7. Date Acquired – in the format mm/dd/yy or mm/dd/yyyy;
8. Date Sold – in the format mm/dd/yy or mm/dd/yyyy; but, if the lot is still open, then leave this field blank (spaces);
9. Number of shares/lots – maximum of 10 digits with no commas;
10. Cost – whole dollars only, maximum of 10 digits with no commas;
11. Proceeds – whole dollars only, maximum of 10 digits with no commas – or blank if the lot is still open;
12. Gain or Loss – whole dollars only, maximum of 12 digits without decimals and commas – or blank if the lot is still open.

Fields 9 and 12 may be negative and contain a '–'.

Click here to download an excel template for the input file

Once this file is prepared in Excel, you must save it as a ‘csv’ or comma delimited file for Washems!. You do this by clicking on the ‘File’ option in Excel’s toolbar and then selecting ‘Save As’. Once the ‘Save As’ window opens, scroll down the file types until you see ‘Comma Delimited’. Choose this type and key in a name for your file. You may use the original worksheet name since Excel appends a different suffix to the name indicating the file’s type. Your Excel work file, for example will have the name ‘whatever.xls’ and your saved csv file will be called ‘whatever.csv’. Remember this name since you will have to tell it to Washems!.

Now that you've created and saved your input file in the correct format, you're ready to calculate your wash sales. The following section describes the job parameters found on the calculation screen.

1. Input File – name and directory (full path) where the input file can be found;
2. Output File – name and directory (full path) where the output file is to be created;
3. Report Detail Level –

5. Calculation Type – How the program is to offset Short sales of stock:

6. Summary Report Breaks – Controls the summary totals to be included in the output file;
7. Warning Report – Should the program also produce a warnings report and, if so, as of what date;
8. Option Conversion – Used to determine if the value in the quantity field for options should be

Once you've selected your options, click the CALCULATE button to start the program. When its completed, you'll be able to see and download your results.