Setting up my portfolio

[macandal]

macandal, the spreadsheet fields you describe are exactly what I've used for several years now.

Advantages of doing this yourself vs. using on-line tools is integrating multiple accounts, better customization, not having to rely on web access or some sites flaky/changing tools, security.

Exactly. That's why I want to manually set it up myself.
How did you figure out the cost basis? This is where (at least for me) it gets tricky. I have shares that have dividends, dividend reinvestment, splits, multiple buys, I've sold stock, etc. How do you figure this out? Thanks.

[nest egg investor]

Both. Plus, splits, dividend reinvestment, sales, etc.

Yes, I hear you. The splits are automatically calculated in most online and brokerage portfolios, so this may be an easier option, or reason to have 2 different portfolio set ups. Good luck.

[EEinNJ]

Cost basis mostly becomes a headache when reinvesting dividends. It's more important for tax purposes to keep track of that.

I handle it 2 separate ways. To gauge performance, my initial purchase cost goes in 1 column, then whatever the present value is goes in another.
The stepped up tax basis, adjusting for reinvested dividends, splits, etc. I only bother with for taxes.