Create global set of Categories
Hello,
If I create three totally isolated new accounts, Account-1, Account-2, Account-3.
Is it then possible to create a custom set of categories, that will be visible for usage in all three accounts?
Many Thanks
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1 Posted by Adegoke on 04 Mar, 2026 01:49 PM
Hello,
If I create three totally isolated new accounts, Account-1, Account-2, Account-3.
Is it then possible to create a custom set of categories, that will be visible for usage in all three accounts?
My experience so far is that if I create custom Categories in Account-1, the custom list will not be visible/accessible by Account-2 or Account-3
Many Thanks
Support Staff 2 Posted by Maddy on 04 Mar, 2026 02:49 PM
Hi,
Thank you for contacting Moneydance support.
Moneydance keeps categories inside each data file, not globally across the program.
So if you create three separate and isolated files:
Account‑1.moneydance
Account‑2.moneydance
Account‑3.moneydance
Then each file has its own independent set of categories.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions or need more assistance.
--
Maddy, Infinite Kind Support
3 Posted by R Adegoke on 04 Mar, 2026 03:55 PM
Hello,
Thank you. Your response is what I suspected would be the case. Please see
follow-up questions below.
- Is it possible to backup the custom categories created for each
account?
- Also, I sent another message via your online portal, approximately 2
hours before the one you have responded to, at "*12:38 (3 hours ago)*",
subject heading, "*Selecting Custom Range Of Registers/Transaction*". I
want to filter out all transactions, before and after the example range,
from appearing.
I have not had a reply to that message. Can you please follow it up for
me.
Once again, Many Thanks!
Also, I asked
On Wed, 4 Mar 2026 at 14:49, Maddy <[email blocked]> wrote:
Support Staff 4 Posted by Maddy on 04 Mar, 2026 04:15 PM
Although is not currently possible to backup the custom categories created for each account, you might be able to achieve a similar result creating a report.
You could use the 'Income and Expense' report, or the 'Income and Expense, Detailed' report.
Reports are accessible via Tools --> Graphs and Reports, or in the left side bar (below your accounts).
When viewing the report settings, you can choose the accounts to include and you can specify the date range. The date range can be set as longer than just 12 months.
At the bottom of the report settings window, you'll likely see 'All Income' and 'All Expense'. Choose the button to the right of this - Show: By Individual.
This will display each of your individual categories and you can choose which to include/exclude before generating the report to view your data.
Generated reports can also be printed, printed to a PDF and stored digitally in a location of your choice
Moneydance creates an automatic backup file each time you close your file, until the set number exist, then each file will be updated in turn. These backups include the whole data set.
When these files are stored in the default location, they're accessible from Moneydance via Help --> Show Backup Folder.
You can amend the backup file settings if you wish, you can choose Moneydance --> Preferences, then select the 'Backups' tab, as outlined in this article of the Knowledge Base.
From this window, you can amend the backup location, and choose the maximum number of backups to be stored.
It is possible to amend the backup location, to ensure the automatic backup files are sent elsewhere. For example, one could choose an external drive, or a shared folder location like Dropbox, iCloud etc. This will make your data accessible from another system, even if you were to encounter complete computer failure, for instance.
You can also create manual backup files whenever you require, and store these files to a location of you choice. To create a manual backup file, you should choose File --> Export Backup. This will create a .moneydancearchive backup file - the same format as the auto backup files.
Finally, I have responded to your other discussion - earlier. Please find the same below:
The Custom Filter is probably the best option for the functionality you described.
When you select this filter in your register, this will open a new window where you can specify either the 'Last X Days' or 'Since Date'.
You can highlight the option you'd like, specify the days or date range and select OK.
For further details about Sort and Filter the Register, please refer to this article of the Knowledge Base.
Generally, you can find the Knowledge base here.
The articles are broken into sections and you can search at the top of the page.
If you let us know which features and functions you'll be using, we'd be happy to provide guidance and links to the articles you'll need.
Additionally to the Knowledge Base you can search through public customer discussions on the forum.
In order to get started, please refer to this article of the Knowledge Base and follow the links listed on the right hand side of your screen.
Finally, you may want to refer to this article describing the First Steps with Moneydance in an easy and comprehensive manner.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have further questions or need any assistance.
--
Maddy, Infinite Kind Support
5 Posted by R Adegoke on 04 Mar, 2026 04:47 PM
Hello again,
Thank you for you prompt, detailed, clear and helpful responses.
I had already discovered and played around with the custom filter, which
unfortunately does not allow the creation of a date range bracket.
*If your development team takes suggestions/requests, I would like to
suggest:*
- Custom range to be included, not just a "start date", but also an "end
date", therefore allow users to set a specific date range of registers to
be visible, with no other distractions from outside of the date range which
one is needing to work on.
This would be so useful.
- Simple option to *Backup custom categories*. Especially as significant
amount of time investment can go into creating a detailed custom list.
*I want to end on positive notes by saying:*
- Although as a rule, I prefer phone support, the Moneydance system of
support has worked really well for me today
I have been very happy with the promptness and quality of the support
given.
- Having explored and considered other Accounting software options, I
really do like Moneydance's, great layout, user friendliness and I am
pleased is has UK terminology included, such as for example, *Current*
account as opposed to *Checking* account
- I will definitely be purchasing this as my Accounting software and
comfortably, happily recommend it to others -)
Good luck to you all at Moneydance.
Have a great rest of your day :-)