UK and downloading CSV files
Hi all,
Would appreciate some guidance. UK banks and credit card companies tend to provide CSV files (in terms of Amex they only supply pdf or csv). I have tried the process as outlined in the Moneydance help area but no matter how I line up the columns I cannot get all the data to load into the Moneydance account. Any ideas that might help would be appreciated.
Warm regards
Dave
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1 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on Feb 28, 2025 @ 02:56 PM
With U.K. Amex, select Microsoft Money which is an OFX. This imports great. In general either select OFX then QIF or MS money.
2 Posted by good.ascot on Feb 28, 2025 @ 02:58 PM
That is really helpful. My wife wants to switch to Amex so don't have account yet and really wanted to know if I could still us Moneydance with Amex as they cancelled their OFX in 2024. Thanks
Support Staff 3 Posted by Maddy on Feb 28, 2025 @ 03:04 PM
Hi Dave,
Thank you for contacting Moneydance support.
Generally, UK banks do not support automatic downloads via Direct Connect or Moneydance +, but you can update your AMEX accounts for free by manually downloading QFX files from the bank's website.
You can follow the steps in this article to import QFX files into Moneydance.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions or need more assistance.
--
Maddy, Infinite Kind Support
4 Posted by good.ascot on Feb 28, 2025 @ 03:08 PM
Hi Maddy,
Thanks. Only issue I think is that on researching the UK Amex site, they only offer downloads as CSV or PDF
It is the Amex one I am trying to resolve. Other UK Banks etc have QFX or OFX. Amex doesn't
Cheers
Dave
Support Staff 5 Posted by Maddy on Feb 28, 2025 @ 03:27 PM
Although CSV files can be imported, unfortunately the import process is a little more involved. CSV files were not designed to transfer data to personal finance programs, so there is no standard format or layout for these files.
As CSV is the only format available, you'll be able to import the file to Moneydance using File --> Import. During the import process, you'll assign the columns in your CSV file to fields within the Moneydance account register.
Once we've determined the import settings you need, they should not change.
For further information, you can refer to this article of the Knowledge Base.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions or need more assistance.
--
Maddy, Infinite Kind Support
6 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on Feb 28, 2025 @ 03:55 PM
As I said. Amex gives you OFX when selecting MS Money.
Support Staff 7 Posted by Maddy on Feb 28, 2025 @ 04:42 PM
@ Stuart
It is my understanding that Amex removed that option. The only file format supported are .CSV, .XLS or .PDF format.
--
Maddy, Infinite Kind Support
8 Posted by -Kevin N. on Feb 28, 2025 @ 06:11 PM
Hi Dave,
If you could provide a sample of a credit card csv and a bank csv, I could try to help you with setting up the CSV Importer extension.
Include at least one charge transaction & one payment transaction from the credit card account also one payment transaction & one deposit transaction from the bank account so that I can see how they are formatted.
Also include any header row (common) or any footer rows (uncommon).
As always, make sure that there is no sensitive information (e.g. account numbers) in the csv files as these are public forums.
-Kevin N. (not a member of Moneydance support)
9 Posted by good.ascot on Mar 01, 2025 @ 10:18 AM
Hi Kevin,
That could be really helpful. I have not yet got a credit card (thinking of getting the Amex one). I am testing my skils using a CSV download from one of my UK banks. I have attached two docs.
- CSV file (I have blanked out the cells but hope you can see enough)
- A screenshot of the import set up I used to try and get columns 1,5,6 & 7 to go into the chosen account in Moneydance.
When I execute this, the only column which seems to transfer to the Moneydance account is column 1 and 2.
Any guidance would be appreciated
Many thanks
Dave
10 Posted by -Kevin N. on Mar 01, 2025 @ 11:56 AM
Hi Dave,
Unfortunately, the test_csv.numbers file that you attached appears to be a mac-specific numbers file that I am unable to access.
If you could attach the file again as either a csv or txt file then that should allow me to access the contents of the file.
-Kevin N. (not a member of Moneydance support)
11 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on Mar 01, 2025 @ 12:01 PM
I converted it to csv - attached
(I'm not sure about row 1)
12 Posted by dwg on Mar 01, 2025 @ 12:52 PM
I expect that row 1 will throw the converter off.
13 Posted by -Kevin N. on Mar 01, 2025 @ 12:56 PM
Thanks Stuart.
Hi Dave,
I was able to import your csv file (with the help of Stuart's conversion).
See attached screenshots.
If you haven't done so already, install the CSV Importer extension.
Access the CSV Importer from the Extensions menu.
On the main window, select 'Maintain Custom File Readers'
Set up the Custom Reader per my screenshot. I named the reader Test_CSV but you can name it whatever you want.
Once you set up the Custom Reader, select Save & Done.
Back at the main window. Select the File Reader from the drop-down list.
Provided that your CSV file is in your Downloads folder, you can use the 'Find Import Files for this Reader' button. Otherwise, use the (...) button to browse to your CSV file.
Select the desired account to import the data into.
Select the 'Online' option.
Click the 'Preview Import' button.
A preview window will appear. Provided there are no errors, you can go ahead and click the 'Process' button.
There may be some information provided on your first import. Read through it and proceed.
That should do it. Let me know how you make out. OK?
-Kevin N. (not a member of Moneydance Support)
14 Posted by -Kevin N. on Mar 01, 2025 @ 12:57 PM
Attached screenshots
15 Posted by good.ascot on Mar 01, 2025 @ 03:27 PM
This is really helpful and I am getting there. I managed to recreate the CustomerReader as per your first image. However, when I preview, I get this screen (attached). The data is there (white on white) but at top it says errors = 11 and the process button remains greyed out?
Any ideas
Cheers
Dave
16 Posted by -Kevin N. on Mar 01, 2025 @ 06:18 PM
Hi Dave,
Could you post a screenshot of the Custom Reader?
-Kevin N. (not a member of Moneydance support)
17 Posted by good.ascot on Mar 01, 2025 @ 06:35 PM
Attached - thanks for your patience
18 Posted by -Kevin N. on Mar 01, 2025 @ 06:55 PM
Hi Dave,
Thank you for the screenshot.
I think I see the problem...
In your Custom Reader, change the Date Format to dd/MM/yyyy as per my screenshot.
After making the change, click Save and Done
-Kevin N. (not a member of Moneydance support)
19 Posted by good.ascot on Mar 01, 2025 @ 07:53 PM
Thank you so much Kevin. I would never have got there without your advice
Many thanks
Dave
20 Posted by -Kevin N. on Mar 01, 2025 @ 08:53 PM
Hi Dave,
You're welcome. I'm glad to hear that you were able to get things sorted.
Thank you for reporting back with your results.
-Kevin N. (not a member of Moneydance support)
Maddy closed this discussion on Mar 03, 2025 @ 02:36 PM.