category not recognized
I have recently had to reinstall moneydance on a new computer, and now am having problems importing transactions from my bank.
In the past when I import using a QIF file, the transaction details appeared in both the description and memo line as shown below
Description: TELSTRA SERVICES MELBOURNE AUS
Memo: TELSTRA SERVICES MELBOURNE AUS
Now what happens, is the description os shown as other as listed below (or INT fro interest charges to credit card)
Description: OTHER
Memo: TELSTRA SERVICES MELBOURNE AUS
Since moneydance appears to automatically determine categories from the description line, that useful feature does not work.
The bank arrangements have not changed, so I assume this is a moneydance issue.
Does anyone have a suggestion?
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1 Posted by dtd on 31 Mar, 2024 10:59 PM
Open the QIF file as text and see what it actually says.
Report back, as that will inform as to what the bank is actually sending.
2 Posted by dtd on 31 Mar, 2024 11:01 PM
Also, what version of MD and system were you using before, and what version of MD and system are you using now?
3 Posted by Max Shanahan on 01 Apr, 2024 12:23 AM
The qIF file is as follows
D22/03/2024
MTELSTRA SERVICES MELBOURNE AUS
T-209.30
LOTHER
I am currently using 2023.3(5064). Unfortunately my old computer is CAPUT
and I cannot find the version number. I have been using Moneydance since
2018.
Thanks for your prompt response
max
Maxwell James Shanahan FCPA, CISA, MACS (senior), MIIA (Aust), CGEIT
32 River Drive, Karabar, NSW 2620, Australia, mob 0417 802 544
4 Posted by dtd on 01 Apr, 2024 12:31 AM
Well, the easy part is that OTHER is indeed what the bank sends, so this isn't a "moneydance issue". Now, that said, did you rescue your dataset and transfer it to the new computer, or did you start from scratch?
Moneydance does learn what your habits are and will offer different suggestions when you accept information, but something may have subverted that learning, like starting with a blank slate. Or, of course, maybe the bank did change things on you...
From a google search:
"The M field is the transaction memo. The P field is the Payee. The L field is the Category/Account line. If the value in this field is enclosed in square brackets, like [Visa], this transaction is a transfer to the Quicken account named Visa."
5 Posted by Max Shanahan on 01 Apr, 2024 01:40 AM
Well, the easy part is that OTHER is indeed what the bank sends, so this
isn't a "Moneydance issue". Now, that said, did you rescue your dataset and
transfer it to the new computer, or did you start from scratch?
Yes I did go to my backups and upload my previous transactions.
Moneydance does learn what your habits are and will offer different
suggestions when you accept information, but something may have subverted
that learning, like starting with a blank slate. Or, of course, maybe the
bank did change things on you...
The bank has not changed things. I found a had an old data file in my
backup (2022) and it is in same format
D27/10/2022
MTelstra Direct Debit AUSTRALIA AUS
T-396.37
LOTHER
From a google search:
"The M field is the transaction memo. The P field is the Payee. The L field
is the Category/Account line. If the value in this field is enclosed in
square brackets, like [Visa], this transaction is a transfer to the Quicken
account named Visa."
Previously, the M field was put in both in the description and memo line. I
assume that Moneydance uses the description to identify similar payees.
Moneydance seems to be dealing with the same QIF information differently I
used the transaction details option in Moneydance for two transactions see
spreadsheet attached. While there are in the current Moneydance file.
One was recorded prior to my change in versions of Moneydance and the other
afterwards.
recorded in a previous version of Moneydance 0.desc: IINET BATCH PERTH GPO
AUS
current version of Moneydance 0.desc: OTHER
hope this helps
max
Maxwell James Shanahan FCPA, CISA, MACS (senior), MIIA (Aust), CGEIT
32 River Drive, Karabar, NSW 2620, Australia, mob 0417 802 544
6 Posted by dtd on 01 Apr, 2024 01:57 AM
Yes, it does help. Moneydance seems to have "forgotten" some of the information that it had been providing you as an offering before (because indeed OTHER would be the default)....
Did you start with the backup and then add things, or did you start with a new dataset and then upload just the transactions of old versus the whole datafile package?
7 Posted by Max Shanahan on 01 Apr, 2024 02:09 AM
Pretty sure that I just started with the backup.
Maxwell James Shanahan FCPA, CISA, MACS (senior), MIIA (Aust), CGEIT
32 River Drive, Karabar, NSW 2620, Australia, mob 0417 802 544
8 Posted by dtd on 01 Apr, 2024 03:39 AM
If that's the case, and given the datafile is a set of files, then Moneydance should still be suggesting/offering what you had before given your assertion that the bank always provided OTHER.
Obviously, this can't just magically be fixed, but Moneydance seems to be doing what it is supposed to do. Whatever did happen (and lots of things can happen when moving between computers) you'll probably just have to let MD learn the suggestion over again.
9 Posted by Max Shanahan on 03 Apr, 2024 07:10 AM
Ok I now have a solution.
The Bank (Westpac in Australia) offers a number of file formats as below.
QBO and OFX formats are available when you select one account to export
File format
File format required
<https://banking.westpac.com.au/secure/banking/reportsandexports/exportparam
eters/2/#unsure-what-file-format-to-select--we-recommend-you-check-with-your
-software-provider-to-make-sure-you-choose-the-right-combination-of-file-typ
e-and-date-format-to-use-_4>
* CSV
* QBO
* OFX
* QIF
* QIF Abbreviated
* QIF for Mac
* QIF Abbreviated for Mac
I gave thought to using CSV but thought I would look at the other format
first QIF Abbreviated. The first I tried was QIF abbreviated and it
worked,
QIF format
D02/04/2024
MACT GOV PARKING FEES CANBERRA AUS
T-3.00
LOTHER
QIF Abbreviated
D02/04/2024
PACT GOV PARKING FEES CANBERRA AUS
T-3.00
Moneydance also auto-recognise the category when using QIF abbreviated,
although I have only used a small number of transactions.
Fantastic. I have always used straight QIF in the past so I am not sure why
the change occurred but that is life in IT.
Thanks for help
Max
Maxwell James Shanahan FCPA, CISA, MACS (senior), MIIA (Aust), CGEIT
Convenor: Standards Australia JTC1 SAC Workgroup JT-001-13 Trustworthiness
Member: ISACA Governance of Enterprise Information and Tech (GEIT) Advisory
Group
32 River Drive, Karabar, NSW 2620, Australia, mob 0417 802 544
System closed this discussion on 03 Jul, 2024 07:20 AM.