tag:infinitekind.tenderapp.com,2009-01-14:/discussions/suggestions/13360-is-csv-import-support-really-still-this-weakInfinite Kind: Discussion 2020-11-27T22:10:22Ztag:infinitekind.tenderapp.com,2009-01-14:Comment/485854112020-08-28T22:03:47Z2020-08-28T22:03:47ZIs CSV import support really still this weak?<div><p>I'm a fellow user.</p>
<p>While you can import investment price information from a correctly formatted CSV file it is not possible to import transactional information from a CSV file into Investment accounts.</p>
<p>While the Investment register may look similar to the other registers it functions in a completely different way. It not a table like the other registers. A transaction in the investment account is driven by the action field. There are a defined number of actions and any action you enter must match with one of these. The action choosen will also determine what fields are active and also what fields are mandatory and what are optional.</p>
<p>A CSV file is really just a table of information and is expected to be consistent. The data that is in investment records does not have this consistency because of the way they work. The rules with investment accounts also means that a simple free form table will not work.</p>
<p>I have never seen an investment house that did produce CSV files that could be used in an investment account without a considerable amount of work. I have seen other financial programs produce such reports which with a bit of work could be used in a spreadsheet like Excel or Calc with some macros can produce QIF files which can be loaded into Moneydance Investment accounts.</p>
<p>To import CSV files into most account you have two options, the inbuilt importer or the user written importer installed through the Extensions menu item. CSV files are the least preferred import method, since although the format is flexible, the very flexibility can mean there is a possibility of layout being badly defined or inconsistent.</p></div>dwg