Import Excel files
Hi,
I would like to purchase MoneyDance.
Can I import my data from Excel to get started?
Thanks,
Aviva
Comments are currently closed for this discussion. You can start a new one.
Keyboard shortcuts
Generic
| ? | Show this help |
|---|---|
| ESC | Blurs the current field |
Comment Form
| r | Focus the comment reply box |
|---|---|
| ^ + ↩ | Submit the comment |
You can use Command ⌘ instead of Control ^ on Mac
Support Staff 1 Posted by Jenny on 09 Jan, 2016 10:51 AM
Hi Aviva,
The Excel (CSV) format is essentially a flat table of rows and columns. It is very versatile and it is not specifically designed to contain financial information. As such there is no standard way a bank would use to store data in such a file. Which is to say there is no standard order for the columns in a CSV file or names for those columns. As a result of this the import process for CSV files is much more involved that any other standard format.
The 'Text File Importer' extension allows you to specify which columns in a CSV file should correspond to which fields in a Moneydance transaction. This can be installed within Extensions --> Manage Extensions.
Once you have installed the 'Text File Importer' a new menu item will be available at Extensions -->Text File Importer. Select this and you will be presented with a window asking you to browse to the CSV file you want to import. Click the browse button and browse to the CSV file, then click next.
The next window allows you to specify the account you want to import the data into. You can also specify if the fields in the file a separated by a tab or a comma. You may also need to change the date format to that used in the file. Click Next.
You will then be presented with a window that has a list of fields. Each of these fields represents a column in the CSV file. e.g. "Field 1" is the first column in the file and "Field 2" is column 2. You need to select which Moneydance transaction field should correspond with which field in the CSV file. You will need to open your CSV file in a text editor and take a look at it to determine which column is which.
The first time you attempt this, you may want to create a test account, as initially you may have to try different date formats on import to get your data imported correctly. If you go to Account --> New account, and name the file 'TEST', you can mess around with the import of CSV without effecting your other data. Once you've imported this data with the correct settings, you can delete the test account.
If you are having problems getting your data imported correctly, feel free to send me the file, and I will try to import the data on my system.
If you haven't already, I would encourage you to download our free trial version and experiment with the program before you decide if you would like to purchase it. The demo version is fully functional and allows you to manually enter 100 transactions. Imported transactions are not limited, so you'll be able to fully test importing your data.
If you decide to purchase the program at a later date you can keep all your data, the license key simply unlocks the ability to manually enter more transactions. You can download the trial version of Moneydance from here - http://infinitekind.com/downloads
I hope this information is helpful, please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Jenny
Infinite Kind Support
Jenny closed this discussion on 14 Jan, 2016 04:03 PM.
Aviva Faraggi re-opened this discussion on 27 Jan, 2016 08:01 PM
2 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 27 Jan, 2016 08:01 PM
Hello,
I downloaded the trial version and I cannot find a way to get the
Extensions.
However, there is an option to Import CSV files.
However, when i import the file, it is incorrect.
The file is attached.
I would appreciate if you can advise what format I need to import.
Thanks,
Aviva
3 Posted by -Kevin N. on 27 Jan, 2016 10:13 PM
Hi Aviva,
Unfortunately, due to the limitations of the Text File Importer extension, it is not going to be able to import your CSV file. That's the bad news.
The good news, is that there is a free, third-party extension called the CSV Importer that can import your file.
I was able to import your CSV file using the CSV Importer. (See screenshot)
You mentioned that you have an option to import CSV files. Is there an 'Import File' menu item already listed under Moneydance's Extensions menu?
If so, let me know so we can proceed with setting up the CSV Importer for you. If not, we will need to download and install the CSV Importer from the developer's website.
-Kevin N.
4 Posted by -Kevin N. on 28 Jan, 2016 12:25 AM
Hi Aviva,
I noticed a problem with the screenshot that I posted earlier.
Let me know if this new one looks more as it should.
-Kevin N.
5 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 28 Jan, 2016 08:54 AM
Thanks.
In the trial version I have there is an option to Import under the File
menu.
File>Import has CSV file extension as an option.
I have a few more questions:
1. Once I have several accounts setup - can I transfer money from one
account to another?
2. In the reports - is there a report of how much money I have overall in
all accounts combined plotted over time?
If I get the CSV file to import correctly (and your import looks correct) -
can I get a version in the UK which will connect to UK banks?
Thanks,
Aviva
6 Posted by dwg on 28 Jan, 2016 09:39 AM
My take on your questions is:
Once I have several accounts setup - can I transfer money from one
account to another?
This can be done by when entering the transaction selecting the account you want to transfer the funds from/to in the category field
In the reports - is there a report of how much money I have overall in
all accounts combined plotted over time?
It sounds like the Net Worth graph will achieve what you want, the Net Worth report gives you the account balances at a specific point in time.
If I get the CSV file to import correctly (and your import looks correct) -
can I get a version in the UK which will connect to UK banks?
In general it is only a subset of U.S. banks that provide direct connect capability. For people in the rest of the World most financial institutions provide the facility for customer to download transaction files from the Banks Website for their accounts in standard formats like QIF, OFX, QFX etc. These files can be imported into Moneydance with few problems
Support Staff 7 Posted by Jenny on 28 Jan, 2016 10:26 AM
Hi Aviva,
Looks like Des has answered all your questions.
You can view a list of our supported financial institutions here - http://infinitekind.com/fi However, most banks do not support the direct connect feature. Instead, you can download from your bank's web site into QFX, OFX or OFC files (aka Quicken or MS Money files), any of which will import cleanly into Moneydance.
You can also open your bank's download page directly (after entering the appropriate address in the Account --> Edit Account menu) by going to the menu bar and selecting Online --> Open Account Website, which makes the download process easier.
Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.
Jenny
Infinite Kind Support
8 Posted by -Kevin N. on 28 Jan, 2016 02:21 PM
Hi Aviva,
I need to establish that what you're seeing when you click on File > Import is the same as what I'm seeing.
I've attached a screenshot of the window that opens when I click on File > Import. Note, on the title bar of the window where is reads 'Select a file to import (OFX, QFX, QIF, moneydancearchive)'.
I'm not seeing an option to import CSV.
Can you confirm this?
Or...
Can you provide a screenshot of where it shows the option to import a CSV?
Also, just to make certain that we are both using the same version of Moneydance, can you post the version number that is stated when you go to the Help menu and click on 'About Moneydance'? No need for a screenshot, you can just post the number.
e.g. Version 2015.x (build number)
Once we've established that we're both on the same page, we can proceed as planned.
-Kevin N.
9 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 28 Jan, 2016 08:39 PM
Kevin,
CSV file type is on of the file types supported on the Open screen -
screenshot attached.
AceMoney 4.35.1
MechCAD Software LLC, 2002-2013
Evaluation User
Thanks,
Aviva
10 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 28 Jan, 2016 08:45 PM
Hi,
I have 2 accounts setup - checking and savings.
Tried transferring money from savings to checking.
Did not work by using the category.
aviva
11 Posted by dwg on 28 Jan, 2016 08:48 PM
This forum is for users of the software product called Moneydance:
http://infinitekind.com/
You are using AceMoney which is a completely different product by a different company
12 Posted by -Kevin N. on 28 Jan, 2016 10:17 PM
Hi Aviva,
Fellow forum member dwg is correct; you are posting to the wrong forum or using the wrong program. :)
-Kevin N.
13 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 29 Jan, 2016 08:40 AM
Hello,
I am extremely sorry. I have evaluated AceMoney in the past and made a
mistake when I sent you teh details yesterday.
The evaluation version of MoneyDance I have is:
2015.6 (1299)
I downloaded the Text File extension but cannot see anything when I import
my CSV file.
I will appreciate it if you tell me what to choose for the fields in the
importer.
Thanks,
Aviva
14 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 29 Jan, 2016 08:44 AM
The version is
The evaluation version of MoneyDance I have is:
2015.6 (1299)
Where can I get the third-party extension called the CSV Importer that can
import my file?
Thanks,
Aviva
The File import screen is attached.
15 Posted by dwg on 29 Jan, 2016 09:13 AM
The CSV importer can be downloaded from the developers website:
https://github.com/stant/mdcsvimporter2015/releases/tag/v19
16 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 29 Jan, 2016 09:23 AM
Do I need the .mxt file?
Which program do I use to open it?
Aviva
17 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 29 Jan, 2016 09:38 AM
I tried loading the file from the Extension menu - load from file and I get
an error.
Do I have to place the .mxt file in a certain location?
Aviva
18 Posted by dwg on 29 Jan, 2016 09:51 AM
Do you get an error or just a warning message about loading the extension?
The warning message can be ignored it just is that IK have not signed the extension.
I just installed it on MD2015 without problem, it was build 1308 but that should not make any difference.
19 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 29 Jan, 2016 09:56 AM
OK. Managed to install.
Get a screen called Import File v19 for MD2015 (see screenshot)
When I select the CSV file - it tells me it is unsupported (see second
screenshot)
Aviva
20 Posted by dwg on 29 Jan, 2016 10:16 AM
It looks like you have gone back to the Moneydance import option. You start the CSV importer by selecting it in the extensions menu. The menu item under the Extensions menu is "Import File"
21 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 29 Jan, 2016 11:04 AM
This is what I used.
Extensions>Import File and I get the screen I attached in my previous email.
File>Import gives a different screen
Aviva
22 Posted by dwg on 29 Jan, 2016 11:16 AM
The CSV importer screen should look like the attached
23 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 29 Jan, 2016 11:23 AM
Yes. This is what mine looks like.
[image: Inline image 1]
24 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 29 Jan, 2016 11:25 AM
Attached is Book2 I am trying to import
25 Posted by -Kevin N. on 29 Jan, 2016 02:38 PM
Hi Aviva,
I'm glad to see that the misunderstanding has been cleared up and that you already have the CSV Importer installed.
I noticed that Book1.csv which you attached earlier in our conversation and Book2.csv that you attached just now are similar but different.
Book2.csv looks to be an edited version of Book1.csv.
Book2.csv is missing the Num column, the Deposit column as well as 1 txn that is present in Book1.csv.
The txn in question appears twice in Book1.csv but only once in Book2.csv.
29/08/2000,Cash,Cash Withdrawal,-200
The CSV Importer can be set up to import both of these csv files and it can save the formatting of each of them.
My questions is, which one do you prefer? IMO, you would be better served using the format in Book1.csv because it contains both Category and Subcategory information.
Like I said, we can set up the CSV Importer to import either one or both of the file formats but I'd like to only do one at a time with you so as to minimize the complexity.
Let me know if you would like to work with the format in Book1.csv or Book2.csv and we can proceed as planned.
-Kevin N.
26 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 29 Jan, 2016 02:42 PM
Hi,
If you could get Book1 working - that would be great.
Thanks,
Aviva
27 Posted by -Kevin N. on 29 Jan, 2016 03:22 PM
Hi Aviva,
Open the CSV Importer. (Menu bar > Extensions > Import File)
When the main screen of the CSV Importer opens, click the 'Maintain Custom File Readers' button in the lower right-hand corner.
In the resulting window, set up the custom reader per my screenshot.
For the 'Reader Name' you can, of course, name the reader whatever is informative to you, I chose Aviva. You can then click the 'Add' button.
Make sure to enter the proper Date Format: dd/mm/yyyy
Number of Header Lines: 1
Number of Footer Lines: 0
CSV Field Separator: ,
File Encoding: UTF-8
Set the Fields 1 ~ 7 as indicated in the screenshot.
When you are done setting the Fields, click 'Save' and 'Done'.
(Back at the main screen of the CSV Importer...)
Click the [...] button to navigate to Book1.csv.
When it loads, make sure that the proper Account is selected to import the file into.
Set the 'Import Transaction As:' option to 'Regular'.
When everything is set, click the 'Preview Import' button.
In the resulting window, look things over.
If there are no red txns, then you should be good to go.
Close the preview window.
The 'Process' button should now be 'live' and you can go ahead and click 'Process'.
You should receive a small message box indicating the number of processed and imported records.
That should do it.
Going forward you will not need to set up a Custom Reader for these particularly formatted csv files. Bear in mind though, that if you import other csv files with different formatting then you will need to create a new custom reader and add it to your current one(s).
HTH -Kevin N.
28 Posted by Aviva Faraggi on 30 Jan, 2016 10:49 AM
Thanks!!!!
That worked.
Aviva
29 Posted by -Kevin N. on 30 Jan, 2016 02:25 PM
Hi Aviva,
You're welcome. Glad that I could be of help.
-Kevin N.
Jenny closed this discussion on 01 Feb, 2016 10:27 AM.