Migrate from Banktivity
This discussion is public.
I am trying to migrate from Banktivity.
I tried exporting QIF and importing to MoneyDance and...
-
I have multiple account in multiple currencies
- this means I end up with 4 QIF files exported from Banktivity, one for each currency
- if I import these I get the same transaction appearing in multiple QIF files
- this creates duplicate accounts one for each currency
- if I adjust the details of these (account types and currency) at the point of import I still end up with two accounts
I have disassembled the Banktivity database and have worked out how to export all the transactions as one file with currency details, I can convert that to:
-
QFX/OFX but
- there are no categories
-
QIF but
- then there is the currency issue
-
CSV but
- that requires me to use a temp account (there are tens of thousands of transactions to then batch update)
-
IIF but
- Don't know how to import that.
I've looked at all the extensions available and they unhelpfully advertise themselves as one name in the Extensions add list and another one altogether in the Extension menus (which helpfully does not appear to be the same order as the add on list).
I'm astounded that we are in the third decade of the 21st century and there is still no defined format for transferring financial records.
Does anyone have any suggestions or tips? It seems that any question to support gets you exactly one response and so far I've not been able to craft the perfect question.
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1
Confused Banker
on 01 Sep, 2021 05:19 AM
Things I have noticed:
Each QIF file duplicates the entire list of Accounts and Categories
Works when I import the base currency transactions
When I import the other currencies, even although the accounts are set up the import insists on creating accounts for all of the transactions in the second currency list
These new duplicated accounts default to the base currency not the actual currency
Seems like the import ignores the existing account list and tries to recreate it with every import.
2
derekkent23
on 01 Sep, 2021 08:12 AM
I am not support staff just a user.
Hi Confused Banker
Not sure how much my post will help as when I imported individual QIF files for each MS Money account they were all in the same currency.
QIF file do not normally contain exchange rates. To overcome this QIF file shortcoming the Currency/Security History window must have current and dated exchange rates filled in which cover the date range of transactions in non-base currency account.
Before doing any QIF imports have you filled in the exchange rates for the currencies you use under TOOLS – CURRENCIES.
As well as manually adding exchange rates you can import CSV exchange rate files downloaded from sites on the web. Use IMPORT button in the Currency/Security History window.
You can use the Extension Quote Loader to get exchange rates going back one year when you set the source in Quote Loader to Yahoo HD.
The extension Quote Loader under EXTENSIONS – MANAGE EXTENSION
For information on the features of this extension and how to use see post 200 at
https://infinitekind.tenderapp.com/discussions/investments/4914-the...
Download the PDF’s attached to post 200 and have a read.
To get an overview take a look at the YouTube videos by using the links on page 1 and 2 of the PDF.
When you set up an account in Moneydance it must be in exactly the same name used in your old software and before importing its QIF file did you set it to the correct currency.
If you have investment account their balances will probably be incorrect. This is due to the fact that the currency set in the security history windows will be in the Moneydance base currency. You can change to the correct security currency and provided exchange rates exist the values will be converted. As you do this re-calculation occurs, but I think the results should to be correct. No guarantees the section will work correctly.
Hope this helps.
3
Confused Banker
on 01 Sep, 2021 08:28 AM
Thanks but the issue is not FX related. There is a bug that is duplicating accounts in import when using QIF files
4
dwg
on 01 Sep, 2021 09:29 AM
I would be checking that the name of the account in the QIF file matches the name in Moneydance exactly.
5
Confused Banker
on 01 Sep, 2021 09:32 AM
The account names are identical.
Support Staff 6
Sean Reilly
on 02 Sep, 2021 07:11 AM
HI Sean,
QIF is definitely the best way to import for files like these. I also think it is better to import all of the transactions and accounts in one go. To do this for multiple accounts with different currencies you can customise the account type and the currency in the import settings window. Click on the label with the account type and currency ID to change them during the import, and each account will use the currency you specify. This only works for accounts that don't already have transactions in them though. Also make sure to not select the "File was downloaded" option.
If Moneydance creates multiple accounts with the same type and name then there is either a bug in Moneydance or a subtle difference in the name of the account. If you import all at once, customising the currencies as you do, and still get the duplicates would it be possible to share your QIF file with me so that I can load it in the debugger to see what's going on? If that would be ok, you can upload the file to the link below and I'll delete it when the issue is fixed or when you request me to, whichever is sooner.
Thanks,
Sean
--
Sean Reilly
Developer, The Infinite Kind
https://infinitekind.com
7
Confused Banker
on 03 Sep, 2021 12:40 AM
Hi Sean
Thanks for getting back to me.
I did as you recommended and merged all of the different currency QIF files that Banktivity exported into one massive file (~400k lines).
I then imported this monster file into MD and updated the individual accounts to be the correct type and currency.
I then left this for about 30 minutes as it chewed through and ... I now have the correct number of accounts (no duplicates). This suggests to me that MD has a problem managing the same account across multiple QIF files when importing.
As these files contain highly sensitive personal information I am not comfortable sharing this with you, but I am happy to do a TeamViewer session with you to demonstrate the issue.
I am now just going through the process of sanity checking everything that has imported - as expected there are a high number of FX changes that have to be matched and zeroed out.
Also (this may be a know issue) but wherever there has been a split created eg.
30/09/21 Salary Inc 1000
Tax Exp 200
Super Exp 100
This creates a triplicated entry in the account that receives the salary
1 - split
2 - the matched transaction from Tax account
3 - the matched transaction from Super account
Support Staff 8
Sean Reilly
on 05 Sep, 2021 02:09 PM
Hi Sean,
I'd love to do a screen sharing session, and would be free later on this week around 5pm UK time on just about any day except Wednesday. Would any of those times work for you?
The multiple QIF files approach should work as long as the account name is specified precisely in the QIF file, so it would be great to see why that might not be working.
As for the split transactions, those can be tricky. If the account that includes the splits is imported first then those should be automatically worked out.
Thanks,
Sean
9
Confused Banker
on 05 Sep, 2021 11:21 PM
Hi Sean
I live in Australia, so 17:00 BST is 02:00 AEST and I'm keen to help fix but not that keen :o)
UK and AUS only really overlap in UK's morning up to about 12:00 BST (21:00 AEST).
Let me know if there's a day that you are available in the morning your time.
S
Support Staff 10
Sean Reilly
on 06 Sep, 2021 07:03 AM
Hi Sean,
OK, would 8am BST work for you? I can do it right now, or starting in the next 15 minutes, or tomorrow would be great too.
Thanks,
Sean
11
Confused Banker
on 06 Sep, 2021 07:08 AM
I am free now.
Support Staff 12
Sean Reilly
on 06 Sep, 2021 07:10 AM
Hi Sean,
Fantastic. Could you use the Messages app on your mac to send a message to me at sreilly(at)infinitekind.com (but @ instead of (at)). Using that we should be able to get a screen sharing + audio connection up smoothly.
Thanks,
Sean
System closed this discussion on 06 Dec, 2021 07:20 AM.