Import from another application
i want to start working with Moneydance, and want to import info from another doftware.
what type of import files can i import from?
any xls format or some table files?
anything from Microsoft Money?
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1 Posted by hendel12d on 24 Jan, 2025 09:59 AM
i want to start working with Moneydance, and want to import info from another doftware.
what type of import files can i import from?
any xls format or some table files?
anything from Microsoft Money?
Support Staff 2 Posted by Maddy on 24 Jan, 2025 10:05 AM
Hi David,
Thank you for contacting Moneydance support.
Generally, you can find detailed information on Importing Data from Other Programs in this section of the Knowledge Base.
In order to import your data from Microsoft Money, you have to export one QIF file per account. (you cannot export all data in a single QIF).
You need to use MS Money to export your data in a QIF file type, one QIF file for each account, including any closed accounts that have transfers to any open accounts, re-open these accounts, if necessary.
Open one of the QIF files in a text editor.
You are looking for the date format used in the file e.g. D25/03'2019 - Day Month Year or D5/ 17'19 or D05/31/2017- Month Day Year etc.
You will need this information later.
If you get this wrong, it will be apparent as the dates in Moneydance will be all over the place and you will need to start again creating a new data set.
QIF files were never meant for transferring data from one program to another, but it’s all that is available, you will need to spend time cleaning things up when the import process is complete.
When you first start Moneydance, it opens in the Welcome window.
Click on “Create a new account set”. If you have opened Moneydance before, create a new data set under File (Moneydance On Mac)> New.
Select “Create New File” and click Next. Type in an Account Set Name (Data Set) and click Next.
Change Primary Currency (base currency), if required.
File Type, leave at “Standard Account set”, click Finish.
In the side bar (list on left) under Bank, delete the two default Bank accounts, highlighting them in turn and using Account--> Delete Account.
Select one of your QIF account files, the one with the most transfers to other accounts.
1. If in step 3 you don’t see the name of the account you are importing click Cancel and setup the account. Account--> New Account - select account type – Next – Enter the name of the account exactly as it appears in your old program under “Account Name” – OK.
2. Drag and drop the QIF file into the side bar (list on left).
3. Waited for import window to appear, this can take a few minutes.
IMPORTANT: Check all listed accounts are of the correct type and currency, and apply changes, if required.
4. Find the name of the account you are importing in the list and highlight it.
5. The “Date Format” should be set to the date format used in the QIF file, not the date format you want to use in Moneydance.
6. Select the correct Decimal Character. Do not tick “File was downloaded”.
7. Click import and wait for account values to appear. Again this can take some time!.
Accounts that have transfers within the QIF file you imported will be automatically created. Don’t worry it their balances are incorrect, as you import the other QIF account files things will sort themselves out.
Some accounts may be hidden under the “+” at the bottom of the side bar, added them back.
Repeat the process steps 1 to 5 for each QIF account file.
Some QIF files don’t include initial account balances. If you think this is the case, you can add the "Initial balance" to affected accounts, as follows.
Highlight an account, then click Account--> Edit Account and add an Initial Balance.
For investment accounts,QIF file don’t always carry security prices other than buy/sell prices, so investment account balances may be wrong until you update with current security prices.
- Reminders are not included in QIF files. Any accounts that are inactive (closed) should be made "inactive" by highlighting the account in the side bar and clicking Account--> Edit Account and ticking the inactive box. To remove them from the side bar right click and select Remove from Side Bar.
Finally , you would need to check balances and tidy things up
If you haven't already, we encourage you to download our free trial version and experiment with the program. You can download the trial version of Moneydance from our website on this page.
The trial 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 downloading data from your bank, and importing data from other personal finance software.
If you decide to purchase the program at a later date you can keep all data you have entered during the trial period.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions or need more assistance.
--
Maddy, Infinite Kind Support
3 Posted by dwg on 24 Jan, 2025 10:06 AM
From Microsoft Money you are best exporting QIF files, while not perfect these tend to be the best type of files to use.
Well formatted CSV files can be used for non-investment accounts but they are less suited.