Archive - Getting Started - First Steps with Moneydance

This is an archived document. Please refer to the more recent knowledge base articles on this page

Opening Moneydance for the first time -

If you’ve used Moneydance 2012, 2014 or 2015 - Your account set should be visible in the list on the right. Click to open, or click “Open Other” to navigate to your data file in a different location.
Please note, Moneydance 2015 data files use a new format and cannot be opened using earlier versions of Moneydance.

If you’ve are using Moneydance 2011 or earlier- Click “Import New Account Set” to navigate to and convert your data file into the next Moneydance 2015 format. Select “Convert Only” to continue to store your data in it’s current location, or “Convert and Import” to move your data into Moneydance’s internal library.

If you’re new to Moneydance - You can create a new empty account set, import data from a QIF file, or import data from Quicken™ Essentials. You can also get in touch with our support team by clicking on “Get Help with using Moneydance.” See this article for details on importing data from other personal finance programs.

Registering Moneydance -

Before registering Moneydance you’ll need to open a data file. Next, select the Help→ Register Moneydance menu item and enter your license key. If you purchased Moneydance from the Mac App Store you do not need to register your copy of Moneydance.

Creating a new Moneydance file -

When creating a new account set you have three major options:

Create a New Account Set: Choose this option if you don’t need to import data from another program.

Import New Account Set: Choose this option if you are opening a data file from Moneydance 2011 or earlier, or are importing data which you exported from another personal finance program.

Migrate from Quicken™ Essentials: Choose this option if you would like to import data from Quicken™ Essentials. For more details, see this article.

Once you click on your desired option you’ll name your new Account Set, and will choose a Primary Currency which will be the default currency for all new accounts.

You’ll also need to select a File Type -
Minimal is designed for those who are importing data from another program
Standard is for those who are not importing data.

Moneydance at a glance -

For a view and summary of the Moneydance register, you can view Page 4 of the User Guide.