Toolbox: Zap Memo Fields

The Toolbox extension was developed by a Moneydance customer and contributor, Stuart Beesley (StuWareSoftSystems).

This extension allows you to view data file and program information, run diagnostics, fix issues, and change settings.

You'll find more information about the Toolbox extension in this article.

This specific part of the Toolbox extension allows you to remove ('zap') unwanted memos from transactions (particularly when downloaded), as many customers find that some downloaded memos are not helpful and clutter the transaction list.

Depending on the settings selected, the extension can also swap the description and memo fields.

Opening 'Toolbox: Zap Memo Fields' -

After installing the Toolbox extension close the Manage Extensions window.

Then select Extensions> Toolbox: Zap md+/ofx/qif (default) memo fields.

If you have the Quotes and Exchange Rates extension installed, you'll see a pop-up asking you to confirm that this extension isn't currently updating rates/prices.

The first time you open the extension, you will see the help guide.
This guide explains how the extension works, the definitions used, and the criteria that can be selected.

When you're done viewing the guide, select 'Close' (at the top right).
Then select Extensions > Toolbox: Zap md+/ofx/qif (default) memo fields.
This time, the extension window will open.

You can access the help guide again at any time by opening the extension and selecting the 'HELP/GUIDE' button near the bottom right of the window.

Using 'Toolbox: Zap Memo Fields' -

When viewing the extension window, you can amend the settings as required.

You can select one specific account or all accounts in your data file.

Then select how many months to look back.
The valid range for this field is a number between 1 - 600.

Only reconciled/confirmed transactions are chosen by default.
But this can be changed by enabling the option to include unreconciled/unconfirmed transactions.
Transactions downloaded from a QIF file are exceptions as the 'confirmed' check will be bypassed.

You can then choose the origin of the transactions you'd like to remove -
Transactions downloaded using Moneydance+, OFX or QIF.
And non-downloaded transactions (i.e. manually entered).

You can choose to remove/swap memos based on whether the memo is contained within the description or vice-versa.

The next two criteria are a bit more extensive (and potentially more 'risky' to run) -

Don't check/compare the original downloaded memo first
This removes memos, irrespective of whether you manually edited/created them.

Don't compare memo to description (just zap)
This will remove the memo based on the criteria set.

Set up your criteria as outlined above.
Then click the 'ANALYSE' button.

This will open a new window displaying all transactions that match the specified criteria.

If you don't want to make any changes to the displayed transactions, select 'CANCEL'. Then you can start again and change the criteria.

If you want to zap the displayed transactions, click 'ZAP/SWAP MEMOS?'

If you click 'ZAP/SWAP MEMOS?' the change is automatically applied.
You will then see a window that confirms how many transactions have been changed.
 

 
If you are not happy with the changes, immediately select Edit > Undo Modify X Items.

Do not perform any other actions before using the undo function, or the option to undo will be replaced with the newer action.

If you have performed another action and cannot undo the changes, you can restore your data using a backup file. The steps to do this are outlined in this article.