Importing bank files into PocketSmith
Importing a bank file is an alternative method for bringing your transactions into PocketSmith 📁 📥 🙌
If there's no bank feed support available for your bank in PocketSmith, or you would prefer to not use bank feeds, then using bank files might be right for you! You can also use bank files to import transactions that are older than those brought in by the initial bank feed import (bank feeds can sync back up to 90 days).
In this user guide
Preparing bank files to import into PocketSmith
If you are importing bank files into PocketSmith, it is best to have your bank files prepared. Most online banking services provide export options for bank files in OFX, QFX, QIF or CSV format. You will need to have your files exported from your online banking website before they can be imported into PocketSmith.
Learn how to export your bank files from your online banking website here: Preparing your bank files & accepted file types
Once you have exported the bank files from your online banking, you are ready to import them into PocketSmith!
Importing bank files from the checklist
If you have just signed up to PocketSmith, you can import bank files to set up new bank accounts.
If you are importing a CSV file, you'll also need to choose or create a CSV format
Importing bank files into a new account on the Account Summary page
If you want to create a new offline account using a QFX, OFX, QIF or CSV bank file after you have completed your checklist, you can do this from the Account Summary page.
Note
If you want to import a bank file into a new account that belongs to a new bank that doesn't exist in your PocketSmith account, you'll just need to add the bank before following these steps.
On the Account Summary page, select +New Bank from the left sidebar, enter the name of the bank, select the option Accounts from a file import, and click Save. This bank will now show as an option when choosing New offline account > From a file import
Importing bank files into an existing bank account on the Account Summary page
Drag-and-drop a bank file onto an account in order to import your latest transactions. Alternatively, you can upload files via the account's MANAGE ACCOUNT menu.
Drag-and-drop bank files
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- Head to the Account Summary page ( Manage > Account Summary)
- 2
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Drag-and-drop the file you'd like to import onto the Account
- 3
- If you're importing a CSV file, choose or create a CSV format
- 4
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Select the appropriate
import option and then click
Import my transactions > click
OK
Note
For grouped accounts, this method of importing files will default to the primary transaction account for the group.
If you'd like to upload your file to a secondary account, you can do so by first selecting the relevant institution in the sidebar. The account cards for each account within the group will now display individually, allowing you to drag-and-drop the file to the desired account.
Import bank files from the MANAGE ACCOUNT menu
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Head to the Account Summary (Manage > Account Summary)
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- Navigate to the bank account that you'd like to import a bank file to
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- Click MANAGE ACCOUNT > Import bank file
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- Drag and drop, or choose the file you'd like to import
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- If you're importing a CSV file, choose or create a CSV format
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Select the appropriate import option and then click Import my transactions > click OK
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- Head to the Transactions page
- 2
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Hover over
+ Add and then click
Quick import
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Drag-and-drop the files you'd like to import
- 4
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Match the bank file to the correct bank account using the account dropdown menus
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- If you're importing a CSV file, choose or create a CSV format
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Select the appropriate
import option and then click
Import my transactions
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Select
Start Import
- Leave transactions on overlapping dates out
This keeps the original transaction and prevents any transactions with the same date as an existing transaction from being imported - Replace transactions on overlapping dates
We recommend this option to avoid missing out any transactions, however, any existing transactions on overlapping dates will lose their previous edits such as labels or notes.
Where possible, it's best to import bank files with minimal overlap of existing transactions.
- Keep all transactions (may result in duplicates)
We do not recommend this option - 1
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Head to
Settings >
User preferences
- 2
- Select Saved CSV formats from the left menu panel
- 3
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Navigate to the saved format you wish to delete, and click on the
trash can/rubbish bin icon, then click
OK
Importing multiple bank files to your accounts via the Transactions page
If you'd like to upload multiple bank files to your accounts at one time, you can do this via the Transactions page.
Note
We recommend using OFX where possible, as PocketSmith will attempt to automatically choose the right account when they’re uploaded.
Bank file import options
Transaction overlap options
When uploading a bank file into an existing bank account, PocketSmith can pick up any transactions that occur on overlapping dates - i.e. on the same date as any existing transactions within the account.
You are able to select how PocketSmith handles transactions on overlapping dates:
Alert
Please be aware that selecting this option may lead to missing transactions on overlapping dates.
Note
Please note that if this option is selected and you are importing transactions that include the same dates as existing transactions within the account, then the transactions from the date range spanned will be overwritten.
Any existing transactions that are not within the bank file that occur on the dates spanned by the bank file, will be overwritten and lost.
Tip
In order to prevent duplicates and missing transactions, we recommend using the Replace transactions on overlapping dates option.
When exporting your transactions from your online banking, choose to export from the date of the latest transaction in the related PocketSmith account. Then, when uploading to PocketSmith choose to Replace transactions on overlapping dates.
This ensures that no transactions will be missing, however, you will lose any edits (such as labels or notes) made to previously posted transactions on overlapping dates.
Amounts in the statement file are reversed
This checkbox should only be selected when the transaction amounts are incorrectly imported as expense or income. This option is available because some credit card providers show debit amounts as a credit or credit amounts as debit. For more information about this check out our user guide: Expense transactions are showing as income (or vice versa) after importing my bank file
CSV file formats
CSV files are plain text files that do not come in a standardized format like OFX or QIF files. This means that different banks may provide CSV files in various layouts.
When you import a CSV file, you need to identify and choose what is in each column (i.e. merchant, amount, and date) so that PocketSmith knows how to import the file.
Setting up a CSV format
When importing a CSV file, PocketSmith will ask you to review all the columns of your file.
You'll need to identify the Date, Amount, and Merchant, but you can also allocate categories if these are present within your file. To learn more about how to manage categories within CSV files see: CSV files and categories
Note
You may need to scroll to the right of the file to see all of the available columns.
Once you’ve assigned the columns and you’re happy with the set up of the CSV format, you’ll be able to save this format and use it for future CSV bank file imports.
Deleting saved CSV formats
If you need to delete a saved CSV format, you can do so following the steps outlined below:
