Importing a bank statement

We do not connect to your bank and never ask for your banking login. Instead you download a CSV from your online banking and upload it here.

How do I import a statement?

1. Go to Finances > Reconciliation
2. Choose the account at the top of the page
3. Open the Manage menu and choose Import Statement
4. Choose the CSV file you downloaded and upload it

Use your bank's own "download" or "export as CSV" option. Copying figures off the screen usually loses the heading row, and we need that to work out which column is which.

What happens to the file?

We read the heading row to find the date, the amount (or the paid in and paid out columns) and the description, then add one line per transaction. Lines with no amount, such as a running balance row or a heading, are skipped. If the file has no description column, the line is called "Bank transaction".

After the import, you are told how many lines were imported and how many were already held from an earlier import.

Matching runs straight away: Stripe payouts and same-day amounts are matched for you, and anything with the same amount a few days apart is listed under Suggested matches for you to accept.

What if it says the columns could not be worked out?

We show you the headings we found in the file. If they look right to you, send that list to support@pta-events.co.uk and we will add them; it takes a moment.

Is there a limit on the size of the file?

Yes, 5,000 rows in one file. A year of a busy current account is usually a couple of thousand, so most statements are well inside it. If yours is larger, nothing is imported, and you are told how many rows it has. Download it in shorter periods, a term or a quarter at a time, and import each one. Importing the same dates twice is safe.

What if no transactions were found?

Check the file covers the dates you expect and has amounts in it. A file exported for a period with no activity is empty, and so is one where the amount column is blank.

Can I undo an import?

Yes. The most common mistake is importing a statement against the wrong account. Choose Remove this import on the import, pick the right account, and import it again.

Related reading

• Which banks and CSV formats are supported?
• Can I import the same statement twice by mistake?
• Removing an import and putting it back