File-Based Import

Looking for a way to import transactions that doesn't involve linking your bank accounts? Live outside of North America or Europe? Try File-Based Importing in the web app on a computer!

In This Article

File Formats

If Direct Import isn't available for your financial institution, or you simply prefer to import bank files yourself, YNAB's File-Based Importing feature makes that easy. You can import the following file formats into YNAB:

  • QFX and OFX (these are our top recommendations, though you may see these options presented as 'Quicken' or 'Money' files.)
  • QIF
  • CSV (only if the above formats aren't available)

Worried about duplicates?

If you enter transactions on the go and then want to import later (which is great!), the imported transactions will match right up with the ones you entered, as long as the amounts are exactly the same and the dates are within 10 days of each other. If you do end up with duplicates, go ahead and reject them and then reconcile the account. 

Importing Your File

After logging in to your online banking account, look for the option to download or export transactions. Once you have your file (or files—you can import multiple at once!), you're ready to start the import process in one of two ways:

  • Click the File Import button in any of your account registers.
  • Drag and drop your file or files onto YNAB. Anywhere in YNAB—like magic!

click file import button located at top of any account register or drag and drop a file anywhere on your budget

Customizing Your Import

Once you've done this, you're just steps away. You've now got a few options and settings to make sure your transactions are coming in just the way you want them.

1
Select the account you want the transactions imported into.
2
If your file includes transactions dated before your account start date, you'll see an option to include or exclude those.
3
Check the box to import the memo field with your transactions, or ...
4
If your bank tends to put the payee in the memo field, check the Swap with Payees box to reverse those fields.
5
Select the Swap Inflow and Outflow option if inflows/outflows are reversed on the file from your bank.
6

If your bank sends transactions with dates formatted in such a way that causes them to appear off by one day when imported into YNAB, the Adjust to local time option will convert the transaction dates to your local timezone. You’ll be able to see a preview of the effect on the transactions prior to importing when selecting this option to see if it will fix this “off-by-a-day” annoyance.


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