Install Banana Accounting

To open the template you need to install Banana Accounting on your computer.
If you have not yet done so, proceed as follows:

• Download and install Banana Accounting on your computer.
• With the free version you can try any model.

Download the template from the site

On the template page, click on the Download link and Save it to your computer.

• Start Banana and open the file you just downloaded.
• If it has been saved in the temporary folder, you will get a message that the file is read-only.
• Save the file with the name and in the working folder you want.

Use the Template ID (starts with "+")

For example, if you want to find a template with Template ID +10685 on the template page (starts with the "+" sign), you need to:

• Start Banana Accounting
• Use the command File Menu → New command.
• In Filter by enter the Template ID: +10685
• Click on Create.

Choose a template within Banana Accounting

• Use the File -> New command
  You will see the complete list of all available templates. Click on the one that suits your situation most.
• Click on the Create button.
• Save the file  to your computer.

Save the file with a name

Once the file has been created you must save it by giving it a name.
We recommend to use your company's name as the file name and also indicate the accounting year. For example "company-2022.ac2".
The ".ac2" is the extension of Banana Accounting file.

With Banana Accounting your data remains private. While saving, you can also indicate the folder or disk where to save them.

File customization

• Save the file on your computer, in the directory you want, with the name of your company and the year.
• Customize the file to your needs and enter the registrations.
  For double entry accounting
  • Enter the File properties.
  • Adapt the Accounts Table.
  • Enter Transactions.
    Some templates in the Transactions table also have sample records; simply delete them by selecting the rows and from the Edit menu click on the Delete rows command.

 

Extensions may be installed from the Extensions menu → Manage Extensions commands:

The Manage Extensions dialog window is also accessible from the following commands:

• Import Extensions: Actions menu → Import into accounting
• Invoice Layout : Reports menu→ Clients → Print invoices
• Invoice reminder Layout: Reports menu → Clients → Print payment reminders

Productivity Extensions specific to a file

Extensions can often be specific for:

• A certain type of file (accounting management, addresses)
• A specific file property

If the file is not of the right type, or if it doesn't have the required property, the Extension won't be visible in the Extensions menu even if it has been installed correctly.

Extensions settings

Some extensions are created to setup settings. These settings are relative to each file and are used by the associated extension. The settings are displayed in the Extension Settings dialog.

Extension Update

Once installed, extensions are automatically updated by the programme whenever a new version is released.

Using a development version

In Manage extensions you also have the option of previewing any development versions that are made available.

Banana Accounting update

First of all, make sure that you have the latest version of the Banana Accounting programme.

 

Import extensions are additional programmes that allow you to import data exported by other programs, in their specific formats. 
Standard extensions, such as those in the ISO 20022 format, are included with the Professional plan, while extensions specific to certain banking institutions, which must be constantly monitored and updated, are only available with the Advanced plan.

• List of available import extensions

Installing an import extension

In order to use an import extension, it must first be installed locally.

• Go to the Extensions menu > Manage Extensions > Import
  The Manage Extensions dialog can also be accessed from the Import into accounting command.
• Choose the extension you wish to use and click on Install.

Once the extension has been installed it is displayed in the:

•     Import into accounting dialogue

Extension Parameters

In some extensions it is possible to change certain import parameters, which can be accessed via the Settings button.

Importing bank statements

The most frequent use of an import extension is to import bank statements into the accounts.

• Actions menu > Import transactions in accounting
• Choose the Transactions table
• Choose the extension to be used for the import.
  • If the extension has not been installed yet, proceed with the installation now.

Request for a new or update Import extensions

If a suitable format for importing data from your bank or other organization does not already exist or is not working, you can ask our developers to create an import extension.
See:

• Import extensions.
• Extension for importing transactions.
• Import transactions from bank statement

In order to create or update an import extension for a specific file format these steps are necessary:

• Our programmers need to receive:
  • An example file of the data to be imported, with some transactions (without sensitive personal information).
  • The exact details of the bank, organization or software that generated the file.
  • Information on the type of data contained (bank statement, invoice data, salaries, etc.),
  • Explanations on the file content type, links to specifications made available by the bank or software producer.
  • The date on which the file was generated.
  • For files exported from other programs, with data structures that are not immediately understandable, an explanation or examples of the transactions that should be generated in the accounts.
• Evaluation of the request:
  • It will depend on the complexity of the development and whether the import may be of interest to other users.
  • A share of the development or upgrade costs may be required.
• We will consider whether to proceed with the creation of the file and if so:
  • We will use the example file sent to us as a reference and for testing, whereby the content will be publicly available.
  • Unless otherwise agreed, the extension will be developed according to the open source method.
  • The extension will generally be available for installation to Advanced Plan users.
• There is no guarantee that the extension will be kept constantly up-to-date.
  Banks often change their file format without giving prior notice.
• Update existing extensions:
  • Over time, the formats of .csv files are changed or modified and consequently the corresponding import filters must also be updated.
  •  The old import filters (Banana 9 or earlier) will be made available to Banana Plus users with the Advanced plan after the update.
  • It is possible that some old filters will also work correctly with Banana Plus. In these cases, they can continue to be used without any problems until they need to be updated.
  • Updating a filter is done when users tell us that the current version no longer works correctly.
  • Old versions remain available but are no longer updated or corrected.

Developing your own import extensions

If you are a programmer you can create your import extensions. Please visit:

•     Import Extensions (documentation for developers)

The possibility of creating your own extensions is only available with the Advanced plan of Banana Accounting Plus.

Banana Extensions and Templates terms of use

The Banana Extensions, plug-ins and templates are available for free.

Banana.ch is already offering a great selection of free tools, and intends to improve it even more, thanks to community development.
The users themselves have contributed and are still contributing to the creation and improvement of the Banana Extensions and templates.
The more users participate in the development, testing and improving , the higher will be the offer made available for everyone.

For the use of any material and the Banana Extensions the licenses and specific legal conditions Banana.ch SA are applicable, which are deemed accepted by the users, from the moment they access our site, the documentation, or from the moment they download or use any material.

Community development

The development of the Banana Extensions, templates and any other material is carried forward with a community approach and an open source mode. All developed material is made available to everyone for free, in accordance with the licenses, applicable for a specific project that is on github.com/BananaAccounting .
As a general rule, the Apache 2.0 license applies, but some Banana Extensions also use libraries subject to specific licenses. The user is bound to comply to all applicable licenses.

The Apache 2.0, among other things, also states that:

• it is possible to use and distribute the software for any purpose.
• it is possible to freely edit and adapt the software.
• there is no guarantee that the application will work as one might expect.
• there is no liability, on the part of developers, on how the software will be used, on its reliability for a specific use or for any errors or inaccuracies.

This limitation of liability is essential, because it allows users to give their own contribution, without worrying about responsibility issues.  Whoever takes part in the development and improvement of the documentation does its best, but can not ensure that the solution is suitable for a specific use or context. Furthermore regulations change quite often and a solution could become old and inapplicable.

The offered material is therefore suitable for people willing to check directly or with an accountant, that what is made available is suitable for them, regardless of the descriptions and documentation provided.
 

Request for new developments

Banana.ch has a specific branch that focuses on assistance, consulting support and the devolpment of new Banana Extensions and accounting templates.

Please contact us indicating your specific needs.

• Please specify:
  • the required result.
    If it is a printout, please provide us with an Excel or Word example.
  • a file with the accounting data (better if fictional and test data) that needs to be printed.
• Estimate and participation in development costs:
  • If the development is specific to certain needs, recruitment or participation in costs is required.
  • Usually the estimate is based on the development time needed.
    If the application might be useful for multiple users, Banana.ch is willing to partially offer the developments for free.
  • our Terms and Conditions and license conditions apply
  • Unless otherwise agreed, developments are carried out and made available in accordance to the Apache 2.0 license agreement (see wikipedia explanation).
  • The developed solutions can made available to all the community
• Unless otherwise specifically indicated, it is assumed the use of the latest version of the Banana Accounting software.

Import extension development

If a suitable format for importing data from your bank or other organisation does not already exist, you can ask our developers to create an import extension.

So that we can create or update an import extension for a specific file format.

• Evaluation of the request:
  • Depends on the complexity of the development and the possibility that the import may affect other users.
  • A share in the development or update costs may be required.
• To evaluate the request, it is necessary to send:
  • An updated example file with some movements (without private personal information).
  • The exact details of the bank or organisation that generated the file.
  • The date on which the file was generated.
• We will evaluate whether to proceed with the creation of the file and if so:
  • We will use the example file sent to us as a reference and for testing, whereby the content will be publicly available.
  • Unless otherwise agreed, the extension will be developed according to the open source method.
  • The extension will generally be available for installation to Advanced Plan holders.
• There is no guarantee that the extension will be constantly updated.
  In fact, it often happens that banks change format without giving any notice.

 

Support to third party developers

Banana.ch SA supports the shared development with

• Free assistance.
• Free development license.
• Possibly also a financial support

Developers interested in starting a project are asked to contact Banana.ch, submitting a detailed concept.

 

Follow the guidelines for preparing templates and don't hesitate to contact us for further support if necessary.

Once you are ready, in addition to the content, please submit by e-mail your authosization to publish. Please refer to the e-mail template at the bottom of this page required for publication purposes.

Template sharing guidelines

Please make sure to:   

• Remove opening balances from the double-entry template or the income and expense template;
• Enter sample accounting entries.
• Anonymise debtor and creditor accounts (Debtor One, Debtor Two, ..., Creditor One, Creditor Two, ...).
• Include fictitious references to the template headings (Company SA) and for bank accounts.
• Describe the template from the point of view of a beginner and if necessary instruct the user on how to use it.
• Send us an e-mail and attach your file with the extension .ac2 and the description and/or instructions on how to use it.

We help share your template

Whatever your template idea is, we help you give it the right visibility. You have our time and resources at your disposal to help create and/or prepare to publish your template in the Community. Request our support by e-mail.

Template license

The template can be shared with the Creative Commons 1.0 Universal license, Creative Commons BY 4.0 or Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license.

These license types are used for non-software content and are necessary for the template to be customisable and usable by other users. It also allows it to be made available to all online users.

• Creative Commons 1.0 Universal: waives copyright interest in a template you've created and dedicates it to the world-wide public domain.
• Creative Commons BY 4.0: gives appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
   

  If supplied, you must provide the name of the creator and attribution parties, a copyright notice, a license notice, a disclaimer notice, and a link to the material. CC licenses prior to Version 4.0 also require you to provide the title of the material if supplied, and may have other slight differences.

  More info., provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.

• Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0: gives appropriate credit, provides a link to the license, and indicates if changes were made. Distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.

Publication requirements

The only requirement is to have a valid subscription to Banana Accounting Plus.

Authorisation to publish content

Here is the e-mail permission template needed to publish your content:

"Hello,

I herewith authorise the sharing of my content according to the Creative Commons 1.0 Universal and terms and conditions provided by the Banana Accounting Plus Community.

I attach the necessary files requesting their publication.

Best regards."

 

Follow our guidelines to prepare extensions and don't hesitate to contact us for further support if necessary.

Once you are ready, in addition to the content, please submit by e-mail your authorisation to publish. Please refer to the e-mail template at the bottom of this page required for publication purposes.

What are the extensions

These are extensions of the program's functionalities, for reporting, calculating, exporting, importing, establishing bills and reminders and other. Take a closer look at the Extensions menu.

Extension sharing guidelines

Please make sure that you have:

• Entered the extension attributes for the necessary informations of your extension.
• Inserted descriptive comments within the code.
• Formatted the code visualization.
• Described the extension and its functionality by providing all necessary instructions for its use. Quoted the links to documentation if necessary.
• Sent an e-mail and attached the Javascript files, qrc file, manifest.json file, sbaa extension and the documentation into a zip file.

If your extension only works with a specific template, please refer also to page how to prepare template for sharing. Please also include your template in the zip file.

Helping you share your extensions

Whatever your extension idea is, we help you maximise its visibility. If you wish to participate and publish in our Community, you can choose to have our full support and resources helping you create and/or prepare your extension. Request our support by e-mail.

Extension license

The extensions can be shared with the MIT license, Apache Licence 2.0, GNU GPL v3.0, GNU LGPL v3.0 o GNU AGPL v3.0.

The conditions of this licences require the retention of the copyright and the notice of the licence used.

• MIT License: A short and simple permissive license with conditions only requiring preservation of copyright and license notices. Licensed works, modifications, and larger works may be distributed under different terms and without source code.
• Apache License 2.0: A permissive license whose main conditions require preservation of copyright and license notices. Contributors provide an express grant of patent rights. Licensed works, modifications, and larger works may be distributed under different terms and without source code.
• GNU GPL v3.0: Permissions of this strong copyleft license are conditioned on making available complete source code of licensed works and modifications, which include larger works using a licensed work, under the same license. Copyright and license notices must be preserved. Contributors provide an express grant of patent rights.
• GNU LGPL v3.0: Permissions of this copyleft license are conditioned on making available complete source code of licensed works and modifications under the same license or the GNU GPLv3. Copyright and license notices must be preserved. Contributors provide an express grant of patent rights. However, a larger work using the licensed work through interfaces provided by the licensed work may be distributed under different terms and without source code for the larger work.
• GNU AGPL v3.0: Permissions of this strongest copyleft license are conditioned on making available complete source code of licensed works and modifications, which include larger works using a licensed work, under the same license. Copyright and license notices must be preserved. Contributors provide an express grant of patent rights. When a modified version is used to provide a service over a network, the complete source code of the modified version must be made available.

Publication Requirements

The only requirement is to have a valid subscription to Banana Accounting Plus.

Published extensions on Banana

The available Community extensions will be visible from the menu Extensions > Manage Extensions....

In the window that appears, select Online and then the section Community.

Authorisation to publish content

Here is the e-mail permission template needed to publish your content:

"Hello,

I herewith authorise the sharing of my content according to the MIT license and terms and conditions provided by the Banana Accounting Plus Community.

I attach the necessary files requesting their publication.

Best Regards."