In this article
This page deals with the importing of transactions from bank statements, the most widely used and most useful feature, which allows you to automate the entry of transactions in the Transactions table.
Bank statement files are defined as those containing incoming and outgoing amounts on a single account. The import dialogue requires the entry of the account and the counterpart, and allows the use of the Auto-completion Rules.
On the other hand, in order to import from files that have other types of movements, e.g. from double-entry bookkeeping, please refer to the page Import Transactions (Generic). For these types of files, there is no possibility of applying the auto-completion rules.
Import procedure
- From Actions in the menu → Import into accounts → in the Import box select Transactions.
- Choose the file type to be imported.
See explanations below. - With the Browse button, choose the file from which you wish to import the transactions.
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Set the parameters as required.
See also: Import into accounting.
Next Steps
Once OK is confirmed, the data is read and the following dialogues are displayed:
- Import transactions dialog
Where instructions for completing the imported rows are to be given. - Apply rules (Advanced plan only)
When importing, records can be stored so that the programme will automatically complete the transactions in all subsequent imports.
Bank Statement Import Formats
In the dialogue for importing transactions you can choose between different file types:
- Import extensions for bank statements (the majority only with the Advanced plan)
These are additional programs that must be installed by the user and that convert the data to be imported in the formats foreseen by Banana Accounting Plus.
By using the Manage Extensions button you can install the extensions programmed for importing bank statements of different banks, credit cards and other formats.
Once the extension is installed it appears in the Extensions menu ready for import.- Bank statement Camt ISO 20022 Switzerland (Professional plan)
Reads the standard format made available by Swiss banks.
This extension also decodes the payment reference number, generated by the Invoice Layout CH10, and inserts the invoice or customer number. - Updated list of Banana Extensions for import.
- Bank statement Camt ISO 20022 Switzerland (Professional plan)
- Standard formats included in Banana Accounting Plus (Professional plan)
These are standard formats that banks make available and are included in Banana Accounting Plus:- MT 940 account statement
- Generic ISO 20022 Account Statement
Several banks in Europe make the account statement available in the standard ISO 20022 format.
- Generic format with Incoming and Outgoing Transactions TXT (Professional plan)
This is a text file of the CSV type, which uses the tabulator as a separator and presents the incoming and outgoing amounts of an account as columns.
File name
You indicate a file or even multiple files separated by a semicolon ";". You can also indicate a ZIP that contains multiple import files.
Import multiple files at the same time:
- If your bank provides daily camt053, you can select all the files for the month and import them in one step.
- If your bank provides the files in a zipper, you can choose the file that contains all the statements.
The import files must, of course, be of the same type. You cannot import different formats together.
Import File Structure
The import file contains the typical movements of a bank statement:
- Date
- [transaction number] optional
- Description
- Incoming or outgoing amount.
When importing, the user indicates to which account the transactions are to be recorded, so that the Debit or Credit account is already created.
Import extensions can be created for any bank statement.
See Technical instructions for importing an Income and Expenses file.
Frequently asked questions:
I cannot see the format of my bank statement. What should I do?
Click onto Extensions menu → Manage Extensions... then on the Update Extensions button and enable the filter for the desired format.
I cannot see the format of the Postfinance xml statement (.tgz file). How can I import my movements?
This format is no longer supported. Please contact Postfinance and ask to receive your statement in ISO 20022 format.
I get the message "This ISO 20022 file does not contain a bank statement (camt.052/053/054)". How should I proceed?
This error message is displayed if the ISO 20022 file does not contain a bank statement. The ISO 20022 format is a generic format that can contain different types of information, such as bank statements and execution confirmations. In Banana Accounting Plus, it is only possible to import bank statements (camt.052/053/054).
My bank is not in the list of supported formats. Can it be added?
It is possible to create new extensions for formats that have not yet been implemented. Support for implementing custom formats is also available for a fee.
In eBanking (e.g. Raiffeisen Bank), when entering payments, you must choose the option 'individual order' instead of 'collective order'. Only in this way are payments imported as individual orders.