In this article
Before entering multi-currency transactions it is necessary to define the parameters of the used currencies in the Exchange rates table.
Columns of the Exchange rate table
Date
The date for the exchange rate.
For each foreign currency, there must be one row without a date for the transaction.
Ref. Currency
This is the currency that serves as the basis for the exchange rate (the CHF in our example.)
Currency
This is the destination currency, the one into which the value of the “Ref. Currency” will be converted.
Text
A text to indicate the foreign currency that we are dealing with
Fixed
True or false. If there is a fixed exchange rate, enter Yes in this column. The used exchange rate is specified in the Exchange Rate column.
Mult.
The multiplier is usually 1, 100 or 1000 and is used to obtain the effective exchange rate. The multiplier is used for currencies which have a very low unit value in order to avoid having to insert exchange rates with many zeros. The multiplier can also be negative (-1). In this case, the program will use an inverted exchange rate or else it will act as if the currencies inserted in the Currency and Reference Currency columns had actually been inverted. Do not alter the multiplier once there are already transactions in the same currency, otherwise the program will signal a transaction error due to erroneous exchange rates.
Exchange rate
This column shows the actual exchange rate for the currency compared to the reference currency.
It is also being used for calculating the exchange rate differences. Before calculating the exchange rate differences or closing the accounting, this value must be updated by entering the closing exchange rate.
The exchange rate and the multiplier are being applied according to the following formulas
- With multiplier > 0
Currency amount = Ref. currency amount* (exchange rate / |mult.|)
- With multiplier < 0
Ref. currency amount = Currency amount * (exchange rate / |mult.|)
Opening Exchange rate
This is the exchange rate at the moment the accounting is opened. To be indicated only on a row without date.
- It is used to convert the opening amount of the currency into the opening amount of the accounting’s basic currency.
- Should be corresponding to the closing exchange rate of the preceding year.
- The opening exchange rate should never be changed in the course of the year, otherwise exchange rate differences are being created in the total of the opening balances.
- When creating a new year or when updating the opening balances, the program defines the opening exchange rate with the value indicated in the Exchange rate column (row without date) of the accounting of the previous year.
Minimum
This column shows the minimum exchange rate accepted. If a lesser exchange rate is used during the entry, there will be a warning.
Maximum
This column shows the maximum exchange rate accepted. If a greater exchange rate is used during the entry, there will be a warning.
Decimal Points
This column shows the number of decimal points to be used when rounding the amounts in currency2.
Rows
Rows without date
For each used currency, it is necessary to have a row in the Exchange rate table without a date, with the following values:
- The Opening Exchange rate
It is used to convert to the opening balance in basic currency.
It should be set at the begin of the year and not be changed over the year. - The Current Exchange rate and the Closing Exchange rate (to be updated before calculating the exchange rate differences and before closing the accounting)
Rows with date
From on version 7.04, for each currency a list with exchange rates with the related date can be kept.
The data column is visible in the History or Complete view.
- The value in the Exchange rate column will be proposed as default change when you insert a new transaction. The program chooses the exchange rate with a the date equal to the transaction row or with the closest preceding date to that row.
- When entering an exchange rate with a date, an Opening exchange rate should not be indicated.
Modifications in the Exchange rate table
- Modification of the Opening exchange rate
The next time you recalculate the accounting, the balances in basic currency of the accounts will be recalculated with the new exchange rate. Therefore, pay attention when modifying the Opening exchange rates once you have inserted the opening balances.If you modify the Opening exchange rates and there are opening balances, it is important to recalculate the accounting.
- Modifying the multiplier
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When changing the multiplier of a currency already used in the Transactions table, the program will report a warning as soon as the accounting is being recalculated or will move to the transaction row.The transaction amount and the correct amount in the basic currency will have to be reentered.
- When the accounting is being recalculated, as a result the opening balances in basic currency will be recalculated.
Direct an indirect exchange rates
- Direct exchange rates are those where the basic currency and the foreign currency are being indicated on the same row.
In the example below there are direct exchange rates USD->EUR and USD->TRL.
- Indirect exchange rates are those where a direct exchange between two currencies is not being indicated (not recommended).
The exchange rate is deducted by the programn based on other combinations of entered exchage ratesIn this example, the EUR->TRL exchange rate has not been defined, and the program relies on combining the USD-EUR and USD-TRL.