Hello everyone, and a question on entering transactions

[Derek Atkins]

Hi,

On Tue, September 27, 2011 4:15 pm, Ron Hudson wrote:
> Hi,
>
> My name is Ron, and I am studying double entry bookkeeping with an eye
> to starting a book keeping practice.
> I am thinking of using GnuCash in this practice instead of quickbooks.
>
> Is this the right place to get questions answered?  I will try to pose
> "how do I " use questions vs. accounting or
> bookkeeeping theory questions.
>
>
> May I start with my first question:
>
> I am currently in the point of my studies where I am entering
> transactions into the general ledger accounts.
>
> I have tried two ways in GnuCash,  1s by adding entries to the
> accounts from the Accounts page.  2nd by
> adding each transaction in the General Ledger under Tools. In Both
> cases, while the transaction is being entered
> a record in the "Unbalanced" account is created, between when a debit
> and a balancing credit is being entered.
>
> Is there a way to avoid this? Should I avoid it? ( I end up with
> unbalanced balance of 0.00 )
>
> Of course I have read some of the documentation, looking for the
> proper procedure for entering a transaction,
> but I have not found my answer that way yet.
>

The trick is to not hit "Enter" (or Return, or Commit) until you're done. 
Use the tab key to tab off the end of the line to get to the next split. 
The Scrub routine only gets run when you hit Enter, and it's the Scrub
routine that adds the link to the Imbalance account.

When you enter it "right" that account never shows up.

Good Luck!

> Thanks.
>
> Ron.

> Please remember to CC this list on all your replies.
> You can do this by using Reply-To-List or Reply-All.

-derek

-- 
       Derek Atkins                 617-623-3745
       derek at ihtfp.com             www.ihtfp.com
       Computer and Internet Security Consultant