Linking transactions from different accounts

[David Carlson]

On 12/1/2013 5:50 PM, xjordanx wrote:
> Thanks Dave.
>
> I get all that. The problem is that when I import the QFX or whatever, from
> the auto loan (which, incidentally is from the same financial institution)
> then it brings in all the transactions with the 'from' account as
> 'Unbalanced'. 
>
> If I then set the transaction to the correct account (the checking account)
> or vice-versa, it duplicates it. It's like there can only be one master
> account it seems, and then all other imports can only be used for
> reconciliation.  Am I correct?
>
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I think that the OFX import assistant is difficult to use.  After you
have selected the file to import you get a screen showing a list of the
transactions that the file contains which the import assistant has not
previously imported.  In the lower left corner of the window there is a
button marked Help.  That is just about all the help there is for this
assistant.

Generally, you want to make all the transactions turn green to be
imported correctly.  If there is already a matching transaction in the
register you should see some bars to the right of the three boxes near
the center of the window and the transaction should remain green if you
check the U+R box or the R box. 
If it is new, then you must check the A box to accept the transaction. 
Then you can select a transfer account instead of leaving it
'Unbalanced' which is what will happen if it is yellow.  If you want to
decide later you can go ahead and import it as unbalanced.  The red ones
will not be imported unless you check one of the boxes.

So, you should be able to avoid the duplicates by carefully checking the
U+R or R box for each transaction that is already present.  A word of
caution, however.  Be sure that the match is to the correct
transaction.  The OFX importer sometimes matches incorrectly.  If there
is more than one possible match it will show all the choices when you
double click on the transaction.

Your situation is not unlike importing credit card accounts that include
the payment from the bank. You will probably decide that it works better
if you always do the imports in a certain sequence.  The OFX import
assistant is supposed to remember what it did last time and make fewer
mistakes the next time, but for me it still wants to charge gasoline
station purchases to Dining and vice versa.

Good luck.

David C