Maybe I finally understand how to enter split transactions

[Derek Atkins]

Mike or Penny Novack <stepbystepfarm at mtdata.com> writes:

> On 3/21/2015 12:59 AM, Geert Janssens wrote:
>> On Friday 20 March 2015 17:50:04 Michael Wagner wrote:
>>> I spent some time last night trying to enter a Credit Card split
>>> transaction in Chapter 6 of the Concepts manual. I kept paging back
>>> and forth to the paycheck example earier, but I was till confused.
>>>
>>> I think that maybe I understand it now.
>>>
>>> 1) Click on the blank transaction line in the Credit Card account -
>>> add a description and a data, maybe a transaction number - but don't
>>> add any amounts or transfer account information.
>>>
>>> 2) Click on the Split icon.
>>>
>>> 3) In the first split line, select the Liabilty:Visa for transfer, and
>>> add a charge (credit) of $125.
>>>
>>> 4) Tab down to the split line, select Expenses:Groceries for the
>>> transfer, and add an expense (debit) of $80.
>>>
>>> 5) Tab down to the next spit line, select Expenses:Home for the
>>> transfer and add an expense (debit) of $45.
>>>
>>> 6) Click on the + icon, and everything will be folded so that a $125
>>> charge shows up in Visa account - with "-- split transaction --" in
>>> the transfer.
>>>
>>> Is this correct?
> That will work, and if it is what you prefer, continue to use that method.
>
> I normally do one way splits in the reverse order. First enter the
> unsplit side (which will be for the total amount) and working down,
> change the amount shown for the other side, entering that account, let
> gnucash show subtract to show what's left, and repeat till nothing
> left over.
>
> But when it's a two way split I might do it the way you just described
> (BOTH debits and credits are split into more than one account)

Ditto.  I do usually put the total amount into the transaction
debit/credit column before I click on the Split button.

One thing to keep in mind is that before you leave a row you should make
sure that you have an entry in only ONE debit or credit column.  If you
don't then gnucash will take the difference between the two columns and
use that for the line, and then migrate the remainder to the next line.

For example, if you get to a line that already has $100 in the left
column but you want $20 in the right, if you don't clear out the $100
entry then you'll wind up with $80 in the left column and then $20 in
the left column on the next line.

> Michael

-derek
-- 
       Derek Atkins, SB '93 MIT EE, SM '95 MIT Media Laboratory
       Member, MIT Student Information Processing Board  (SIPB)
       URL: http://web.mit.edu/warlord/    PP-ASEL-IA     N1NWH
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