[GNC] What does this mean?

[Daniel G Rodriguez]

Hi Alex,

Thank you so much for the explanation. This helps immensely!

You said: "The right choice for you depends on your work practices around
Gnucash and how you plan to use the 'Num' field."

I don't yet know how I will use the Num field. Been stuck at the New Book
Options screen for weeks because I didn't know whether I should select the
checkbox or not...user guide calls for "careful consideration of the
consequences."

I've read every forum I could find on the topic and most comments revolve
around "...if you come from Quicken...". I don't come from Quicken; my
financial records come from CSVs, Excel, online banking and brokerage
accounts (checking, business, IRA, brokerage), and some online payment
services (Paypal, Wechat, Alipay, etc.)

I've never used accounting software before (I did take Accounting 101 in
college 27 years ago). This my first foray into bookkeeping and my
intention is to track my personal and business accounts. I run a two-man
software consulting company and my accounts are spread across three
currencies.

In your opinion, what kinds of situations call for selecting the checkbox?

Are there some basic criteria to consider before selecting this option?

What are the benefits of using this "Use Split Action Field for Number"
feature? Is it something to be taken advantage of if you are starting from
scratch, like me?

I'm also wondering what percentage of users would tend to find it a useful
approach. The feature was introduced in version 2.6 -- by popular demand?
...to satisfy some corner cases?

Thanks for reading and for all the help!

--Daniel

Alex Aycinena <alex.aycinena at gmail.com> 于2018年7月30日周一 上午1:51写道：

> Daniel,
>
>
>
>> From: Daniel G Rodriguez <languagedan at gmail.com>
>> To: gnucash-user at gnucash.org
>> Cc:
>> Bcc:
>> Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2018 23:42:48 +0800
>> Subject: [GNC] What does this mean?
>> Hi guys,
>>
>> I'm new to GnuCash. In the New Book Options dialog box, the tooltip for
>> "Use Split Action Field for Number" says:
>>
>> "Check to have split action field used in registers for 'Num' field in
>> place of transaction number; transaction number shown as 'T-Num' on second
>> line of register. Has corresponding effect on business features, reporting
>> and imports/exports."
>>
>> Does the first part of the phrase mean:
>> 1. 'Num' field normally uses the transaction number?
>> 2. 'Num' field can be used as the transaction number?
>> 3. 'Num' field is usually used to enter a transaction number?
>>
>> I think it means #2, but want to be sure.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> --Daniel
>>
>>
> Each transaction has data related to the whole transaction (like 'date'
> and 'transaction number') and data related to each split (like 'memo' and
> 'action') and there must be two or more splits that are the debits and
> credits of the transaction.
>
> The default is for 'transaction number' to be shown in the register as
> 'Num'. That means that if you look at a transaction in each of the two or
> more registers that correspond to its splits, the 'Num' field in each
> register will be the same. If you change it in one register, it will change
> in the other(s).
>
> If you check the option, 'action' is shown in the register as 'Num'. That
> means that if you look at a transaction in each of the two or more
> registers that correspond to its splits, the 'Num' field in each register
> will be different. Only the 'Num' field of the register the transaction was
> entered in will contain the entered number (or whatever was entered, since
> it is not actually a number field). If you change the 'Num' field in one
> register, it won't change in the others.
>
> So the answer is 1.
>
> If you come from Quicken, and are used to having the number field shown in
> the register vary for each register, then selecting the option will make it
> behave the way you are used to. The right choice for you depends on your
> work practices around Gnucash and how you plan to use the 'Num' field.
>
> Alex
>


-- 
"Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest." --
Mark Twain