[GNC] Another sort field like 'Class' in Quicken?

Mon Sep 17 11:00:03 EDT 2018

David,

I have played with the setting back and forth. I’ve done so with both the XML and sqlite3 backend. (both cases using 3.2 on MacOS) I haven’t experienced any issues.

I think the caveat on changing the setting has to do with importing transactions. That was the context of the explanation I saw in a list thread and it had something to do with confusing the importer down the road.

I tested changing the setting, editing data, and saving the file (in the case of XML, since SQL is instant) closing and re-opening GnuCash and then changing the setting again. There were no issues, and everything always ended up were I expected it, save if I entered different numbers for each split with the option active, when I changed back to using the NUM field as default, each register did not have the same number. (I presume because there is no code to guess which of the two or more should ‘override’ the others) But the split’s number for *that* register moved to the NUM field as expected and could be edited as needed just like before.

Regards,
Adrien

> On Sep 17, 2018, at 9:16 AM, David T. via gnucash-user <gnucash-user at gnucash.org> wrote:
> 
> Paul,
> 
> This is a recent addition to the program. Since the documentation is also developed by volunteers (who are not necessarily the same as the people who write the program itself) documentation often lags behind the features. We rely on users like you to provide descriptions of features and how they get used. If you have a suggestion for this description, we’d welcome it.
> 
> As an aside, I will note that it is my understanding that this setting is supposedly a one-time option—i.e., that once you select it, you shouldn’t change it back. But your comment sounds as if you have tried it both ways in your file without negative consequence. If the setting can be changed at a later time without problem, that would be important to know. Can you give further information on this? 
> 
> What exact version are you using, and on which operating system? 
> 
> What is your file storage, SQL or XML? If XML, when you tried the different settings, did you save your file after each setting change? 
> 
> If you did save the file after changing the setting, did you in fact save the file with data in the affected fields?
> 
> David T.
> 
> 
>> On Sep 17, 2018, at 10:00 AM, Paul Kinzelman <paul at kinzelman.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Wow, I did not get that out of what I read at all.
>> It'd be very useful for people I think if you updated the documentation
>> to say that.
>> 
>> So would a good summary be that if the box is unchecked, if you fill in
>> the number field in a transaction, it automagically propagates
>> to the other corresponding account register to keep them in sync.
>> 
>> If the box is checked, you have to fill in the numbers in both places
>> manually (if you don't, the other one will be blank),
>> which allows them to be different.
>> 
>> On 9/16/2018 10:59 PM, Adrien Monteleone wrote:
>>> Think of the option as more like either you have numbers for transactions, or you have numbers for splits.
>>> 
>>> With the option unset, a payment transaction for example will have the same number both in the asset/liability register used to make/accept the payment and in the AP/AR register.
>>> 
>>> With the option set, you could have different numbers depending on which register you are viewing.
>>> 
>>> This might be useful in some cases to keep paperwork in sync. Your internal paperwork might use one number for a transaction but the external entity might use a different one. The option allows you to record both AND see each number in its proper perspective and context in your books.
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> Adrien
>>> 
>>>> On Sep 16, 2018, at 10:07 PM, Paul Kinzelman <paul at kinzelman.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I read the docs and don't really understand the "Use split Action field for Number" purpose.
>>>> It sounds like the Action field is moved to the Num field, and the Num is hidden
>>>> someplace else? And it's inaccessible?
>>>> 
>>>> Too bad the empty space can't be used for tag, that sounds like a great solution.
>>>> I'm surprised that it can't be.
>>>> 
>>>> However, it sounds like I can use the "Action" field for the Tag, and I
>>>> understand that I have to be careful to make sure the spelling is correct.
>>>> As long as I don't collide with one of the already populated items, seems
>>>> like I should be OK.
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks!
>>>> 
>>>> On 9/16/2018 10:24 AM, John Ralls wrote:
>>>>> But don’t confuse an empty space on the grid for a field. There’s no “tag” field, and adding one is complicated.
>>>>> 
>>>>> There are already five free text fields in GnuCash, all searchable: Number, Description and Notes are part of transactions, Action and Memo are part of splits.  Action is a little weird in that it’s a combo pre-populated with some values associated with certain GnuCash features so using it as a class/tag/subcategory might require extra effort and might interfere with a feature that uses it.
>>>>> 
>>>>> There’s also the “Use split Action Field for Number” book option that displays the register account split’s action field in the Num column of the register, making the Number field inaccessible from the GUI.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Since the fields are free text it requires user discipline to use any of them for categorization: One must be careful to always spell the values the same. Many users who want tags complain that that makes it too hard to use free text fields for categorization, but a tweak to the Action combo so that all previous entries for an action in splits for a particular account are added to the list part or using a similar combo in the Memo would go a long way to resolving that objection.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>> John Ralls
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Sep 16, 2018, at 8:19 AM, Derek Atkins <derek at ihtfp.com> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Search the list archives for "Tags".
>>>>>> SIt's an oft requested feature.
>>>>>> Patches welcome.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> -derek
>>>>>> Sent using my mobile device. Please excuse any typos.
>>>>>> On September 16, 2018 10:34:53 AM Paul Kinzelman <paul at kinzelman.com> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Quicken normally specifies transactions into Categories for filtering
>>>>>>> for reports and such.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> But it also has a nice feature to allow a user to sort on a second field
>>>>>>> called 'Class' which can be specified for each transaction.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Gnucash has what appears to be an unused field which could be
>>>>>>> used for the same purpose. If you view "Double Line", there's a
>>>>>>> space to the right of the "Notes" field which currently can't be
>>>>>>> used.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Has anybody suggested or thought about using the unused field
>>>>>>> for this extra filtering purpose?
>>>>>>> 
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