[GNC] OFX Import add Memo to transaction

[Jeff Albrecht]

On 4/26/2019 3:22 AM, Liz wrote:
> On Wed, 24 Apr 2019 13:24:29 -0700
> Jeff Albrecht <jeffa at rodaw.com> wrote:
>
>> I'm using GNUCash on Windows 10 using version 3.5.1 upgraded from
>> 2.6.19.
>>
>> As I import a .OFX file from my bank or credit card and
>> match/enter/edit with the 'Generic import transaction matcher' I sit
>> with my Ebay and PayPal accounts open in browser tabs to lookup
>> transactions to be sure I categorize them to my liking. There is
>> information important to me that I want to add as a memo in each of
>> the transactions. Sometimes I try to modify the transaction after I
>> enter / classify it into the correct 'category' entering a memo
>> however I generally get message something to the effect of
>> 'transaction is open in another window, please close or finish that
>> edit' I'm assuming the message is referring to the 'Generic import
>> transaction matcher' window, other times I get a message about the
>> transaction being out of balance after I've added a memo - usually
>> the former about the record being open in another window.
>>
>> Is there a way to add a memo during the import process?
>>
>> If not It's a feature I'd very much like to see. I imagine that once
>> I select the account for the match it could open up in a 'transaction
>> journal' view allowing me to enter a memo and clicking a O.K. accept
>> button. The 'transaction journal' view could be displayed in the
>> 'Generic import transaction matcher' for items that have been
>> matched. A check box could enable (or disable) this behavior in the
>> 'Generic import transaction matcher' screen. And / or as a
>> preferences selection.
>>
>>    - Jeff
>>
>>
> To help us understand, we need some more information about your work
> flow.
> Do you enter transactions into Gnucash one by one, and then run the
> import looking for ones you have missed (or could be fraudulent) OR do
> you use the OFX file to populate your Gnucash ledger?
>
> If you do enter one by one you can of course put the memo in at that
> stage. The importer will find the transaction as a possible match, and
> you will tell it NOT to amend the matched transaction.
>
> Liz

I use the OFX file to populate the Gnucash ledger. As I import and 
categorize I check transactions against vendor (seller) online records. 
Other than recurring transactions I generally want to add a memo to most 
other transactions.

I generally am working through a number of transactions. As I lookup 
each item in the sellers site to verify the transaction and decide 
classification there is no opportunity for me to add the memo. I have to 
go through seller site transactions again after moving each item from 
the 'Generic import transaction matcher' to add the memo. Time consuming.

What I've started to do is move the un-categorized transactions that I 
want a memo for into a register "UnAccounted For" There I can categorize 
and add memos at the same time working my way through verifying against 
online seller transactions until there are no more remaining. mostly 
Ebay, PayPal and Amazon.

I read about "6.15.5.2. Assign a Destination Account to Multiple 
Transaction" and once David gets that functionality restored to 3.5.x, 
see thread; "6.15.5.2. Assign a Destination Account to Multiple 
Transaction" that will be handy in the 'Generic import transaction 
matcher' window to deal with some of the transactions that have a common 
destination and don't need a memo. Then I can use the multiple 
transaction selector to move all reaming un-categorized transactions to 
my "UnAccounted For" account to classify and add memos. It's a bit 
tedious right now as I have to move one transaction at a time however it 
saves me the time sink of looking up each item twice. I can enter the 
memo and the destination category / account at the same time while 
verifying that transaction on seller sites. If I don't recall the 
transaction and can't find it on a seller's site then It's suspicious of 
being bogus.

  - Jeff