[GNC] Keeping Imported Transactions from Overwriting Data?

[Jim DeLaHunt]

Eric:

On 2020-04-11 10:10:20 -0500, "Eric H. Bowen" <eric at ehbowen.net> wrote:
> When I write a paper check, I put the payee's name and
> associate information in the "Description" and "Notes" field. But, when
> I import transactions from my credit union (usually with QFX) prior to
> reconciling, the data I entered is overwritten with "PAID CHECK
> 0000XXXX" and "OFX ext. info: |Trans type:Check|Memo:Paid Check
> 000000XXXX", which is sorta less than helpful when I'm attempting to
> identify transactions later.…
>
> I'm concerned, though, because I'm wanting to implement GnuCash for our
> church's bookkeeping. I haven't yet tried downloading from our church's
> bank, but …if it overwrites information, especially deposit information
> which we will use to keep track of offerings and contributions, it could
> be a disaster. Is there any way of still downloading to match and clear
> transactions, but to keep the download from overwriting manually entered
> data?

I am bothered by the same Gnucash behaviour. I don't see how to change 
it via user settings. I just filed a Gnucash issue ticket about it:

Bug 797678 <https://bugs.gnucash.org/show_bug.cgi?id=797678> - OFX 
importer should supplement, not replace, existing Notes (and Description 
and Memo) fields

I will add a summary of your comments, and a link to this thread, to 
that bug report. You are welcome to add comments there and/or subscribe 
to notifications about the bug.

If the GnuCash bug tracker is new to you, then 
<https://wiki.gnucash.org/wiki/Bugzilla> is one introduction.

Best regards,
       —Jim DeLaHunt, Vancouver, Canada