[GNC] OFX Import matcher user input memo / description enhancement

[Jeff Albrecht]

Hi Jean,

In my workflow it's not a drawback for me as I don't want matches 
recorded, at least as we probably all do, I use Ebay and Amazon a lot. 
And I end up buying things destined for a diverse set of accounts 
(classifications) that can't be determined by the matcher. Perhaps five 
to ten different accounts from a vendor that sells a wide range of 
stuff. Unlike say Albertsons, Kroger etc will always be a single 
account; groceries.

I put them in the UnAccountedFor2020 specifically so I can easily add 
the memo text. That way it's a bit easier to find transactions I want to 
add memos too, rather than searching around the register for the 
imported transactions I want to add the memo too..

    ++ "I too would love to be able to add a note to the imported info
    *in* the matching dialog, rather than having to go to the register
    after the import to add notes... "

I wonder how many folks enter additional text to transactions? Maybe 
easier to ask who doesn't?

c ya...  - Jeff



On 8/5/2020 10:37 AM, Jean Laroche wrote:
> One drawback of your workflow is that GC does not learn how to better 
> match incoming OFX transactions to your accounts, because you're doing 
> that outside of the import matcher...
> I guess you move them to UnAccountedFor2020 so you can go back to them 
> at a later time, and take your time importing them to the right 
> account...
>
> I too would love to be able to add a note to the imported info *in* 
> the matching dialog, rather than having to go to the register after 
> the import to add notes...
> J.
>
> On 8/5/20 10:28 AM, Jeff Albrecht wrote:
>> Devs and users,
>>
>> I want to add a short text entry somewhere on many of my transactions 
>> that are being imported and matched. Specifically if I bought some 
>> goodie, dodad or whatnot from ePay or Amizoned I'd like to add what 
>> the item was in my GNUCash check register.
>>
>> _My Current Workflow_
>> Ignore monthly reminders to import .OFX
>> Do six to twelve months at a time
>> Download the .OFX from my bank
>> Import the .OFX
>> Match obvious like Netflix, utilities, grocers etc... that don't need 
>> a memo.
>> Move the remaining unmatched transactions into a temporary register, 
>> for instance 'UnAcountedFor2020' where I can add some arbitrary text 
>> to a memo or description field.
>> Then lookup transactions on the vendor websites and try to jog my 
>> memory what a a transaction was actually for. This may be handy for 
>> reordering, or explaining to my Accountant. For instance in the 
>> following image replacement nozzles for my pressure washer, this text 
>> string was copied from the vendor, Amazon, orders list item 
>> description. Copy and Paste.
>>
>>
>>
>> Next I highlight the UnAccountedFor2020 and utilize the 4.x partial 
>> pattern matcher which again, is so COOL, such a time saver. (Maybe 
>> have a short list at the top of the picker of the last ten accounts 
>> selected? This would leave my hand on the mouse for many of the 
>> transactions)
>> I continue this until the UnAccountedFor2020 register is empty.
>> I've noticed that the yellow line which has the 'UnAccountedFor2020' 
>> is always blank in the memo/description. I put my desired text there.
>>
>> _Enhancement_
>>
>> If during the .OFX import matching some input box that I could enter 
>> my memo/description text would appear as I pick the proper matching 
>> account. Again that yellow line that has the desired target account 
>> is always blank in the memo/description and may be the likely 
>> candidate for the text target. If I could ad that user inputted text 
>> during the import transaction matching I wouldn't need to move 
>> desired transactions for memo/description into a temporary register 
>> as I do in my current work flow.
>>
>> c ya...  - Jeff
>>
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-- 
Jeff Albrecht
KF7CRU @jhalbrecht