[GNC] Importing csv files

[Adrien Monteleone]

Welcome to GnuCash!

I'm not sure there is any single discussion on this outside of what 
you'll find in the documentation.

There are plenty of list threads on the topic in general, but most of 
them deal with a specific aspect, issue, error, etc.

'Best Practice' is to export small chunks and import the data in 
batches, for example, monthly or yearly. (at most)

The import matcher learns as you go, so if you do small batches, the 
effort to make corrections shrinks as it learns on subsequent imports. 
(*important note - while you can make corrections after the import, 
catching mistakes in the import process is better, because that is how 
you manually 'teach' it when it gets something wrong.)

This also makes it easier for you to review the imported transactions 
and affected accounts (possibly reconcile too) and then when you're 
satisfied all is well, move on to the next import.

If any transactions are 'malformed' and GnuCash doesn't like the data 
for some reason, working with a smaller set of data makes it easier to 
find the offender and correct it before trying to re-import.

Depending on how much data you have, be prepared to spend a considerable 
amount of time on this. But if you are methodical and meticulous, you're 
only going to have to do this once.

If you get stuck on any part of the process, or a particular import 
doesn't go smoothly, ask here with the details and someone should be 
able to assist.

Regards,
Adrien

On 1/18/23 7:29 PM, rudy beuc wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I'm trying to migrate from Quickbooks to GnuCash.
> 
> I'd like to keep as much information as I can for record keeping. To 
> that end I've first been trying to import my accounts structure in via a 
> csv file and failing badly.
> 
> Pre Christmas holidays I was getting an error message I could not 
> interpret. Now I've installed the latest stable version 4.13 and it just 
> dies mid process.
> 
> I'm running on Windows 11 and using open office to manipulate the csv 
> files before trying to import.
> 
> Where can I find a good discussion or indepth material on importing csv 
> files, the expected format for them, ect...?