[GNC] Another try at "How to record payments for several items paid with a single transaction?"

[Adrien Monteleone]

Chris,

First,

I'd highly recommend while you are getting started to turn on View > 
Transaction Journal View.

That way, you see all splits at all times and you don't have to fiddle 
with the split function or have things jump around with auto-split view. 
It also doesn't hide anything from your view.

While learning double-entry accounting, it is helpful to see what is 
going on, just as if you were doing this on paper.

Of course, switch back to Basic or Auto-split at any time, but I found I 
prefer the Transaction Journal view at all times. A high percentage of 
my transactions have more than 2 splits, and I had to keep expanding 
them to view the full info. (rather than see the less than informative 
'split' every time)

Second,

I'd recommend if at all possible to form the habit of entering all 
transactions from the source account. That is, transactions describe 
money moving from one account to another. You'll find errors are greatly 
reduced if you always enter transactions from the source, with the first 
split as the source side, and then the other splits are the 
'destination' accounts. (you can have more than one source or 
destination of course)

When you first start a new transaction, GnuCash helpfully creates the 
first split using the account that is open. (your source account in this 
case) Just enter the amount of funds being paid as a Credit. (right 
column, regardless of terminology) Note, that is the same for expenses 
and income. (or charges)

See the attached screenshot using your example of snacks.

Of course, once you commit the transaction, GnuCash will re-order the 
splits show Debits appear before Credits.

Regards,
Adrien

On 7/24/23 6:49 AM, Chris Green wrote:
> Thanks both for the 'how to do it' for split transactions.  I'm
> getting there slowly!  :-)
> 
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