[GNC] User defined currencies in "Expense Accounts"

[John Layman]

"I realize I'm probably a tad crazy for wanting this level of detail."

Perhaps not.  But recognize that GnuCash is built upon an abstract data
model where the elements and their relationship to one another have meaning.
If you overload those semantics you are degrading the consistency and
coherence of the software.  You'd be better tracking such non-financial
information in a purpose-built spreadsheet.


-----Original Message-----
From: gnucash-user <gnucash-user-bounces+john.layman=ieee.org at gnucash.org>
On Behalf Of Charles Crossan
Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2023 10:52 AM
To: gnucash-user at gnucash.org
Subject: [GNC] User defined currencies in "Expense Accounts"

While doing my monthly ritual of breaking down my utility bill into GNUcash,
I had the idea of using a user defined currency for electricity (Kilowatt
Hours - kWh) and Water (gallons).  I'd like to be able to chart my "real
usage" as well as rate fluctuations.

I've been using GNUCash for over 10 years, and have created a bunch of
custom currencies for stocks / etc; however, this is the first time I
thought about using it for tracking utility units.

I got as far as creating the kWh currency when I realized that there's no
way to choose a "non ISO 4217" currency for expense accounts.

The GNUCash documentation seems to indicate that Income and Expense accounts
are only able to use "National Currencies" (12.2.1.1. User-Defined
Currencies -
https://www.gnucash.org/docs/v4/C/gnucash-guide/currency_manual.html
<https://www.gnucash.org/docs/v4/C/gnucash-guide/currency_manual.html>).

I'm wondering:

   1. Is there a functional reason for this requirement; or is it an
   arbitrary UI restriction?
   2. Would the application behave erratically if I were to manually edit
   the expense account in SQL to use my own currency?
   3. How is everyone else handling utility tracking?  I realize I'm
   probably a tad crazy for wanting this level of detail.

--
Thanks,
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