[GNC] Can I produce a trial balance as a simple CSV file?

[Michael or Penny Novack]

On 11/21/2023 7:58 AM, David Kirkby wrote:
> I was a bit concerned about the complexity of the CSV files exported from
> GnuCash, since they contain information my accountant does not want. I
> wrote to him and received this as a response (slightly edited from his
> reply)
>
> *Thank you for your email. Do not worry about sending me over complicated
> CSV files - we are very used to this. *
>
> *The way in which we normally work is that a client sends across the trial
> balance, we make relevant adjustments to which we use for the accounts and
> send these adjustments back to you to make within your software. *

Check what he/she REALLY wants. Ask that question, "How would you really 
like them?" As opposed to asking "Could you accept the data in xyz format?"

Also keep in mind that .cvs (comma separated variable) is a basic level 
description of the data. Thus typically a spreadsheet application is 
using this basic level format to store its data BUT that does not mean 
that any file in .cvs format would be meaningful data for a spreadsheet.

Thus when he/she is saying "Do not worry about sending me overly 
complicated CVS files" perhaps saying don't worry about sending me the 
data from a spreadsheet that has additional, extraneous columns.

The point here is that people are telling you that you can export into 
an HTML file that a typical spreadsheet app can open and then save that 
in a more normal format (for a spreadsheet). And THAT is perhaps what 
your accountant wants (because can edit in the changes as he/she 
described and send back to you)

Michael D Novack