[GNC] Modifying the Register

[Michael or Penny Novack]

>
> If you wanted to reorder the splits, it appears that GnuCash always sorts
> them so that the debits are first and the credits afterwards. When there
> are multiple debits or credits, I cannot tell how or why GnuCash sorts them
> as it does.

The HOW gnucash sorts transactions (entered in "journal form") so that 
all the debits appear before any credits a technical detail I would 
think beyond end user interest. But the WHY not hard to explain. That's 
how journal entries have appeared in double entry bookkeeping for say 
the last 800 tears.. Back when on paper, indention from the left 
indicated debit or credit. So looked like this:

Date  account1 amount1

           account 1 amount 2

                           account 3 amount3

                                    Record a transaction with two debits 
and one credit

You want some different order? Reason? Like I said, for a LONG time been 
agreed, debits to the left, credits to the right. Sort of like is all 
agreeing to drive on the right side of the road or the left. It doesn't 
matter which side of the road as long as we all agree. Note that back 
then, the ledger pages looked different, each with a left page and a 
right. So when POSTING this transaction (in the days when on paper) 
amount1 would go on the left facing page of account1, same for amount2, 
left page of account2, but amount3 on the right facing page of account3. 
There were no balance columns. If not done sooner, balancing done at the 
bottom of those pages, the balance (the amount required to make the  two 
sides equal) ending up on the next page opposite side from where needed 
<< an amount entered on BOTH sides changes nothing >>

Michael D Novack

PS: Isn't it great gnucash automates all that for us, balancing after 
each transaction. And allows us to enter transaction with only one debit 
and one credit without bothering entering in "journal form" (cash book 
style accounting for the entire ledger)