[GNC] New CSV Import Wiki Entries

[Patrick James]

Reply at bottom.


> On 08/16/2026 3:07 PM PDT Michael or Penny Novack via gnucash-user <gnucash-user at gnucash.org> wrote:
> 
>  
> On 8/16/2026 12:22 PM, Patrick James via gnucash-user wrote:ou
> > For various reasons, new users have struggled with the CSV import of transactions. I looked back at the various questions, and while there is no single magic solution, I decided to write a Guided CSV Import. The strategy is to start with known CSV data, as published on the Wiki page, a clean GnuCash file and import the data both non-multi-split and multi-split.
> >   
> > If someone is struggling with a first CSV import, this guided tour will probably answer the questions of where things are going wrong.
> >   
> > https://wiki.gnucash.org/wiki/Guided_CSV_Import
> 
> Might I add a perhaps useful tip? The csv format ONLY specifies that the 
> fields of each record will be delineated by commas. It does NOT specify 
> the order of the fields of each record. Therefore ......
> 
> FIRST do an export of transactions to csv. Almost all applications 
> export records with fields in the order they expect when importing. If 
> you know (from gnucash) what the amounts/dates/accounts/etc. of the 
> transactions you exported you can look at the records in the file you 
> exported to learn what the order of fields is.
> 
> THEN look at the file you want to import/ Same order? Different order? 
> If different you will need to reorder the data.
> 
> Michael D Novack
> 

Thanks for the comments.

During the GnuCash IMPORT PREVIEW step, the import columns are selected from drop-down menus at the top of each column. It does not really matter what order the imported data is.

Also, the CSV data is provided on the Wiki page I authored, so there is no exporting of anything with these two new Wiki pages.

In terms of the import columns, not all fields are required. I often import memos or notes, and it's possible to do one or the other, or both or neither.

The only required fields, as covered in the Wiki page, are Date, Description, Amount, and Account (plus, for non-multi-split, selecting a common account).

On my list of possible additions to the Wiki pages is more about the IMPORT PREVIEW window, and how Saved Settings are an option. Using the saved settings allows for the creation of automated workflows.