Importing transactions with a CSV

If an account can't be linked automatically — a bank Plaid doesn't support, an international account, or a closed account from a previous bank — you can bring its transactions into Mercury Books with a CSV. This article explains how.

Adding a manual account

Before you import, create an account for the transactions to post to.

1. Within Books, go to Accounts
2. Click Add account
3. Choose to add a manual account
4. Give it a name that matches how you'll recognize it on your statements, and save

Importing your transactions

1. Within Books, go to Transactions
2. Click Import transactions
3. Select the account you're importing into
4. Upload your CSV or paste the transaction details
5. Map your file's columns to the fields Books expects — date, description, and amount
6. Review the transactions on the import screen
7. Click to complete the import

Tip: Starting the import from the Reconciliation page pre-selects the account for you, which saves a step when you're importing to close out a period.

Preparing your file

Most banks let you export transactions as a CSV directly. A few things to check before you upload:

• One row per transaction, with a header row at the top
• Dates in a single consistent format
• Amounts as numbers, with outflows and inflows clearly distinguishable
• Remove running balance columns, subtotals, and any summary rows your bank added
• Trim the date range to the period you actually need, so you don't import overlapping transactions

Note: Transactions dated before your entry start date aren't brought into your books, even in an import. Check your entry start date if part of your file doesn't appear.

Correcting an imported transaction

Transaction amounts can't be edited after they're in your books. If an amount is wrong, delete the transaction and import it again with the correct value.

Descriptions and categories can be edited normally from your Transactions page within Books.

Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.