Manually import transactions into QuickBooks Self-Employed

Learn how to manually groups of transactions.

If you don't want to connect your bank or credit card accounts to QuickBooks Self-Employed, or you can't connect them, don't worry.

You can add transactions manually from a CSV file. Most banks let you download transactions from their website into a CSV. And if you use spreadsheets to track everything, you can save your work in this format. Here's how to upload CSVs to get your transactions into QuickBooks.

Decide which method is best for you

We recommend you either connect your accounts to online banking or manually upload your transactions with a CSV. Follow one method. Don't use both since this can create duplicate transactions.

Step 1: Get the date range

Follow these steps on a laptop or desktop, not a mobile device or tablet.

Before you get transactions from your bank, check which ones are already in QuickBooks so you don't add duplicates.

1. In QuickBooks Self-Employed, go to Transactions.
2. From the Account: All drop-down menu, select the account you plan to upload transactions into.
3. From the Date drop-down menu, select All.
4. Select the Date column header to sort the list by date.
5. Take note of the oldest transaction date in the account.

Step 2: Export the transactions from your bank

1. Sign in to your bank’s website.
2. Follow your bank’s steps to download your transactions as a CSV file. This is usually a button or link on your account page.
   

   Important: Your bank may not have specific instructions for QuickBooks Self-Employed. That's ok. As long as you download your transactions as a CSV, you're good to go.

3. Set the date range for at least one day before the oldest transaction in the account in QuickBooks.
4. Follow any on-screen instructions to finish the download.

Note: You can add transactions as far back as January 1, 2014.

Step 3: Import the transactions

When you're ready to import, open QuickBooks Self-Employed on a laptop or computer instead of the mobile app.

1. Open QuickBooks Self-Employed in a web browser.
2. Select Settings ⚙.
3. Select Imports.
4. Select Import older transactions for the account you want to add transactions to.
5. Select Browse and find the file you downloaded from your bank. It's usually in your Downloads folder.
6. Select the file and select Open to start the import.
7. Review the column headers and data. Make sure the Date, Description, and Amount columns on the CSV match the columns and order in QuickBooks. The other column headers can be in any order.
8. Select Continue to complete the import.

When it's is finished, your older transactions will be in QuickBooks.

Step 4: Review what you imported

Check for any duplicate transactions. There shouldn't be any, but it's still good to double-check:

1. In QuickBooks Self-Employed, go to Transactions.
2. From the Account: All drop-down, select the account.
3. From the Date drop-down menu, select All.
4. Select the Date column header to sort the list by date.
5. Look a few days before and after the original oldest transaction you noted in Step 1. If there are any duplicate transactions, delete the duplicates.

When you're done, review and categorise your transactions to put them in your accounts.

CSV files for credit card accounts

CSV files for credit card accounts may display transactions in reverse. For example, deposits may appear as negative amounts because paying your credit card reduces your balance.

To make sure credit card transactions post correctly to your company file, be sure to select a corresponding credit card account (not a bank account) in QuickBooks Online.