Can we enter transactions which occured prior to acquiring quickbooks? Ex if I acquired quickbooks in August 2019, can I enter transactions from 1/1/2017?

Hello, @accounting375.

Yes, you can import your 2017 transactions with QuickBooks using a CSV file. I can guide you on how to do it.

Here are the factors to consider before you import the CSV file:

• Special characters are not allowed.
• Zeros (0) are not allowed anywhere in the file ($0 should be left blank)
• Correct any transactions that display an amount in the Description column
• Remove the word amount if it appears in the name of the Credit or Debit column (Credit amount and Debit amount are incorrect)
• MAC users must save the file as a Windows CSV file
• Correct and standardize the Date format to a single format (for example, dd/mm/yyyy)
• Some banks provide the day of the week and include it in the Date column (for example, 20/11/2018 TUE in column A) which is not an acceptable format.

Also, you can use either of these formats:

3 Columns

4 Columns

Once the CSV file is prepared, you can start the importing process. Here's how:

1. Go to the Gear Icon.
2. Choose Import data.
3. Select Bank Data.
4. Click the Browse button.
5. Locate the CSV file that you want to import then, click Open.
6. Hit the Next button.
7. Pick the account where you want to record the transactions, then click Next.
8. Map your file with the QuickBooks fields then click Next.
9. Review the list of transactions again then click Next.
10. Click Yes.

Once completed, you can now start reviewing and categorizing each bank transaction. Also, you can refer to this article for the step-by-step instructions: How to import bank transactions using Excel CSV files.

Lastly, you can read through these articles to help you resolve any errors you'd encounter during the importing process:

• Common errors for importing bank transactions using CSV 
• Clear cache and cookies to fix issues when using QuickBooks Online

Always feel free to visit us here if you have other questions about managing our bank transactions. I'm just a few posts away.

@accounting375 

"Can we enter transactions which occured prior to acquiring quickbooks? Ex if I acquired quickbooks in August 2019, can I enter transactions from 1/1/2017?"

Yes, definitely.