OFX, QIF and OFC
Most banks let you download your transactions as a file. Import that file into an account to bring in its transactions without typing them, then reconcile them one by one: confirm what each transaction is and where it belongs in your budget.
Supported formats:
- OFX (recommended): the most widely used format, carrying the most detail.
- CSV (more flexible): see CSV for how CSV imports work.
- OFC
- QIF
Some banks don't fully follow the OFX, QIF or OFC specifications, which can cause problems during import. If a file doesn't import correctly, send it to support@beyondbudgetapp.com and we'll work on supporting it.
Import a file
- Open the account in the Accounts tab to see its Account details.
- Tap the ⋮ menu and choose Import transactions.
- Turn on Swap inflow and outflow if your bank exports deposits and expenses the wrong way round (your transactions would otherwise appear flipped).
- Tap Pick file and choose the file.
The app processes the file, which usually takes only a few seconds, and then opens the account's list of transactions pending reconciliation.
On Android you can also open a bank file with Beyond Budget from your file manager or email app. The app asks Which account? and then imports the file.
Send the file by email
On the import screen, tap Copy import email to copy our import address, or the open-email button next to it to start an email. Attach the file and send it from the email address you sign in with, from any device. It's handy when the file is on your computer.
Reconcile the imported transactions
Imported transactions wait in the account as pending. The Account details screen shows a banner with how many are pending; tap Reconcile to open the list. Transactions are grouped by day, newest first, and the ones you've just handled appear under Reconciled recently.
For each pending transaction you can:
- Swipe right to reconcile it as an expense: pick its category from the suggestions and it's done.
- Tap it to open Transaction reconciliation and choose What type of transaction is this?: Expense, Income, Transfer, Payment (to a credit card or loan) or Credits & refunds. Then pick the category or account it belongs to. You can also mark it Cleared, add a payee, and tap Show all attributes for more fields such as tags.
- Swipe left to delete it if you don't want it.
Once reconciled, the transaction is added to your account and your budget.
AI suggestions
When you open the pending list, the app asks AI to suggest a category for each transaction based on its description. The sparkle icon at the top shows while the suggestions load; the AI's picks are then included in the category suggestions you see when you swipe right to reconcile. Tap the icon for a reminder of how it works.
Duplicates
If an imported transaction looks like one already in the account, it's marked Possible duplicate and a banner warns you. Open it to compare it with the Similar transaction, or tap Remove duplicates to delete all of them at once.
Delete the whole import
Changed your mind? In the pending list, open the ⋮ menu and choose Delete all. This removes every transaction still pending reconciliation, without touching your budget.
Limits
- Each file can bring in up to 500 transactions. If yours has more, the rest are skipped and a banner tells you; split the file and import the parts.
- Transactions outside the allowed date range aren't imported, and a banner tells you when that happens.
Import regularly, for example every week or two, so there's less to reconcile each time and you spot problems early. If the app's balance still doesn't match your bank afterwards, use Adjust balance on the account (see Basic details).