CSV Import Amount
This page is to explain the meaning of the Amount import column choices used during the CSV import.
The focus is the "Amount" and "Amount (Negated)" columns.
To successfully import, one must select at a minimum a Date, Description, Amount, and Account column.
Amount or Amount (Negated) may be chosen for the Amount column.
The question is what is the difference between the Amount and Amount (Negated) columns.
| Selected Import Column | ||
|---|---|---|
| Import Value | Amount | Amount (Negated) |
| Greater than zero "positive" |
Debit(Dr) | Credit(Cr) |
| Less than zero "negative" |
Credit(Cr) | Debit(Dr) |
As a reminder, on your books, Debits increase your checking account balance, so debits to your checking account are commonly called deposits. Conversely, Credits decrease your checking account balance, and are commonly called withdrawals.
NOTE: When your banker says they are "crediting your account," you record that as a debit on your books. See https://gnucash.org/docs/v5/C/gnucash-guide/basics-accounting1.html#basics-accountingdouble2 for more information.
At this point, it would be nice if we could use both columns, with debits in the left column and credits in the right column. Well, the good news is that you may select and assign both Amount and Amount (Negated) columns for a single import.
Using debit and credit columns, all positive values.
Non-multi-split CSV data
all values greater than zero (no negative numbers):
Date,Description,Amount,Amount(Negated),Account 05/03/2006,Grocery Store,,45.21,Expenses:Groceries 14/03/2006,Employers R Us,670.00,,Income:Salary
is the equivalent to:
Date,Description,Amount,Account 05/03/2006,Grocery Store,-45.21,Expenses:Groceries 14/03/2006,Employers R Us,670.00,Income:Salary
Also
Multi-split
all values greater than zero (no negative numbers):
Date,Description,Amount,Amount(Negated),Account 05/03/2006,Grocery Store,,45.21,Assets:Checking ,,45.21,Expenses:Groceries 14/03/2006,Employers R Us,670.00,,Assets:Checking ,,180.00,,Expenses:Taxes:Federal ,,90.00,,Expenses:Taxes:Medicare ,,60.00,,Expenses:Taxes:Social Security ,,,1000.00,Income:Salary
is the equivalent to:
Date,Description,Amount,Account 05/03/2006,Grocery Store,-45.21,Assets:Checking ,,45.21,Expenses:Groceries 14/03/2006,Employers R Us,670.00,Assets:Checking ,,180.00,Expenses:Taxes:Federal ,,90.00,Expenses:Taxes:Medicare ,,60.00,Expenses:Taxes:Social Security ,,-1000.00,Income:Salary
The above samples were crafted from Example 6.1 at https://lists.gnucash.org/docs/C/gnucash-manual/trans-import.html
Two column import is particularly helpful if you create your own CSV files for import and follow standard accounting practices.
Combining multi-split with two column amount, one can import journal entries from a general journal recorded on your favorite spreadsheet.
