Importing Bank Transactions Into The Bank Reconciliation

Post date: Aug 13, 2020 8:12:50 PM

If you need to add bank transactions into your SMCP system from external sources, you can use the 'BK Import Bank Account Entries (55)' function from the 'BK Bank Functions Menu (1136)'.  You might need to do this, if, for example, you aren't yet using the SMCP AP function, and so your checks need to be entered so you can reconcile your bank statement.

The Import function requires a list of the transactions you need to import formatted as a 'CSV' ('Comma Separated Values') file.  This is simply a text file with a line for each transaction, including the required fields separated by commas.  And 'text' fields should be surrounded by double quotes as well.  Many online bank services now provide this as an option to 'export' payments or deposits, so you may not need to build it manually.  Also, most spreadsheet programs can save or export individual sheets as CSV files easily.

The import screen (see below) briefly describes the format required for the file you'll want to import.  It only needs three columns: the first should be the check number, the second needs the transaction date in M/D/YYYY format (so '3/15/2020' or '1/1/2019', or '11/29/2020' will all work), and the third should be the amount - numbers and no more than one decimal point - commas and minus signs ARE allowed, but no other characters.

NOTE: WITHDRAWALS are entered as POSITIVE numbers, DEPOSITS as NEGATIVE numbers.

Choose import file: Click the button to 'Choose File' - this will allow you to browse your local computer or device to select the file you've prepared for importing.  (Once you choose the file, the 'No file chosen' label will change to the file name - if it still says 'No file chosen', then you haven't successfully selected a file and it won't import.)

File to be imported includes a header row? IF your file includes a 'header row' (i.e., if the first row is just titles for the columns (or anything else) and NOT actual data, click this checkbox.  This tells the program to IGNORE the first row in your file and just start reading data at the second row.

Bank: Select the bank for which you wish to import entries here.

Description (this will appear on each entry): Add a description which will then appear on each of your imported lines in the list of bank account entries when you reconcile your statements.

A sample file ('Sample Bank Rec Import.csv') for importing is included below.