CSV Import Best Practices for Expense and Income Data
Reduce import errors by using consistent date formats, valid categories, and a simple pre-import validation routine.
Use consistent column formats
Keep CSV columns in the expected order and format: type, date, amount, category, note. Use YYYY-MM-DD for dates and numeric amounts only.
Small format mismatches are a common reason imports succeed partially or fail validation.
Match category names exactly
Use existing category names or slugs from your account to avoid category-not-found errors. Keep spelling and spacing consistent across rows.
When possible, generate a sample file from the app first and edit from that template.
Validate after import
After a successful import, verify row count and date range in the table filter currently selected. Imported rows may not appear if the active month differs.
Run a quick search on one imported note or category to confirm visibility and sorting.