Import a bank statement

CalBudget can scan bank statement files for repeated bills and income so you do not need to build every recurring schedule manually.

Supported files

• CSV files from most banks
• OFX or QFX statement exports

Import steps

1. Open Import from the profile menu.
2. Choose the account for the statement.
3. Upload the file.
4. Review the recurring schedules CalBudget detected.
5. Save the schedules you want on the calendar.

Review before saving

Detected schedules should be checked before they are added. Make sure dates, signs, frequency, and categories match your bank activity. This import flow creates recurring schedules, not one calendar transaction for every row in the statement.

What importing is best for

Importing helps when you want real bank history to reveal predictable bills and income. It is especially useful when you have 2-3 months of history and want CalBudget to find repeated schedules for review.

Import safely

1. Download the statement from your bank.
2. Open Import in CalBudget.
3. Choose the account that the statement belongs to.
4. Upload the CSV or OFX file.
5. Review the detected recurring schedules before saving.
6. Fix categories, signs, frequency, titles, and start dates as needed.
7. Save only the schedules that should repeat on your calendar.

Review signs before saving

Banks do not all export signs the same way. Some use negative expenses. Some use positive charges and separate debit or credit columns. Always review the preview so detected income and expenses land on the correct side of the forecast.

Avoid duplicate imports

If you import the same date range twice, review the preview carefully before saving. Imported schedules should support the forecast, not create duplicate recurring activity.

After import

Check the affected dates on the calendar. If a new recurring schedule changes a future low point, update your planned spending or account balance so the forecast stays useful.

Import review checklist

• The file belongs to the selected account.
• Dates match the bank statement.
• Income and expenses are on the correct side.
• Frequency and next date match the real schedule.
• Duplicate recurring schedules are removed before saving.
• Categories are good enough for future reports.

When not to import

Skip importing if you only need one or two future planning items, or if you want to bulk-copy every posted transaction. Manual entry is faster for a small change. Importing is best for detecting repeated bills and income from statement history.