How to Import Bank Transactions from Excel or CSV
Step-by-step guide to importing your bank transactions from Excel (.xlsx) or CSV files. Auto-detect recurring bills and set up your cash flow forecast in minutes.
If you've been tracking your finances in a spreadsheet or just downloaded your bank statement, you don't have to re-enter everything manually. Cash Flow Forecaster supports importing transactions directly from Excel (.xlsx, .xls) and CSV files—and can even auto-detect recurring bills and income to save you hours of setup time.
What File Formats Are Supported?
We support the most common formats you'll encounter:
- • .xlsx (Excel 2007+)
- • .xls (Legacy Excel)
- • Standard CSV (comma-separated)
- • Bank exports from most institutions
Step-by-Step Import Guide
Export from Your Bank
Log into your bank's website and look for "Download Transactions" or "Export." Most banks offer CSV or Excel download options. Select a date range that covers at least 3 months for best recurring detection.
Tip: Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and most credit unions support CSV export. Look under "Account Activity" or "Statements."
Upload Your File
In Cash Flow Forecaster, click the Import button in the top navigation. Drag and drop your file or click to browse. We'll automatically detect the file type and parse it.
Map Your Columns
Our smart importer tries to auto-detect your columns, but you can adjust the mapping if needed. The required fields are:
- Date — When the transaction occurred
- Description — Merchant or payee name
- Amount — Transaction amount (we auto-detect positive/negative)
Review & Import
Preview your transactions before importing. You can deselect any transactions you don't want to include. Click Import to add them to your forecast.
Auto-Detecting Recurring Transactions
Here's where Cash Flow Forecaster really shines. When you import transactions, our smart detection algorithm analyzes patterns to find recurring bills and income:
- Monthly bills like rent, subscriptions, and utilities are identified automatically
- Bi-weekly or weekly patterns are detected for paychecks and regular expenses
- You stay in control—review suggested recurring entries before they're created
Handling Common Import Issues
If your bank uses a non-standard date format (like DD/MM/YYYY), you can select the correct format in the column mapping step. We support US, European, and ISO date formats.
Some banks show all amounts as positive with a separate "Type" column. You can use the "Invert amounts" option or map a Type column to indicate credits vs debits.
If your export includes transactions from multiple accounts, import them separately or use the account filter if your file has an account column.
Tips for Best Results
- Import at least 3 months of data for accurate recurring detection
- Use separate files for checking, savings, and credit card accounts
- Review recurring suggestions carefully—you can always edit or delete them later
- Check your starting balance after import to ensure accuracy
Coming from Another App?
If you're migrating from YNAB, Mint, or another budgeting app, check out our dedicated migration guides:
Ready to Import Your Transactions?
Get started for free. Upload your bank export and see your cash flow forecast in minutes—no credit card required.
Start Free Import