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Import a bank statement

Upload CSV or OFX files, review parsed transactions, and add them to your calendar safely.

5 min readUpdated Jun 3, 2026
Import a bank statement

CalBudget can import bank statement files so you do not need to type every transaction manually.

Supported files

  • CSV files from most banks
  • OFX 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 parsed transactions.
  5. Save the transactions you want on the calendar.

Review before saving

Imported transactions should be checked before they are added. Make sure dates, signs, and categories match your bank activity.

What importing is best for

Importing helps when you want to bring in real bank activity without typing every transaction. It is especially useful after a busy week, when reconciling a month, or when checking that planned spending matches what actually happened.

File typeTypical source
CSVDownloaded transaction history from a bank website.
OFXExported statement data from financial software or a bank.

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 preview before saving.
  6. Fix categories, signs, and titles as needed.
  7. Save only the transactions that should appear 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 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 transactions should support the forecast, not create duplicate activity.

After import

Check the affected dates on the calendar. If imported activity 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.
  • Duplicate rows 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. Manual entry is faster for a small change. Importing is best for reviewing real posted activity in batches.

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