Version scope: Instructions checked against the released app’s source code for MoneyCoach 14.0 on Oct 27 2026; not tested in the app.
Standard CSV import requires Account, Category, Date, and Amount. Category is required in both import modes. Transaction type is optional in both modes.
Import CSV to Existing Account… supplies Account automatically. The CSV still needs Category, Date, and Amount.
CSV import helps you move transaction history from another app, spreadsheet, or bank export into MoneyCoach.
MoneyCoach can import CSV files even when the column order is different, because you can map the fields during the import flow.
Required and optional CSV fields
| CSV field | Import CSV… | Import CSV to Existing Account… |
|---|---|---|
| Account | Required | Supplied by the selected account; no account column needed |
| Category | Required | Required |
| Date | Required | Required |
| Amount | Required | Required |
| Transaction type | Optional | Optional |
| Subcategory, notes, payee, currency | Optional | Optional |
You can open a CSV from Files, iCloud Drive, Mail, Dropbox, Google Drive, or any other document provider available on your device.
If you want to import Apple Card statements, use the dedicated Apple Card option inside Settings > Import & Export instead of the general CSV flow. We have a separate guide for that here. To find and download the file, see how to view Apple Card statements.
TL;DR
- Open Settings > Import & Export and choose Import CSV… or Import CSV to Existing Account….
- Map the required account, category, date, and amount fields. Transaction type is optional.
- For transfer rows, choose the Transfer category. Set the transaction type to Expense for the sending-account row and Income for the receiving-account row.
Step-by-step guide
- Open Settings in MoneyCoach.
- Go to Import & Export.
- In the Import CSV section, choose the import action that matches your goal:
- Import CSV… if the file contains an account column to map.
- Import CSV to Existing Account… if every imported row belongs in one existing account.
- Select your file from the system file picker.
- Review the detected columns and map them to the correct MoneyCoach fields.
- Map the required fields before importing:
- account
- category
- date
- amount
- Map optional fields when your file contains them:
- transaction type
- subcategory
- notes, payee, and currency
- If an optional field does not exist in your file, leave it unmapped. For a standard import, map account, category, date, and amount. Import CSV to Existing Account… supplies the account automatically; category, date, and amount remain required.
- Tap Import and let MoneyCoach finish processing the file.
- Review the imported transactions and correct any field mapping only if something looks off.
If you import files from the same source regularly, MoneyCoach can reuse what it learned from earlier mappings, which makes repeat imports much faster.
Transfers
For transfer rows, use the Transfer category (or its localized name). Set the transaction type to Expense for the sending-account row and Income for the receiving-account row. After importing, review both entries.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the required Category field unmapped, including when importing to an existing account.
- Treating Transaction type as a required CSV column. It is optional; review the resulting income and expense types when you omit it.
CSV field questions
Is Category optional when importing CSV files?
No. Category is required for both Import CSV… and Import CSV to Existing Account…. Selecting an existing account supplies Account only; Category remains required.
Is Transaction type required when importing CSV files?
No. Transaction type is optional in both import modes. If your file has no transaction type column, the mapping screen offers Calculate based on the amount field (+/-). Review the resulting types before importing.
Additional Notes
- If your file does not contain a dedicated transaction type column, the mapping screen offers Calculate based on the amount field (+/-). Review the resulting types before importing.
- If your bank export uses different date formats, fix the mapping before you import everything.
- If your file contains optional values such as notes, payee, currency, or subcategory, map them. If not, skip them.
- If the first import result looks wrong, stop and adjust the mapping before importing a large history.
If you are preparing a file manually, include account, category, date, and amount columns for a standard import. Import CSV to Existing Account… supplies the account for every row, so that file does not need an account column. You can use the attached CSV sample as a template.
