How to Add Transactions in YNAB
December 10 2024 8:00pm • Est. Read Time: 6 MINLearn how to add transactions, import transactions from your linked bank accounts, and use File-Based Importing in YNAB. Keep your spending plan up to date by utilizing a mix of these manual entry and importing options.
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In This Article
- Add Transactions
- Explains how to add transactions in YNAB from your chosen platform (web, iOS, or Android)
- Import Transactions
- Explains how to bring transactions into YNAB via either Direct Import or File-Based Importing
- Mix and Match
- Explains how to use a blend of manual entry and our importing options to keep your spending plan ready to go
- Related Resources
Add Transactions
Whether you're at home or on the go, this entry method is for you. Entering transactions can be used in any scenario: managing your own unlinked accounts, ensuring your imported transactions match up seamlessly when they come through from the bank, or filling in the blanks if Direct Import is...less than direct! Adding transactions as they occur helps ensure you can always trust your spending plan.
How to Add Transactions
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- In the left sidebar, select the account the transaction occurred in.
- Click the Add Transaction button.
- In the Payee field, choose or create a payee that describes either who you gave the money to, or who paid you money.
- Select your category. *Does this transaction involve multiple categories? You'll want to use the split transaction option ↗️.
- Depending on whether the funds are entering or leaving this account, you'll enter the amount in the Outflow or Inflow field.
- Feel free to customize the date, add a flag or memo, or set this as a repeating transaction by adjusting the additional fields on this screen.
- Click the Save button.
If you made a mistake when adding the transaction, you can always edit or delete it ↗️.
If you aren’t sure which category to select, you may want to customize your categories ↗️. And if that transaction used up more money than you had in a category (gasp!), it’s time to head to the spending plan and exercise your flexibility ↗️.
Scheduled Transactions
Make transaction entry even easier by creating Scheduled Transactions ↗️. They'll automatically drop into your account register on whatever frequency you choose. They serve the dual purpose of quick entry for frequent or repeating transactions and as a reminder for those not-so-frequent ones (that's you, car insurance!) you tend to forget. Win-win!
- Tap the Transaction button (plus sign icon ) at the bottom of the screen.
- Enter the amount of the transaction using the number pad and tap Done.
- Using the toggle, indicate whether the transaction is an inflow or outflow.
- In the Payee field, choose or create a payee to describe who/where you gave the money to, or who paid you money. (Psst! Notice a little arrow icon next to the Payee name? That means you have the Geo Payees ↗️ feature turned on.)
- Select your category, or create a new one. *Does this transaction involve multiple categories? You'll want to use the split transaction option ↗️.
- Choose the correct account to reflect where the money is leaving/entering.
- Confirm that the date and other details are correct. Feel free to customize by adding a flag or memo, or setting this as a repeated scheduled transaction.
- Tap the Save button.
If you made a mistake when adding the transaction, you can always edit or delete it ↗️.
If you aren’t sure which category to select, you may want to customize your categories ↗️. And if that transaction used up more money than you had in a category (gasp!), it’s time to head to the spending plan and exercise your flexibility ↗️.
Scheduled Transactions
Make transaction entry even easier by creating Scheduled Transactions ↗️. They'll automatically drop into your account register on whatever frequency you choose. They serve the dual purpose of quick entry for frequent or repeating transactions and as a reminder for those not-so-frequent ones (that's you, car insurance!) you tend to forget. Win-win!
- Tap the Transaction button (plus sign icon ) at the bottom of the screen.
- Enter the transaction amount using the number keypad and tap Done.
- Using the toggle switch, indicate whether the transaction is an inflow or outflow.
- In the Payee field, choose or create a payee that describes who/where you gave the money to, or who paid you money. (Notice a little arrow icon next to the payee name? That means you have the Geo Payees ↗️ feature turned on.)
- Select your category, or create a new one. *Does this transaction involve multiple categories? You'll want to use the split transaction option ↗️.
- Choose the correct account to reflect where the money is leaving or entering.
- Confirm that the date and other details are correct. Feel free to customize by adding a flag or memo, or setting this as a repeated scheduled transaction.
- Tap Save when you're done.
If you made a mistake when adding the transaction, you can always edit or delete it ↗️.
If you aren’t sure which category to select, you may want to customize your categories ↗️. And if that transaction used up more money than you had in a category (gasp!), it’s time to head to the spending plan and exercise your flexibility ↗️.
Scheduled Transactions
Make transaction entry even easier by creating Scheduled Transactions ↗️. They'll automatically drop into your account register on whatever frequency you choose. They serve the dual purpose of quick entry for frequent or repeating transactions and as a reminder for those not-so-frequent ones (that's you, car insurance!) you tend to forget. Win-win!
Import Transactions
There are two ways to import transactions into YNAB.
Option One: Direct Import
The first option is to link your account ↗️ in YNAB with your real-world account. This will allow you to import transactions once they clear the bank.
If you'd rather not link the accounts, your bank isn't supported, or the connection is currently down, don't worry — we got you. 💪 YNAB is fully functional without Direct Import using our additional entry or import methods—and rest assured, we're happy to help troubleshoot your connection and imports ↗️ in the meantime if Direct Import is a priority for you!
Option Two: File-Based Importing
Option Two is our File-Based Importing ↗️ feature (in the web app). You can download a file from your bank and drag-and-drop it right into YNAB. You might call it magic. ✨
Either way, imported transactions will match right up with the ones you added on your phone or computer. You’ll even have the chance to approve the matches—or manually match ↗️ two transactions if the amounts differed.
Looking to bring in historical transactions?
While you can bring in past transactions, categorizing all that past spending may not be worth the time investment because YNAB is all about prioritizing the money you have now and looking ahead. We do understand the desire to create a way to see trends or past patterns, though, so read more here ↗️ if you want to import transactions from before the date of the starting balance transaction!
Mix and Match
Why limit yourself to just one option when you can have 'em all? That's right—you can add transactions yourself, import transactions from a bank file, and have YNAB import them for you all at the same time!
This is especially handy when your account is linked but is temporarily unavailable, or if you're counting down the seconds until your financial institution clears a transaction. Sometimes YNABing is just too darn exciting to wait.
Related Resources
Didn't find the information you needed? Check out these related options!
Need to make a change or remove a transaction? How to Edit and Delete Transactions ↗️ |
Want more info on how categories work in YNAB? Categorizing Transactions: A Guide ↗️ |
Need to find specific transactions? Try our search feature. Searching Transactions: A Guide ↗️ |
Do you have a recurring transaction that you don't want to enter repeatedly? Scheduled Transactions: A Guide ↗️ |
Need to make a change or remove all future instances of a scheduled transaction? Editing and Deleting Scheduled Transactions: A Guide ↗️ |
Wondering how to handle imported transactions if you've linked your accounts? Approving and Matching Transactions: A Guide ↗️ |
Need help troubleshooting a connection error or specific importing issues? Troubleshooting Linked Accounts ↗️ |
If my accounts are linked, what do I do about transactions that haven't yet cleared my bank? Pending Transactions: An Overview ↗️ |
Transferring money from one account to another? Transfer Transactions: A Guide ↗️ |
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