Importing Historical Data

You can import previous years of summary data using a CSV file you generate from your source of historical data. Importing historical data allows current year to previous year comparisons in both the main window and budget dashboard.

Preparing your historical data for import

The historical data import format is one row per current category for a given historical year:

• For posting level categories with a monthly budget:
  • Supply the yearly and monthly budget, plus the actual amounts for January through December.
• For posting level categories with a yearly budget:
  • Supply the yearly budget, plus the actual amount for the year.
• For parent categories (types sub-total, intermediate and final):
  • Supply the yearly and monthly budget only. The actual amounts will roll-up from the posting level categories.
• You can add a comment that will show in the Budget List.

How to Import Historical Data

• First use Backup Database to make sure you have a current backup of your data. See Taking Care of Your Data.

• Prepare your historical data.
  • Gather your historical data into Excel or a similiar spreadsheet program. The installation includes an Excel History Import Template that can help you.
  • Make sure the categories match your existing (current year values).
  • Save the spreadsheet as a CSV file.
  • You can have multiple years in the same CSV file.
• Use the Import History menu option under the Import menu.
  • What does the “Delete existing history” option do?
    • This option deletes the existing budgets and summary data for any years contained within the input file.
    • Use it to re-import after any correction to your file.
• The main window will refresh and allow you to select any historical years you added.
• The historical data will be available for comparison on the dashboard.