CONFIGURATION WIZARD
The Configuration Wizard allows you to quickly and easily set configurations for your accounts (where needed). Configurations determine how your transactions are imported into Budgets Get Real. Some of your accounts may not need you to set a Configuration, and you will be told if this is the case.
Use the Configuration Wizard after you have created your accounts, but before you import your transactions. You can also use the configuration wizard to fix up errors that become apparent after you have imported transactions.
You can also specify these details by using the Import File window. In this case they will be automatically selected for you.
SETTING A CONFIGURATION
STEP 1.
Select your Institution.
Budgets Get Real will then indicate if you need to create a Configuration.
You will need to create a Configuration if:
“This Institution is not managed for the account types you use.”
You will not need to create a Configuration if:
“This Institution is Fully Managed for the account types you use.”
If you do not need to create a Configuration you can stop here. Otherwise, proceed to Step 2.
The Export Template button will only appear if you have created a Configuration.
STEP 2.
Select the Account type you wish to maintain:
You may only select from account types that you have created for that Institution.
Each Account type may present different instructions or options.
- If a Configuration does not exist you must create one:
- You can create one from scratch, using the ‘Create’ button.
- If you have a Configuration Template file you can import it, and use that. - If you have created a configuration you may:
Change Format: Allows you to change the format in which you import transactions. E.g. CSV to QIF. If transactions exist you will be warned that changing formats will affect certain accounts. After you change format you will need to create a new configuration to import transactions in the new format. You will only be able to import transactions that occur after the last transaction previously imported.
Review: Allows you to review your existing configuration and make changes for the same format. You may need to do this if you have noticed an inaccuracy in the way your transactions are imported and wish to fix it.
Use a Maintained Version: You may have created a Configuration for an Institution that Budgets Get Real has now made a supported Configuration for. You can choose to keep using your old Configuration, or upgrade to the newer, supported Configuration.
If you update to the supported Configuration you will no longer be able to use or access your original Configuration. You can still Export the original Configuration.
SOME TIPS FOR BEFORE YOU CREATE A CONFIGURATION
1. Download your transactions for that account from your Institution.
- Try and download as many transactions as possible. This will give you more information to work with for budgets and any reports.
- Download the transactions in one format (Either CSV or QIF. If OFX is available, use that and you will not need to create a Configuration). Choose the format that you will use for all future downloads.
2. Select the transaction (statement) file to be used with the Import Configuration Wizard
3. Check to see if there is an Available Template that you can download and import. This will save you from having to create a Configuration from scratch.
IMPORTING A CONFIGURATION TEMPLATE
If you have downloaded a Configuration Template or received one from a friend, you will need to Import it to use it.
You can import a template using the ‘Import Template’ option in the Configuration Wizard or ‘Use File’ from the Import File window (These options will not be available if that Institution is fully managed for the account types that you use).
About Template Files
Templates exist as text files (e.g. ‘.txt’) and contain a unique signature, which indicates if the file has been changed or tampered with. All files will be checked at the time of import, if a file is not valid it will not import.
Things to note about Templates:
Template files that you have downloaded or received from a friend might not be 100% accurate. They may not have included cheque or excluded rules as needed in your situation. For this reason it pays to look over and check any imported template files. Templates can save you from having to set a configuration for one or more accounts.
EXPORT A TEMPLATE
Once you have created or imported a Template you have the option of exporting it. You might want to Export a template to give to a friend, or to submit a template to us, so that we can share it with other users.
Use the ‘Export’ button to Export a template.
