1. What a bank feed CSV is

A bank feed CSV is a file you download from your online banking that contains a list of your bank transactions (dates, descriptions, amounts, balances, etc.).

In BrightBooks, you can import these CSV files to create or update bank transactions, instead of entering them manually.

These CSV files are not provided by BrightBooks.
They are downloaded directly from the individual banks you use via your own online banking.

2. Common CSV types and formats

Different banks provide different CSV formats. Typical variations include:

• Column order
  • Some banks use: Date, Description, Amount, Balance.
  • Others use separate Debit and Credit columns.
  • Some add extra fields like Reference, Transaction Type, or Category.

• Date format

  • DD/MM/YYYY
  • MM/DD/YYYY
  • YYYY‑MM‑DD
   
• Amount format
  • Single Amount column (positive for credits, negative for debits).
  • Separate Debit and Credit columns.
• Extra columns
  • Account number, sort code, currency, transaction ID, etc.

BrightBooks expects certain minimum fields (such as date and amount) and will map the columns during import. If the CSV layout doesn’t match what BrightBooks expects, you may see import errors.

3. Where the CSV comes from

You obtain the CSV file from your own bank’s online banking, for example:

• Business current accounts
• Savings accounts
• Credit card accounts

Typical steps:

1. Log in to your online banking.
2. Go to the transaction history or statement page.
3. Choose Export or Download.
4. Select CSV as the file type.
5. Save the file to your computer.

Because each bank’s system is different, BrightBooks cannot control:

• The exact columns included.
• The date and amount formats.
• The file naming or layout.

4. Importing CSV bank feeds into BrightBooks

Once you have the CSV from your bank:

1. Go to Bank Accounts in BrightBooks.
2. Select the bank account you want to update.
3. Choose the Import Bank Feed or Import CSV option.
4. Upload the CSV file you downloaded from your bank.
5. Follow the prompts to:
   • Map columns (if required).
   • Confirm dates and amounts.
   • Complete the import.

BrightBooks will then create or update transactions in that bank account based on the CSV data.

5. Handling different CSV layouts and errors

Because banks use different formats, you may encounter:

• Missing required columns
  • If the CSV doesn’t include a date or amount column, BrightBooks cannot import it.
• Unexpected column names or order
  • You may need to map columns during import or adjust the CSV (for example, remove extra header rows or blank lines).
• Date or amount format issues
  • If dates or amounts are in a format BrightBooks doesn’t recognise, you may need to:
    • Change the format in a spreadsheet before import, or
    • Adjust your bank’s export settings if options are available.

After import, it’s good practice to:

• Review the imported transactions.
• Check that balances and dates look correct.
• Fix or re‑import if anything is clearly wrong.

6. CSV vs automatic bank feeds

BrightBooks supports two main ways of bringing in bank transactions:

1. Automatic bank feeds
   • Direct connection to supported banks.
   • Transactions flow in automatically once connected.
   • Useful for ongoing, daily/weekly imports.
2. CSV bank feeds
   • You manually download a CSV from your bank and import it.
   • Useful if:
     • Your bank is not supported for automatic feeds.
     • You prefer manual control over what is imported and when.

Both methods ultimately populate your BrightBooks bank account with transactions for reconciliation.

7. If you are having difficulties importing your CSV

If you are having difficulties importing your bank CSV due to layout or format issues, you can:

• Create or adjust a CSV file so that it has column headings exactly as:

   
  • Date
  • Details
  • Debit
  • Credit
  • Balance
• Save this file as a CSV and then import it into BrightBooks using the CSV type BOI365.

Using this standard structure can help avoid common mapping and format problems and make the import process more straightforward.