How do I use the built-in web browser to download transactions?

For those financial institutions that don't support direct downloading, iBank offers a built-in web browser to simplify the process of updating your accounts manually. The first step in downloading transaction updates using the built-in browser is to associate a valid URL with your bank account.

To enter a URL for your bank's website:

In the source list, select the account you want to use with the built-in web browser and choose View>Show Account Info. The account info pane will appear in the bottom half of the source list. Enter your bank's web address in the URL field. Try to be as specific as possible (i.e. enter the address that will take you directly to your account login) so as to avoid unnecessary browsing when it comes time to update your accounts. When you are done, click the x button to close the account info pane.

To visit your bank's website using the built-in browser:

In the source list, select the account you want to update. Click the visit website Website button on the toolbar or choose Account>Go to Website to open the built-in browser in place of the transaction view to the right. Assuming you have an active connection to the Internet, the web page you specified as the URL for the selected account will be opened automatically:

iBank web browser

At the top of the browser window, you will see two tabs: Click "Transactions" to switch back to the transaction view at any time for reference; click the other tab to return to the web browser (its name will change to show the title of the page that is currently being shown).

Use iBank's built-in browser just like you would any other web browser (e.g. Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera) - click a link to browse to that page, and use the buttons along the bottom of the screen to navigate. Click back to go back, forward to go forward, stop to stop loading the current page (the loading indicator will show as the page is loading), and to reload refresh the current page.

Downloading the transaction updates:

Each financial institution handles the download process a little bit differently (some do not allow you to download transactions from their websites at all). For specfic help with downloading transactions from your bank's website, please contact a customer support representative at your bank. In general, however, there are four main steps you must follow:

  1. Log into your personal account by typing in your user ID and password.
  2. Browse to the page within your account where you can download transactions.
  3. Select the account from which to download the transactions, and enter a start and end date for the download.
  4. Choose a file format and initiate the download.

Here is a sample download form from one bank's website:

sample download form

When specifying a start and end date for the download, be sure to choose dates that are not likely to retrieve transactions that you have already imported into iBank. Although iBank will screen for duplicates during the import process, it is best to avoid duplicates at the source as much as possible. If possible, choose the OFX or QFX file format as these require no configuration to import. If neither of those are available, choose QIF format, which requires minimal configuration, or CSV format if necessary. Please note that iBank cannot import investment transactions using CSV format.

Some banks provide several download options without specifying which file type each one uses. Generally speaking, ""Microsoft Money" usually indicates OFX, "Quicken WebConnect" usually indicates QFX, "Quicken" format usually indicates QIF, and "Excel" generally indicates CSV. You do not actually need to own the software indicated to download a file in a particular format - just use the software name as a guide to determine the file type you need.

Once you have configured your download settings, begin the download! iBank will automatically open the file for importing when the download is complete. Next you will be asked to configure import settings, if necessary, and then the import window will appear to let you process the new transactions.

To close the built-in web browser:

When you are done downloading transaction updates from your bank's website, click the done button at the bottom-right side of the main window to close the broswer and return to the transaction view.

To disable the built-in web browser:

If you would prefer not to use the built-in web browser, open iBank>Preferences and click the general General button. Check the "View websites in default browser" option, and iBank will use your default browser to load your banks' websites instead.