When importing transactions into iBank, after you configure the import settings (if required), the import window will appear (unless you chose the "Create accounts for this file" option, in which case the import proceeds automatically). This window is used to screen for duplicates, select the transactions you want to import, set up and apply smart import rules, and choose which account to add the new transactions to:
The top half of the import window displays the transactions in the import file; the bottom half shows current transactions in the destination account, for reference. If you don't see any transactions in the bottom half, select a destination account from the "Import into Account" drop-down menu button.
You can resize the top and bottom panes by clicking the small divot at the center of the window and dragging it up or down.
Across the top of the import window is a tab bar - when you are importing from more than one data file (such as when you initiate a direct download), each data file will show its own tab here. Click a tab to view and process the transactions in that file.
The split-screen view of the import window allows you to easily compare new transactions against those already existing in your account. When the import window opens, iBank will automatically compare the transactions in the top half against the transactions in the bottom half; any matches it finds will be unchecked so that they will not import. It is always a good idea to double-check for duplicates in case iBank makes a mistake.
iBank checks for duplicates based on the amount and date only. If two transactions have the exact same amount and are within a few days of each other, iBank will consider them a match and uncheck the transaction for importing.
You can filter the transactions shown in the bottom half of the import window by typing a word or phrase into the "Filter Transactions" box. Only transactions containing that word or phrase in their payee, memo, or category fields will be shown. Click the button inside the filter box to show all transactions in the destination account. Click any column header to sort the list by the information contained in that column, and click a second time to reverse the direction of the sort.
If you find any duplicates, simply click the checkbox next to the transaction in the top half of the import window so that it is unchecked; this tells iBank not to import the transaction. If you find a transaction that iBank thought was a duplicate but is not, place a check in its box so that it will be imported.
As when screening for duplicates, simply place a check in the "Import" column in the top half of the window next to any transaction that you wish to import. Click "Toggle All For Import" to check or uncheck all of the new transactions at once. To change the account into which the transactions will be imported, click the drop-down menu button labeled "Import into Account" and choose a new destination account.
You can also create smart import rules to automatically assign types, payees, memos, and/or categories to certain transactions based on criteria you specify. For more information, see Smart Import Rules.
Once you have finished preparing your transactions to be imported, click the button. The progress bar on the left side of the import window will update as iBank processes the new transactions. When the import is complete, the new transactions will appear in the destination account.
In some cases, transfer transactions you import from an external file may not be linked once they arrive in iBank. In this case, a transaction will be listed in each of the accounts associated with the transfer. Your account balances will be accurate - the only difference is that changes made to one side of the transfer will not affect the other side. You can re-link imported transfers manually by assigning the appropriate category (the destination account) to one of the transactions, and deleting the other transaction.
After completing an import, the destination account's info pane will be updated to the current date and time. To set an account's "Last import" to the current date without completing an import (for example, you may want to do this if you enter transactions manually instead of performing an import), choose Account>Set Last Import Date to Today. You can edit the last import date manually on the account info pane if necessary - just select the account and choose View>Show Account Info.
If you are importing from multiple data files, click the button on any file's tab to cancel importing from that file. If only one tab is showing, simply close the import window to cancel the import. You can revisit the import window at any time by choosing Window>Show Import Window.