The CSV format YNAB imports
A CSV file for YNAB has a header row and five columns: Date, Payee, Memo, Outflow and Inflow. YNAB’s File-Based Import matches them by itself, so a file like this imports in a few clicks.
Date,Payee,Memo,Outflow,Inflow
2026-09-03,Migros,Groceries,64.35,
2026-09-25,Example AG,Salary September,,5200.00Download the templateor let ynabit write it from your bank’s export, below.
Turn your bank’s export into this format
Drop CSV, camt.053 or MT940 exports from your banks and cards. Each one becomes a …_ynab.csv in the format above, converted on your device.
The columns
| Column | What goes in it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Date | The day of the transaction, in the same format on every row. | 2026-09-03 |
| Payee | Who you paid, or who paid you. | Migros |
| Memo | Optional: a note, reference or payment purpose. | Groceries |
| Outflow | Money out, as a positive number. Empty for money in. | 64.35 |
| Inflow | Money in. Empty for money out. | 5200.00 |
- Keep amounts plain: a dot for decimals, and no thousands separators or currency symbols.
- One Amount column works too, with money out as negative numbers: choose it for both Outflow and Inflow in YNAB’s import window. If money in and out come in reversed, tick Swap Inflow and Outflow.
- Leave out lines that aren’t transactions, such as balances or notes: YNAB no longer skips zero-amount rows, so they would show up as empty transactions.
- There’s no column for categories: File-Based Import doesn’t import them.
Import the file into YNAB
- Open YNAB on the web. File-Based Import isn’t available in YNAB’s iPhone and Android apps.
- Drag the file anywhere onto YNAB. The Import Transactions window opens.
- Check the account at the top, and that each column is matched to the right field. If one isn’t, pick the right field from its dropdown.
- If your file has no header row, tick No header row. If money in and out are swapped, tick Swap Inflow and Outflow.
- Confirm the import. YNAB cleans up the payee names and suggests categories.
YNAB explains every option in its File-Based Import guide.
Why convert your bank’s export first
- camt.053, camt.054, camt.052 and MT940 statements are files YNAB can’t read. ynabit turns them into CSV.
- Bank CSVs often include pending entries, balances, footers or detail lines. ynabit keeps only booked transactions, so none of them turns into an empty or duplicate transaction.
- Every bank has its own columns, dates and number formats, such as 03.09.2026 and 1’234.50. ynabit writes them all as the five columns above, with purchases as outflows also where a card’s export lists them as positive amounts.
- Drop many exports at once, from different banks and months: each becomes its own file, converted in your browser and never uploaded.
Banks and formats ynabit converts
Each guide shows where to find the right export. Banking in Switzerland? Read how to use YNAB with Swiss banks.
YNAB CSV format: questions
Which files can YNAB import?
CSV, OFX, QFX and QIF files, and CSV is the format YNAB recommends. YNAB can’t read other files, such as PDF statements, Excel workbooks, camt.053 or MT940. ynabit converts the last two into CSV.
Which date format does YNAB need?
YNAB’s guide doesn’t name one. Use the same format on every row: ISO dates such as 2026-09-03 are the safest, because they can’t be read as another day. ynabit always writes them.
Does the CSV need a header row?
It helps YNAB match the columns. A file without one still imports: tick No header row in the import window and match the columns yourself.
Will overlapping files create duplicates?
Usually not. YNAB skips imported transactions with the same date and amount as ones it already imported, and matches transactions you entered by hand when the amounts are the same and the dates are within ten days of each other.
How far back can I import?
YNAB doesn’t recommend importing transactions more than a year old with File-Based Import. Transactions dated before the account’s start date can be left out in the import window.
Can I import categories or split transactions?
No. File-Based Import brings in the date, payee, memo and amount. YNAB then suggests each payee’s usual category, and you can change it.
Can I import a CSV on my phone?
No. File-Based Import works in YNAB on the web; YNAB’s iPhone and Android apps don’t have it.