MD is not automatically categorizing my downloaded transactions
Jeff
via web
I usually download transactions from my credit card accounts into MoneyDance by downloading a *.OFX file for each statement, and then using "Import" in MoneyDance. In the past when I did that, I am pretty sure that MD "learned" which payees corresponded to which categories, and automatically guessed the correct category for each new transaction based on the most recent category I chose for that payee previously.
Now, MD is simply assigning the default category to each transaction, and I have to manually enter the category for every single downloaded transaction. Is there a way to get MD to automatically guess the categories, like I thought it did before?
Note that I am using MD on a mac at the moment, though I also sometimes use it on a PC (with the same data file).
Thanks,
--Jeff
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32 Posted by Paul Pinocci on 31 Jan, 2010 04:21 PM
Adam and Phillip, I just posted this in another discussion about this same problem. See if this fixes your issue. It did for me.
I figured it out! In build 732 they added a checkbox in Preferences -> Network to "Automatically Merge Downloaded Transactions". If you check that box, it will work like it did in 2008 and in earlier versions of 2010, meaning it will automatically assign the Category. But with that option unchecked it only assigns the default category, or none if you don't have a default category. All I can say is this is why you need to have user documentation or help available prior to an upgrade. I had wondered what that option did, but since it didn't say anything about Categories, only about merging, I didn't think it had anything to do with it. But apparently it does. I just did another download of transactions after selecting the "Automatically Merge Downloaded Transactions" option, and all of my transactions were auto-categorized. I'm happy now, although disappointed that it took this long to figure out, had to figure it out myself, and caused me and others lots of frustration.
Build 732 20091223-2256:
- Added user preference for whether or not downloaded transactions should be automatically merged/matched (at download/import time) with local transactions.
Support Staff 33 Posted by Ben Spencer on 31 Jan, 2010 04:47 PM
Adam and Phillip
I just ran an expriement with regard to your previous post about the categorization option not being the default. See the first screenshot.
In the register is a transaction with the description "BANK" this description was set by an online service. I import a similar transaction from an OFX file. Thats the second one in the register with the blue dot. I click on the one with the blue dot and I see the accept interface at the bottom of the register. The accept dialog contains two options "ORIGINAL" and "CATEGORIZE" I haven't select either of these options this is as they were presented.
So without clicking on either of the options I click the accept button and the result is screenshot 2. The "CATEGORIZE" option was accepted by default as you can see the transaction now has the same category as the one offered by the categorize option. Even though it was not displayed at the top of the accept list it was the default accept option.
Do you get behavioure that is different from this?
This is on build 738. The "Automatically Merge Downloaded Transactions" option mentioned by Paul above was not enabled in my experiment.
Sincerely
Ben Spencer
34 Posted by Gerry Sollner on 31 Jan, 2010 07:03 PM
Pete,
I'm a newbie here, but I'd guess this and your last post were off topic for
this thread. You might have more success posting them either under another
topic or starting a new one.
On a positive note, Ben has been really helpful mitigating this
categorization issue. Thanks, Ben.
Gerry
35 Posted by Philip Downs on 01 Feb, 2010 10:50 AM
Hi Ben
Thanks for taking the time to analyse the problem.
I have downloaded build 738 to test if the behaviour you describe is the same for me.
It is not. I get the two options - Original and Categorize as in your screen shot, but if I click accept without selecting either of them, it enters the 'Original' selection each time. If I want to accept the catergorized line I have to select it first (it highlights it in blue), then click the accept button.
These are my system details:
Mac OSX 10.5.8
Java:
java version "1.5.0_22"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.5.0_22-b03-333-9M3125)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.5.0_22-147, mixed mode, sharing)
Phil
36 Posted by philip Downs on 01 Feb, 2010 10:51 AM
Sorry should add that I'm importing a QIF file.
37 Posted by philip.downs on 14 Feb, 2010 10:55 PM
Hi Ben Spencer
I tried what you suggested and replied to your comments (quite a while
ago). As my setup did not behave the same as you indicated it would, I
was expecting further feedback from you.
What can I do to get transaction import to behave as you describe?
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From: Downs, Philip
Sent: Monday, 25 January 2010 11:25 AM
To: 'Infinite Kind Support'
Subject: RE: MD is not automatically categorizing my downloaded
transactions [Problems]
Thanks Gerry, I will do.
Agree, it's basic functionality, not just "nice to have"
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From: Gerry Sollner
[mailto:***@tenderapp.com]
Sent: Monday, 25 January 2010 11:21 AM
To: Downs, Philip
Subject: Re: MD is not automatically categorizing my downloaded
transactions [Problems]
Support Staff 38 Posted by Ben Spencer on 16 Feb, 2010 07:23 PM
Hi Philip
If you have not already done so I suggest moving to build 741 so that we are both using the same version. The algorithm for determining the default selected option in the accept dialogue will select the option that is the best match (using a number of parameters). The selected item is highlighted in grey before you click on any of them.
Without being able to see your data file and the file you are importing I cannot comment with confidence on what is happening in your situation. However I am certain that the system does not always default to the original option.
Sincerely
Ben Spencer
39 Posted by philip.downs on 23 Feb, 2010 04:42 AM
Hi Ben
Thanks for your reply, I am grateful that I can get some response from
Moneydance, however I don't seem to be getting anywhere other than
constantly upgrading my build.
I did as you suggested and am now on 741. Same issue, the categorized
options are there, but the one labelled Original' is always the one
highlighted in grey, so this is the one used if I click on accept
without changing the selection.
I'm using QIF file import. How can I progress resolution on this issue?
Can I record a screen sequence and send direct to you? (don't want to
publish financial info for all to see)
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Spencer
[mailto:***@tenderapp.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 17 February 2010 6:23 AM
To: Downs, Philip
Subject: Re: MD is not automatically categorizing my downloaded
transactions [Problems]
Support Staff 40 Posted by Ben Spencer on 23 Feb, 2010 02:51 PM
Hi Philip
You can email me directly using ***@moneydance.com
Ben
41 Posted by Gray Maddry on 24 Feb, 2010 12:54 AM
I have noticed the same problem. Too many clicks to accept the correct transaction. This is with 741. Matching is somewhat better, but there are still problems with a new unmatched transaction as you can't change the default category until after it is accepted. . I have previously reported these in another matching problem thread. I am another who thinks the 2008 method was much easier to use. I haven't yet heard a convincing argument as to why the new method is better.
Support Staff 42 Posted by Angie Rauscher on 01 Mar, 2010 03:56 PM
Gray,
We are working on another upgrade to the transaction matching and importing functions of Moneydance 2010, and I really believe it is the best one yet. We'll be posting on the blog when it is released, (edited 3/2) most likely in Q2 of 2010.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance,
Angie Rauscher
Moneydance Support
43 Posted by Gray Maddry on 02 Mar, 2010 02:53 AM
Angie,
Please include the ability to edit before accepting and reduce the number
of clicks to accept. If merged were highlighted that would be a big help.
Gray
-----Original Message-----
From: Angie Rauscher
[mailto:***@tenderapp.com]
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 10:57 AM
To: ***@nc.rr.com
Subject: Re: MD is not automatically categorizing my downloaded transactions
[Problems]
44 Posted by -Kevin N. on 02 Mar, 2010 03:31 AM
Hi Gray, Highlight a 'blue dot' txn. Hit 'Enter' to edit it. Hit 'Ctrl' + 'Enter' to 'Accept' it.
(I think it's 'Cmd' + 'Enter' for Macs) HTH -Kevin N.
45 Posted by Gray Maddry on 02 Mar, 2010 04:25 AM
You are right. However it is "not intuitively obvious to the most casual observer". When I press enter the original transaction does go into edit mode, but the original/merge disappears so it looks as if you have left the merging process. You do get the original/merge back after editing. How do you find this out? Also clicking accept or cntr-enter seems to accept the merge option but it is not highlighted. This new process may be better but it is not obvious how it works and as others have complained there is no doc. For new process that is as different as this one is you MUST provide documentation as to how it works or it must "be intuitively obvious to the most casual observer" and this merger process is not obvious.
46 Posted by -Kevin N. on 02 Mar, 2010 01:55 PM
Hi Gray, There is a draft of a Help file for MD 2010 available here:
http://help.infinitekind.com/discussions/md2010-beta/60-almost-fina...
It explains that the txn. matching process remains a work-in-progress and hence the documentation for the matching process is still forthcoming.
HTH -Kevin N.
47 Posted by Gray Maddry on 03 Mar, 2010 01:11 AM
Yes it matching is a work in progress, but you are putting the beta out for
us to try and test and it is very hard to work with the new features when
there is no help. Help must be put out in some form at the same time as the
program. If no doc how are we suppose to use and test MD. Your email of 3/1
gave me more info on how the matching worked than I have seen in two months.
Would it have been so hard to include that info when MD started working that
way? I am not asking for polished or complete doc, but something we can test
at the same time as the program.
I have been using computers for over 40 years, OS2 1.2- 2-1, Windows
3.1-XP. So I am use to trying to figure out programs with little or no doc,
but this is MY MONEY here and I really don't like working in the dark.
-----Original Message-----
From: kmnugent
[mailto:***@tenderapp.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 8:56 AM
To: ***@nc.rr.com
Subject: Re: MD is not automatically categorizing my downloaded transactions
[Problems]
Angie Rauscher closed this discussion on 24 Jul, 2011 07:35 PM.