CSV import problem with some banks

[Gavin Chappell]

My bank in the UK (Alliance and Leicester, for what it's worth) uses the following format for CSV exports meaning that the CSV import feature doesn't work correctly when it hits a debit transaction. Works fine for putting money into the account but taking money out crashes the importer as there's no way of specifying a separate field for credit and debit.

Date,Description,Credit,Debit,Running Balance

Also in the CSV importer, can the profiles be automatically loaded when you select one, rather than requiring a (unnecessary IMO) click on the Load button?

[Michael Rooney (mrooney)]

Thanks, that is true indeed! I have a blueprint for improving the CSV import at https://blueprints.launchpad.net/wxbanker/+spec/csv-import-2.0, I will link it. If you have a minute please read it over and give any comments on it; I think it should cover these issues.

If you are feeling adventurous and are at all familiar with coding (python), feel free to branch lp:wxbanker/0.5 and start hacking :) The relevant files are csvimporter.py (http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~mrooney/wxbanker/wxbanker-olv/annotate/head%3A/csvimporter.py) and csvimportframe.py (http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~mrooney/wxbanker/wxbanker-olv/annotate/head%3A/csvimportframe.py)

[Michael Rooney (mrooney)]

Also please do join the semi-new wxbanker-users group (https://launchpad.net/~wxbanker-users) if you like, it provides a mailing list for general discussion and release announcements :)

[Michael Rooney (mrooney)]

Sorry for the delay, but a recent question reminded me of this and I'd like to fix it. So, in the case of a credit column and a debit column, are the amounts always positive?

[Michael Rooney (mrooney)]

Also I created https://bugs.launchpad.net/wxbanker/+bug/615693 for some low hanging CSV issues, including removing the "load" button and making that automatic. Can you think of any other improvements to include?

[robin0800 (robin-linux-hotmail)]

Just checked, by importing the CVS file into a spreadsheet, the input preview shows unsigned values for both credit and debit columns.

[Michael Rooney (mrooney)]

Thanks, that's what I was hoping. I guess UI-wise there should be a "credit column" and a "debit column". Changing the first should automatically change the latter, but you can change the "debit" independently. This way you don't have to worry about it for the simple case, otherwise I can see people changing the credit column to the correct one and not realizing they have to adjust the other to the same. Can anything think of a better user experience for this?

I assume there is only ever a value in one, so I guess on the logic side, something like: if there's an amount in the credit col, use that, otherwise look for the amount in the debit col. Then, if the amount was in the debit col AND the credit col number does not equal the debit col number, make it negative.

[Gavin Chappell (g-a-c)]

Unfortunately I no longer have Ubuntu on any of my current machines (had to
back up and remove my dual boot from my laptop as the small hard drive ran
out of space) so I'm not using wxbanker at the moment, but since I'm still
subscribed to this bug I'd like to point out that my bank uses signed
values. I've attached some sample data taken from one of my Alliance and
Leicester accounts this morning (nothing personally identifiable in here so
I don't mind sharing it).

Cheers,
Gavin

On 15 August 2010 08:22, robin0800 <email address hidden> wrote:

> Just checked, by importing the CVS file into a spreadsheet, the input
> preview shows unsigned values for both credit and debit columns.
>
> --
> CSV import problem with some banks
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/400350
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in wxBanker: Triaged
>
> Bug description:
> My bank in the UK (Alliance and Leicester, for what it's worth) uses the
> following format for CSV exports meaning that the CSV import feature doesn't
> work correctly when it hits a debit transaction. Works fine for putting
> money into the account but taking money out crashes the importer as there's
> no way of specifying a separate field for credit and debit.
>
> Date,Description,Credit,Debit,Running Balance
>
> Also in the CSV importer, can the profiles be automatically loaded when you
> select one, rather than requiring a (unnecessary IMO) click on the Load
> button?
>
> To unsubscribe from this bug, go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/wxbanker/+bug/400350/+subscribe
>

[Michael Rooney (mrooney)]

Sorry to hear that Gavin but thanks for the sample! That is different from what I expected but I guess it doesn't matter; if the debit column is different from the credit column, then the correct thing to do is make it negative if it isn't already I think, and then that will handle either case. Thanks!

[Michael Rooney (mrooney)]

This format is more popular than I expected so I'll try to fix it for 0.8.1. I guess it will mean those new labels will be untranslated but, alas!

[Michael Rooney (mrooney)]

Actually I am finding it unclear how to implement the UI for this, so I better move it out so I can release 0.8.1 and then focus on 0.9.

I can make a "Credit" and "Debit" amount field, but I'm concerned about a way to do it that isn't confusing if your CSV only has one amount column. Any thoughts on potential wordings? "Amount" and "Debit (if separate)"?

[robin0800 (robin-linux-hotmail)]

With separate debit and credit fields you only need a running balance as well so why not just have amount and running balance if not separate. Perhaps have a tick box to change the amount box to two boxes for credit and debit as required?