QuickBooks, MYOB Freelance Bookkeepers
Ph: 0415 453 536 :: Mobile Bookkeeping Services
Back to manual home
Getting Started
Import Chart of Accounts
Accounts, plus more
Purchases
Sales
Reports
When you first create an entity in Free Accounting Software there are no accounts. You may set up all accounts manually or you may want to import an initial chart of accounts to speed up the process.
To import accounts in the entity menu click "Import". Select a file that contains the accounts you want to import. The file should be formated in XBRLGL format. Make sure the file only contains account information and no amounts as all data from the file is imported.
To download an example file with a basic chart of accounts, click here. You may use this file as is or alter it to suit your needs. To import the file you must first save it. On the import page you can then upload it. After upload you can check that you have a template chart of accounts. Note that all accounts in the file have an account main id starting with xgl, if you have been creating your own accounts and you have been entering a id starting with xgl there may be a conflict. If you have not created any accounts or have not manually entered the account main id then there will not be any risk of a conflict.
One way to create a template chart of accounts file is to export it from another entity. This is suitable if you have an entity that you are using and want to copy the accounts accross.
If you are using an existing accounting system you may be able to export your chart of accounts from that accounting system. The file format used by Free Accounting Software is XBRLGL format it is an international standard developed by XBRL International hopefully your accounting system supports this format.
Alternatively you could create an XBRLGL file for upload manually by using a spreadsheet program or other software. If you are not familiar with the XBRLGL format you may find the example file useful. You will also find alot of useful information on the xbrl website. If you require assistance please feel free to contact us.