> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ai2fin.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# CSV and PDF import — upload bank statements

> Upload CSV files or PDF bank statements to import transactions into AI2Fin with automatic column mapping and multi-currency support. Any bank format works.

## CSV/PDF Import System

AI2Fin supports importing financial data from various sources including CSV files and PDF bank statements. This flexible import system works with any bank or financial institution's export formats worldwide.

<Card title="Start Importing" icon="upload" href="https://app.ai2fin.com/#/bank-transactions" horizontal>
  Access the Bank Transactions page to upload your CSV or PDF files.
</Card>

## Supported File Formats

### File Types Supported

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="CSV Files" icon="file-csv">
    **CSV Support:**

    * Bank statement exports
    * Credit card statements
    * Accounting software exports
    * Custom CSV formats
    * Multi-currency data
  </Card>

  <Card title="PDF Files" icon="file-pdf">
    **PDF Support:**

    * Bank statement PDFs
    * Credit card PDFs
    * Receipt PDFs
    * Invoice PDFs
    * Multi-page documents
  </Card>
</Columns>

### Global Bank Support

<Info>
  AI2Fin works with any bank worldwide that provides CSV or PDF exports. The system automatically detects and processes common formats from banks globally.
</Info>

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Universal Format Support">
    **Supported Formats:**

    * Any CSV export from banks worldwide
    * PDF bank statements from any institution
    * Credit card statement exports
    * Accounting software exports (QuickBooks, Xero, etc.)
    * Custom business CSV formats

    **Flexible Processing:**

    * Automatic field detection
    * Multiple date formats
    * Various currency formats
    * Different decimal separators
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Required Data Fields">
    **Essential Fields:**

    * **Date**: Transaction date (any standard format)
    * **Description**: Transaction description or merchant name
    * **Amount**: Transaction amount (positive/negative or debit/credit)

    **Optional Fields:**

    * **Balance**: Account balance after transaction
    * **Reference**: Transaction reference number
    * **Type**: Transaction type
    * **Category**: Existing category (if available)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Import Process

### Step-by-Step Import

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare Your File">
    1. Export transactions from your bank or financial institution
    2. Ensure file is in CSV or PDF format
    3. Check required data fields are present
    4. Remove any password protection
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload to AI2Fin">
    1. Go to Bank Transactions page
    2. Click "Upload CSV" or "Upload PDF" button
    3. Select your file
    4. Confirm file details
  </Step>

  <Step title="Map Data Fields">
    1. Review automatic field detection
    2. Confirm date format
    3. Check amount format
    4. Verify description field
  </Step>

  <Step title="Process Transactions">
    1. Review import summary
    2. Start processing
    3. Monitor progress
    4. Review results
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Automatic Field Detection

<Card title="Smart Detection" icon="magic">
  AI2Fin automatically detects and maps common field names from banks worldwide, regardless of language or format.
</Card>

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Common Field Names">
    **Date Fields:**

    * Date, Transaction Date, Posted Date
    * Effective Date, Processed Date
    * Value Date, Settlement Date

    **Description Fields:**

    * Description, Transaction Description
    * Details, Particulars, Narration
    * Payee, Merchant, Reference

    **Amount Fields:**

    * Amount, Transaction Amount
    * Debit, Credit, Net Amount
    * Withdrawal, Deposit
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Manual Field Mapping">
    **When Manual Mapping is Needed:**

    * Non-standard field names
    * Custom CSV exports
    * Third-party software exports
    * International bank formats

    **Mapping Process:**

    1. Select source field
    2. Choose target field
    3. Preview mapping result
    4. Confirm and proceed
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Data Processing

### Automatic Processing

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="AI Categorization" icon="brain">
    **Done for you:**

    * Smart transaction categorization
    * Merchant recognition from descriptions
    * Business vs. personal sorting
    * Tax-deductible expenses flagged for you
  </Card>

  <Card title="Data Validation" icon="check-circle">
    **Checked on import:**

    * Date format validation
    * Amount format checking
    * Duplicate detection
    * Data completeness verification
  </Card>
</Columns>

### Processing Options

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Import Settings">
    **Processing Options:**

    * **Skip Duplicates**: Automatically skip existing transactions
    * **Update Existing**: Update existing transactions with new data
    * **Create New Only**: Only import new transactions
    * **Full Replace**: Replace all existing data

    **Date Range:**

    * Import all transactions
    * Import from specific date
    * Import within date range
    * Skip future-dated transactions
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Data Cleaning">
    **Automatic Cleaning:**

    * Remove extra spaces and characters
    * Standardize date formats
    * Normalize amount formats
    * Clean description text

    **Manual Review:**

    * Review flagged transactions
    * Correct data issues
    * Handle special characters
    * Validate business transactions
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Import Results

### Processing Summary

<Card title="Import Summary" icon="chart-bar">
  View detailed import results including successful imports, errors, and warnings.
</Card>

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Success Metrics">
    **Import Statistics:**

    * Total transactions processed
    * Successfully imported count
    * Failed imports count
    * Duplicates skipped

    **At a glance:**

    * How many transactions were imported
    * Which rows need your attention
    * Categories AI2Fin suggested for you
    * A clear summary you can review before saving
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Error Handling">
    **Common Import Errors:**

    * Invalid date formats
    * Missing required fields
    * Corrupted data
    * File format issues

    **Error Resolution:**

    * Detailed error messages
    * Suggested fixes
    * Data correction tools
    * Re-import options
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Post-Import Actions

<Steps>
  <Step title="Review Imported Data">
    Check imported transactions for accuracy and completeness.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify AI Categorization">
    Review AI categorization suggestions and make corrections as needed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Handle Errors">
    Address any import errors or data quality issues.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Categories">
    Refine categories and rules based on imported data.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Advanced Features

### Bulk Import Management

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Multiple File Import" icon="files">
    **Batch Processing:**

    * Import multiple CSV/PDF files
    * Process files sequentially
    * Combine data from multiple accounts
    * Merge import results
  </Card>

  <Card title="Scheduled Imports" icon="clock">
    **Automation:**

    * Set up recurring imports
    * Automatic file processing
    * Email notifications
    * Import status monitoring
  </Card>
</Columns>

### Data Integration

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Account Mapping">
    **Multi-Account Support:**

    * Import from multiple bank accounts
    * Map accounts to categories
    * Track account-specific transactions
    * Generate account-based reports

    **Account Configuration:**

    * Set account names and types
    * Configure account-specific rules
    * Set default categories
    * Manage account visibility
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Historical Data">
    **Historical Import:**

    * Import historical transactions
    * Maintain transaction history
    * Year-over-year comparisons
    * Long-term trend analysis

    **Data Archival:**

    * Secure data storage
    * Historical data access
    * Backup and recovery
    * Data retention policies
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Best Practices

### File Preparation

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="File Quality" icon="file-check">
    Ensure files are clean and properly formatted before import.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Date Consistency" icon="calendar">
    Use consistent date formats across all imports for better processing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Regular Imports" icon="refresh">
    Import data regularly to maintain up-to-date financial records.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Data Validation" icon="shield-check">
    Review imported data for accuracy and completeness.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Import Optimization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Efficient Importing">
    **Optimization Tips:**

    * Import in smaller batches for large files
    * Use consistent field naming
    * Clean data before import
    * Review import settings

    **Performance:**

    * Optimal file sizes (under 10MB)
    * Standard CSV/PDF format
    * Minimal formatting
    * Clear field headers
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Data Quality">
    **Quality Assurance:**

    * Verify bank export accuracy
    * Check for missing transactions
    * Validate amount calculations
    * Review description clarity

    **Maintenance:**

    * Regular data audits
    * Update import rules
    * Monitor categorization accuracy
    * Refine business rules
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Import Failures">
    **Common Issues:**

    * File format not supported
    * Missing required fields
    * Invalid date formats
    * Corrupted file data

    **Solutions:**

    * Check file format and encoding
    * Verify field headers
    * Standardize date formats
    * Clean file data
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Data Quality Issues">
    **Quality Problems:**

    * Incomplete transaction data
    * Incorrect categorizations
    * Duplicate transactions
    * Missing business context

    **Resolution:**

    * Review and correct data
    * Provide AI feedback
    * Remove duplicates
    * Add business context
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Security & Privacy

### Data Protection

Your financial data stays private and under your control throughout the import process.

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Secure Upload" icon="shield">
    **How your files are protected:**

    * Encrypted in transit (TLS) and at rest
    * Your data is never sold or shared
    * Only you can see your imported transactions
    * You can delete imported data at any time
  </Card>

  <Card title="Privacy First" icon="user-shield">
    **You stay in control:**

    * We only keep the data you choose to import

    - GDPR-aligned data handling
    - You control your data and can delete it
    - Clear, plain-language privacy practices
  </Card>
</Columns>

***

**Ready to import your data?** Visit the [All Transactions](/guides/transaction-management) page to start importing your bank statements, or explore [Smart Categorization](/features/smart-categorisation) to learn how AI processes your imported data.

*AI2Fin CSV/PDF Import - Seamlessly integrate your financial data with intelligent processing.*