Import a bank statement in CSV format

Import a bank statement in CSV format

Import the file into Xero

  1. In the Accounting menu, select Bank accounts.
  2. For the bank account you want to import the file into, click Manage Account, then click Import a Statement.
  3. Click Browse, select the saved CSV file, then click Open.
  4. Click Import.
  5. If prompted, assign the columns in your import file to the matching bank statement fields.
  6. Click Save.

Assign columns to statement fields

The first time you import a CSV bank file, you need to assign each column in the import file to a bank statement field. This assignment applies to future CSV imports, unless the new file contains extra columns or different column headers. 

Image of CSV bank statement imported and assigning unassigned column headings.

Match all the fields you want to import data into. The more fields you assign, the more information is imported into Xero for each bank statement line.

If your file contains a date that could be either DD/MM/YY, MM/DD/YY or YY/MM/DD, Xero prompts you to confirm the format. Xero applies the chosen format to the entire statement and all future CSV bank statements.

Date options


Create the CSV file

Download from online banking

  • Download the transactions from your bank account in a CSV file format. If you have multiple bank accounts, download a file for each account separately.

  • Split the file if it contains more than 1,000 bank transactions.

  • You may need to edit the data in the file before it can be imported into Xero.

  • Save each bank statement file to your computer in the .csv format.

Create your own import file

If you can't download a bank statement in a CSV format, create your own import file. 

  1. Download the bank statement import template file.

  2. Enter your bank statement data into the file.

  3. Save the bank statement file to your computer in the .csv format.


Prepare the data in the file

Use headings

A CSV bank statement file can import without headings, but it's easier to map the columns to the statement fields in Xero if the columns have names. The bank statement import template has column headings that match the bank statement fields in Xero.

If the CSV file from your bank doesn't have a header row, insert one. The header row must be in row 1 and each column name should be unique.

Delete data not required

Delete the following data to ensure the import is successful:

  • Empty rows 
  • Columns containing opening and closing balances, as Xero calculates the bank balance from the transactions
  • The bank account number if it shows in the import file

Enter data into the fields

Mandatory fields are marked with an asterix in the import file. You only need the Date and Amount fields to create bank statement lines, but reconciling your transactions is easier if you include more detail.

  • Date – Use the format DD/MM/YYYY or MM/DD/YYYY.
  • Amount – Both income and expense amounts must be in the same column. Show income as positive amounts and expenses as negative amounts with a negative sign in front of the amount, for example -30.00. Don't include currency symbols or use commas to show decimal places.
  • Payee – (Recommended) If the payee is an existing contact in Xero, make sure the name in your file matches exactly with the contact name in Xero to avoid creating duplicates.
  • Description –  Enter detail you want to include as a description on your transaction.
  • Reference – Enter detail you want to include as a reference on your transaction.
  • Cheque number – Enter the cheque number if applicable.