Quick Start Guide

When you first run HomeBank, a welcome dialog appears and offers several options. This guide covers two of them.

Prerequisites: Basic preferences

HomeBank offers many options, but I recommend setting your default folders before doing anything else:

  1. Open the Edit menu and select Preferences....
  2. Select Folders in the left-hand list.
  3. Use the input fields or click the folder icon on the right to choose each of your preferred locations:
    • Your HomeBank file (wallets).
    • Your backup files.
    • The default import folder.
    • The default export folder.

Scenario 1: Open the example file

If you want to explore the application without importing or configuring anything, this is the easiest option. The interface is intuitive, and while you will not discover all of the features, you will get a good first impression.

Scenario 2: Use a file from your bank or another app

Hopefully, your bank provides standardized financial formats such as OFX or QIF. If not, you may need to work with CSV files, which can require additional processing and make the task slightly more complex.

Close the welcome dialog or select Create new file. We are going to fill this empty application.

2.1 Import the file

Here is how to import an OFX file. There are two ways to do it:

  1. Drop the file into the main window, or use the menu: File > Import....
  2. The import dialog opens. Choose a file if you did not drop one already.
  3. Your file should be valid and show a checkmark icon on the left.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Change Import this account into: to <New account>, not <New account> (global). The global option merges accounts into one, while the regular option keeps them separate.
  6. Click Next.
  7. If your file contains multiple accounts, repeat the previous steps for each one.
  8. Click Next.
  9. Leave all options unchecked.
  10. Click Apply.
  11. Well done. Your account or accounts are imported.

2.2 Save your new file

As your new file has pending changes, a small * appears before its name in the title bar. You can now save it:

  1. Press Ctrl+S.
  2. Or use the menu: File > Save as....
  3. Give the file a name. You can omit the .xhb extension; HomeBank will add it automatically.
  4. The title bar now shows your new filename, and the * disappears because there are no pending changes.

2.3 View transactions

Back in the main window, you should now see one or more accounts in the Your accounts list on the left.

  1. Press Ctrl+A, or use Transactions > Show All....
  2. If you imported past transactions, you may see a top information bar showing that some transactions require approval. This is caused by the default setting that protects against mistakes. If so:
    • Move your mouse over the transaction list.
    • Press Ctrl+A again to select all transactions.
    • Right-click the selection.
    • Select Approve.
  3. Close this window.

2.4 Total and time charts

The default settings show Top by category and Spending, so there is nothing to display yet. Change the settings with the two controls at the bottom right:

  1. For Total chart, choose Account under the Balance section.
  2. For Time chart, choose Global under the Balance section.

You now have data displayed in several of the charts available in the main window.

2.5 Explore the charts

At this stage, you can already explore the chart reports, but you do not have any classifications yet. That comes next.

2.6 Add categories, payees, and tags

There are many ways to classify transactions, and we will combine several here. Replace EDF and Bills:Electricity with values that fit your own example.

For example, with an electricity bill:

  1. Open your imported account by double-clicking it.
  2. Use the quick search field on the right to find your electricity bill by looking for text in the memo field.
  3. For example, if the memo contains EDF, enter EDF in the transaction list filter.
  4. If you have several matching transactions:
    • Hold Ctrl and select at least two transactions, but not all of them.
    • Right-click and choose Edit multiple.
    • The multiple edit window opens.
    • Check the box next to Category.
    • Enter Bills:Electricity in the category field. This creates a category and subcategory using : as the separator.
    • Do the same for Payee, and enter EDF.
    • Click OK.
    • The category is created and the transactions are updated.
  5. If you only have one transaction, double-click it and fill in the category and payee fields.

2.7 Add an automatic assignment

Now it is time to prepare a powerful feature:

  1. Select a transaction with Payee = EDF and Category = Bills:Electricity.
  2. Right-click and choose Create Assignment.
  3. A confirmation dialog opens.
  4. Click Create.
  5. Another confirmation dialog opens.
  6. Click OK.
  7. Close the account window.
  8. Open Manage > Assignment.
  9. Open the only assignment in the list by double-clicking it.
  10. In Condition > Search, replace the text with EDF.
  11. Click OK.
  12. Click Close, or close the window.

Repeat the process with other transactions to create more payees and categories.

2.8 Run automatic assignment

Now it is time to use the power feature:

  1. Open your imported account by double-clicking it.
  2. Use the menu: Tools > Auto. assignments.
  3. Any other transaction containing EDF in its memo now has its category and payee filled in automatically.

2.9 Explore the charts again

  1. You can now change the main window’s total and time charts to display top categories, payees, or other views.
  2. You can also explore the other available charts.