When to use CSV import

Your bank doesn't support Open Banking yet
You want to import transactions from before you connected Open Banking (Open Banking typically only provides 90 days of history)
You're migrating from another accounting tool and want to bring in your transaction history
You have a business account that isn't connected via Open Banking

Prefer automatic sync?

If your bank supports Open Banking, connecting it directly is easier and keeps transactions up to date automatically. See the Open Banking guide.

Step-by-step: importing a CSV

1

Export transactions from your bank

Log in to your bank's online banking. Go to your transaction history, select a date range (e.g. the current tax year), and download as CSV. See bank-specific instructions below.
2

Open Banking Import in Margin

In Margin, click Banking in the left sidebar, then click Import CSV (or go to Settings → Import → Bank CSV).
3

Select your file

Click Choose file and select the CSV you downloaded. Margin accepts .csv and .xlsx files up to 10MB.
4

Map your columns

Margin detects common bank formats automatically. If it doesn't recognise your file, use the dropdown menus to map which column is the Date, which is the Description, and which is the Amount.
5

Review and import

Margin shows a preview of the transactions. Check the dates and amounts look right, then click Import. Duplicate transactions (already in Margin) are skipped automatically.

How to export from common UK banks

Barclays

Log in to Online Banking → select your account
Click Transaction history → choose a date range
Click Download → select CSV

HSBC

Log in → select account → click Statement
Choose your date range → click Export
Select CSV format and download

Lloyds / Halifax

Log in → click your account → Export transactions
Select date range → choose Internet banking text/spreadsheet (CSV)

NatWest / RBS

Log in → click your account → Download statements
Choose date range and format → select CSV

Monzo

Open the Monzo app → tap your account → tap the ↓ icon
Select date range → tap Export CSV
Share the CSV file to your computer

Starling Bank

In the Starling app, go to your account → tap the menu
Select Download statement → choose CSV

CSV format requirements

If you're creating or editing a CSV manually, Margin expects at minimum:

Column	Format	Example
Date	DD/MM/YYYY or YYYY-MM-DD	15/04/2025 or 2025-04-15
Description	Text	Amazon Marketplace
Amount	Number (negative = debit)	-49.99 or 49.99

Example of a valid CSV row:

Date,Description,Amount
15/04/2025,Amazon Marketplace,-49.99
16/04/2025,Client payment - Invoice #12,850.00

Common questions

Will Margin import duplicate transactions?

No. Margin checks for duplicate transactions during import using the date, description, and amount. Transactions that are already in your account are skipped automatically.

My CSV has debit and credit in separate columns — will Margin handle this?

Yes. During the column mapping step, you can set separate "Debit" and "Credit" columns if your bank exports them this way. Margin combines them automatically.

Can I import from multiple banks?

Yes. Repeat the import process for each bank account. Margin keeps each account's transactions separate and correctly attributed.

How many transactions can I import at once?

Margin handles imports of up to 5,000 transactions per file. For larger datasets, split your export into multiple date ranges.

My bank only exports OFX or QIF — can I use those?

Margin currently supports CSV and XLSX only. You can convert OFX or QIF to CSV using a free online converter, or open it in Excel and save as CSV before importing.

How to import bank transactions into Margin via CSV