Guides
Everything around the conversion itself: getting statements out of your bank, reading the codes, reconciling the result, and keeping the records you are supposed to keep.
How to convert a bank statement to Excel
The three routes into Excel, why copy-paste fails, and the balance check that proves the export is complete.
Why bank statement PDFs are so hard to convert
PDF stores glyph positions rather than tables, which is why statement extraction breaks in the same five ways every time.
How to download your bank statements as PDF
Where statements live in online banking, typical retention windows, and how to request archived periods.
Bank statement codes and abbreviations explained
A reference for the transaction codes that appear in statement descriptions, by region.
How to reconcile a bank statement
The reconciliation procedure, and a diagnostic order for finding the difference when the balance is out.
How long should you keep bank statements
Typical retention periods by country and purpose, plus how to archive statements so they stay usable.
Fixing bank statement date format problems
Day-first versus month-first, missing years, and how to stop Excel silently corrupting statement dates.
CSV vs OFX vs QBO vs QFX
A comparison of the four bank data formats and the software that reads each one.
How to categorise bank transactions fast
A keyword-driven method for categorising a year of transactions in a spreadsheet rather than row by row.
Getting statements for a closed bank account
Access usually ends at closure, but the records survive. How to request them and what it costs.
Bank statements for a mortgage application
How underwriters read statements, and the patterns that generate follow-up questions.
Is it safe to upload a bank statement online
What a statement reveals, the questions to ask any converter, and how files are handled here.
How to find recurring subscriptions in your statements
A spreadsheet method for surfacing every recurring charge, including annual renewals hiding in a single month.
How to merge multiple bank statements in Excel
A method for stacking many statements into one sheet, with the balance-chain check that catches gaps.