4.2. Account Tree Display

Figure 4.2. The Account Tree Display.

The Account Tree Display.

This is an image of the Accounts tab.


4.2.1. Account Tree - Menus

The Menubar for the Accounts Tree window contains the following options.

4.2.1.1. Account Tree - File Menu

The following table describes the options in the File Menu.

Clicking on the File option of the Menubar will pull down a menu of options described in Table 4.1, “Account Tree - File-Menu - Access to file, account operations and printing.”.

Table 4.1. Account Tree - File-Menu - Access to file, account operations and printing.

Menu Item

Description

New File (Ctrl+N)

Creates a new data file (starts with new accounts and data.)

Open... (Ctrl+O)

Opens an already existing GnuCash data file.

Import

Opens the Import sub-menu to import files from other financial programs.

 

Import Bills & Invoices...

Open the Import Transactions from text file window.

 

Import Accounts from CSV...

Starts the CSV Account file import process. The file to import must be in the same format as the one exported by GnuCash.

 

Import Transactions from CSV...

Starts the CSV Transactions file import process. The file to import must be a delimited file.

 

Import Prices from a CSV file...

This assistant will help you import Prices from a CSV file. The file to import must be a delimited file.

 

Import Customers and Vendors ...

Open the Import Customers and Vendors from text file window.

 

Import QIF...

Starts the QIF file Import process.

 

Replay GnuCash .log file...

Starts the replaying of a GnuCash log file. Used for data recovery from "crashes".

 

Import OFX/QFX...

Starts the OFX/QFX file Import process.

 

Import MT940

Import an end-of-day account statement in SWIFT MT940 format into GnuCash.

 

Import MT942

Import an interim account statement in SWIFT MT942 format into GnuCash.

 

Import DTAUS

Import a traditional german DTAUS file into GnuCash.

 

Import DTAUS and send

Import a DTAUS file into GnuCash and transmit its orders by Online Banking.

Save (Ctrl+S)

Saves the currently open file.

Save As... (Shift+Ctrl+S)

Saves the currently opened file with a different name.

Warning

Do NOT store your data file in ~/.gnucash/books.

Revert

Reload the last saved version of the currently opened file. Useful if you need to discard changes made to the data and not yet saved.

Print

This entry is only activated if a printable item like a report or an invoice is selected..

Page Setup... (Shift+Ctrl+P)

Lets you choose the paper size, layout and margins for printing.

Export

Opens the Export sub-menu.

 

Export Account Tree to CSV

Exports your account hierarchy to a delimited CSV file. Does not export data.

 

Export Transactions to CSV

Exports transactions to a delimited CSV file.

 

Export Active Register to CSV...

Export the active Register to a CSV file.

 

Export Accounts

Exports your account hierarchy to a new GnuCashfile. Does not export data.

Properties (Alt+Enter)

Sets options for this GnuCash data file.

Recently opened files

Numbered list of most recently opened GnuCash data files.

Close (Ctrl+W)

Close the current tab.

Note

In the initial Account tree this item is not available - it will be grayed out.

Quit (Ctrl+Q)

Exits GnuCash.


4.2.1.2. Account Tree - Edit Menu

Table 4.2. Account Tree - Edit-Menu - Access to file and account editing operations and preferences.

Menu Item

Description

Cut (Ctrl+X)

Performs a standard Cut operation.

Copy (Ctrl+C)

Performs a standard Copy operation.

Paste (Ctrl+V)

Performs a standard Paste operation.

Edit Account (Ctrl+E)

Modify name or characteristic of selected account. Section 5.5, “Editing an Account”

Delete Account... (Delete)

Remove an account. See Section 5.7, “Deleting an Account”

Find Account (Ctrl+I)

Opens the Find Account wizard. This can be used to search the account structure to open the desired account.

Cascade Account Properties...

Opens the Cascade Account Properties dialogue. Transfers the selected account properties to the subordinate accounts.

Note

This item can only be selected if you have marked an account with at least one sub-account in the account structure.

Renumber Subaccounts...

Starts the Renumber Account assistant. See Section 5.6, “Renumbering Subaccounts”.

Note

This item is selectable only if you have highlighted an account with at least one subaccount in the accounts tree.

Open Account

Opens the register window for the currently selected account.

Open Subaccount

Opens a register window that displays all the transactions for the selected account and for all its subaccounts.

Find... (Ctrl+F)

Set criteria for a search for a specific transaction. See Section 8.1, “Find” for specifics on searches.

Preferences ( GnuCashPreferences on macOS).

Customize GnuCash for location, style, and numerous other preferences. See Section 10.2, “Setting Preferences”.

Style Sheets

Modify/customize Style Sheets. See Section 10.4, “Changing Style Sheets”.

Tax Report Options

Set tax characteristics on account(s) (US). Assign tax form and line to account. See Section 10.5, “Setting Tax Report Options”


4.2.1.3. Account Tree - View Menu

Table 4.3. Account Tree - View-Menu - Changes display window view.

Menu Item

Description

Toolbar

Check-box to enable/disable display of Toolbar.

Summarybar

Check-box to enable/disable display of Summarybar .

Statusbar

Check-box to enable/disable display of Statusbar.

Filter by ...

Set filter for accounts displayed in the Account Tree display.

Refresh (Ctrl+R)

Repaint the display screen.

New Accounts Page

Open a new tab that displays the account tree.


4.2.1.4. Account Tree - Actions Menu

Table 4.4. Account Tree - Actions-Menu - Setup scheduled transactions, repair accounts, perform stock splits, transfer and reconcile transactions.

Menu Item

Description

Online Actions

Online Banking Submenu

 
Note

This is shown only if WITH_AQBANKING was set while building GnuCash.

Important

The menu entries will be enabled by the successful completion of ToolsOnline Banking Setup... .

Note

Not all options are for all institutions available.

 

Get Balance

Get the balance for the selected account.

 

Get Transactions...

Get the transactions online through Online Banking.

 
Note

Sending orders to the bank is only available for EBICS and FinTS.

 

Issue SEPA Transaction...

Issue a new international European (SEPA) transaction online through Online Banking.

 

Internal Transaction...

Issue a new bank-internal transaction online through Online Banking.

 

Issue SEPA Direct Debit...

Note

Issue a new international European (SEPA) direct debit note online through Online Banking. With the changeover to SEPA, this menu entry has disappeared, but is still possible. See the German https://wiki.gnucash.org/wiki/De/SEPA-Lastschrift.

 

Show log window...

Open the Online Banking Connection Window

Scheduled Transactions

Scheduled Transactions sub-menus
 

Scheduled Transaction Editor

Invoke tool to edit scheduled transactions. See Section 6.14, “Edit Scheduled Transaction Window”

 

Since Last Run...

Display Scheduled transactions since last running of GnuCash. Section 8.2, “Since Last Run Assistant”

 

Mortgage & Loan Repayment...

Starts the Mortgage & Loan Repayment assistant for setting up repayments. Section 8.3, “Mortgage & Loan Repayment Assistant”

Budget

Budget sub-menus
 

New Budget

Opens the window to create a new budget.

 

Open Budget

If no budget exists, create a new budget and open it. If only one budget exists, open it; otherwise user selects one to open.

 

Copy Budget

If no budgets exist yet, just open a new budget. If only one budget exists, create a copy of it; otherwise user selects one to copy. If a copy is made, then the copy is opened in a new tab.

 

Delete Budget

If the active tab is a budget view, the open budget is deleted. Otherwise, a list of existing budgets to delete is displayed in the Select Budget dialogue.

New Account...

Creates a new account and opens the account properties window.

New Account Hierarchy...

Starts the New Account Hierarchy Setup assistant.

Transfer... (Ctrl+T)

Starts the Transfer assistant for transfer between accounts.

Reconcile...

Open the Reconcile window. Section 5.8, “Reconciling an Account to a Statement”

Auto clear...

Opens the auto-clear screen where you can fill up the automatic clear information.

Stock Split...

Starts the Stock Split assistant. Additional details Section 8.4, “Recording a Stock Split”

View Lots...

Opens the Lots in Account form.

Check & Repair

Check & Repair Submenus

 

Check & Repair Account

Check for and repair unbalanced transactions and orphan splits in this account.

 

Check & Repair Subaccounts

Check for and repair unbalanced transactions and orphan splits in this account and its subaccounts.

 

Check & Repair All

Check for and repair unbalanced transactions and orphan splits in all accounts.

Reset Warnings...

GnuCash gives warnings when certain operations are attempted, such as removing a transaction or removing the splits of a transaction. The warning message gives you the option to not give you these warnings when attempting the operation. Check-boxes labeled Remember and don’t ask me again and Remember and don’t ask me again this session allow disabling the warnings. This option resets the warnings to the default, i.e. display all warnings.

Tip

Warnings may be selectively enabled.

Rename Page

Open the form to rename the current page/tab.


4.2.1.5. Account Tree - Business Menu

Table 4.5. Account Tree - Business-Menu - Access small business features of GnuCash.

Menu Item

Description

Customer

Select customer related activities.

 

Customers Overview

Open a customers overview page.

 

New Customer...

Start the form to create a new customer.

 

Find Customer...

Start the assistant to search for a customer.

 

New Invoice...

Start the form to create a new invoice.

 

Find Invoice...

Start the assistant to search for an invoice.

 

New Job...

Start the form to create a new job.

 

Find Job...

Start the assistant to search for a job.

 

Process Payment...

Starts the Process Payment assistant. Requires an account of type "A/Payable" before running assistant.

 

Invoices Due Reminder

Open the Invoices Due Reminder dialog.

Vendor

Select vendor related activities.

 

Vendors Overview

Open a vendors overview page.

 

New Vendor...

Start the form to create a new vendor.

 

Find Vendor...

Start the assistant to search for a vendor.

 

New Bill...

Start the form to create a new bill.

 

Find Bill...

Start the assistant to search for a bill.

 

New Job...

Start the form to create a new job.

 

Find Job...

Start the assistant to search for a job.

 

Process Payment...

Starts the Process Payment assistant. Requires an account of type "A/Payable" before running assistant.

 

Bills Due Reminder

View and edit the list of Bills Due Reminder.

Employee

Select employee related activities.

 

Employees Overview

Open an employees overview page.

 

New Employee...

Start the form to create a new employee.

 

Find Employee...

Start the assistant to search for an employee.

 

New Expense Voucher...

Start the form to create a new expense voucher.

 

Find Expense Voucher...

Start the assistant to search for an expense voucher.

 

Process Payment...

Starts the Process Payment assistant. Requires an account of type "A/Payable" before running assistant.

Business Linked Documents

View all Linked Business Documents.

Sales Tax Table

View and edit the list of tax tables.

Billing Terms Editor

View and edit the list of Billing Terms.


4.2.1.6. Account Tree - Reports Menu

This is a brief listing of each of the available reports and graphs. See Section 9.3, “Reports Listed By Class” for specific report details. Each report or graph may be customized by selecting a different Stylesheet or by pressing the Options button in the Toolbar.

Table 4.6. Account Tree - Reports-Menu - Access GnuCash Reports and Charts.

Menu Item

Description

Budget

 

Budget Balance Sheet

 

Budget Chart

 

Budget Flow

This report includes information from one budget period at a time. The left column of numbers shows the budgeted amounts, and the right column of numbers shows the actual amounts. It only shows certain accounts, those that have no sub-accounts.

 

Budget Income Statement

 

Budget Profit & Loss

This report is identical to the Budget Income Statement report.

 

Budget Report

The budget report shows all accounts and all periods. For each period it gives the budgeted amount and the actual amount. There is an option to add another column showing the difference (budgeted - actual).

Examples

 

Average Balance

 

Expenses vs. Day of Week

 

Income vs. Day of Week

 

Sample Graphs

 

Sample Report With Examples

 

Welcome to GnuCash

Assets & Liabilities

 

Advanced Portfolio

 

Asset Chart

 

Asset Piechart

 

Balance Forecast

 

Balance Sheet

 

Balance Sheet using eguile-gnc

 

General Journal

 

General Ledger

 

Investment Portfolio

 

Liability Chart

 

Liability Piechart

 

Net Worth Barchart

 

Net Worth Linechart

 

Price Scatterplot

 

Security Piechart

Business

 

Australien Tax Invoice

 

Customer Report

 

Customer Summary

 

Easy Invoice

 

Employee Report

 

Fancy Invoice

 

Job Report

 

Payable Aging

 

Printable Invoice

 

Receipt

 

Receivable Aging

 

Tax Invoice

 

Vendor Report

Experimental

 

Balance Sheet (Multicolumn)

 

Income Statement (Multicolumn)

Income & Expense

 

Cash Flow

 

Cash Flow Barchart

 

Equity Statement

 

Expense Chart

 

Expense Piechart

 

Income & Expense Barchart

 

Income & Expense Linechart

 

Income Chart

 

Incme Piechart

 

Income Statement

 

Income and GST Statement

 

Profit & loss

 

Trial Balance

Multicolumn

 

Custom Multicolumn Report

 

Dashboard

Account Summary

Report showing the balance of selected accounts.

Future Scheduled Transactions Summary

Report showing a summary of future transactions.

Reconciliation Report

Tax Schedule Report & TXF Export

Create a Tax report (US) and/or export data for tax preparation software. (TXF)

Transaction Report

Saved Report Configurations

Open the screen to manage saved user configured reports.

Account Report

Open a register report for this account.

Account Report - Single Transaction

Open a register report for the selected Transaction.


4.2.1.7. Account Tree - Tools Menu

Table 4.7. Account Tree - Tools-Menu - Access to miscellaneous tools and editors

Menu Item

Description

Online Banking Setup...

Performs the initial setup of an account for Online Banking access (FinTs, OFX DirectConnect, ...) by AqBanking, if GnuCash was built with the option WITH_AQBANKING. Section 8.5, “The Online Banking Setup Assistant”

Price Database

Tool to enter or modify Stock/Fund prices. Details at Section 8.6, “Price Editor”

Security Editor

Tool to enter or modify Stock or commodities. Details at Section 8.7, “Security Editor”

Loan Repayment Calculator

Details at Section 8.8, “Loan Repayment Calculator”

Close Book

Open a screen where you can enter the required information to close the current accounting period. See Section 8.9, “Close Book”.

Import Map Editor

Opens the Import Map Editor tool to view, edit or delete import mappings (e.g. Bayes algorithm).

Transaction Linked Documents

With the Transactions Linked Documents dialogue, documents can be linked to a transaction.

General Journal

See Section 6.19, “General Journal”


4.2.1.8. Account Tree - Windows Menu

Table 4.8. Account Tree - Windows-Menu

Menu Item

Description

New Window

Opens a new GnuCash empty window.

New Window with Page

Moves the current tab into a new window.

Opened windows

A numbered list of open windows.


4.2.1.9. Account Tree - Help Menu

Table 4.9. Account Tree - Help-Menu - Access to this help and the Tutorial and Concepts Guide.

Menu Item

Description

Tutorial & Concepts Guide

Explanation of accounting principles and how to apply them in GnuCash

Tips Of The Day

Shows short notes about features you might otherwise miss.

Contents

Open this document.

About

Show the information screen with GnuCash version, license and credits


4.2.2. Account Tree - Toolbar Icons/Buttons

The GnuCash main Window has a number of buttons in the Toolbar to quickly access some common functions used with the specific active tab. The Toolbar can be hidden or shown by selecting ViewToolbar .

Note

The specific options displayed in the Toolbar vary with the functions available to the "active tab".

Tip

A brief description of the function of a Toolbar button is displayed when the mouse pointer is placed over the icon for a couple of seconds.

Table 4.10. Account Tree - Window Toolbar

Toolbar Buttons

Description

Save (Ctrl+S)

Perform a save on the data file, commit all transactions to the data file.

Note

Only active if changed data has not yet been saved.

Close (Ctrl+W)

Close the currently active account page

Note

This icon is not available for the first accounts tab. It is available for additional account tree displays.

Open

Open a transaction register of the selected account.

Edit

Edit the characteristics for the selected account. Section 5.5, “Editing an Account”

New

Start the assistant for creating a new account. Section 5.4, “Creating a New Account”

Delete

Remove the selected account. Section 5.7, “Deleting an Account”


4.2.3. Tab bar

The Tab bar displays file/notebook folder style tabs for open transaction registers, reports and the account tree.

4.2.4. Main pane - Account tree

The account tree displays the list of your accounts in hierarchical format. This enables you to organize your accounts by type.

Tip

The triangle shape (or plus sign) beside the account name is used to open and close the account tree. When you click on the triangle (plus sign), it changes from a rightward-pointing into a downward-pointing sign (minus sign) to indicate that the tree is opened. You will then see offset below the account name either a list of the sub account(s) or another triangle (plus sign) to the left of an account. This indicates another lower level of the account tree.

In the main pane are also shown, by default, four columns: Account Name, Type, Description and Total. For each account, this informations, if available, is displayed in the same row of the account.

Tip

The columns shown for each account in the Account Tree can be customized to suit your needs. Click on the arrow icon on the far right of the Account Tree window to display a drop down list of column options. Click on a column description to add it to the Account Tree window. Click again on the column description to hide it.

The default display for the account tree window is in Notebook mode. This is indicated by the tab in the tab row of the main window. Other tabs will appear beside this one when you open reports, account registers or additional account trees.

4.2.5. Summarybar

The Summarybar displays balances appropriate for the opened account type at a glance. Usually accounts display today’s account balance, any balance for future dates, a balance for cleared items and a reconciled balance. Stock accounts, however, display shares totals and their value. The Summarybar can be hidden or shown by selecting ViewSummarybar .

4.2.6. Statusbar

The Statusbar displays informations about the currently highlighted menu item. It also shows a progress bar when opening or saving a GnuCash data file or generating reports. The Statusbar can be hidden or shown by selecting the Statusbar item on the View menu.