> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.budgetbandit.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Import from Monarch

> Import from Monarch Money to Budget Bandit using two CSV exports — accounts, categories, and transactions land in a new budget.

The Monarch importer takes two CSV files from Monarch Money — your transactions
and your account balances — and builds a new budget from them.

<Warning>
  This import creates a **brand-new budget**. It never overwrites or merges into
  a budget you already have.
</Warning>

## Export from Monarch

In Monarch, go to **Settings, then Data**, and download both files:

* **Transactions** — your transaction history.
* **Account balances** — your accounts and their current balances.

Save both CSV files where you can find them. You need both.

## Import into Budget Bandit

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Monarch importer">
    Go to Import, then **Import from Monarch Money**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload the transactions CSV">
    Select **Upload Transactions CSV** and choose the transactions file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload the account balances CSV">
    Select **Upload Account Balances CSV** and choose the balances file. Both
    files are parsed in your browser — nothing is sent until you import.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the preview">
    You see counts for accounts, categories, and transactions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Import everything">
    Choose **Import Everything**. Budget Bandit creates the new budget and loads
    your data.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What comes across

* **Accounts** — taken from the balances file, with the most recent balance for
  each. Accounts that appear only in your transactions are created too, starting
  at a zero balance.
* **Categories** — every category used in your transactions.
* **Transactions** — with merchant, category, account, the original bank
  statement text, notes, and tags where present.

<Note>
  Monarch does not export the way you assigned money each month, so the new
  budget arrives with your transactions and structure but without prior monthly
  assignments. You assign going forward from <a href="/budgeting/assign-and-move-money">the budget</a>.
</Note>

## After importing

Review categorization in <a href="/transactions/to-review">To Review</a> and start
assigning on <a href="/budgeting/assign-and-move-money">the budget</a>. <a href="/rules/create-a-rule">Rules</a>
keep future transactions categorized automatically.

## If something looks off

If a CSV will not parse, confirm you downloaded the file straight from Monarch
without editing it in a spreadsheet first. See
<a href="/import/why-rows-didnt-import">Why rows did not import</a>.

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Import overview" icon="arrow-right-arrow-left" href="/import/overview">
    All five importers and the new-budget rule.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set a target" icon="bullseye" href="/budgeting/set-a-target">
    Recreate your goals after the move.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>
