Simplifi Export to Import Converter

Converts a Quicken Simplifi exported CSV file into the format required for importing back into Simplifi.

Problem

Simplifi's export format is incompatible with its import format. This script handles the conversion automatically.

Requirements

• Python 3 (standard library only, no pip packages needed)

Usage

./simplifi-export-to-import.py input.csv [output.csv]

If you don't specify an output filename, it will create one by adding -import to your input filename.

Example

# Export from Simplifi saved as 'my-account-export.csv'
./simplifi-export-to-import.py my-account-export.csv

# Creates: my-account-export-import.csv

Then import my-account-export-import.csv into Simplifi using the CSV import option.

What It Does

1. Deletes unnecessary columns from the export (account, state, usage, action, security, etc.)
2. Renames columns to match import requirements:
   • postedOn → Date
   • payee → Payee
   • amount → Amount
   • category → Category
   • tags → Tags
   • notes → Notes
3. Preserves date format as M/D/YYYY (4-digit year required despite documentation stating M/D/YY)
4. Strips parent category names - converts Auto & Transport:Gas & Fuel → Gas & Fuel (Simplifi requires child-only names)
5. Cleans amount field by removing $ and , characters
6. Adds required Check_No column (empty)
7. Properly quotes all CSV fields to ensure correct parsing

Important Notes

Simplifi's documentation is misleading! Through extensive testing, we discovered:

• Date format: Documentation says M/D/YY but imports actually require M/D/YYYY (4-digit years)
• Category format: Exports use Parent:Child format but imports require only child names (e.g., Gas & Fuel not Auto & Transport:Gas & Fuel)
• Categories must exist: Categories will only import if they already exist in your Simplifi account with matching names
• Import is not an update mechanism: Importing to an existing account won't update transactions, it will create duplicates or be ignored

Tested With

• Simplifi exports from 2025-2026
• 500+ transaction imports
• Transactions with commas in payee/category/notes fields
• Negative amounts (expenses)
• Positive amounts (income)
• Hierarchical categories (Parent:Child format)

Limitations

• Splits and transfers may not import correctly (this is a Simplifi limitation)
• Recurring Transaction Series are not included in exports and cannot be imported via CSV
• Categories must already exist in Simplifi to import successfully