Gem

Import & shortcuts

Import

You can import transactions from almost any CSV file, like bank statements or transactions from another app.

The file just needs to include these columns:

  • Date
  • Amount
  • Category

Gem automatically detects these columns. If necessary, you’ll be asked to highlight them.

  1. Go to the Settings > Import data
  2. Tap Select CSV file, and choose the file
  3. If Gem didn't detect some columns, you'll be asked to highlight them: Look for that column in the table on screen, tap it, and then tap Confirm
  4. In the Review & import screen, make sure the columns are correct
  5. If you wish, tap Sub-category and Note to include more details
  6. If your file includes income transactions: Before importing, add a column whose values are expense or income. Then, in Review & Import, choose that column under Transaction type
  7. Make sure the date format is correct
  8. Tap Import and wait
  9. You're done!
Tip

  • Gem will add the transactions to your favorite account if you have one. If you don't want that: Go to Settings > Import rules, then turn off Add to default accounts

  • Not sure how to get a CSV file? On your bank website, look for a table, or spreadsheet, or download button. If the file is an Excel spreadsheet, you can import it to your Google Sheets and export it back to CSV

Notice

Coming soon: Importing transactions to a specific account, deleting and searching for recently imported transactions.

Notice

You can import up to 1,000 records at a time. If you have more records than that, please split them to different files.

Auto-record with tap-to-pay

With iOS 17, Gem can automatically log your expenses whenever you pay with your iPhone in stores. You need to set up an automation like this:

  1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone
  2. Tap Automation at the bottom
  3. Tap button, scroll down and choose Transaction
  4. Choose all cards and categories, select Run Immediately on the bottom, then tap Next
  5. Tap New Blank Automation (the gray box)
  6. In the bottom panel: Scroll until you see Gem, or search for it
  7. Tap Apple Pay import
  8. You'll notice a new block added, named "Add amount with note", tap the blue Amount
  9. Your keyboard will have a suggestions bar on the top (look for "Select variable"), scroll until you see Shortcut input, then tap it
  10. In the block, tap the blue Shortcut input and choose Amount
  11. In the block, tap Note, choose Shortcut input again
  12. In the block, tap the blue Shortcut input and choose Merchant
  13. Tap Done in the upper-right corner
  14. You made it!
Tip

  • When you edit expenses created via shortcut, Gem remembers your categorization and apply it to similar future expenses.

    For example, if an expense is named "CarShop LLC” and you set its category to "Transport" - Gem will repeat that for future expenses named "CarShop LLC".

    Gem creates rules that you can edit and remove, see Settings > Import rules

  • If you don't want Gem to create rules whenever you edit expenses, go to Settings > Import rules > Turn off Learn from edits

  • If you see "Automation failed" notification after you tap-to-pay, please email me for instructions how to resolve this

Notice

This automation works only when you pay in stores. It's not working when you pay in apps or websites using Apple Pay. Please submit feedback to Apple and ask for this :)

Automation failure

Tap-to-pay automation might sometimes not work.

Shortly after paying, you'll get the following notification:

Automation failed. When I tap my... encountered an error: There was a problem running this automation.

Sorry about this, it's a known issue and appears to be a bug in iOS. I've reported this issue to Apple and hoping to resolve this soon. If you can, please also report that to Apple.

Import rules

Gem can automate the edits you make to expenses imported from a CSV file or via Shortcuts. Like categorizing them, creating rules based on your edits and more.

Adding to favorite accounts. Gem adds imported expenses to the default accounts you set in Settings > Recording. If you don't want that:

  1. Go to Settings > Import rules
  2. Turn off Add to default accounts

Automatic creation of rules. When you categorize imported expenses, Gem creates rules like this: If expense has note "CarShop LLC" then set category "Car". This saves you time by automatically categorizing similar future expenses. You can edit and remove these rules from Settings > Import rules. If you don't want Gem to create rules for you:

  1. Go to Settings > Import rules
  2. Turn off Learn from edits

Expenses without categories. When expenses are created via Shortcuts, Gem adds the merchant name to the Note field, and leaves the Category field empty if it doesn't find any category or import rule matching the note exactly. Such expenses appear with dashed line in your history, allowing you to find and categorize them later. If you want Gem to create a new category for every note:

  1. Go to Settings > Import rules
  2. Turn off Uncategorized expenses

Need more help? Write me