How do I manage Banktivity documents?

A Banktivity document is a data file that contains all of the financial information that you use when working with Banktivity. This file is distinct from the Banktivity application and uses the ".bank8" file type. It typically includes accounts and their transactions, categories, memorized payees, scheduled transactions, import settings, sync settings, reports and budgets. Storing all of this information in a single file allows for greater portability as well as easier backups.

In the Finder, a Banktivity document looks like this:

Create a new document

Choose File > New > Document to open the new document assistant, then follow the prompts to create a file. For more information, see Creating a New Document.

By default, Banktivity suggests the Documents folder for saving your Banktivity document, but you can designate any location that is most convenient for you.

Open an existing document

Choose File > Open and select a valid Banktivity document, or double-click the document in the Finder. Banktivity will remember the last several documents you opened under File > Open Recent. You can clear this menu by choosing File > Open Recent > Clear Menu. When you launch Banktivity, it will automatically show any documents that were open when Banktivity was quit.

Use multiple documents

You can have multiple Banktivity documents open at one time, but most information cannot be transferred between documents (unless you use Cloud Sync). Transactions can be moved from one document to another using copy and paste. You may want to create a separate document for accounts you don't use anymore, or you may want to keep separate documents for you and your spouse. In most cases, however, only one Banktivity document is necessary for tracking your personal finances.

You can keep multiple documents open in the same window using tabs. To use this feature, choose View > Show Tab Bar, then click the plus (+) button at the right side of the tab bar to open documents.

Save changes to a document

Banktivity automatically saves the document at regular intervals and when you close it. If you want to save manually, choose File > Save. If Banktivity is unable to save your changes for any reason, it will alert you to the error and advise you about how to fix the problem.

Save a copy of a document

Open the document you want to copy and choose File > Duplicate. Banktivity will make a copy of the current document and then prompt you to enter a name for the new file. Choose File > Save to specify where the file should be saved (if you forget, Banktivity will prompt you to save before you close it). The new document will be saved in the location you choose, and the original document will be left where it was.

Learn the location of the current document

Hold the Command key on your keyboard and click the title of the main window. A menu will appear showing you the path to your document in the Finder:

This command is a feature of macOS and works the same way for all document-based applications.

Delete a document

Quit Banktivity and locate the document on your hard drive. Drag it to the Trash to delete it. The next time you open Banktivity, you will need to open a different document or create a new one.

Managing Documents on iPad and iPhone

Managing documents on iOS is quite different from the MacOS version of Banktivity. We covered how to set up your original account in the Installation Help File. Though you may want to create a new document or manage your existing document, like renaming it.

Getting to the document browser

In order to get to your document browser on iOS you will need to click on the file cabinet icon on the top left of the summary screen for your open document, this icon looks like this:

Editing or deleting a document from your iOS device

After clicking on that icon you will be presented with your document browser:

Closing a document

You can see from the previous screenshot that I have two documents, one of which is listed as open, the blue on that document is another indication that is is still open. Press your finger down on that open document and slide to the left to reveal the option to close it:

Once you have closed the document, you can press your finger down onto it once more and slide to the left to reveal the options to rename or delete the document:

Adding another document to the iOS device

If you would like to add a new document, simply press on "Create a new document" and you will be able to go through the New Document Assistant