Create or Open a New File

Use this guide when you are starting fresh or returning to an existing file.

Before you start #

Decide whether you need a brand-new file, a guided setup, or an existing .cents file.

What you will do #

Use the startup screen to create or open the right file, confirm it is the file you intend to work in, and then move into your first setup or review task.

1. Start from the startup screen #

When Common Cents opens, use the startup screen as your file decision point.

The main choices are:

• create a new file
• create a new file with guided setup
• open an existing .cents file

Depending on platform support and what you have done before, you may also be able to reopen a recent file or drag a .cents file directly onto the startup screen.

2. Decide whether you need a new file or your existing one #

If you already have an active Common Cents budget, open that file instead of creating a second one.

Open an existing file when:

• you are returning to your normal budget
• you restored a file from backup
• you moved the file from another device or folder

Create a new file only when you really intend to start a separate budget.

3. Choose guided setup or a blank file #

If you are creating a new file, Common Cents asks whether you want guided setup.

Choose guided setup when you want help creating the early structure, especially:

• accounts
• categories
• income setup

Choose a blank file when you already know your structure and want to build it manually.

Neither option locks you in. Guided setup is just the faster path when you do not want to begin from an empty file.

4. Treat the opened file as the source of truth #

Once the file opens, remember what that file represents.

It holds your:

• accounts
• category groups and categories
• assigned money
• transactions
• labels, targets, and planning data when those features are enabled

If you create another file, you are not opening another view of the same budget. You are creating a different budget file.

5. Confirm you opened the file you meant to work in #

Before you start editing, pause and make sure the file you opened is the real one you want.

This matters most when:

• you have several backups with similar names
• you reopened a recent file without checking the name
• you opened a file from Downloads or a temporary folder

If anything feels off, stop there and open the correct file before you begin making changes.

6. Do the first setup tasks in the right order #

If this is a new file, move through the first setup in this order:

1. create at least one account with a starting balance
2. create a category group and a category
3. assign money to the category
4. add a transaction

That sequence teaches the core Common Cents model faster than jumping randomly between pages.

7. Use the right next page after the file opens #

After the file is open:

• go to Accounts when you need to create or review accounts
• go to Budget when you need to create categories or assign money
• go to Transactions when you are ready to record activity

If you are still learning the app, the best follow-up path is Create Your First File, Create an Account, and Create a Transaction.

The most common wrong turn #

The most common mistake here is making a new file when you really meant to reopen the existing one.

If you are not intentionally starting over, open the existing .cents file first.

See also: Create Your First File, Saving, Autosave, and Recovery, and Navigation Basics.