Bulk Entry

Bulk entry is the fastest way to work through a backlog of transactions. Instead of opening and closing the normal form over and over, you stay in one sheet, move across rows, and save the batch together.

When bulk entry is a good fit #

• catching up on a backlog of normal transactions
• entering a batch from a paper statement or notes
• reviewing multiple rows before saving them together

Ways to open bulk entry #

Depending on the feature settings and where you start, you may reach bulk entry in three main ways:

• from the Combo Palette with the Add or Import Transactions
• from the main Add button by choosing the multi-entry option
• from the normal add-transaction flow by using Switch to Mass Entry when that option is offered

The sheet opens in a centered dialog with these shell controls:

• _ to minimize the session - so you can navigate in the app and then come back
• ✕ to close it - dismisses all changes and closes the form
• a restore dock at the bottom of the screen when the session is minimized

The main sheet controls #

At the top of the sheet, Common Cents gives you a toolbar with:

• Clear Grid to reset the unsaved sheet back to how it opened
• Add more rows to extend the sheet in one batch

The sheet columns are built for quick entry:

• Date
• Account
• Payee
• Category
• Label when Labels is enabled
• Amount
• Income
• Debt
• Split
• Note

The row number column also matters:

• click a row number to select that row
• rows with problems show an ! indicator
• right-click a row number to open the row context menu

The row context menu #

The row context menu is one of the most useful bulk-entry shortcuts. It includes:

• Copy
• Paste - a simple paste from your clipboard
• Paste: Import - import-style pasted data that goes through the import mapping flow. See Importing Transactions
• Delete

Editing inside the sheet #

Bulk entry is keyboard-friendly.

• use Tab and Shift + Tab to move across the row
• use the arrow keys to move around the grid
• use Command + Z or Control + Z to undo recent sheet edits
• use Command + Shift + Z or Control + Shift + Z to redo them

Some cells also have special behavior:

• the Amount cell includes a sign toggle for inflow or outflow
• the Income checkbox marks a row as income
• the Debt checkbox opens Add Debt Details or Edit Debt Details
• the Split checkbox opens Add Details or Edit Details

If a row already has debt or split details, an Edit button appears next to that checkbox so you can reopen the row’s details without leaving the sheet.

Important: The bulk entry form does not currently support mortgage-type debt entries (entering principle amounts). You will need to enter that through a regular Add Transaction form or from the Make a Debt Payment workflow.

Importing into the sheet #

See also: Importing Transactions

Bulk entry also handles CSV-style imports.

You can start an import by:

• using Paste: Import from the row menu
• dragging a CSV file into the sheet

When Common Cents recognizes the data, it opens Import Data and shows any compatible saved mappings. From there you can:

• pick an existing mapping
• choose Create New Mapping if none fits

After rows are applied, the app can open Review Imported Payees so you can:

• Match existing payee
• Create new payee
• Ignore for now

Applying those decisions updates the sheet immediately and helps future imports remember those names.

Saving the batch #

At the bottom of the sheet, the main actions are:

• Cancel
• Save All Rows

If the sheet finds problems first, Common Cents shows a Validation Issues panel and points you to the broken rows and columns.

If Strict Mode is enabled and a row would overspend a category, saving can pause and open Strict Mode: Cover Overspending before the batch is allowed through.

Slow down before the final save #

The point of bulk entry is faster input, not lower accuracy. Review dates, amounts, payees, categories, and warnings before you press Save All Rows.