# Adding Transactions Without Direct Import > Learn how to manually add and categorize transactions in YNAB when direct import isn’t available, so your plan stays accurate and up to date. Source: https://support.ynab.com/en_us/adding-transactions-without-direct-import-B1kBALVaxx Last updated: 2026-07-02T17:25:38.038Z Explore how easy it is to add transactions in YNAB—no Direct Import required! Whether you’re at home or on the go, mix and match from the options below to find the combination that works best for you.  #### In This Article [Your Options for Adding Transactions](#options) [Best Practices for Manual Entry](#manual) [More Mobile App Options](#mobile) [When Transactions are Importing Incorrectly](#incorrect) * * * ## Your Options for Adding Transactions There are several quick ways to add transactions, depending on what’s easiest for you. * **Manual Entry:**[Manual entry](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-add-transactions-in-ynab-HyDwA_byi#button) is the tried and true method. Adding transactions as they occur helps ensure you can always trust your plan. **In the mobile app**, you’ll find a number of ways to [add transactions manually](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-add-transactions-in-ynab-HyDwA_byi#add). This includes an _Add Transaction_ button to tap at the bottom of the _Home_, _Plan_, and _Spending_ tabs. One is also available at the bottom of each account register.  * **Scheduled Transactions:**[Scheduled transactions](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/scheduled-transactions-a-guide-BygrAIFA9) are perfect for **recurring expenses** like rent and utility bills. Set these up once, and YNAB will automatically add them according to your schedule, eliminating the need to remember regular payments. * **File-Based Importing:**With our [file-based importing](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/file-based-import-a-guide-Bkj4Sszyo) feature in the web app you can **add multiple transactions at once**. You download a file from your bank and drag-and-drop it right into YNAB. You can even add transactions yourself and import transactions from a bank file. Imported transactions from the bank file will match right up with the ones you added on your phone or computer. [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## Best Practices for Manual Entry If you’re entering transactions manually, here are a few tips to make it as smooth as possible. * **Enter transactions as they occur.** The [mobile app](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-add-transactions-in-ynab-HyDwA_byi#add) is great for recording spending on-the-go (think: gas and groceries). This real-time approach keeps your budget accurate and prevents forgotten transactions. * **Set up bank notifications.** Your bank may have the option to be notified when new transactions are posted to your account. If so, enabling these alerts will serve as reminders to enter transactions you might otherwise miss or forget. * **Regular Reconciliation.** Regardless of how you get those transactions into your account, we recommend using the [Reconcile feature](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/reconciling-accounts-a-guide-BJFE3fHys) to verify your accounts **at least once a week**. This ensures your YNAB balance matches your actual account balance and helps catch any missed or duplicate entries. [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## More Mobile App Options Want even more options to add transactions faster when you’re on the go? Try these! * **The YNAB App Icon:**You can long press the YNAB app to add a transaction, no matter where you keep it. * **Category Long Press:**From the _Plan_ tab, long press a category and tap _Add Transaction_. This also works from the _Home_ tab for any category you've pinned. * **Widgets:**You can set up an [Add Transaction widget](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/ynab-widget-for-mobile-a-guide-HJPEEQYR9) on your Home Screen or For You page and tap it for quick access without opening the full app. * **Shortcuts (iOS):**There are two ways to create [shortcuts on iOS](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/shortcuts-on-ios-a-guide-Bk_lHa5Aq) depending on where you'd like to access them: * You can create a shortcut and add it to your Home Screen. These shortcuts can include prefilled information such as the amount, payee, category, and account. * If you'd like to add transactions from your iOS lock screen, replace one of the two shortcuts at the bottom of the lock screen with our _Add Transaction_ shortcut. * **Siri and Spotlight (iOS):** If you'd rather use search or your voice, iOS allows you to [set up Siri and Spotlight](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/using-siri-and-spotlight-with-ynab-B1Me9dj5ge) to add transactions. Once you've asked or searched for a category balance, you can tap on the result to add a new transaction. [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## When Transactions Are Importing Incorrectly If your connection is up and running but your transactions are importing with incorrect data, here's how to maintain those accounts: ### Inflow and Outflow Swap If inflows are importing as outflows (and vice versa), you have two options: 1. **In the web app**, [unlink the account](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/linked-accounts-B1991f2Cc#unlink) from your bank connection and use [File-Based Import](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/file-based-import-a-guide-Bkj4Sszyo) to help keep up with your transactions. You can drag and drop a file containing your transactions into any YNAB screen, and swap the inflow and outflow by selecting the _Swap Inflow/Outflow_ option. 2. If you’d prefer to keep the account linked to your bank connection, you’ll need to manually switch the inflows and outflows individually.  Whichever option you choose, we recommend [reconciling the account](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/reconciling-accounts-a-guide-BJFE3fHys) regularly to ensure your YNAB balance continues to match your actual account balance. * * * ### Duplicate Transactions If duplicate transactions are importing, you have two options: 1. **In the web app**, [unlink the account](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/linked-accounts-B1991f2Cc#unlink) from your bank connection and use [File-Based Import](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/file-based-import-a-guide-Bkj4Sszyo) to help keep up with your transactions. You can drag and drop a file containing your transactions into any YNAB screen 2. If you’d prefer to keep the account linked to your bank connection, you’ll need to remove duplicate transactions individually.  For existing duplicates, **in the web app** you can [search and sort](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/searching-transactions-a-guide-r1gxyQryj) your transactions by amount to quickly identify and delete them. Then [use the reconcile feature](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/reconciling-accounts-a-guide-BJFE3fHys) to prevent those same duplicates from importing again. #### Before Re-Linking the Account If you unlinked the account and want to see if the issue’s resolved, we recommend doing this before re-linking: * [Link the account](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/linked-accounts-B1991f2Cc#existing) **in the web app** where you can quickly [use the Undo button](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-fix-mistakes-with-undo-and-redo-HJzO5CfA9#how) should duplicates persist.  * [Use the reconcile feature](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/reconciling-accounts-a-guide-BJFE3fHys) to prevent past duplicate transactions from importing, as YNAB imports only three days before the last reconciled transaction.  [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## Help Us Help You! Our Knowledge Base team reviews article feedback responses weekly, and we actively revise these articles to make them as helpful as possible. 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