# How to Add Transactions in YNAB > There are several ways to get transactions into your account registers. This article explains them all. Source: https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-add-transactions-in-ynab-HyDwA_byi Last updated: 2026-07-10T14:04:13.221Z Learn how to add transactions, import transactions from your linked bank accounts, and use File-Based Importing in YNAB. Keep your plan up to date by utilizing a mix of these manual entry and importing options. #### In This Article [Adding Transactions: Mobile Overview](#add) [How to Add Transactions (Web, Home Tab, Spending Tab, and Individual Accounts)](#button) [How to Add Transactions (Plan Tab)](#plan-tab) [Import Transactions](#import) [Mix and Match](#mix) * * * ## Adding Transactions: Mobile Overview Whether you're at home or on the go, YNAB offers many ways to add transactions. Adding transactions as they occur, even if you use Direct Import, helps ensure you can always trust your plan. Here are a few of the common ways to add transactions...and you don't even have to open YNAB! * **In-App Button** If you're a long-time YNABer, you've noticed that [we've replaced the Add Transaction tab with the Spending tab](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/spaces-in-the-mobile-app-S1iIZQoqgg). Don't worry, [you'll still find an Add Transaction button to tap](#button) at the bottom of the Home, Plan, and Spending tabs. One is also available at the bottom of each account register.  * **Category Long Press** If you're on the _Plan_ tab, you can [long press a category and tap _Add Transaction_](#plan-tab). This also works from the _Home_ tab for [any category you've prioritized and pinned](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/spotlight-BkdHBZUokg#top-priorities). * **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. * **Shortcuts** There are two ways to create shortcuts on iOS depending on where you'd like to access them. You can [create a shortcut and add it to your Home Screen](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/shortcuts-on-ios-a-guide-Bk_lHa5Aq). 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](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/shortcuts-on-ios-a-guide-Bk_lHa5Aq#lock), replace one of the two shortcuts at the bottom of the lock screen with our _Add Transaction_ shortcut.  * **Siri and Spotlight** If you'd rather use search or your voice, iOS 26 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. * **The YNAB App Icon** You can long press the YNAB app to add a transaction, no matter where you keep it. [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## How to Add Transactions (Web, Home Tab, Spending Tab, and Individual Accounts) ### iOS 1. Tap the _Transaction_ button (plus sign icon) at the bottom of the Home tab, the Spending tab, or your individual account. 2. Enter the amount of the transaction using the number pad and tap _Done_. 3. Using the drop down menu, indicate the transaction type: _Spending, Inflow, Credit Card Payment,_ or _Transfer_. 1. _Spending_ and _Inflow_ transactions allow you to create a payee (who you gave the money to or who paid **you** money), choose a category, set the bank account, add a flag, [clear the transaction](https://support.ynab.com/getting-started-with-reconciling-accounts-an-overview-Sy3JWx4Js#status), or set a repeating schedule. 2. _Credit Card Payment_ and _Transfer_ transactions need no payee and no category. 4. Confirm that the date and other details are correct. 5. Tap the _Save_ button. ### Android 1. Tap the _Transaction_ button (plus sign icon) at the bottom of the Home tab, the Spending tab, or your individual account. 2. Enter the amount of the transaction using the number pad and tap _Done_. 3. Using the drop down menu, indicate the transaction type: _Spending, Inflow, Credit Card Payment,_ or _Transfer_. 1. _Spending_ and _Inflow_ transactions allow you to create a payee (who you gave the money to or who paid **you** money), choose a category, set the bank account, add a flag, [clear the transaction](https://support.ynab.com/getting-started-with-reconciling-accounts-an-overview-Sy3JWx4Js#status), or set a repeating schedule. 2. _Credit Card Payment_ and _Transfer_ transactions need no payee and no category. 4. Confirm that the date and other details are correct. 5. Tap the _Save_ button. ### Web 1. In the left sidebar, select the account the transaction occurred in. 2. Click the _Add Transaction_ button. 3. In the Payee field, choose or create a payee that describes either who you gave the money to, or who paid **you** money.  4. Select your category. \*Does this transaction involve multiple categories? You'll want to use the [split transaction option](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/split-transactions-a-guide-SJLEKwY0q). 5. Depending on whether the funds are entering or leaving this account, you'll enter the amount in the Outflow or Inflow field.  6. Feel free to customize the date, add a flag or memo, or set this as a repeating transaction by adjusting the additional fields on this screen. 7. Click the _Save_ button. If you made a mistake when adding the transaction, you can always [edit or delete it](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-edit-and-delete-transactions-BJG4oS1s). If you aren’t sure which category to select, you may want to [customize your categories](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/adding-removing-and-customizing-categories-a-guide-HJFO5j909). And if that transaction used up more money than you had in a category (gasp!), it’s time to head to the plan and [ask yourself the flexibility question](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/the-ynab-method-an-overview-SJmiqpi6j#flexibility). #### Scheduled Transactions Make transaction entry even easier by creating [Scheduled Transactions](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/scheduled-transactions-a-guide-BygrAIFA9). They'll automatically drop into your account register on whatever frequency you choose. They serve the dual purpose of quick entry for frequent or repeating transactions **and** as a reminder for those not-so-frequent ones (that's you, car insurance!) you tend to forget. Win-win! [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## How to Add Transactions (Plan Tab) ### iOS 1. Tap the _Plan_ tab. 2. Long press on a category.  3. Tap _Add Transaction_. 4. Enter the amount of the transaction using the number pad and tap _Done_. 5. Using the drop down menu, indicate the transaction type: _Spending, Inflow, Credit Card Payment,_ or _Transfer_. 6. Confirm that the date and other details are correct. If you’d like, add a flag, photo, memo, or set this as a repeating scheduled transaction.  7. Tap the _Save_ button. ### Android 1. Tap the _Plan_ tab. 2. Long press on a category.  3. Tap _Add Transaction_. 4. Enter the amount of the transaction using the number pad and tap _Done_. 5. Using the drop down menu, indicate the transaction type: _Spending, Inflow, Credit Card Payment,_ or _Transfer_. 6. Confirm that the date and other details are correct. If you’d like, add a flag, photo, memo, or set this as a repeating scheduled transaction.  7. Tap the _Save_ button. [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## Import Transactions There are two ways to import transactions into YNAB. ### Option One: Direct Import The first option is to [link your account](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/linked-accounts-B1991f2Cc) in YNAB with your real-world account. This will allow you to import transactions once they clear the bank.  If you'd rather not link the accounts, your bank isn't supported, or the connection is currently down, don't worry — we got you. 💪 YNAB is fully functional **without Direct Import** using our additional entry or import methods—and rest assured, we're happy to help [troubleshoot your connection and imports](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/troubleshooting-linked-accounts-BJ9Mv9b1s) in the meantime if Direct Import is a priority for you!  ### Option Two: File-Based Importing Option Two is our [File-Based Importing](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/file-based-import-a-guide-Bkj4Sszyo) feature (in the web app). You can download a file from your bank and drag-and-drop it right into YNAB. You might call it magic. ✨ Either way, imported transactions will match right up with the ones you added on your phone or computer. You’ll even have the chance to approve the matches—or [manually match](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/approving-and-matching-transactions-a-guide-ByYNZaQ1i#matching) two transactions if the amounts differed. #### Looking to bring in historical transactions? While you can bring in past transactions, categorizing all that past spending may not be worth the time investment because YNAB is all about prioritizing the money you have now and looking ahead. We do understand the desire to create a way to see trends or past patterns, though, so check out the [Can I Import Past Transactions from before My Starting Balance?](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/the-starting-balance-an-overview-H1uozOfJs#past) section of our Starting Balance article if you want more information on that!  [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## Mix and Match Why limit yourself to just one option when you can have 'em all? That's right—you can add transactions yourself, import transactions from a bank file, **and** have YNAB import them for you all at the same time! This is especially handy when your account is linked but is temporarily unavailable, or if you're counting down the seconds until your financial institution clears a transaction. Sometimes YNABing is just too darn exciting to wait. Wondering whether a transaction was imported or manually entered? Here's how to check:  * **On a computer** - double-click into the Payee field and then click the circled 'i' icon next to the payee name. If it's been imported, you'll see the Bank Import Details pop up with more specifics. If there's no icon, it was manually entered. * **On iOS** - tap the transaction, then tap the Payee. If it's been imported, you'll see a Bank Import Details section at the top with more specifics. If you don't see that section listed, it was manually entered.  * **On Android** - tap the transaction, then tap the Payee. If it's been imported, you'll see a Bank Import Details section at the top with more specifics. If you don't see that section listed, it was manually entered.  [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. That's where you come in! 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