Overview
Xero bank statement imports work best with a template-like CSV and predictable columns.
KontoCSV converts PDF bank statements into a Xero-compatible format so manual imports stay consistent across months and accounts.
Who this is for
Accountants, bookkeepers, and small businesses that need a reliable manual bank transaction import.
Expected CSV format
Xero uses a structured CSV import flow. KontoCSV exports Date, Amount, Payee, Description, Reference in that exact order.
- Output: CSV (`.csv`)
- Encoding: UTF-8
- Delimiter: comma (`,`)
- Line endings: CRLF
- Header row: `Date,Amount,Payee,Description,Reference`
- Output filename from KontoCSV: `your-source-file-xero.csv`
Required columns
Keep the file structure minimal. Extra columns can cause mapping errors in import flows.
Transaction date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
Single signed amount field: positive for money in, negative for money out.
Best-effort payee or counterparty name.
Detailed booking text or memo in plain text.
Reference value when available, otherwise empty.
Date and amount formatting
In KontoCSV /en exports for Xero, dates are formatted as MM/DD/YYYY.
- Use one Amount column only.
- Positive values represent money in.
- Negative values represent money out.
- Use dot decimal notation and no thousands separator.
Step-by-step import
1. Export your source statement PDFs
Download complete statement periods from your bank.
2. Convert with the Xero CSV profile
Use the xero_csv profile to preserve the expected column order and signed amount logic.
3. Download your-source-file-xero.csv
The file includes Date, Amount, Payee, Description, Reference.
4. Import the file in Xero
Use Xero bank statement import and map each column once.
5. Run a final validation pass
Review date parsing, amount signs, and a few sample references before finalizing.
Common import errors
Wrong column order
Keep the exact sequence: Date, Amount, Payee, Description, Reference.
Amount column split into debit and credit
Xero expects one signed Amount column in this profile.
Reference values cause noisy imports
Keep Reference plain text and leave empty when no reference exists.
Rows fail due to hidden line breaks
Remove line breaks from Payee, Description, and Reference text fields.
How KontoCSV exports for Xero
KontoCSV export profile
- Profile ID: `xero_csv`
- Header row: `Date,Amount,Payee,Description,Reference`
- Filename: `your-source-file-xero.csv`
- Text is sanitized for CSV safety (line breaks removed, quotes escaped).
FAQ
Does Xero require a fixed filename prefix?
No. Xero does not require a fixed filename prefix for CSV bank statement import.
What date format does this export use?
The /en Xero profile uses MM/DD/YYYY.
Can I use separate debit and credit columns?
This profile intentionally uses one signed Amount column because that is the required structure for this mapping approach.
Can KontoCSV handle missing references?
Yes. The Reference field is filled when available and left empty otherwise.