Need to export PayPal transactions to CSV for accounting, taxes, or bookkeeping? This guide shows you two methods: PayPal's built-in CSV export (free, but limited to 3 months) and PDF to CSV conversion (for older transactions).
Two Methods
Method 1: PayPal's CSV Export (Free)
✅ Direct CSV download from PayPal
⚠️ Limited to last 3 months only
Method 2: PDF Statement → CSV (KontoCSV)
✅ Access unlimited history
✅ Convert PDF statements to CSV
Method 1: PayPal's Built-in CSV Export
Log into PayPal
Go to paypal.com and sign in
Navigate to Activity
Click on "Activity" (top menu) or "Statements & Reports"
Select Date Range
Choose your date range (maximum 3 months at a time)
⚠️ Important: PayPal limits CSV exports to 3 months. For older transactions, use Method 2.
Download CSV
Click "Download" → Select "CSV" format → Save file
✅ Advantages:
- • Completely free
- • Official PayPal export
- • Already in CSV format
❌ Limitations:
- • Only last 3 months
- • Must repeat for each 3-month period
- • Time-consuming for full year
Method 2: Convert PayPal PDF Statements to CSV
PayPal allows you to download PDF statements for any date range (no 3-month limit!). Convert these PDFs to CSV with KontoCSV.
Download PDF from PayPal
PayPal → Statements & Reports → Select any date range → Download as PDF
Download CSV
Get perfectly formatted CSV file, ready for accounting software
✅ Why use this method:
- No 3-month limitation – export entire history
- One file for whole year (vs. 4 separate CSV downloads)
- Cleaner data structure
- First 3 pages free to test
How to Bypass PayPal's 3-Month CSV Limitation
The Problem
PayPal's CSV export is limited to 3 months at a time. For a full year, you'd need to download 4 separate files and manually combine them.
✓ The Workaround
Option A: Download PDF instead
PDF statements have no time limit. Download full-year PDF, then convert to CSV with KontoCSV.
Option B: Download multiple CSVs and merge
- 1. Download Q1 (Jan-Mar) as CSV
- 2. Download Q2 (Apr-Jun) as CSV
- 3. Download Q3 (Jul-Sep) as CSV
- 4. Download Q4 (Oct-Dec) as CSV
- 5. Open all 4 files in Excel and copy-paste into one sheet
⚠️ Time-consuming and error-prone
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I export PayPal transactions to CSV?
PayPal → Activity → Statements & Reports → Select date range (max 3 months) → Download → Choose CSV format. For older transactions or full year, download PDF statement and convert with KontoCSV.
Why is PayPal CSV export limited to 3 months?
PayPal limits CSV exports to reduce server load. However, PDF statements have no time limit. You can download unlimited history as PDF and convert to CSV.
Can I download all my PayPal transactions ever?
Yes, via PDF statements:
1. PayPal → Statements & Reports
2. Select "Custom Date Range" → Choose your entire account history
3. Download as PDF
4. Convert PDF to CSV with KontoCSV
Does PayPal Business have longer CSV exports?
No, even PayPal Business accounts have the same 3-month CSV limitation. Business accounts do get more detailed reporting, but the CSV export limit is the same.
Can I import PayPal CSV into QuickBooks/Xero/accounting software?
Yes! PayPal CSV (or CSV from KontoCSV) works with most accounting software: QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, Wave, Sage, and more. Each software has slightly different import requirements, but CSV is universally supported.