Format help
Bank CSV Format for the Subscription Detector
The detector needs a clean CSV with dates, descriptions, and amounts. This guide shares what to include and the quick fixes that usually get an upload working on the first try, at a relaxed pace.
Published: December 24, 2025 - Updated: December 24, 2025 - By FinToolSuite Editorial
Quick answer
- A usable CSV needs a date, a description/merchant, and an amount.
- The exact column names can vary; the meaning must match.
- If upload fails, check date format, separators, and amount signs.
Disclaimer
Educational purposes only; not financial advice. Examples are illustrative and results depend on your data; they are not guaranteed. Remove sensitive columns you do not need (account number, full address, reference IDs). Upload only the statement period you want to analyze.
Your data is processed to detect recurring patterns; see the Privacy Policy for details.
Required columns
| Required meaning | Common column names | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Date, Transaction Date, Posted Date | Use a consistent format. |
| Description | Description, Merchant, Name, Details | Keep text as is; do not trim important identifiers. |
| Amount | Amount, Debit, Credit, Value | See sign rules below. |
Optional columns (can be removed): Category, Balance, Currency, Account, Reference.
Date formats
Accepted formats include:
- 2025-12-24
- 24-12-2025
- 12-24-2025
Avoid mixing formats in one file. If your bank uses timestamps, keep only the date portion.
Quick fix: convert the date column to one format in a spreadsheet before exporting.
Debit and credit sign conventions
Banks handle signs differently. Follow the detector template if available; it shows the expected sign convention.
| Bank export style | What it means | How to map |
|---|---|---|
| Amount negative for spend | Spend is negative. | Keep as is. |
| Amount positive for spend | Spend is positive. | You may need to flip signs if the detector expects negatives; use the template as a guide. |
| Separate Debit and Credit | Two columns. | Convert to one Amount column where spend is negative and income is positive (illustrative). |
Separators and encoding issues
- Commas vs semicolons: ensure the separator matches the file.
- Quotes around fields: keep quotes if descriptions contain commas.
- Use UTF-8 encoding to avoid strange characters.
- Keep only one header row and remove empty rows at the top.
Sample CSV rows
Date,Description,Amount
2025-11-01,STREAMING SERVICE,-9.99
2025-11-03,GYM MEMBERSHIP,-25.00
2025-11-05,COFFEE SHOP,-4.20
2025-11-08,CLOUD STORAGE,-2.99
2025-11-12,SALARY,2500.00
2025-11-15,STREAMING SERVICE,-9.99
2025-11-18,MUSIC APP,-7.99Descriptions can be messy; that is fine. Recurring items appear at least twice.
Common upload errors and fixes
- File is not CSV (it is XLSX or PDF): export to CSV.
- Multiple header rows: keep one header only.
- Date column contains text like Nov: convert to numeric date format.
- Mixed date formats: standardize to one format.
- Amount column includes currency symbols: remove symbols.
- Amount uses commas for decimals: switch to a dot for decimals.
- Separator is semicolon not comma: match the separator or re-save with commas.
- Encoding creates strange characters: save as UTF-8.
- Empty rows between transactions: remove blank lines.
- Duplicate rows from exporting multiple times: deduplicate before upload.
Need more prep steps? See how to clean a CSV before uploading and how to use the detector.
Safe handling tips
- Remove account numbers and personal identifiers.
- Export only the time window you want to analyze.
- Keep a copy locally.
- Review before uploading.
See the Privacy Policy for data handling details.
FAQ preview
What columns do I need?
Date, Description, and Amount.
Does it support credit card statements?
Yes, if exported as CSV with the required columns.
Do I need to include balance?
No. Balance is optional and can be removed.
Why does the tool show zero subscriptions?
Check date format, amount signs, and make sure the file has at least two months of recurring data.
Where can I see the full FAQ?
Final call to action
Prepare your CSV, run a scan, and review flagged items with the detector.