Option to import statements

[yeskayp]

I would love to be able to import statements (as PDFs or something) so that all the transactions are automatically added to the tracker from the imported file

[gammaSpeck]

This is a really neat idea! I was exploring this the other day, and noticed that get PDF based reports of our transactions (Indian banks). From ICICI, HDFC, etc. Right now, the challenge is in converting these PDFs into structred, ordered data (A csv or a JSON or anything that is iterable). We need a consistent reliable way to convert PDFs into structured data.

Once this challenge is overcome, classifying the expenses can be easier. I was thinking a rule based mechanism. Something as simple as Regex string checks. Eg: "Rent" in the transaction can get auto routed into the category of "Bills". Like these, custom rules can live on the end user's preferences, and every new statement will be correctly classified.

[gammaSpeck]

I was checking up on the first part of the problem, and noticed a lot of people have tried to build some solutions. I found an excellent blog post by a company that has a solution. Good read: https://bankstatemently.com/benchmark/challenges

Now, with this, one can, in theory use the service of https://bankstatemently.com and get a CSV format of a Bank statement of transactions. And for most of our individual needs, their free tier should suffice. Heck, they even have an API way to do the parsing. Really neat!

Now, using a third party to fix the first challenge is plausible, but against the fundamentals of what this app was meant for. To be fully private, open source, running locally. I am also unaware of the data privacy policy of theirs, so I am a bit hessitant to go all in with this pathway right now.