Choosing a Setup Method

When you set up your business in Digits, you can choose how to start your books:

Start fresh
Import from QuickBooks
Migrate from another tool (like Xero, spreadsheets, etc.)

Your choice tells Digits how to build Category Manager, which is your chart of accounts—the list of categories that controls how income, expenses, assets, and more are tracked and reported.

Why Your COA Strategy Matters

Your Chart of Accounts (COA) determines how Digits classifies transactions, reports financials, and automates bookkeeping.

Choosing the right setup path ensures accuracy from day one and minimizes cleanup later.

Tip: Always finalize your Chart of Accounts setup before connecting banks or apps. This ensures transactions map to the correct categories automatically.

Options

Choose this option if:

Start Fresh with Digits

Create a clean, standardized Chart of Accounts automatically when you start fresh with Digits. ✨ Digits analyzes your data and generates a complete category structure that fits modern bookkeeping standards — no manual setup required.

It’s ideal for:

You’re starting bookkeeping from scratch
Your current books feel messy or inconsistent
You want a simpler, easier-to-read set of categories

Digits suggests categories you can edit, rename, or remove at any time, giving you full control while starting from a solid foundation.

Next Step: → Digits Connections: Banks & Cards via Plaid

Migrate from QuickBooks

If your business uses QuickBooks, you can import your existing Chart of Accounts during setup.

Digits automatically maps categories from QuickBooks, saving time and reducing errors.
This option preserves your historical naming and category structure.
Best when you want to maintain continuity and avoid extra work.

⚠️ Warning: QuickBooks migration is only available during initial setup. Complete this step before connecting any accounts.

Next Step: → Migrate Data from Quickbooks

Upload a Custom Chart of Accounts (Non-Quickbooks)

If your books live in another system — like Xero, Puzzle, or Excel — import them manually using Digits’ CSV template.

Import a CSV version of your current Chart of Accounts using Digits’ import template.
Include category names, types, and optional numbers to match your preferred structure.
Upload the CSV before connecting banks or apps to ensure transactions map correctly.

Next Step: → Import Your Chart of Accounts

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I connect banks before or after setting up my COA?

After. Connecting accounts first can cause mismatched transaction categories.

Can I edit my COA later?

Absolutely. Use Category Manager (Chart of Accounts)anytime to adjust, merge, or deactivate categories.

Does Digits automatically map imported categories?

Yes. ✨ Digits automatically maps imported categories to align with your transaction data.

Can I start with a clean, standardized COA?

Yes — choose Start Fresh with Digits to auto-generate a modern, editable structure.

I’m moving from Xero, Pilot, or Excel — what should I do?

Use the Import Your Chart of Accountsoption and import your CSV using Digits’ template.

Do you have a list of the complete gifted COA?

Yes! Below is the full list. Keep in mind that while this is the full list, Digits will only show categories that have been used for a transaction.

Number

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hashtagWhy Your COA Strategy Matters

hashtagFrequently Asked Questions

Why Your COA Strategy Matters

Frequently Asked Questions