Convert a bank statement to Wave
Wave imports bank activity from a CSV with Date, Description, and Amount columns, but it can't read a PDF statement. Convert your statement to a categorized CSV first, then upload it to the matching account in Wave.
Fictional sample output
Preview the CSV before importing into Wave
Statently turns separate withdrawals and deposits into one signed Amount column, cleans descriptions, and adds a category. This preview uses a fictional statement.
| Date | Description | Amount | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-03 | Northwind Payroll | +3,450.00 | Income |
| 2026-06-04 | Harbor Market | -84.21 | Groceries |
| 2026-06-06 | City Utilities | -126.40 | Utilities |
| 2026-06-08 | Cloudwork | -18.00 | Software |
Private by design. Your uploaded PDF is processed in memory to create the CSV and is not stored.
Always review before importing. Compare totals and a sample of transactions with the original statement before reconciliation, tax filing, or accounting import.
How to import a statement into Wave Accounting
- 1. Convert the statement. Upload your bank statement PDF and download the categorized CSV.
- 2. Open the upload screen. In Wave: Accounting → Transactions → More → Upload a bank statement, and pick the account.
- 3. Map & import. Match Date, Description, and Amount to the CSV columns and import.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Wave accept PDF statements?
- No — Wave imports CSV, OFX, QFX, or QBO files. Convert the PDF to CSV first, then upload.
Export to other tools
Convert a statement from your bank
Related guides
- How to Import Bank Statements into Wave
How to get transactions from a PDF bank statement into Wave Accounting using a CSV — the columns Wave expects and how to prepare the file in seconds.
- How to Convert a Bank Statement PDF to CSV
The fastest way to turn a bank statement PDF into a clean CSV — what a CSV needs to contain, why manual methods break, and how to do it in seconds.
- How to Convert a Scanned Bank Statement to CSV
Scanned or photographed bank statements have no selectable text, so most converters choke on them. Here's how to turn an image-only PDF into a clean CSV.
- How to Import Bank Statements into QuickBooks
How to get transactions from a PDF bank statement into QuickBooks Online using a CSV — the format QuickBooks expects, and how to prepare it in seconds.