Journal entries are essential to your bookkeeping, helping you track adjustments, correct errors, or record non-cash transactions like depreciation or payroll accruals. But if you need to upload multiple journal entries into Xero, doing it manually can be slow and frustrating. That’s where SaasAnt Transactions steps in to help.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create journal entries in Xero using SaasAnt Transactions, a bulk import tool that saves time and ensures accuracy.
Let’s face it: manually entering journals one at a time in Xero isn’t practical if you’re handling large volumes. SaasAnt Transactions allows you to import journal entries in bulk from Excel or CSV files, cutting down on errors and repetitive data entry.
Import hundreds of journal entries in one go
Map columns easily to Xero’s format
Preview before you post
Avoid manual errors
Works for accountants, bookkeepers, and business owners alike
Let’s break it down into simple, actionable steps.
Before you upload anything, start with a clean Excel or CSV file. Here’s what to include:
Essential Fields:
Date
Reference
Line Amount
Account Code or Name
Description (optional but helpful)
Tax Type (if applicable)
Tracking Categories (if used in Xero)
Go to SaasAnt Transactions for Xero and sign in.
If you haven’t connected your Xero account yet:
Click Connect to Xero
Authorize the connection securely
Choose the proper Xero organization
Once you're in:
On the dashboard, click “Import”
From the transaction list, choose “Journal”
Upload your Excel or CSV file
This step is crucial. SaasAnt lets you map the columns in your file to the corresponding fields in Xero.
For example:
Your file's column “Transaction Date” → Map to “Date”
“GL Code” → Map to “Account Code”
“Debit” and “Credit” → Map to “Line Amount” and assign the correct sign (positive or negative)
After mapping:
Click “Next” to validate your entries
SaasAnt will alert you to any missing or mismatched data
Fix any errors right in the preview screen
Preview Screen lets you double-check:
Account names and codes
Amounts
Journal balance
Tracking category details
Once everything looks good:
Hit “Import to Xero.”
SaasAnt will post the journal entries directly into your Xero account
You’ll see a confirmation message, and the transactions will be visible inside your Xero dashboard immediately.
Here’s when using SaasAnt to import journals makes a lot of sense:
Monthly payroll journals
Depreciation entries
Accruals and prepayments
Intercompany allocations
Error corrections
If you handle multiple clients or manage data from other systems, such as Excel or ERPs, this tool can be a serious time saver.
Use the sample file in SaasAnt as your starting point
Always ensure debits = credits in each journal
Use account codes instead of names for more straightforward mapping
Add tracking categories only if you use them in Xero
Validate before every import to catch errors early
Creating journal entries manually in Xero can slow you down, especially when working with multiple entries. With SaasAnt Transactions, you can import them all in one go, saving hours of manual work.
Whether you’re a business owner trying to clean up your books or an accountant managing complex journal entries, this workflow is a game-changer.
Yes, with SaasAnt Transactions, you can upload hundreds (even thousands) of journal entries in one go using a simple Excel or CSV file. It's perfect for bulk imports that would take forever to enter manually in Xero.
Yes. While SaasAnt is flexible, your file should include fields like Date, Account Code, Amount, Reference, and Description. SaasAnt provides a ready-to-use sample file to get you started quickly.
Absolutely. SaasAnt validates your entries during the upload process and will flag any journals that don’t balance (i.e., where debits ≠ and credits) before they’re imported into Xero.
Yes, you can. However, using account codes is more reliable, especially when mapping fields, because codes are unique and help avoid confusion during import.
No worries. After the import, you can review, edit, delete, or reverse journal entries directly in Xero. SaasAnt also allows you to preview and validate your data before it goes live.
There’s no hard limit within SaasAnt itself, but Xero’s API does have daily usage limits. For most users, you can import thousands of entries per day without hitting any issues.
No installation is required. SaasAnt Transactions is a cloud-based app. You can log in through your browser, connect your Xero account, and start importing.
Yes. SaasAnt uses secure OAuth connections to link with your Xero account. Your data is encrypted, and your login is protected. You can also disconnect SaasAnt anytime from your Xero settings.
Currently, SaasAnt does not support automated scheduling. However, you can reuse saved mappings and import templates to speed up monthly or recurring journal uploads.
Yes! SaasAnt offers a free trial to test importing journal entries (and other transactions) before committing. It’s a great way to see how much time you’ll save.
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