> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/llms.txt).
# Import a chart of accounts
Bring your categories over from QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, any spreadsheet or a PDF. ZeraBooks reads the file, you review every row, and existing categories are never overwritten.
## Open the import
- **No categories yet:** in the left navigation, click **Accounting** › **Category Manager**, then click **Import CSV, Excel, or PDF** under **Set up your chart of accounts**.
- **Adding to an existing chart:** in the **Category Manager**, click the arrow next to **New Category**, then **Import Categories…**.
## Import your file
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{% step %}
### Choose the file
Drop the file on **Browse or Drag & Drop**, or click **Browse** to pick it, then click **Next**. ZeraBooks accepts CSV, TSV, TXT, Excel (.xlsx, .xls) and PDF files. Export the chart of accounts from your old system as it is; there's no need to reformat it.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Let ZeraBooks read it
You see "Reading your chart of accounts…". This usually takes 10–20 seconds. A file in ZeraBooks' template format is read directly; any other file is read by AI.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Review your categories
Under **Review your categories**, the rows are grouped into the eight types. Click a name to rename it. Click the minus button to remove a row; removing a parent also removes its sub-categories. Click **Undo removal** if you remove one by mistake. A row with no number shows "ZeraBooks assigns a number on import". Click **Upload Again** to start over with another file.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Import
Click **Import N categories**, or **Import N new categories** when some are already in your chart. The new categories appear in the **Category Manager** right away.
{% endstep %}
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{% hint style="success" %}
Importing only adds. Categories you already have are kept exactly as they are, and ZeraBooks tells you how many "already existed and were kept as they were".
{% endhint %}
If the company still has no bank account or credit card after the import, ZeraBooks shows **Now add your banks & cards**. Add each account you'll upload statements for.
## Use the CSV template
To build the file yourself, click **found here** next to "CSV format template" in the upload window. The columns are:
| Column | Required | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Category Name** | Yes | The category's name. |
| **Type** | Yes | One of: Bank, Credit Card, Assets, Liabilities, Equity, Revenue, Cost of Revenue, Operating Expenses, Other Income, Other Expenses. |
| **Category Number** | No | Leave blank and ZeraBooks assigns one. |
| **Parent Name** | No | The parent category's name, for a sub-category. |
| **Parent Category Number** | No | The parent category's number. |
| **Status** | No | Active or Deactivated. |
| **Description** | No | A note about what goes in the category. |
## Messages you might see
| Message | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| "That PDF is too large (max 10 MB)" | Export a smaller PDF, or use a CSV or Excel export instead. |
| "That file has no category rows" | The file is empty below its headings. Check you exported the right report. |
| "Couldn't find any categories in that file…" | Upload a chart of accounts or category list. A balance sheet or P&L won't work. |
| "No importable rows — every row was missing a Category Name or had an unrecognized Type." | Fill in **Category Name** and use one of the listed **Type** values. |
| "Can't read ".{ext}" — upload a CSV, Excel, or PDF export" | Save the file as CSV, Excel or PDF and upload it again. |
## Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import my chart of accounts from QuickBooks or Xero?
Yes. Export the chart of accounts from QuickBooks, Xero or Sage as a spreadsheet or PDF and upload it as it is. ZeraBooks reads it, and you review every row before anything is saved.
Will importing again create duplicates?
No. Categories that already exist are kept as they were, and only new ones are added.
Can I import a balance sheet or profit and loss report?
No. Those reports show balances, not a full category list. Export the chart of accounts, or list of accounts, instead.
What columns does my CSV need?
Only **Category Name** and **Type**. The other five template columns are optional.
Does the import bring in balances or transactions?
No. It brings in categories only. To bring over your previous books' balances, see [Move your books to ZeraBooks](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/getting-started/move-your-books-to-zerabooks).
Can I change the category numbers during review?
No. Numbers from your file are kept, and blank ones are assigned on import. Change a number afterwards by editing the category.
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