{"id":70876,"date":"2025-11-04T11:59:47","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T10:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/help\/non-knowledgebase\/uncategorized\/how-do-i-import-cost-centers-from-a-file\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T13:59:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T12:59:25","password":"","slug":"how-to-import-cost-centers-from-a-file","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/help\/churchtools-modules\/import-and-export-finances-en\/how-to-import-cost-centers-from-a-file\/","title":{"rendered":"How to import cost centers from a file?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you start using ChurchTools Finance, one of the first steps is to import your cost centers into ChurchTools so that you can create transactions and manage your financial data in ChurchTools going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the <strong>cost center import feature<\/strong>, you can import all data that you have in digital form and that is directly related to cost centers into your ChurchTools. In this guide, we\u2019ll walk you through the best way to do this, step by step. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group ct-box ct-box-blue has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1ccdadb1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-radius:8px;border-left-color:#3e70ce;border-left-width:0.5rem;background-color:#f3f5f7;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0.5rem;margin-right:0.5rem;margin-bottom:0rem;margin-left:0.5rem\"><strong>Note<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0rem;margin-right:0.5rem;margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem\">With this import, you can also bring your cost-center-based <strong>budget planning<\/strong> into ChurchTools. To do this, add the planned budget to the cost centers before importing the data. <\/p>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group ct-box ct-box-blue has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1ccdadb1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-radius:8px;border-left-color:#22c55e;border-left-width:0.5rem;background-color:#dcfce7;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0.5rem;margin-right:0.5rem;margin-bottom:0rem;margin-left:0.5rem\"><strong>Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0rem;margin-right:0.5rem;margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem\">Before you continue, you should definitely <strong>prepare<\/strong> your <strong>data and save it as a CSV file<\/strong> so that the import runs smoothly.  <br><br>To help ensure that your cost center data imports smoothly, we provide an <strong>import template<\/strong> in the cost center import dialog box that you can download and use to enter your data.  <br><br>We explain how to download the template and prepare your cost center file in the guide &#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/de\/help\/churchtools-modules\/import-und-export-finanzen\/wie-bereite-ich-meine-kostenstellendatei-fuer-den-import-in-churchtools-vor\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/de\/help\/churchtools-module\/optigem-import\/wie-bereite-ich-meine-kostenstellendatei-fuer-den-import-in-churchtools-vor\/\">How to prepare my cost center file for import into ChurchTools?&#8221;<\/a><br><br>If you don&#8217;t know exactly how to edit an Excel file, we will show you how to do this in our guide <a href=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/de\/help\/churchtools-modules\/import-export-personen\/0-wie-bereite-ich-eine-csv-datei-fur-den-import-vor\/\" data-type=\"docs\" data-id=\"7466\">How to prepare a CSV file for import?<\/a> using the example of importing people. <br><br>Once you have prepared your data and saved it as a CSV file, you can get started.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Upload data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <em>the Finances module<\/em>, open the <em>Master Data<\/em> (1), navigate to <em>Cost Centers<\/em> (2), and click the three dots (3) next to the heading to open the context menu for the cost centers. Here, select <em>\u201cImport Cost Centers from CSV File\u201d<\/em> (4).   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group ct-box ct-box-blue has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1ccdadb1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-radius:8px;border-left-color:#22c55e;border-left-width:0.5rem;background-color:#dcfce7;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0.5rem;margin-right:0.5rem;margin-bottom:0rem;margin-left:0.5rem\"><strong>Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0rem;margin-right:0.5rem;margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem\">Before importing, make sure that you are in the correct accounting year.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers-from-CSV-file.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1950\" height=\"884\" src=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers-from-CSV-file.png\" alt=\"Screenshot Finances Master data Import cost centers from CSV file\" class=\"wp-image-70886\" srcset=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers-from-CSV-file.png 1950w, https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers-from-CSV-file-300x136.png 300w, https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers-from-CSV-file-1024x464.png 1024w, https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers-from-CSV-file-768x348.png 768w, https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers-from-CSV-file-1536x696.png 1536w, https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers-from-CSV-file-360x163.png 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1950px) 100vw, 1950px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the window that opens, click &#8221; <em>Select CSV File<\/em> &#8221; to upload your prepared file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_Select-CSV-file.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"564\" height=\"458\" src=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_Select-CSV-file.png\" alt=\"Screenshot Finances Master data Import cost centers Select CSV file\" class=\"wp-image-70888\" style=\"width:382px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_Select-CSV-file.png 564w, https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_Select-CSV-file-300x244.png 300w, https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_Select-CSV-file-360x292.png 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Import Cost Centers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After uploading your CSV file, the <em>file status<\/em> will be displayed at the bottom of the same window. Here you can see whether the format is correct and how many cost centers were recognized.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, any <em>warnings or errors<\/em> that you should address before importing will be displayed below.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you click &#8221; <em>Import<\/em>,&#8221; the cost centers will be imported into the master data for the current fiscal year, where you can continue to edit them.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group ct-box ct-box-blue has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1ccdadb1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-radius:8px;border-left-color:#22c55e;border-left-width:0.5rem;background-color:#dcfce7;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0.5rem;margin-right:0.5rem;margin-bottom:0rem;margin-left:0.5rem\"><strong>Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0rem;margin-right:0.5rem;margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem\">If you want to import cost centers from different fiscal years, it&#8217;s best to enter the data in separate files organized by fiscal year and then perform multiple imports one after another.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_File-status.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"562\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_File-status.png\" alt=\"Screenshot Finances Master data Import cost centers File status\" class=\"wp-image-70891\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.8540999546060055;width:392px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_File-status.png 562w, https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_File-status-256x300.png 256w, https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_File-status-360x421.png 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 562px) 100vw, 562px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group ct-artikel-zum-weiterlesen has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-79a8db7e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;background-color:#f9fafb;margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:24px;padding-top:32px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:32px;padding-left:24px\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Read more<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/help\/churchtools-modules\/import-and-export-finances-en\/how-do-i-prepare-my-cost-center-file-for-import-into-churchtools\/\" id=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/de\/help\/churchtools-module\/optigem-import\/wie-bereite-ich-meine-kostenstellendatei-fuer-den-import-in-churchtools-vor\/\">How to prepare my cost center file for import into ChurchTools?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/de\/help\/churchtools-modules\/import-export-personen\/0-wie-bereite-ich-eine-csv-datei-fur-den-import-vor\/\" id=\"7466\">How to prepare a CSV file for import?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you start using ChurchTools Finance, one of the first steps is to import your cost centers into ChurchTools so that you can create transactions and manage your financial data in ChurchTools going forward. With the cost center import feature, you can import all data that you have in digital form and that is directly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"doc_category":[670],"doc_tag":[],"knowledge_base":[224],"class_list":["post-70876","docs","type-docs","status-publish","hentry","doc_category-import-and-export-finances-en","knowledge_base-churchtools-modules"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"acf":[],"year_month":"2026-07","word_count":233,"total_views":"2","reactions":{"happy":"0","normal":"0","sad":"0"},"author_info":{"name":"Victoria Weidemann","author_nicename":"vweidemann","author_url":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/author\/vweidemann\/"},"doc_category_info":[{"term_name":"Import and export","term_url":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/help\/non-knowledgebase\/import-and-export-finances-en\/"}],"doc_tag_info":[],"knowledge_base_info":[{"term_name":"Modules","term_url":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/help\/churchtools-modules\/","term_slug":"churchtools-modules"}],"knowledge_base_slug":["churchtools-modules"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/70876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/docs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70876"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/70876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70894,"href":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/70876\/revisions\/70894"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"doc_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_category?post=70876"},{"taxonomy":"doc_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_tag?post=70876"},{"taxonomy":"knowledge_base","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/churchtools.academy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledge_base?post=70876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}