iCreateOFX PayPal OFX Converter.

1. The Quick User Guide.

You have three ways to start using the program to write OFX files, these are:

a) Browse to a folder: - Do this via the Select Folder button. This action will result in the program scanning the selected folder for CSV and QIF files. The program will then immediately check the files to ascertain whether, for CSV files, they are PayPal CSV files and for QIF files whether they are cash or current account QIF files. You will get a status update as this process is carried out.

b) Drag a PayPal CSV or QIF file to the grid. You can do this from a folder browser (Folder Explorer). Select the file by clicking on it and then drag the file over to the program interface grid (where the files are listed). Again, the program will immediately scan the file to ascertain that it is a valid PayPal CSV file, or whether the QIF file contains cash or current account transactions.

c) Saving a PayPal CSV or QIF file to the folder that is currently selected under the Select Folder button. While the program is running, it will continuously monitor the folder selected for new files added / created in that folder.

NOTE: The program will list ONLY CSV and QIF files in the grid from the folder being monitored. Files with other extensions will not be listed. For PayPal CSV files and cash /current account QIF files, the files will have a green coloured background AND a P or Q icon without a crossing red line. The files that do not meet that criteria mentioned will have an icon with a red cross over them and the status column in the grid will state the reason for this.

On scanning the folder (or dragging the file onto the grid), the program will automatically write out an OFX file in the current user’s MyDocuments\OFXFiles folder. If you need to re-write the OFX file, simply double click on the file name in the grid whence the old OFX file will be deleted and new one written.

For QIF files, PayPal does not include balance information, thus you will be prompted to enter the balance amount. The same applies to Personal (not Premium) PayPal account CSV file downloads.

Finally, the program supports multi-currency transactions in any one account and assumes that the currency setting reflects the Primary Currency of your PayPal account. Because currency rates fluctuate, the program will attempt to download currency rates for accounts that have multiple currency transactions AND balances outstanding in the non-primary currency from Yahoo! Finance. You will have the opportunity to amend the rates when prompted for the balances.

2. The Program interface

1. Auto run on Windows start-up*: Select this option to have the program automatically start when Windows is booted. 

2. PayPal a/c Identifier*: Enter a four digit number to identify the resultant OFX file with your account in the financial program where you are importing the OFX file.

3. Currency*: Set the primary currency of your PayPal account. PayPal Premium and Business CSV files contain currency information where more than one currency transaction on the account has occured.

4. Folder to Monitor*: This displays the folder being monitored for PayPal CSV and QIF files. You select the folder via option 7 (more below).

5. Auto Notify Microsoft Money*: Choose this option to send the OFX file directly to the associated program as soon as it is written. The automatic notification is enabled where OFX files are associated to a program on your computer. The name of your program or the executable name associated with the program may be displayed.

6. OFX Version*: There are two OFX versions supported by the program, version 1 and 2. Select the version that is supported by your financial management program.

7. Select Folder*: Use this option button to select the folder to monitor. When a new folder is selected, all CSV and QIF files in the folder will be scanned and, if they are PayPal CSV downloads, an OFX file will be written (if none already exists in the destination folder, which is the OFX Files folder in the current user’s My Documents folder).

8. Exit & Minimize: The exit button will close the program, while the minimize button will minimize the program to the system tray area. The program will still be running in the background and an icon will appear in the system tray. Clicking on the icon will restore the program interface to the screen.

9. The file list grid: The grid lists all CSV and QIF files in the folder to monitor and contains information about the files and their status in the process of writing OFX files.

10. The Grid: The grid lists all the CSV and QIF files in the folder to monitor, plus any files that have been dropped onto it not residing in that folder. It also displays the detected currency(ies) in each CSV file and the status of the progressofwriting the OFX file.