nYNAB API Import
Import records directly from the YNAB API using a Personal Access Token.
Unlike the nYNAB file import, this method connects to YNAB’s API so there is no need to manually export and upload a file.
Setup
- Generate a Personal Access Token in your YNAB account settings.
- In Surebeans: ☰ → Import → From nYNAB API…
- Paste your Personal Access Token.
- Select a budget from the dropdown list.
- Click Import.
New journal or incremental import
The API import supports two modes:
| Mode | When to use |
|---|---|
| Create new journal | First-time import; builds a full journal from your YNAB budget |
| Add to existing journal | Incremental import; adds new records to your current journal |
To do an incremental import, open an existing journal first, then run the import. Surebeans will add any records that are not already present.
Stored settings
Your Personal Access Token and selected budget are saved locally so you do not need to re-enter them on subsequent imports.
What gets imported
See nYNAB Import - What gets imported for the full mapping between YNAB and Surebeans concepts.
Tips
- The Personal Access Token is stored locally and never sent anywhere except the YNAB API.
- Use incremental import to keep your Surebeans journal up to date without re-importing everything.
- The YNAB API limits 200 web requests per hour. If you get errors, wait up to an hour and try again.