Manual CSV export sounds simple until you manage several institutions. You sign in to one bank, find its download button, choose a date range, rename the file, and repeat the process for every account. The next bank may use a different column layout, date format, or export screen. By the time the files are combined, the task is tedious—and easy to put off.
Why an automated CSV bank export helps
A consistent export gives your budget a dependable starting point. Instead of collecting files from multiple websites, you can refresh your account data and work from one CSV. You can keep that file wherever your spreadsheet already lives: a local Documents folder, a private backup, or a folder shared with your own workflow.
How SimpleFIN and BalVault work together
SimpleFIN Bridge handles the bank connections and authentication. It provides a setup token rather than asking BalVault to know your bank password. BalVault uses that token to request read-only account data, then writes the resulting balances to a CSV file at a path you choose. Your data stays on your PC; BalVault is not a cloud dashboard.
The workflow: set it once, refresh when you want
- Connect accounts in SimpleFIN. Complete the bank verification steps there.
- Paste the setup token into BalVault. The token is stored locally in BalVault’s SQLite configuration.
- Choose your CSV path. Point the output to the folder your spreadsheet can read.
- Refresh when you want current numbers. BalVault fetches the latest available data and replaces the CSV snapshot.
After setup, the habit is small: refresh, then reload the CSV in LibreOffice Calc, Excel, or Google Sheets. The file is always in the same place and the format is predictable. Remember that SimpleFIN data updates according to the institutions’ availability, so a refresh is a request for the latest data—not a guarantee that a bank has posted a new transaction.
A local export you control
BalVault is designed for people who want spreadsheet flexibility without handing their financial history to another cloud service. Review the features, compare the workflow with alternatives on the comparison page, or read the detailed setup guide. When you’re ready, download BalVault or see pricing.