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Use the right export
Cashflow Pilot's Actual migration accepts a compatible Export Data ZIP containing the expected SQLite database and metadata. This is a partial migration, not an exact restore or a live synchronization with Actual Budget.
1. Save backups on both sides
Keep the source export unchanged. Download a fresh Cashflow Backup everything ZIP before you import into an existing Personal workspace. Use Personal → Settings → Migrate from another app.
2. Review the import preview
Check account names, currency, category groups, transaction counts, amounts, splits and transfer relationships. The preview will warn about unsupported records and show sample rows. Don't continue if the account mapping or currency is wrong.
3. Understand what transfers
Compatible source accounts, categories, payees, transactions, splits, transfers, clearing data and some monthly assignments can be migrated. Actual saved reports, scheduled transactions, custom rules, targets, category notes and sync settings are not imported as fully working Cashflow equivalents.
4. Handle budget history carefully
Historical signed allocations are an explicit option for properly configured Zero-Based Budgeting (Beta). It needs a dated opening checkpoint and compatible on-budget account mapping. Ordinary Flexible Spending Targets do not inherit Actual's full envelope rollover rules.
5. Reconcile after import
Compare each account and relevant period against the original Actual data or a bank statement. Imported data remains reviewable; a successful ZIP parse does not prove all account balances match.
Learn more
See reconciliation and Zero-Based Budgeting (Beta).
Want the bigger picture? Explore the Personal, Portfolio and Business product tour →