# How to import a PDF or CSV using Accounting AI

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## Before you start

A few things to know:

- **Accounting AI runs prompts on top of your general ledger.** The output reflects your existing accounts and categories.

- **You'll need a prompt to run the import.** Puzzle provides a recommended prompt, or you can write your own. Your Puzzle team member can share the recommended prompt with you, or you can copy it from

**Prompt:**

-

```
Please perform these actions on my uploaded bank statement or CSV file:
1. Extract and transform transactions as follows:
  - Remove any rows labeled “Beginning Balance” or “Ending Balance.”
  - Remove the “Balance” column from the data.
  - Reorder columns so that they appear as: Date, Debits, Credits, Description (Description should be the rightmost column).
  - Add a new column called “Amount,” where: Amount = (Debits as negative or zero) + (Credits as positive or zero) Format all amounts to two decimal places, and include the dollar sign.
  - Output only these columns: Date, Amount, Description.
2. For each remaining transaction, create a manual transaction in the account specified by the user (please provide the appropriate Chart of Accounts (CoA) number and account name to use). If not specified, pause to request confirmation or input from the user for the correct account. Auto-map the category (“ledgerCoaKey”) for each transaction based on best fit from the Description (for example, AWS as “hosting”, Zoom/Slack/Squarespace/etc. as “software”, CPA as “tax_and_accounting”, client payments as “subscription_income” or “consulting_income”, etc.). Use the exact Amount and Date from the extracted data. Use the Description as the transaction “descriptor”.
3. Do not request category-by-category confirmation—apply your best judgment for mapping.
4. Present a summary table of the added transactions, showing: Date, Amount, Description, and Chosen Category
```

- **Review the parsed output before confirming.** The AI will only add transactions to Puzzle after you confirm.
​

---

## How to import a PDF or CSV

1. In Puzzle, navigate to **Accounting AI** in the left-hand sidebar and click **Accounting AI**.

2. Copy and paste the recommended prompt (or your own) into the prompt box.

3. Click the file upload icon and select the **PDF or CSV** you want to import — for example, a bank statement.

4. Click **Open**, then **Done**.

5. Run the prompt.

![](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/abwgbkbf/2451478350/f72dbfd4813df13a999540e62900/7e2629f2-a5a2-46cc-adb3-c176f58ff631?expires=1789604100&signature=857b1da7deb99d51b70744d630d38ba5ed4f9f8e10538292ff761cf8a63a28e4&req=diQiF815lYJaWfMW1HO4zTkQd2QeOQL2eS%2FMLcFGGc4fZYN4CTUc12CQ0Li2%0AxASDBPrN%2Bt4CnVexivQ%3D%0A)

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## Reviewing the output

Once the AI finishes parsing, you'll see:

- The available bank sources detected in the file

- A breakdown of the transactions by account

- The suggested categories for each transaction

Review the results to make sure the accounts and categories look right.

**Note:** Larger files may take a minute or two to parse. Let the run complete before reviewing.
​

---

## Confirming the import

When the parsed results look correct, **confirm** to add the transactions to Puzzle. The AI will:

- Add each transaction under the matching account

- Apply the suggested categories

You can then continue reviewing and reconciling those transactions like any other transactions in Puzzle.

[Puzzle Accounting AI - Bank Import](https://www.loom.com/share/3e05ca20a5c64f41b1a90b6afb1e04bf)
​

[https://www.loom.com/embed/3e05ca20a5c64f41b1a90b6afb1e04bf](https://www.loom.com/embed/3e05ca20a5c64f41b1a90b6afb1e04bf)

---

## Tips

- **Use the recommended prompt as a starting point.** It's tuned for common bank statement formats. You can adapt it for unusual file structures.

- **One file at a time works best** for accurate parsing.

- If something looks off in the parsed output, re-run the prompt or adjust it before confirming.