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Our main product - get your trades from your broker into your tax software!
• Excel2TXF  

A quick tutorial on using Excel2TXF -
• Quick Start Guide  

Instructions for specific brokers:
• Broker Instructions  

Frequently asked questions:
• FAQ  

Some other products to consider before you check out:
• Other Products  

Contact us about your custom macro needs!
• Custom Macros  

Excel2TXF - Frequently Asked Questions   

Below you'll find some answers to frequently asked questions. If you don't see an answer to your particular question or problem, just shoot us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. 

General

1. How do I import my TXF file into TurboTax and H&R Block At Home?
2. After importing the TXF file, TurboTax (or H&R Block) is warning me to go through and check each entry. Do I really have to do that?
3. I don't have a Paypal account. Can I still purchase the software?
4. My broker combines the quantity and symbol/description into the same column. Which columns should I select?
5. I paid via Paypal, but I didn't get redirected to the download site. How do I get my download?
6. I use OpenOffice instead of Excel. Which version do I need to purchase?
7. I purchased the software, but am having trouble with my broker's file and would prefer to change to the Full-Service option. How do I upgrade?
8. Does Excel2TXF support the new Form 8949 and 2011 Schedule D changes?
9. Does this process work with TaxAct?
10. When I tried to import the TXF file into TurboTax, I received a message stating, "The selected file contains no importable tax information"
11. I purchased the software in a previous tax year. How do I get an update?

Excel Version

12. I get an error that states "compile error in hidden module".
13. I get an error that states "type mismatch".
14. I have Excel 2007 (or 2010), follwed the instructions for enabling macros in the Quick Start Guide, but I am still unable to get the macros to run.

Java Version

15. I get an error that states "Could not find the main class: ...".
16. I get an error that states "The program caught the following exception: For input string..."
17. I get an error that states "The program caught the following exception (no such file or directory)..."

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NOTE: These instructions are for the desktop versions of TurboTax and H&R Block At Home. Currently, the online versions do not support importing TXF files. Fortunately, you can transfer your information from the online versions to the desktop versions, and you can get a discounted download of the desktop versions on Amazon that include the state return and end up paying less than the online version anyway.

TurboTax

1. Start a new return or open your existing return in TurboTax.
   
2. From the File menu, select Import and then select From Accounting Software.
3. Select Other Financial Software (TXF file) and click Continue.
4. Select the TXF file you want to import (if you don't see the file in the list, click Browse), then click Open.
5. Click Import Now (Windows) or Continue (Mac).
6. Select the information you want to import into TurboTax, and then click Import Now.
7. To check the import, from the main menu select View -> Forms, and select Schedule D from the left-side menu. NOTE: once you've checked the totals on Schedule D, you can ignore any TurboTax warnings or prompts to check or go through the individual import entries - those are just standard warnings, and you will have already checked the totals.

H&R Block At Home (formerly TaxCut)

1. Start a new tax return or open your existing return in H&R Block.
2. From the File menu, select Import Financial Information...
3. Select Other program (exports a .TXF file) and click Next.
4. Click Next again and then Browse to find your TXF file. Then click Import Selected File.
5. In the import summary window, leave all of the "Keep" boxes checked and click Import
6. To check the import, from the main menu select Forms -> Open Forms..., then scroll down and double-click on Schedule D. NOTE: once you've checked the totals on Schedule D, you can ignore any H&R Block warnings or prompts to check or go through the individual import entries - those are just standard warnings, and you will have already checked the totals.

No! After importing the TXF file, check the totals on Schedule D as described in FAQ #1. Then you can ignore ignore any warnings or prompts to check or go through the individual import entries - those are just standard warnings, and you will have already checked the totals.

You don't need to have a Paypal account in order to use Paypal. When you get to the Paypal checkout screen, you'll see the option to make a one-time credit card purchase. They'll of course try to get you to sign up, but it's not required.

If the quantity and symbol are combined in the same column, just leave the "Quantity Column" box empty.

After you make the payment, you should click on the orange "Complete Purchase" button on the Paypal page. This will take you to your download page. If you missed the button, no worries - you'll also get an email with the download link (If you don't get it, check your spam folder).

For the Excel version, you need to have at least Excel 2000 running on a PC. If you don't have at least Excel 2000 running on a PC, you'll need to purchase the java version, which will run on any platform. If you've already paid for the program, send us an email and we'll send you a copy of the java version, or, if you're in a hurry, just purchase the java verision and then send a request for a refund for the Excel version.

You can purchase an upgrade to the Full-Service option here. The upgrade price reflects a $5 discount for having already purchased the software.

Yes, the latest version includes a feature to deal with the three Form 8949 versions and the new 'Disallowed Loss' column (when applicable). You can purchase the latest version of Excel2TXF from the homepage.

TaxAct does not support TXF files, but you can import a CSV file, so you can use Excel2TXF to match up trades, consolidate daily trades, and apply wash sale calculations. Then save the final worksheet in CSV format (just select the CSV format from the "File->Save As" option in Excel). The java version already puts the final worksheet in CSV format.

TurboTax is a little picky about where and where you do the import. It's always best to do it via the File -> Import -> From Accounting Software option as detailed in FAQ #1.

11. I purchased the software in a previous tax year. How do I get an update?

We provide updates during the tax season, but not from one season to the next (way too much work keeping up with all of the year-to-year changes to justify for our measly $5 selling price). In the past, you could get away with using a version for several years, but with the continuing changes to the cost basis reporting, we recommend purchasing the latest version. A current version also entitles you to support for the current tax year should you run into any problems.

12. I get an error that states "compile error in hidden module".

You need to have at least Excel 2000 running on a PC. It sounds like you're either using an older version of Excel, or a Mac version. If you don't have at least Excel 2000 running on a PC, try instead our java version, which will run on any platform. If you've already paid for the program, send us an email and we'll send you a copy of the java version, or, if you're in a hurry, just purchase the java verision and then send a request for a refund for the Excel version.

If you are running Excel 2000 or newer on a PC, then there may be a problem with your Excel installation. You can run the diagnostic utility to try to fix it up:

Excel 2000, XP, 2003:

From the Help menu, select Detect and Repair. Then just follow the prompts.

Excel 2007, 2010:

Click the Office button (upper left corner) and select Excel Options. Then select Resources and click the Diagnose button. Then just follow the prompts.

13. I get an error that states "type mismatch".

Make sure that you select the row of the first trade as the Starting Row, and NOT the row of column titles. Similarly, select the row of the last trade as the Ending Row, and NOT the Total row.

If that's not the problem, then the error may mean that there is a problem with the format of one or more of your dates. Try this: select both date columns (just hold down the ctrl key and click the two column headers). Then from the main menu select "Format" -> "Cells...". In the "Number" tab, select "Custom" from the "Category" box, then type "mm/dd/yyyy" in the "Type" box and click "OK". If you still get a type mismatch error, email us your Excel file (be sure to delete any sensitive information first- account number, etc) and we'll run it through the debugger.

14. I have Excel 2007 (or 2010), follwed the instructions for enabling macros in the Quick Start Guide, but I am still unable to get the macros to run.

There are a couple of other weird issues with Excel 2007 & 2010. Try these steps (in this order):

1. Make sure that you are addressing the "Security Warning" at the top of the Excel window when you first open the Excel2TXF file as noted in Step 1 in the Quick Start Guide. You need to click on the "Options" button, and select the option to "Enable this content".
2. Try running the macro from the "Developer" tab rather than the "View" tab. If you don't see the developer tab, you need to click the Office button (upper left corner), select "Excel Options", click Popular, and then select the "Show Developer tab in the Ribbon" check box.
3. Excel 2007 & 2010 also have a Trusted Locations "feature" that may be the problem for you. Try copying the files into C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Templates and running them from there.

15. I get an error that states "Could not find the main class: ...".

You are likely trying to run the JAR file from inside the zip archive. You must extract the files from the zip archive before trying to run the program. Just follow step #5 in the Quick Start Guide.

16. I get an error that states "The program caught the following exception: For input string...".

Make sure that you select the row of the first trade as the Starting Row, and NOT the row of column titles. Similarly, select the row of the last trade as the Ending Row, and NOT the Total row. If you still get an error, email us your CSV file (be sure to delete any sensitive information first- account number, etc) and we'll run it through the debugger.

17. I get an error that states "The program caught the following exception (no such file or directory)..."

When the file selection dialogue opens and you navigate to your csv file, you must double click on directories to navigate through them. It sounds like you're clicking the Open button instead. This issue has been fixed as of version 3.20, but may affect older versions. If you still have trouble, send us an email and we'll help you get it sorted out.

Purchase Excel2TXF now for only$5.00

If you have any questions or comments, send us an email.