When importing data into Sage Accounts, you may receive the following file import errors:

Error in record x: Contributes to an unbalanced journal for date (credits exceeds debits by x.xx)

Error in record x: Contributes to an unbalanced journal for date (debits exceeds credits by x.xx)

Error in record x: contributes to an unbalanced journal for 24/09/2019 (credits exceed debits by xx). Transactions must be contiguous and on the same date. Editing of journals is also possible when references match.

Error in record x: contributes to an unbalanced journal for 24/09/2019 (debits exceed credits by xx). Transactions must be contiguous and on the same date. Editing of journals is also possible when references match.

NOTE: For a list of other files import errors Read more >

In Sage 50 Accounts, journal transactions must have a matching debit and credit net amount, with all elements of the transaction posted on the same date.

This message appears for the following reasons:

Reason	Solution
You're trying to import a journal transaction that doesn't balance. For example, you importing a journal credit but no corresponding journal debit.	If the journal doesn't balance, you must either: Change the transaction type for the affected transaction. For example, if you trying to enter a bank transaction, use BP or BR Delete the affected transaction Create a entry for the balance using the opposite journal type. For example, if you've entered a journal debit for 100.00, enter a journal for 100.00 on the same date
You're trying to import a journal that balances but the journals are not grouped together in the import file.	The journal transactions that belong together must be grouped together on the import file. Check the file to ensure all relevant journal debits are together and all relevant journal credits are together and are not separated by other transactions.
You're trying to import a journal that balances but by using the tax amount field.	When importing a journal, the net amount values must balance. If you're using the tax amount to make up part of the balance, move the value to the net column. For example you've a journal credit with a net amount of 120.00, and a journal debit with a net amount of 100.00 and a tax amount of 20.00. The import only imports the net amount, therefore you should change the journal debit to be a net amount of 120.00. TIP: If you're importing gross amounts, you should split the journal further by posting values to the Sales or Purchase Tax control accounts.
One line of a journal is dated differently to the rest.	If the journal transaction is balanced by another transaction on a different date, you must change the dates to be the same.