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Multi-File Support

Multi-File Support

Split a single Beancount ledger across multiple files with include directives — create, include, rename, and delete ledger files in the beancount.io editor to organize and archive transactions.

A single Beancount ledger can span multiple files. Splitting your ledger — for example, one file per year, per account family, or per asset class — keeps large ledgers organized and makes archiving old transactions straightforward. Beancount stitches the files together with include directives in main.bean.

Follow these steps to create and manage additional files in the beancount.io editor:

Create a new file

Go to the file editor tab on the left navigation sidebar. Open the "File" dropdown and click "Create a new file".

File > create a new file

Name your new file

Give the file a valid filename and save it. Every filename must end with .bean.

Name your new file

Include the file

This step is required: include the newly created file in main.bean, or its entries won't be part of the ledger.

For example, if you added stock.bean, add include "stock.bean" to main.bean.

Include the file

Refresh and navigate to the file

Refresh the page, and the file appears in the "File" dropdown.

Refresh and go to file

Rename or delete the file

With the file open, rename or delete it from the "Edit" dropdown.

Rename or delete the file

Having trouble?

Ask questions in the Beancount Telegram group.