Quickly create multiple budgets at once by importing a CSV file. This guide walks you through the process step-by-step.
Before You Start
Important: You must use Moss's auto-generated CSV template. Changing or modifying any columns will lead to failure to import. This template is customised based on your budget settings, so downloading it through the setup flow is essential.
Step 1: Set Your Budget Parameters
Navigate to the budget creation flow and configure your budget settings:
Click + Add Budgets
Click Import budgets from CSV
Select your budget interval type (monthly, quarterly, or yearly)
Choose your start date
Set the number of intervals
Select whether to track budgets in net or gross amounts
These parameters determine how your CSV template is structured, so choose them carefully before downloading.
Step 2: Download Your Custom Template
Once you've configured your parameters, download the CSV template. The template is generated automatically with columns that match your settings.
Example: If you create a monthly budget starting in August 2025 for 12 months, your template will include columns for each month from August 2025 through July 2026.
Step 3: Fill Out the Template
Required and Optional Fields
Budget Name (required)
Each budget must have a unique name
If left empty, the budget will be named "UNTITLED"
Interval Amounts (required)
Enter an amount for each time period column
Empty cells will default to 0.00
All amounts must be entered in the home currency of the legal entity.
Budget Manager (optional)
Enter the email address of the budget manager
For multiple managers, separate emails with commas e.g.
john@company.com, sarah@company.com
The email must match an existing Moss user, otherwise no manager will be assigned
Auto Assignment Rules (optional)
Cost Centres (use the codes, not the name)
Cost Carriers (use the codes, not the name)
Expense Accounts (use the codes, not the name)
Users (use the email address, not the name)
Supplier (use the codes/IDs, not the name)
Team (use the name)
Understanding Auto Assignment Rules
Auto assignment rules automatically allocate expenses to the correct budget based on the criteria you set. The columns in your template reflect these rules using AND and OR logic.
How it works:
Multiple values in the same column = OR condition
Example: If you enter two expense accounts in the Expense Account column like 7010, 7020, the budget will catch expenses from account 7010 OR account 7020.
Values across different columns = AND condition
Example: If you enter:
Expense Account: 7010
Cost Centre: 540320
The budget will only catch expenses that have expense account 7010 AND are tagged to the Marketing cost centre.
Practical example:
Let's say you want to create a budget for marketing software expenses:
Budget Name: Marketing Software
Expense Account: 6200, 6300 (Software subscriptions OR IT services)
Cost Centre: 540320 (Marketing)
This budget will automatically capture any expense that:
Comes from expense account 6200 OR 6300
AND is tagged to the Marketing cost centre
Note: You cannot create OR conditions across different field types in the CSV import. For example, you cannot set up a rule like "Cost Centre Marketing 540320 OR User john@company.com" through the import. For complex rules like this, you'll need to edit the budget in the platform after import.
Step 4: Upload Your CSV
Return to the budget creation flow
Enter the same parameters as before
Upload your completed CSV file
Moss will validate your file and flag any errors by row
If there are issues with specific rows, you'll see an error message. Check if your file meets these guidelines and try again. If errors persist please reach out to customer support.
Step 5: Review and Create
After uploading, you'll see a preview of all budgets to be created. Review the details carefully:
Check that all amounts are correct
Verify budget names and managers
Confirm auto assignment rules are set up as intended
Make any necessary edits directly in the preview, then click Create Budgets to finalise.
Tips for Bulk Imports
You can import multiple budgets with the same interval type, start date, and number of intervals
All budgets in a single import must share the same basic parameters (interval type, start date, number of intervals)
To create budgets with different parameters (One time / Recurring, Start date, periods etc.), you'll need to do separate imports
Need Help?
If you encounter issues with your CSV import, check that:
You're using the template downloaded from the current session (templates are dynamic and session-specific)
Your budget parameters match the template structure
Email addresses for budget managers match existing Moss users
Values entered for auto assignment rules (cost centres, expense accounts, etc.) match existing codes in your Moss account