Keyboard shortcuts that speed up entering transactions

Four keys do most of the work when you enter transactions in Money by Zaweba. Ctrl+T starts a new transaction in the register, Enter saves it, Esc cancels it and Delete removes the selected one. For bringing in a whole statement at once, Ctrl+I opens the import. Help, then Keyboard shortcuts lists the full set whenever you need a reminder.

If you're typing in a pile of cash receipts or catching up on a month, those few keys make the difference between a chore and a couple of minutes.

The shortcuts for entry

In an account's register, press Ctrl+T. A new row opens ready for the date, payee, amount, category and memo. Type them in, press Enter, and it's saved, with the running balance updated. Press Ctrl+T again for the next one. If you change your mind part way through, Esc throws the row away.

To remove a transaction you've selected, press Delete. Changes in Money save immediately and there's no undo, so pause before pressing it. If something does go wrong, the backups made when you close the file are the safety net.

Dates without the fiddle

Much of the time saved comes from the date field, which accepts forgiving entries. Type today for today's date, a short form like 12/8 for the twelfth of August, or a written date such as 1 Sep 2026. Money reads dates the British way, day first, whatever your PC is set to. You never need to reach for a calendar picker or type the full year when it's obvious.

Shortcuts for getting around

A few more keys stop you reaching for the mouse between jobs. Ctrl+H returns to the Home dashboard from anywhere. Ctrl+R opens the Reports page. Ctrl+N makes a new money file and Ctrl+O opens one. Ctrl+Shift+L switches between the dark navy theme and the light one, which some people prefer for long sessions.

When to type and when to import

Typing suits cash spending, a handful of cheques, or transactions you want in the register before the bank's statement arrives. For everything that goes through a bank account or card, importing is quicker and more accurate. Ctrl+I opens the import, the CSV wizard handles the columns, and the review screen shows what's new before anything is added.

The two work together. A payment you typed in by hand and the same payment arriving in an import are recognised as duplicates by the review screen, provided the amounts, dates and payees line up, so you don't end up with it twice. For transfers you typed yourself, matching is on amount and date alone.

A quick routine

A routine that works for many people goes like this. Once a week, press Ctrl+I and import the latest statement for each account. Then open the cash account and use Ctrl+T, Enter, Ctrl+T, Enter to clear the week's receipts. When a category is wrong, change it and accept the offer to always do this for that payee if it really is always the same. Finally, Ctrl+H to the Home page to see the week's effect on balances and the month's budget.

Done that way, Money by Zaweba barely needs the mouse at all, and a week's housekeeping fits into the time it takes to make a cup of tea.