---
title: How to import cost centers from a file?
description: "When you start using ChurchTools Finance, one of the first steps is to import your cost centers into ChurchTools so that you can create transactions and manage your financial data in ChurchTools going forward. With the **cost center import feature**,…"
url: "https://staging.churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/import-and-export-finances-en/how-to-import-cost-centers-from-a-file/"
updated: "2026-07-03"
category: Finances / Import and export
---

# How to import cost centers from a file?

When you start using ChurchTools Finance, one of the first steps is to import your cost centers into ChurchTools so that you can create transactions and manage your financial data in ChurchTools going forward.

With the **cost center import feature**, you can import all data that you have in digital form and that is directly related to cost centers into your ChurchTools. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best way to do this, step by step.

**Note**

With this import, you can also bring your cost-center-based **budget planning** into ChurchTools. To do this, add the planned budget to the cost centers before importing the data.

**Tip**

Before you continue, you should definitely **prepare** your **data and save it as a CSV file** so that the import runs smoothly.

To help ensure that your cost center data imports smoothly, we provide an **import template** in the cost center import dialog box that you can download and use to enter your data.

We explain how to download the template and prepare your cost center file in the guide " [How to prepare my cost center file for import into ChurchTools?"](https://staging.churchtools.academy/de/help/churchtools-modules/import-und-export-finanzen/wie-bereite-ich-meine-kostenstellendatei-fuer-den-import-in-churchtools-vor/)

If you don't know exactly how to edit an Excel file, we will show you how to do this in our guide [How to prepare a CSV file for import?](https://staging.churchtools.academy/de/help/churchtools-modules/import-export-personen/0-wie-bereite-ich-eine-csv-datei-fur-den-import-vor/) using the example of importing people.

Once you have prepared your data and saved it as a CSV file, you can get started.

## 1. Upload data

In *the Finances module*, open the *Master Data* (1), navigate to *Cost Centers* (2), and click the three dots (3) next to the heading to open the context menu for the cost centers. Here, select *“Import Cost Centers from CSV File”* (4).

**Tip**

Before importing, make sure that you are in the correct accounting year.

[![Screenshot Finances Master data Import cost centers from CSV file](https://staging.churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers-from-CSV-file.png)](https://staging.churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers-from-CSV-file.png)

In the window that opens, click " *Select CSV File* " to upload your prepared file.

[![Screenshot Finances Master data Import cost centers Select CSV file](https://staging.churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_Select-CSV-file.png)](https://staging.churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_Select-CSV-file.png)

## 2. Import Cost Centers

After uploading your CSV file, the *file status* will be displayed at the bottom of the same window. Here you can see whether the format is correct and how many cost centers were recognized.

In addition, any *warnings or errors* that you should address before importing will be displayed below.

When you click " *Import*," the cost centers will be imported into the master data for the current fiscal year, where you can continue to edit them.

**Tip**

If you want to import cost centers from different fiscal years, it's best to enter the data in separate files organized by fiscal year and then perform multiple imports one after another.

[![Screenshot Finances Master data Import cost centers File status](https://staging.churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_File-status.png)](https://staging.churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Finances_Master-data_Import-cost-centers_File-status.png)

## Read more

- [How to prepare my cost center file for import into ChurchTools?](https://staging.churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/import-and-export-finances-en/how-do-i-prepare-my-cost-center-file-for-import-into-churchtools/)
- [How to prepare a CSV file for import?](https://staging.churchtools.academy/de/help/churchtools-modules/import-export-personen/0-wie-bereite-ich-eine-csv-datei-fur-den-import-vor/)