---
title: How to prepare my cost center file for import into ChurchTools?
description: "To obtain an account setup file in a format that ChurchTools can read, you can download an *import template* from ChurchTools Finances, which you can use as a basis for importing your data. ## 1. Download the Cost Center Import…"
url: "https://staging.churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/import-and-export-finances-en/how-to-prepare-my-cost-center-file-for-import-into-churchtools/"
updated: "2026-07-07"
category: Finances / Import and export
---

# How to prepare my cost center file for import into ChurchTools?

To obtain an account setup file in a format that ChurchTools can read, you can download an *import template* from ChurchTools Finances, which you can use as a basis for importing your data.

## 1. Download the Cost Center Import Template

In ChurchTools, navigate to the *Finances module*. Open *Cost Centers* (2) in *Master Data* (1). From the *context menu* (3), select *Import Cost Centers from CSV File* (4).

[![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)

Here, you can download an *import template* (5) that is tailored to the general master data that has already been created.

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

## 2. Customize the Cost Center Import Template

Copy all the data from your export file, paste it into the cost center import template, and customize it to suit your needs.

### 2.1 Optional: Enter a budget

In the " *Budget in €* " field, enter the budget for the respective cost center.

**Note**

You can still enter budgets even after importing them. To learn how, check out our guide, " [How to add budgets?"](https://staging.churchtools.academy/help/churchtools-module/stammdaten/30-wie-lege-ich-budgets-an/)

### 2.2 Optional: Enter the IDs of associated groups

In this step, you enter the IDs of the groups you want to link to the cost center. Of course, you can also enter the IDs after the import is complete.

**Tip**

You can find the group ID at the bottom left of your group's menu.

![Screenshot Groups Group ID](https://staging.churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Groups_Group-ID.png)

## 3. Save the import file

Save your customized cost center file by selecting *File* > *Save As...* in *CSV UTF-8 (comma-separated values)* format as a CSV file.

![Screenshot: Saving the Cost Center File](https://staging.churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/image-1.png)

We'll show you how to import your prepared file into ChurchTools in the article " [How to import cost centers from a file?"](https://staging.churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/import-and-export-finances-en/how-to-import-cost-centers-from-a-file/)

## Read more

- [How to import cost centers from a file?](https://staging.churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/import-and-export-finances-en/how-to-import-cost-centers-from-a-file/)