Microsoft KB Archive/180218

= Money: Autobalance Feature for Credit Card Accounts =

Article ID: 180218

Article Last Modified on 1/22/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Money 99 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Money 98 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Money 98 Deluxe Edition
 * Microsoft Money 98 Financial Suite Edition

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This article was previously published under Q180218



SUMMARY
Microsoft Money 98 and Money 99 have a new AutoBalance feature for credit card accounts. This feature offers the choice of balancing the account without entering individual transactions into the Account Register.



What Is the AutoBalance Feature?
When creating a credit card account, the New Account Wizard asks "Would you like Money to Auto-Balance this account for you?" If you click "I will not keep track of individual credit card charges", Money turns on the AutoBalance feature. We recommend that you use this feature if you usually pay the entire balance off each month, and prefer not to track individual charges.

AutoBalance ensures that you get the same benefits as those who track every transaction. These benefits include having an accurate net worth, and knowing where your money goes, for example interest and service charges. Money also uses this option to gather information about credit habits and financial status to help with advice on debt reduction.

NOTE: This feature is only available for Credit Card accounts.

When Does AutoBalancing Occur?
AutoBalancing occurs when you open the Credit Card wizard, select the Credit Card Payment category, and select a credit card account that has AutoBalancing turned on. It also occurs when you create a Transfer to a credit card enabled with AutoBalance.

NOTE: To temporarily turn off the AutoBalancing feature, click to select the "Disable AutoBalance For This Transaction Only" check box that appears during this process.

When AutoBalance is on, you can still enter transactions in the Account Register. During the AutoBalance process, Money marks these transactions as reconciled if they occur within the statement period. Money then calculates the Account Adjustment transaction accordingly.

If you want to manually balance the account, click the Balance This Account button (or the Balance button in Money 98) in the Account Register area.

NOTE: AutoBalance is not available for credit cards enabled for Online Services. If you enable one of these accounts for Online Statements and AutoBalance is turned on, Money turns AutoBalance off. The AutoBalance account option is also removed from the Account Details area.