The very first time you run GnuCash you will be presented with the Cannot find default values display with three choices; Quit, Skip, Setup. The following table describes the contents of the menu.
Table 3.1. First time running GnuCash options
Option Button | Action Description |
|---|---|
Quit | Exit from GnuCash without any setups. |
Skip | Continue into GnuCash without any setups. |
Setup | Create a new set of default settings. |
The Quit button is used to exit GnuCash.
The Skip button is used to continue without any setting of display defaults for GnuCash.
The Setup button will open the Update GnuCash Configuration Data screen to start the setup process.
The first screen of the Update GnuCash Configuration Data process describes the process. While the data on the screen will change, the three buttons at the very bottom of the screen will not change throughout the process.
The Cancel button is used to exit the process and cancel creating a new set of accounts. Any selections you have made up to this point will be lost.
The Back button in the following screen will bring up the previous screen so you can change a selection made on that screen, on the first screen since there is no previous screen the button will be pale.
The Forward button will bring up the next screen so you can continue though the assistant.
The second screen allows you to Choose a Method of setting gconf configuration for GnuCash. The screen describes the options, "Update Search Path" and "Install in Home Directory", and the impact of each. The Update Search Path button will modify .gconf.path in the user's home directory. The Install in Home Directory button on this screen will install the configuration files in the .gconf directory in the user's home directory.
After making your selection press the Forward button for the next screen.
If you selected "Install in Home Directory" the next screen presents you with three options;
GnuCash will install the data.
You will install the data yourself.
The data has already been loaded.
If you selected "Update Search Path" the next screen presents you with three options;
GnuCash will update search path.
You will update search path yourself.
The update search path has already been updated.
The final screen has the usual three buttons, with the difference that the Forward has changed to Applyguilabel>. Pressing the Apply button will commit your selections, and will complete the initial defaults.
After the initial defaults are completed you will be presented with the Welcome to GnuCash! menu with three choices. The following table describes the contents of the menu.
Menu Item | Description |
|---|---|
Create a new set of accounts | Runs the New Account Hierarchy Setup Assistant. |
Import my QIF files | Runs the Import QIF Files Assistant. |
Open the new user tutorial | Opens the GnuCash Tutorial and Concepts Guide. |
This menu is intended for you to use to get up and running quickly.
The Cancel button is used to exit the dialog. It will then prompt you with Display Welcome Dialog Again?
If you do not want to see the Welcome to GnuCash! menu again press the No button.
Press the Yes button or press the keyboard enter for the default which is to have the Welcome to GnuCash! menu run again.
Selecting either of these options will leave you with a minimum GnuCash window. Operations in this window are described in section GnuCash Windows & Menus Options Overview. Chapter 4
You can either use a preset hierarchy of accounts, import Quicken files (QIF files) or view the GnuCash Tutorial and Concepts Guide. Each of these choices will be explained in more depth in the following sections.
If you wish to have a basic set of accounts to add account transactions into choose Create a new set of accounts.
If you already have Quicken files (QIF files) from another financial application and wish to import them then choose Import my QIF files.
If you are a new to GnuCash and just want to be guided though setting up GnuCash then choose Open the new user tutorial.
It is possible to run these items after you have made a choice here but this Welcome to GnuCash! menu will not reappear. To try one of the other choices later, use the following sections to start the other items from the GnuCash menu.