# How to create a journal entry in Snad

To create a journal entry in Snad, open **Accounting**, then **Journal entry**, and press **Create journal entry**. Add the accounts with **Add account**, enter **Debit** or **Credit** on each line until it shows **Balanced**, then press **Save**.

## Before you start

- A Snad account, with the Accounting app in your plan.
- Permission to create journal entries for your user ([how to set permissions](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/roles-permissions)).
- The accounts the entry touches exist in your chart of accounts ([how to add an account](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/chart-of-accounts)).

## Steps

1. **Open the entries screen.** In the sidebar, choose **Accounting**, then **Journal entry**, and press **Create journal entry** above the list.

   ![The Snad journal entries list with the Create journal entry button above it](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-journal-entry/nav-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **Journal entry** in the sidebar · (2) The **Create journal entry** button

2. **Check the date and branch.** In **Main information**, **Date** starts on today and you can change it. **Branch** and **Warehouse** are optional ([add a branch](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/add-branch), [add a warehouse](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/add-warehouse)); pick them to tie the entry to them.

   ![The Main information card of a new journal entry: date, branch and warehouse](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-journal-entry/main-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The entry **Date** · (2) **Branch** (optional) · (3) **Warehouse** (optional)

3. **Add the accounts.** In the **Accounts** card press **Add account**, search by name, tick the accounts you need, then press **Apply**. Each account becomes a line. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-journal-entry#adv-picker)

   ![The Add accounts window on the journal entry with two accounts ticked](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-journal-entry/picker-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) Search by account name · (2) Filter by **Account type** · (3) A ticked account · (4) The **Apply** button

4. **Enter debit and credit.** On each line, enter the amount in **Debit** or in **Credit**. Once one side has an amount, the other side locks. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-journal-entry#adv-line-details)

   ![Two lines on the journal entry: a debit on the first and a credit on the second](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-journal-entry/lines-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **Debit** · (2) **Credit**

5. **Make sure it balances.** In the **Summary**, compare **Total debit** with **Total credit**. **Balanced** shows when they match; otherwise the **Difference** shows.

   ![The entry summary: total debit, total credit and the Balanced badge](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-journal-entry/summary-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **Total debit** and **Total credit** · (2) The **Balanced** badge

6. **Save the entry.** Add a **Description** if you like, then press **Save**. The saved entry page opens and the account balances update right away. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-journal-entry#adv-notes)

   ![The Save and Save & print buttons at the top of the journal entry form](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-journal-entry/save-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The **Save** button · (2) The **Save & print** button

## Messages that block saving

| Message | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Select account | The entry has no lines, or a line has no account picked. | Add at least one account with **Add account** and pick an account for every line. |
| Total debit and credit are not equal | The sum of **Debit** does not equal the sum of **Credit**. | Edit the amounts until the **Balanced** badge shows in the **Summary**. |

## Advanced details

### Picking accounts in the window

The window lists sub-accounts only, the ones an entry is posted to. An account already on the entry is not offered again.

To swap the account on an existing line, click the account name on that line. The window opens titled **Change account**.

### Reference and identification on a line

Each line can carry an optional **Reference** and **Identification**, such as a document number or a party name. Open them from the line's **Actions** menu, in the **Reference & identification** window.

Type both values and press **Done**. They show under the account name on the line.

The same menu has **Remove line**.

### Description and attachments

The **Notes and attachments** card holds the **Description** and the entry's attachments. Open it by clicking its title and add what you need before saving.

## Common questions

### Can one line hold both debit and credit?

No. Once you enter an amount in **Debit**, **Credit** locks on that line, and the other way round. For both on one account, give it two lines.

### Why won't Snad save my journal entry?

Usually the totals differ or a line has no account. Check the **Summary**: Snad does not save until it shows **Balanced**.

### Does the entry change account balances right away?

Yes. When you press **Save**, Snad adds each line's debit and credit to its account and the balances update immediately; you can see them in the [trial balance](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/trial-balance) or an [account statement](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/account-statement).

### How do I repeat the same entry every month?

Don't retype it. Create a template once in [recurring entries](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/recurring-journal-entries) and Snad raises the entry on its dates.

### When should I use a journal entry instead of a receipt or payment voucher?

Use a journal entry when you choose the debit and credit accounts yourself. Money coming into or going out of the cash account has the [receipt voucher](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-receipt-voucher) and the [payment voucher](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-payment-voucher).

## Read next

- [Recurring entries](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/recurring-journal-entries) — Set up a recurring journal entry in Snad: name the template, add the accounts, set the schedule and activate it. Seven steps with screenshots and review.
- [Add an account to the chart of accounts](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/chart-of-accounts) — Add a main account and sub-accounts to the chart of accounts in Snad: name, type and budget group, then save. Six short steps with screenshots.
- [Enter opening balances](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/opening-balances) — Enter your accounts' opening balances in Snad: open Balances, press Update, type each opening balance and save. Four short steps with screenshots.
- [Create a receipt voucher](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-receipt-voucher) — Create a receipt voucher in Snad: pick the receiving account and the paying accounts, enter the amounts and payment method, then save. Six short steps.
- [Create a payment voucher](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-payment-voucher) — Create a payment voucher in Snad: pick the paying account and the receiving accounts, enter the amounts and payment method, then save. Six short steps.
- [View the trial balance](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/trial-balance) — View the trial balance in Snad: check that debit and credit match, read opening and closing balances, then export it. Seven short steps with screenshots.
- [Snad accounting software](https://www.snad.io/en/accounting) — Chart of accounts, entries and reports in one place.

[Open this screen in Snad](https://app.snad.io/dashboard/accounting/journal/create)

- **URL:** https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-journal-entry
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-11-04

---
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