Journal entry visualization:
from Excel to accounting flows.

What is journal entry visualization?

Journal entry visualization represents relationships in accounting records as a connected map. Document identifiers connect the debit and credit sides of a posting. Clearing references can link related lines across documents, such as an invoice and its settlement.

In Accounting Flow, you can switch between Detailed, Balanced and Executive perspectives in Flow Map 1, explore Flow Map 2, or use a Sankey view to communicate the relationships. Open a block or connection to inspect the underlying documents and source lines.

A general ledger balance summarizes an account. A flow map adds context about the entries connected to that account, helping accountants, auditors and financial control teams investigate a particular path.

Example: trace a customer payment to revenue

This simplified example uses one USD 1,000 invoice and one USD 1,000 payment. The two receivables lines share clearing reference CLR-001. Each document balances independently. The download also includes a single demo company, fiscal year, posting dates and line items to keep document identities explicit.

The payment document connects Bank with Trade receivables. The receivables clearing connects that payment to the invoice; the invoice document connects Trade receivables with Revenue. This provides an accounting path that you can inspect back to the original four lines.

How to turn an Excel export into a flow diagram

1. Export the journal lines

   Use an .xlsx or .csv file with document and account identifiers, amounts and debit/credit information. Include company code and fiscal year when available to distinguish reused document numbers. Include clearing references and currency when relevant.

2. Review the field mapping

   Drop the file on the landing page and sign in or create a free account. Match your columns to the import fields and check the preview. For the example CSV, use Amount as the amount column and Debit_Credit for the explicit debit/credit indicator.

3. Check data quality and scope

   Review balancing differences, missing or invalid values, and the selected amount basis. A filtered or incomplete export can leave part of a document outside your analysis. Keep these limitations visible when interpreting a path.

4. Explore the map and its evidence

   Inspect document and clearing relationships in a detailed view. Use filters to narrow the investigation, open the source lines behind a connection, and choose an executive or Sankey view when presenting the result. Saved projects, investigation tools and exports follow your account plan.

What to review before drawing conclusions

Check how each relationship was established. A document reference, a clearing reference and a mathematically derived allocation provide different types of support. With several debit and credit lines, more than one allocation may fit the totals; inspect the evidence and any unresolved amounts.

Separate companies, currencies and reporting bases appropriately. An equal amount alone is insufficient to establish a unique business relationship. Confirm interpretations against the source records and the business context.

Where are the files processed?

Journal files are processed in your browser. The original files are not uploaded; saved projects and views contain analysis data associated with your account. Read the privacy policy for details about account information and saved investigations.