# Incorrect initial balances when creating a new journal from scratch

**URL:** <https://forum.surebeans.net/t/incorrect-initial-balances-when-creating-a-new-journal-from-scratch/14>\
**Category:** Bugs\
**Created:** [June 28, 2026, 5:30pm UTC](https://forum.surebeans.net/t/incorrect-initial-balances-when-creating-a-new-journal-from-scratch/14 "2026-06-28T17:30:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![nucleontum](https://forum.surebeans.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/4af34b/32.png) [@nucleontum](https://forum.surebeans.net/u/nucleontum)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 5:30pm UTC](https://forum.surebeans.net/t/incorrect-initial-balances-when-creating-a-new-journal-from-scratch/14/1 "2026-06-28T17:30:13Z")

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I noticed that when I create a new journal from scratch, the balances for the accounts are incorrect. Attached a pic to show what I mean.

 ![Screenshot 2026-06-29 at 1.25.09 AM](https://forum-files.surebeans.net/original/1X/0d2305285b96ff1dd2458505c5d40529dae13746.jpeg)

Note how the balance remains at $7500, despite the expenses. These are the default transactions; I have not added new ones. When I add new transactions, the balances for those update correctly:

 ![Screenshot 2026-06-29 at 1.28.53 AM](https://forum-files.surebeans.net/original/1X/c9cb32f4d586ef7dc0b2ad11795b166f6df66085.jpeg)

When I edit the amounts for the default lines, the balance updates correctly:

 ![Screenshot 2026-06-29 at 1.29.46 AM](https://forum-files.surebeans.net/original/1X/1b7354ac38c9d85e5589c7dae9e7b32ec0a16ed1.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![doug](https://forum.surebeans.net/user_avatar/forum.surebeans.net/doug/32/13_2.png) [@doug](https://forum.surebeans.net/u/doug)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://forum.surebeans.net/t/incorrect-initial-balances-when-creating-a-new-journal-from-scratch/14/2 "2026-06-28T20:04:35Z")

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Hey @nucleontum and thanks for reporting this bug. I’ll reproduce and fix it early this week. I’ll post back here.

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**Author:** ![doug](https://forum.surebeans.net/user_avatar/forum.surebeans.net/doug/32/13_2.png) [@doug](https://forum.surebeans.net/u/doug)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 3:44am UTC](https://forum.surebeans.net/t/incorrect-initial-balances-when-creating-a-new-journal-from-scratch/14/3 "2026-06-29T03:44:34Z")

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I was able to reproduce this bug. It should be fixed in 0.88.0. You can check for updates in Settings or it will check every hour or on launch. Let me know if you still see any trouble. Thanks for the report!

Details:

This issue occurred when the .journal file includes “elided” posting amounts, and the default journal does:

`2026-06-23 * Grocery Mart`  
` Expenses:Home:Groceries $85.50`  
` Assets:Checking`

When you edited the amount, an explicit amount was written to the journal so the bug is bypassed and the running balance is correct:

`2026-06-23 * Grocery Mart`  
` Expenses:Home:Groceries $85.50`  
` Assets:Checking $-85.50`

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![nucleontum](https://forum.surebeans.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/4af34b/32.png) [@nucleontum](https://forum.surebeans.net/u/nucleontum)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 8:43am UTC](https://forum.surebeans.net/t/incorrect-initial-balances-when-creating-a-new-journal-from-scratch/14/4 "2026-06-29T08:43:30Z")

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Just upgraded to 0.88.0 and created a new journal from scratch. Can confirm that account balances now work correctly. Thanks Doug!