Importing from First Clearing

If you have already downloaded your First Clearing files and initialized positions, go to Step 3.

STEP 1: DOWNLOAD FILES FROM FIRST CLEARING

Download files from First Clearing to import. If you do not know how to download these files, please contact First Clearing and they can help you with this step.

First Clearing file types:

File Type

Description

POS

Position file

PRI

Price file

TRD

Client name and address file

SEC

Security information file

TRN

Transactions file

INI

Initialization file (Cost basis file)

 

Save all the files you download/export from First Clearing to the same folder on your computer.

 

STEP 2: INITIALIZE POSITIONS

Since you cannot export your client’s entire transaction history which can span several years, you need a starting point. When you initialize, we look at the earliest available position file, find out the balances in all the holdings and enter a Deliver-in transaction of that balance on the date of the position file.

  1. Open Morningstar Office. On the top menu bar, click Import. The Import area opens in a separate window.

  2. If the First Clearing (Generic Format) interface does not appear as an active import source, refer to the Edit Import Interfaces topic for instructions on adding the interface to the selection area.

  3. In the Interface Name column, check the box to the left of First Clearing (Generic Format). On the Action Shortcuts tool bar, click Initialize Positions. The First Clearing (Generic Format) Initialize dialog box opens.

  4. In the File Name box, click the magnifying glass icon to locate and select the folder on your computer where you have saved all the exported files.

  5. Enter the date you want to use for the Initialize date or click Get Earliest Date.

  6. Click Initialize. The Import blotters open.

  7. When the Import Blotter opens, examine the account, transactions, and securities pages to make sure that your data is correct. If you encounter any warnings, you can find additional information on them by holding down the CTRL key and double-clicking the warning icon. You can also refer to the Handling Warnings in the Import Blotter topic or contact Morningstar Office Support at 866 215-2503 for assistance.

  8. Click Post. The information posts and clients and transactions are created. You have now initialized your positions and you will not have to repeat this step with First Clearing imports.

STEP 3: IMPORT

Here are the steps for the regular First Clearing import.

  1. Open Morningstar Office. On the top menu bar, click Import. The Import area opens in separate window.

  2. In the Interface Name column, double-click First Clearing or put a check mark next to First Clearing (Generic Format) and click Import at the top of the screen. The First Clearing dialog box opens.

  3. In the File Name box, click the magnifying glass icon to locate and select the folder on your computer where you have saved all the exported files.

  4. In the Start Date box, enter the date after the last custodian file posted (this date should appear as the default option). For example, if you initialized on 3/31/2016, enter 4/1/2016.

  5. In the End Date box, enter the date that matches the date range you want to import. For example, if you want to bring in a week’s worth of data at a time, enter a date a week after the start date.

    Note: If you import daily or if you want to import all of your available files, the end date does not need to be changed.

  6. Once you enter the end date, the import dialog will display which files are available for import within the specified date range.

  7. Click Import. This action will launch the Import Blotter.

  8. When the Import Blotter opens, examine the account, transactions, and securities pages to make sure that your data is correct. If you encounter any warnings, you can find additional information on them by holding down the CTRL key and double-clicking the warning icon. You can also refer to the Handling Warnings in the Import Blotter topic or contact Morningstar Office Support at 866 215-2503 for assistance.

  9. Click on Reconcile. Handle any unreconciled items. Review the Troubleshooting Guide for common import and reconciliation issues.

  10. Click Post.

See Also

Handling Warnings in the Import Blotter

Troubleshooting Guide for Common Import and Reconciliation Issues