Test Driving Linux

The GnuCash Accounts Window

The main window of GnuCash, shown in Figure 10-5, is the accounts window. This shows all of your accounts in the currently open file. The accounts are listed in tree form because accounts can contain sub-accounts (more on this later). For now, all you need to know is that a plus sign to the left of an account name indicates that is a parent account of one or more sub-accounts, and that clicking on the plus sign expands the listing so you can see all accounts under the parent.

Figure 10-5. The GnuCash accounts window

The accounts listing shows the account name, a description, and the current account total by default. If an account is a parent to one or more sub-accounts, the account total is the combined total of all its sub-accounts as well as the parent account itself. Clicking once on an account selects it. Right-clicking an account shows a context menu with options to create a new account, delete an account, edit an account's properties, and perform numerous other tasks. Double-clicking an account brings up the associated account ledger, or register. You will learn more about ledgers later.

Creating New Accounts

There are several ways to create a new account. The easiest is to simply right-click on an empty area in the accounts window. You can also select New Account under the File menu. Create a new account now by selecting the Income account and right-clicking ...