fields let you store monetary amounts in any currency while automatically converting them to your organisation's base currency. Every conversion is fully traceable, recording the rate, method, and date.

This feature requires the accounting feature to be enabled for your organisation.

Setting up currencies

Before using Global Currency fields, configure your organisation's currencies in Settings > Currency.

1. Set your base currency

Your base currency is the default currency for your organisation. All Global Currency values are converted to this currency for sorting, filtering, and reporting. The default base currency is GBP.

2. Enable currencies

Add the currencies your team needs. Only enabled currencies are available for selection in Global Currency fields. When no additional currencies are enabled, only the base currency is available.

3. Add exchange rates

For each enabled currency, click Add rate to enter an exchange rate against your base currency.

Enter the rate value and the date it applies from.
Add an optional Note (such as "Q1 budget rate") for reference.
Rates are preserved for audit and cannot be edited later. Only notes can be updated after entry. To correct a rate, add a new entry with the appropriate date.

4. View rate history

Use the View Chart option to see exchange rate history over time.

Adding a Global Currency field

Open the collection and go to Configure > Fields.
Click + Add Field and select Global Currency as the field type.
Configure the field options:
- Direction — choose Neutral, Buy, or Sell to indicate the context of the conversion.
- Allow users to manually enter exchange rates — when enabled, users can override the system rate with a custom value and provide a reason.
- Allow users to update to the latest exchange rate — when enabled, users can refresh to the most recent rate if a newer one is available.

Read our Configuring Fields guide for general field setup instructions.

Entering data

When entering or editing a record with a Global Currency field:

Select the currency from the dropdown.
Type the amount.
Kinabase automatically fetches the current exchange rate and displays the base-currency equivalent.
Click the rate to see full conversion details, including the method (direct or manually entered), the rate used, and the date.
If the field allows it, you can manually adjust the rate or update to the latest available rate.

Conversion methods

Kinabase currently supports two conversion methods:

Direct — a rate exists directly between the selected currency and the base currency.
Manual — the user has entered a custom exchange rate with a reason.

Sorting, filtering, and reporting

All Global Currency values are normalised to your base currency, so you can:

Sort records by the base-currency equivalent for consistent ordering.
Filter records using base-currency values for accurate comparisons.
Report across records in different currencies with totals in your base currency.

Read our Field Types guide for an overview of all available field types.

Tips for Using Global Currency Fields

Add exchange rates with clear effective dates and use Notes (for example, "Budget rate" or "Month-end close") so your finance team can trace decisions later.
Use Neutral / Buy / Sell direction intentionally so the field reflects the real business context of each transaction.
Allow manual exchange rate entry only for trusted roles and require a clear reason when overrides are used.
Turn on update to latest exchange rate only where operationally appropriate; some teams may need historical consistency during a period close.

By mastering Global Currency Fields, you can capture values in local currencies while maintaining accurate, auditable, base-currency reporting across your Kinabase collections.

If you have questions or need further assistance, our support team is here to help.

PreviousAggregation Fields

Next Adding Records