February 24, 2026
Product: SaasAnt Transactions (Desktop)
Integration: QuickBooks Desktop
This guide explains how to set up custom schedules for automated imports and exports in SaasAnt Transactions Desktop. While the default "Daily" setting runs automation every hour, Cron Expressions allow you to define precise schedules — such as every 30 minutes, only on weekdays, or at specific times like 5:00 PM.
SaasAnt Transactions Desktop is installed and connected to your QuickBooks Desktop company file.
You have created a local folder where you will save the Excel files for automation.
Open SaasAnt Transactions Desktop.
Navigate to the Import (or Export) section you wish to automate.
Click on Automation.
In the Frequency dropdown menu, select Cron Expression.
Paste your Quartz Cron Expression into the field that appears.
A Quartz Cron Expression is made up of 6 required fields (and 1 optional field), each separated by a space:
<Seconds> <Minutes> <Hours> <Day of Month> <Month> <Day of Week> <Year (optional)>
Field | Position | Allowed Values | Example |
Seconds | 1st | 0–59 | 0 = at second zero |
Minutes | 2nd | 0–59 | 30 = at 30 minutes past |
Hours | 3rd | 0–23 | 14 = 2:00 PM |
Day of Month | 4th | 1–31 | 1 = 1st of the month |
Month | 5th | 1–12 or JAN–DEC | * = every month |
Day of Week | 6th | 1–7 or SUN–SAT | MON-FRI = weekdays only |
Year | 7th (optional) | empty or 4-digit year | 2026 |
Commonly used special characters:
Character | Meaning | Example |
* | Every value in that field | * in Hours = every hour |
? | No specific value (used in Day of Month or Day of Week) | ? = don't restrict this field |
- | A range | 8-17 in Hours = 8 AM to 5 PM |
, | Multiple specific values | MON,WED,FRI = Mon, Wed, Fri only |
/ | Increments | 0/15 in Minutes = every 15 minutes |
Use one of these tools to visually build your schedule and copy the expression:
Recommended: Easy visual interface — set seconds, minutes, hours, and more, then copy the result.
Reference: Detailed syntax documentation for advanced users.
Collibra - Quartz Cron Syntax
Reference: Quick guide on valid values and special characters.
Here are 10 ready-to-use expressions for common automation needs:
Use Case | Quartz Cron Expression |
|---|---|
Every day at 12:00 PM (noon) |
|
Every day at 2:30 PM |
|
Every day at 11:00 PM |
|
Every 5 minutes |
|
Every 15 minutes |
|
Every weekday (Mon–Fri) at 8:00 AM |
|
Every Monday only at 9:00 AM |
|
At the top of every hour from 8 AM to 5 PM, weekdays |
|
On the 1st of every month at 12:00 PM |
|
Every Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 AM |
|
The most common reason for automation failure is accidentally using a Linux cron expression instead of a Quartz cron expression.
The key difference is the Seconds field. Linux expressions use only 5 fields and skip seconds entirely. SaasAnt Transactions Desktop requires a Quartz expression, which always starts with the Seconds field.
Linux Cron | Quartz Cron | |
Fields | 5 | 6 or 7 |
Starts with | Minutes | Seconds |
Compatible with SaasAnt? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
❌ Invalid (Linux): 30 14 * * * (5 fields — missing the Seconds field at the start)
✅ Valid (Quartz): 0 30 14 * * ? (6 fields — starts with 0 for Seconds)
If you are unsure, paste your expression into the
— it will describe what the schedule does in plain English so you can verify before saving.