Wishlist LedgerHow to create a Steamworks Financial API key
Updated 2026-11-08
A Financial API key lives in its own Financial API Group in Steamworks. Create the group under Users & Permissions, copy the key from the group page, then restrict it to the IP addresses that should use it.
What the key reads
Valve's IPartnerFinancialsService uses it for daily sales, refunds, key activations, in-game purchases and wishlist actions. The group has no users and no apps, and the key covers every app on the partner account. It does not return anything about individual players.
Create it
- Sign in to Steamworks with an account that can manage groups.
- Open Users & Permissions, then Manage Groups.
- Create a new group of the Financial API Group type.
- Open the new group: the Financial Web API key is shown on its page.
Lock it to one IP address
Valve calls the allow list "an added layer of security in the event that your WebAPI key is compromised" (Web API overview).
- On the group page, choose Manage WebAPI Key.
- Add the IP addresses that may call the API. Once any address is listed, calls from every other address fail.
Test it
Open https://partner.steam-api.com/IPartnerFinancialsService/GetChangedDatesForPartner/v001/?key=YOUR_KEY&highwatermark=0 from an allowed address. A list of dates means the key works. Do this on your own machine, not in a shared document or chat.
Keep it safe
- Valve's advice: keep it "as safe as you would any other password (don't email it around!)".
- Give it only to tools you trust, and only with an allow list.
- If it leaks, create a new key on the group page; the old one stops working.
Sources
- impress.games Launchpad: Launchpad has a free tier; paid plans start at $69/month (source, checked 2026-11-08)
- impress.games Launchpad: Charts wishlist data from a Financial API key next to press, creator and stream coverage (source, checked 2026-11-08)
- impress.games Launchpad: Games in different Steamworks accounts are "currently NOT supported" (source, checked 2026-11-08)
- Steamboard: Free and open-source desktop app that syncs sales with a Financial API key stored on your computer (source, checked 2026-11-08)
impress.games Launchpad and Steamboard are trademarks of their owners. Wishlist Ledger is not affiliated with or endorsed by IMPRESS or Steamboard. Details about impress.games Launchpad and Steamboard come from the sources listed above on the dates shown; check their own sites for current information.