Categorization Rules

Rules automatically categorize transactions as they're imported, saving you hours of manual work. This guide explains how to create and manage rules effectively.

How Rules Work

When transactions are imported, Statements checks each one against your rules:

1. Match: Check if the transaction matches rule conditions
2. Apply: If matched, apply the rule's actions (set category, entity)
3. Priority: Higher priority rules are checked first
4. First Match Wins: Once a rule matches, no further rules are checked

Creating Rules

Navigate to Rules

1. Go to Rules in the sidebar
2. Click Create Rule

Define Conditions

Conditions determine which transactions the rule applies to. You can combine multiple conditions.

Particulars Conditions

Amount Conditions

Account Conditions

• Match transactions from specific accounts
• Useful for account-specific categorization (e.g., credit card fees)

Set Actions

Actions determine what happens when a rule matches:

You can set both category and entity in a single rule.

Set Priority

Priority determines the order rules are evaluated:

• Higher numbers = checked first
• Default priority is 0
• Use higher priorities for specific rules
• Use lower priorities for catch-all rules

Rule Examples

E-commerce Shopping

Condition: particulars contains "AMAZON"
Actions:
  - Category: Shopping
  - Entity: Amazon
Priority: 10

Food Delivery

Conditions:
  - particulars contains "SWIGGY" OR
  - particulars contains "ZOMATO"
Actions:
  - Category: Food
Priority: 10

Salary (Specific Amount)

Conditions:
  - particulars contains "SALARY"
  - inflow equals 50000
Actions:
  - Category: Income
  - Entity: Employer Name
Priority: 20

Credit Card Payment

Conditions:
  - account equals "HDFC Credit Card"
  - particulars contains "PAYMENT RECEIVED"
Actions:
  - Category: Credit Card Payment
Priority: 15

Catch-all UPI

Condition: particulars starts_with "UPI-"
Actions:
  - Category: UPI Payment
Priority: 1  (low priority, catches unmatched UPI)

Managing Rules

Viewing Rules

The Rules page shows all your rules with:

• Name and conditions summary
• Actions (category, entity)
• Priority
• Status (active/inactive)

Editing Rules

Click on any rule to edit its conditions, actions, or priority.

Disabling Rules

Toggle a rule inactive to stop it from matching without deleting it. Useful for:

• Seasonal rules (holiday shopping)
• Testing new rules
• Troubleshooting

Deleting Rules

Delete rules you no longer need. This won't affect already-categorized transactions.

Best Practices

Start Specific, Get General

1. Create specific rules first (high priority)
2. Add general catch-alls later (low priority)
3. Let specific rules take precedence

Use Entities Wisely

• Entities help track spending by vendor
• More specific than categories
• Great for vendors you use frequently

Review and Refine

• Check uncategorized transactions for new patterns
• Create rules when you see recurring merchants
• Adjust conditions if rules are too broad/narrow

Test Before Applying

• Create the rule
• Check which transactions would match
• Adjust conditions if needed
• Apply to new imports

Applying Rules to Existing Transactions

Rules automatically apply to new imports. To apply rules to existing transactions:

1. Go to Transactions
2. Filter to uncategorized transactions
3. Click Apply Rules
4. Rules will be evaluated and matching transactions updated

Troubleshooting

Rule Not Matching

• Check the particulars spelling (case-insensitive)
• Verify the condition operator is correct
• Check if a higher-priority rule is matching first

Wrong Category Applied

• A higher-priority rule may be matching
• Check rule priorities
• Make the conditions more specific

Too Many Matches

• Add additional conditions to narrow the match
• Use account filters if the pattern only applies to one account