Bulk Categorizing Transactions

Bulk categorization allows you to assign the same category to multiple transactions at once, saving you time when you have several similar purchases. Instead of categorizing each transaction individually, select them all and categorize in one tap.

What is Bulk Categorization?

Bulk categorization lets you:

• Select multiple transactions at the same time
• Assign one category to all selected transactions
• Save time when categorizing similar purchases
• Process transactions faster than one-by-one

Important: All selected transactions get the same category. You cannot assign different categories in bulk mode.

When to Use Bulk Categorization

Bulk categorization is perfect for:

Multiple Similar Purchases

• Several grocery store trips → All to Groceries
• Multiple gas station charges → All to Transportation
• Several restaurant visits → All to Dining Out
• Multiple coffee shops → All to Coffee or Dining Out

Recurring Subscriptions

• Netflix, Spotify, Hulu → All to Entertainment
• Multiple utility bills → All to Utilities
• Insurance payments → All to Insurance

Business Expenses

• Multiple office supply purchases → Business Expenses
• Several meals during business trip → Business Meals
• Conference-related charges → Professional Development

Clearing Backlog

When you have many uncategorized transactions that fit the same category, bulk categorization speeds up the process significantly.

How to Bulk Categorize

Step 1: Enter Selection Mode

1. Go to Transactions tab (shown in screenshot above)
2. Long press any transaction
3. Selection mode activates
4. Checkboxes appear next to all transactions
5. The long-pressed transaction is automatically selected

Visual cues:

• Checkboxes appear on the left
• Selected transactions show checkmark
• Bottom action bar appears
• Floating + button disappears

Step 2: Select Transactions

1. Tap additional transactions to select them
2. Each tap toggles the checkbox
3. Select as many as needed
4. All must be the same category type (all expenses or all income)

Bottom bar shows:

• Number of selected transactions (e.g., “5 transactions”)
• Total dollar amount of selected transactions
• Categorize button
• Cancel button

Step 3: Choose Category

1. With transactions selected (shown in screenshot above), tap the “Categorize” button at the bottom
2. Category selection page opens

Step 4: Select category for all transactions

The bulk category selection page shows (shown in screenshot above):

• Banner: “Choose one category to assign to all selected transactions”
• Summary showing number of selected transactions and total amount
• List of all your budget categories

4. Summary cards show:
   • Selected Transactions count
   • Total Amount of all selected

Step 4: Assign Category

1. Tap the category you want to assign
2. Category selector highlights your choice
3. Tap “Save Categories” button
4. All selected transactions receive that category
5. Returns to Transactions tab
6. Selection mode exits automatically

Step 5: Verify

After saving:

• All selected transactions now show the assigned category
• Uncategorized count decreases
• Budget updates with the new amounts
• Changes sync immediately to partner’s device

Selection Mode Details

While in Selection Mode

You can:

• Tap transactions to select/deselect
• Scroll through transaction list
• Change months (selections clear when changing months)
• See running total at bottom

You cannot:

• Add new transactions (+ button is hidden)
• Apply filters (exit selection mode first)
• Open transaction details (tap selects instead)

Exiting Selection Mode

Method 1: Cancel

• Tap “Cancel” button in bottom bar
• All selections clear
• Return to normal view

Method 2: Complete categorization

• After assigning categories
• Automatically exits
• Selections clear

Method 3: Navigate away

• Switching tabs exits selection mode
• Selections don’t persist

Bottom Action Bar

The action bar at the bottom shows important information:

Left Side: Cancel Button

• Outlined button
• Exits selection mode
• Clears all selections

Right Side: Categorize Button

• Primary button
• Disabled if no transactions selected
• Enables when at least one transaction is selected
• Opens category selection

Selection Summary

Located between buttons:

• Count: “3 Selected”
• Total: “$145.67” (combined amount)

Practical Examples

Example 1: Weekend Grocery Shopping

Scenario: Three grocery store trips over the weekend

Steps:

1. Long press first grocery transaction
2. Tap second grocery transaction
3. Tap third grocery transaction
4. Bottom shows: “3 Selected | $287.42”
5. Tap “Categorize”
6. Select “Groceries”
7. Tap “Save Categories”
8. All three now categorized as Groceries

Time saved: ~30 seconds vs categorizing individually

Example 2: Monthly Subscriptions

Scenario: Five entertainment subscriptions charged

Steps:

1. Apply filter: Type = Expense (to focus)
2. Long press Netflix charge
3. Tap Spotify charge
4. Tap Disney+ charge
5. Tap Hulu charge
6. Tap Apple TV charge
7. Bottom shows: “5 Selected | $47.95”
8. Tap “Categorize”
9. Select “Entertainment”
10. Tap “Save Categories”

Time saved: ~1 minute

Example 3: Vacation Dining

Scenario: Multiple restaurant charges during vacation

Steps:

1. Select correct month for vacation
2. Long press first restaurant
3. Continue selecting all vacation restaurants
4. Bottom shows: “8 Selected | $352.19”
5. Tap “Categorize”
6. Select “Dining Out” or “Vacation” (if you have that category)
7. Tap “Save Categories”

Bulk Categorization Tips

Efficiency Strategies

1. Use filters first

• Filter to uncategorized transactions
• Filter by specific account
• Reduces scrolling

2. Work chronologically

• Start with oldest uncategorized
• Work forward to present
• Ensures nothing is missed

3. Group by merchant

• Process all of one merchant type
• Then move to next merchant type
• Maintains consistency

4. Partner coordination

• One person handles bulk categorization
• Other person reviews
• Or divide by account

Best Practices

✅ Do:

• Select truly similar transactions
• Verify selection before categorizing
• Check the total amount seems right
• Use for recurring subscriptions
• Process similar merchants together

❌ Don’t:

• Select transactions that need different categories
• Rush through selections
• Select transactions that should be split
• Forget to verify category before saving
• Leave selection mode active (affects other features)

Limitations of Bulk Categorization

Single Category Only

What you can do:

• Assign the same category to all selected transactions
• Full transaction amount goes to that category

What you cannot do:

• Assign different categories to different transactions
• Split any of the selected transactions
• Assign multiple categories to selected transactions

For different categories: Categorize individually or use separate bulk sessions.

Equal Amount Distribution

Each selected transaction receives the category for its full amount:

• $50 transaction → $50 to selected category
• $20 transaction → $20 to selected category
• $100 transaction → $100 to selected category

You cannot distribute amounts differently in bulk mode.

No Split Transactions

If any selected transaction needs to be split across multiple categories, you must:

1. Remove it from bulk selection
2. Categorize it individually later
3. Or split it separately

Learn about splitting →

Troubleshooting

Categorize Button Disabled

Cause: No transactions selected

Solution:

1. Tap at least one transaction
2. Checkbox should appear selected
3. Button will enable

Selection Mode Won’t Start

Try:

1. Make sure you’re long pressing (hold for 1 second)
2. Don’t just tap quickly
3. Try on different transaction
4. Restart app if persists

Selected Transactions Don’t Match

If you selected wrong transactions:

1. Tap them again to deselect
2. Or tap “Cancel” and start over
3. Verify selections before categorizing

Category Didn’t Apply to All

Rare issue - if this happens:

1. Check each transaction individually
2. Some may have been transfers (can’t categorize)
3. Re-apply to any that didn’t update
4. Contact support if persistent

Can’t Exit Selection Mode

Solutions:

1. Tap “Cancel” button
2. Tap back button / swipe back
3. Switch to different tab
4. Force close and reopen app (last resort)

Working with Your Partner

Coordinated Bulk Categorization

Strategy 1: Divide and conquer

• Partner A: Categories A-M
• Partner B: Categories N-Z
• Prevents duplicate work

Strategy 2: Account-based

• Partner A: Their accounts
• Partner B: Their accounts
• Clear ownership

Strategy 3: Time-based

• Partner A: Morning routine (categorize overnight transactions)
• Partner B: Evening review (categorize day’s transactions)
• Natural division

Communication

Before bulk categorizing:

• “I’m going to categorize all the grocery stores”
• Prevents partner from doing same work
• Coordination saves time

After bulk categorizing:

• “Categorized all subscriptions as Entertainment”
• Partner can review if needed
• Transparency in categorization choices

Next Steps

Now that you understand bulk categorization:

• Split Transactions - For mixed-category purchases
• Filtering Transactions - Find transactions to bulk categorize
• Managing Categories - Optimize your category structure
• Transaction Types - Understand income vs expense

Need help? Contact our support team - we’re here to assist!