From 4c98b0aedef526cb331e28f19fc647b03aa37f39 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Simon Michael Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2024 07:52:58 -1000 Subject: [PATCH] faq: categorising mechanisms --- src/FAQ.md | 16 ++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 16 insertions(+) diff --git a/src/FAQ.md b/src/FAQ.md index ecc168d..891a8ff 100644 --- a/src/FAQ.md +++ b/src/FAQ.md @@ -194,3 +194,19 @@ As you use them, transfer/convert them to expenses. If you don't need such detail you can record their full amount as an expense on the purchase date, and not track them further. +### Should I categorise with account, payee, description, tags... ? + +PTA apps let you group and filter by account, but often also by other fields like payee/description, code, or tags. +Accounts are the primary, best supported mechanism, so typically you should use them for most categorising. +But how much detail to put in each field is a judgement call, influenced by your data entry process and your PTA app's UX: + +- If you like economy of concepts and portability across tools, and your app has good depth-limiting support: + you could use accounts primarily, making them as deep and detailed as you need. +- If you like entering and seeing simple categories by default, without having to limit depth: + you could keep the account tree shallow and simple, and add extra details in the payee and/or description field when needed. +- If you have multiple categorisation schemes that are independent/cross-cutting - eg, standard expense categories, but also clients or projects or trips they are associated with: + use accounts for the primary scheme and tags for the others. + (Some apps will let you pivot on tags or other fields, showing them as alternate account names when needed.) + +More: +- [Reddit: On ledger-cli, what is the difference between payee and account?](https://www.reddit.com/r/plaintextaccounting/comments/ybwi4a/on_ledgercli_what_is_the_difference_between_payee/)