From fa917b22d5e0e245e397ed6351feaf8ae125f2c7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Simon Michael Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2024 08:04:13 -1000 Subject: [PATCH] faq: updates --- src/FAQ.md | 38 ++++++++++++++++++++------------------ 1 file changed, 20 insertions(+), 18 deletions(-) diff --git a/src/FAQ.md b/src/FAQ.md index 891a8ff..05e7008 100644 --- a/src/FAQ.md +++ b/src/FAQ.md @@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ See [[What is Plain Text Accounting ?]]. ### Which PTA app should I choose ? -Here are some (mostly old) [comparisons](https://plaintextaccounting.org#comparisons) +Here are some old and outdated [comparisons](https://plaintextaccounting.org#comparisons) Check out the projects' stats, and perhaps their chat rooms / mail lists. Developer opinions are hard to find, but here are a few: @@ -174,6 +174,25 @@ or showing [debits](https://ledger-cli.org/doc/ledger3.html#index-_002d_002ddc) - [hledger FAQ: Why are my revenue (income), liability, and equity balances negative ?](https://hledger.org/faq.html#why-are-my-revenue-income-liability-and-equity-balances-negative-) - [reddit: Is there any plain text accounting software which uses standard debits and credits?](https://www.reddit.com/r/plaintextaccounting/comments/18sbmsx/is_there_any_plain_text_accounting_software_which/) +### 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 exactly what to track in each field depends on the level of detail you need, your data entry process, your PTA app, and your preferences. + +- If you like economy of concepts and portability across tools, and your app has good depth-limiting support: + use accounts primarily, making them as deep and detailed as you need. +- If you like entering and seeing simple accounts by default, without needing to limit depth: + keep the account tree shallow, 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 you have 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, payee, 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/) + ### Which account type are loans ? If you are the lender, in your ledger it's an asset. Eg `assets:loans:PERSON` or `assets:receivable:BORROWER`. @@ -193,20 +212,3 @@ You can record them either in your base currency, or with a dedicated commodity 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/)