Categorizing transactions

Categories are how MoneyVue groups spending for budgets, reports, and insights. Transactions are categorized automatically on import, and you can override anything by hand.

How auto-categorization works

When a new transaction syncs in, MoneyVue tries to assign a category in this order:

1. Automation rules — your custom rules (see Automation rules) run first and win when they match.
2. Merchant memory — if the same merchant has been categorized before, MoneyVue uses that category.
3. Keyword fallback — built-in keyword matching for common merchants (e.g., STARBUCKS → Coffee).
4. Uncategorized — if nothing matches, the transaction lands in Uncategorized.

Changing a category by hand

Click the category cell on any transaction. A picker opens — type to filter, or browse by group. Pick the right category and the change saves immediately.

When you override a category, MoneyVue learns from the change. Next time the same merchant comes in, it uses your new category by default.

Bulk categorizing

To recategorize many transactions at once:

1. Use the checkboxes in the leftmost column to select rows.
2. Click Bulk edit in the toolbar.
3. Pick the new category and save.

Creating new categories

If the right category doesn't exist, you can create one from the picker, or manage them in Settings → Categories. Categories belong to groups (e.g., Food group containing Groceries and Restaurants) and you can create or rename either. See Categories.

FAQ

Why do new transactions for an old merchant suddenly land in Uncategorized? The merchant's raw description may have changed (a new prefix from your bank, for example). Recategorize once and MoneyVue will remember the new pattern.

Can I auto-categorize based on amount or account, not just merchant? Yes — set up an automation rule with multiple conditions.

Does AI categorize transactions for me? No. MoneyVue's auto-categorization is rule-based and merchant-memory-based. The AI in Insights answers questions about your data; it does not write categories.