Xero tracking categories sync automatically with Dext after you connect your Xero account. You can assign them to documents and use Smart Suggestions to speed up coding.
Note: This relates to Xero tracking categories only. It does not apply to the Xero Projects add-on.
Where to find tracking categories in Xero
Tracking categories are created and managed in Xero, not in Dext.
To find tracking categories in Xero:
Go to Accounting.
Select Accounting settings.
Choose Tracking categories.
Xero tracking category limits
Xero allows a maximum of 4 tracking categories in total. Only 2 of these can be active at the same time.
You cannot create a new tracking category until an existing one has been archived or deleted.
Important: Dext only pulls the 2 active tracking categories from Xero.
How tracking categories sync to Dext
When you connect Dext to Xero, Dext imports your 2 active tracking categories and their options automatically.
The names of the lists in Dext match the names of the main tracking categories in Xero. For example:
If your Xero categories are called Properties and Units
The lists in Dext will also be called Properties and Units
The entries within those lists are the individual category options created in Xero (for example, Property1, Property2, Unit A, Unit B).
If you rename a tracking category or option in Xero, refresh the lists in Dext to pull the updated names.
Where to find tracking categories in Dext
You can view and refresh your Xero tracking categories in Dext from the Lists section in Business settings.
To find your synced tracking categories:
Go to Business settings.
Select Lists.
Locate your Xero tracking category lists.
Reload the lists if you’ve made changes in Xero.
How to assign a tracking category to a document
You can assign a synced Xero tracking category to any submitted document from the item details page.
To assign a tracking category:
Open a document.
Go to the relevant tracking category field.
Select the correct option from the dropdown list.
Save or publish the document.
Tip: You can use supplier rules to apply tracking categories automatically to documents from specific suppliers. See How to use supplier and customer rules in Dext for step-by-step instructions:
How Smart Suggestions work for tracking categories
Dext can automatically suggest tracking category options based on the content of your document.
When a match is detected, a recommendation appears above the tracking category field, such as “Use Property 1”. You can select this suggestion to apply it instantly.
Tip: Use names that are likely to appear in your documents. This improves recognition and increases Smart Suggestion accuracy.
How to enable Smart Suggestions
You can enable Smart Suggestions and control whether they apply automatically in the Automation settings.
To manage Smart Suggestions:
Go to Business settings.
Select Automation.
Open Smart Suggestions.
Turn on Display Smart Suggestions to allow Dext to generate recommendations.
Choose whether to enable Auto-apply Smart Suggestions for properties and units.
Optionally, enable auto-apply for item descriptions.
What the auto-apply setting does
When Auto-apply Smart Suggestions for tracking categories is turned on, Dext automatically applies suggestions for your two synced tracking category lists (for example, Properties and Units) without requiring manual confirmation.
If auto-apply is turned off, suggestions appear above the tracking category field, and you choose whether to accept them.
Important: Smart Suggestions must be enabled before auto-apply options become available.
You can also enable Smart Suggestions for item descriptions in the same section.