Overview
Dext can automatically assign categories to your Costs items, such as receipts, invoices, and other expense documents. This saves time and ensures consistent categorisation across your account.
When Auto-categorisation is enabled, Dext uses machine learning to analyse your previously categorised items and automatically apply the most relevant category to new documents. If you’ve set up supplier rules, Dext will apply those rules first when assigning categories.
How auto-categorisation works
When you upload a new document, Dext reviews:
The details on that document, and
How you’ve categorised similar items in the past.
Based on this analysis, Dext automatically assigns a suitable category to your Costs item. If a supplier rule exists, Dext will prioritise the category from that rule before applying its own machine-learning prediction.
Note: Auto-categorisation does not begin immediately. Dext needs time to observe how you categorise items manually before it starts applying categories automatically. Once enough data has been collected, the system will begin auto-categorising new Costs items.
How to enable auto-categorisation
You can manage your categorisation preferences from your account settings:
Go to Business settings.
Select Automation > Categorisation.
Under Auto-categorisation, choose one of the following options:
Always – Dext automatically categorises Costs items based on your past categorisation behaviour (machine learning).
Supplier rules – Dext only applies categories when a supplier rule is set.
Never – Dext will not apply any category automatically, even if a supplier rule exists.
Note: If a category was manually pre-selected in the Dext Mobile App before the item was submitted for data extraction, that manually chosen category will take priority. Dext will apply the category selected in the app even if a supplier rule exists for that supplier.
How to check if an item was auto-categorised
To confirm whether an item was automatically categorised:
Go to your Inbox.
Hover over the category displayed next to the item.
If Dext applied it automatically, you’ll see a tooltip confirming it was auto-categorised.