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Categorize a transaction

Assign or change the category on a transaction directly in the register.

Prerequisites​

  • Big Picture Money is unlocked (see Unlock the app)
  • At least one account with transactions exists

Steps​

  1. In the left navigation, click Transactions.
  2. Locate the transaction row you want to categorize.
  3. Click the Category cell, or click the row and open the Details panel on the right.
  4. Select a category from the picker — for example, Food & Drink → Groceries.
  5. If the category you need does not exist, type its name in the picker search box and choose Create top-level category (it is created at the top level; you can reorganize it later under Categories & Rules).
  6. The change saves immediately; no separate Save button is required.

If the app suggested a category (from a rule or merchant match), you may see a hint such as "Suggested: Restaurants" before you choose. Your selection overrides any suggestion.

After you choose a category, Big Picture Money may ask whether to recategorize similar transactions that match the same payee pattern. Confirming updates those rows too.

Paper checks are an exception: when the payee looks like a check (for example CHECK #1234 or Check Paid #1625), the prompt only includes other checks with the same amount. Checks with different amounts stay out of the list, because they are usually unrelated payments. If no other check matches that amount, the prompt does not appear.

Expected result​

  • The category label in the register row updates to the category you selected
  • The categorization source shows Manual (or your override) in the Details panel
  • The transaction no longer appears in the Review queue if it was listed there
  • After you quit and reopen the app, the category is still assigned
  • If you confirmed similar transactions, those rows show the same category
  • For a check, only same-amount peers were offered (or no similar prompt if none matched)