> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tribalfs.gitbook.io/accountant/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tribalfs.gitbook.io/accountant/accounts/categories.md).

# Account categories

Group similar accounts together, for every account type.

An **account category** is a group of similar accounts, like a folder. It sits between the account type and your accounts:

> **Account type** › **Account category** › **Account**
>
> *Expense* › *Household* › *Groceries*, *Apartment rent*, *Clothing*
>
> *Asset* › *Cash in bank* › *Everyday checking*, *Emergency savings*

## What a category is, and isn't

* **A category is not an account.** You don't record money in a category. *Groceries* is an account: it's where your grocery spending goes, and it can have its own budget. *Household* is the category that groups *Groceries* with your other household accounts.
* **Categories aren't only for expenses.** Every account type has them. Your bank accounts are grouped under *Cash in bank*, your cards under *Credit card*, and your salary under *Work*.
* **Each category belongs to one account type.** A category for expenses can only hold expense accounts, and a category for assets can only hold asset accounts.

{% hint style="info" %}
Coming from another money app? What it calls a "category", like *Food* or *Transport*, is usually what Accountant calls an **expense account**. Create those as accounts, then use categories to group them if you like. See [Setting up accounts](/accountant/accounts/setting-up-accounts.md).
{% endhint %}

## Why categories are useful

* **Tidy lists.** On the **Accounts** screen, accounts are listed under their category headings, in the order you choose.
* **Clearer reports.** Reports and the Home widgets group accounts by category. For example, **Expenses by category** on Home shows how much went to *Household* in total, across all its accounts.
* **Special features.** Some categories unlock tools for the accounts in them (see below).

See [Setting up accounts](/accountant/accounts/setting-up-accounts.md) for the categories you start with.

## Add a category

You add categories from the account editor:

1. Add or edit an account. See [Setting up accounts](/accountant/accounts/setting-up-accounts.md).
2. Tap **Category**. The **Select category** list shows the categories for that account type.
3. Tap **+**.
4. Enter the **Category name**, and optionally a **Category description (optional)**.
5. Tap **Save**, then choose the new category for your account.

<figure><img src="https://1159945679-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F8bd5VZpQZgURnFb41Grh%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6624d71bacc56f3a3dc382932d54af6fb4377a17%2Fselect-category.png?alt=media" alt="Select category" width="300"><figcaption><p>Choosing a category for an expense account</p></figcaption></figure>

## Move accounts to another category

In **Accounts**, touch and hold an account to start selecting, select the ones to move, then tap **Change category**.

## Manage categories

In **Accounts**, tap **⋮ › Manage categories** to see all categories of each account type in one place.

* **Reorder:** drag a category by its handle. *"Drag to change the order in Accounts."* The same order is used when you pick an account for a transaction. Clear the search first.
* **Search:** tap 🔍 to find a category by name, or use voice search.
* **Add:** tap **Add category**.
* **Edit:** tap a category to rename it or change its description. The editor shows how many accounts use it (*"Used by 3 accounts"*).
* **Delete:** a category no account uses (*"Not used by any account"*) can be deleted. One that's in use can't, and its account type can't be changed either: *"Accounts use this category, so its account type can't be changed. Move them to another category first."*

**Built-in categories** can't be renamed or deleted, and stay with their account type: *"Built-in category. Its account type can't be changed."* They are the defaults that features rely on: *Cash on hand*, *Receivables*, *Cash in bank*, *E-wallet*, *Investments*, *Virtual assets*, *Credit card*, *Payables*, *Mortgage loan*, *Other loans*, *Investment income*, *Work*, *Car*, *Household*, *Utilities* and *Finance charges*.

You can also tap a category's heading in **Accounts**, the label above its accounts, to edit it.

To retire a category, switch it to **Inactive**. *"Inactive categories can't be selected for accounts. Existing accounts keep their category."*

## Categories with a special role

Some of the default categories unlock tools for the accounts inside them:

* **Cash on hand**, **Cash in bank** and **E-wallet:** their accounts are always [cash accounts](/accountant/accounts/setting-up-accounts.md#cash-accounts).
* **Cash in bank** and **E-wallet:** accounts can have [bank details](/accountant/accounts/bank-details.md), which estimate interest and help match bank alerts.
* **Credit card:** accounts can track statements, due dates and payments. See [Credit cards](/accountant/planning/credit-cards.md).
* **Mortgage loan** and **Other loans:** accounts can track a repayment schedule. See [Loans](/accountant/planning/loans.md).
* **Investments:** the only category whose accounts can hold shares or fund units. See [Stocks and funds](/accountant/accounts/stocks-and-funds.md).
* **Finance charges:** expense accounts here receive loan interest, card interest and late fees, installment interest and pay-later fees.

Non-cash asset accounts in the other asset categories, except *Receivables* and *Virtual assets*, can lose value over time with [depreciation](/accountant/accounts/depreciation.md).

Keep your accounts in these categories so the tools stay available.