When Budgetly is connected to Xero, categories and tags are managed differently than on a standalone account.
| Type | Where to edit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Categories | Settings > Xero > Configure > Edit categories | Mapped from your Xero Chart of Accounts |
| Tags (from Xero) | Settings > Xero > Configure | Pulled from Xero Tracking Categories — edit in Xero, then refresh |
| Tags (Budgetly only) | Settings > Tags | Created in Budgetly — appear in notes when synced to Xero |
Note: Not using Xero? See How to create categories and tags instead.
Editing categories
- Click Settings in the sidebar, then select Xero.
- Choose Configure.
- Select Edit categories.
- Add new categories, modify existing ones, or remove categories as needed.
- Click Save changes.
Editing tags from Xero Tracking Categories
Tags pulled from Xero Tracking Categories can only be edited in Xero. After making changes:
- Navigate to Settings > Xero > Configure.
- Click Update to refresh the sync.
See How to update tags from Xero for details.
Editing Budgetly-only tags
Tags created directly in Budgetly (not linked to Tracking Categories) are managed from Settings > Tags. These tags appear in the transaction notes when synced to Xero but don’t map to Tracking Categories.
Common questions
Why can't I find Categories in the main menu?
When Xero is connected, categories are managed through the Xero section, not a separate Categories page. Go to Settings > Xero > Configure > Edit categories.
Can I have both Xero tags and Budgetly tags?
Yes. Xero-linked tags map to Tracking Categories. Budgetly-only tags are separate and appear in notes when synced.
What happens if I delete a category that's mapped to Xero?
Transactions already synced with that category stay in Xero. New transactions won’t have a category until you assign a different one.