I am new to Tiller, but have been writing software in VBA for many years. I have setup a number of Autocat rules, but everytime I try running Autocat, it comes back with “0 transactions categorized.” What steps should I take to diagnose this problem? -Thanks!
Are the transactions you are trying to categorize all filled from tiller, imported with the csv importer, or manually imported? If they are manually added do the transactions all have a transaction ID, I know that they won’t auto categorize without one. Another possible option is you created rules and then when running there is an option to run on all transactions or new transactions only, (or something to that effect; I am not sure exactly how it is worded) so it might be that? If that isn’t the case, maybe more details will be needed. I use google sheets, but I think it is the same for excel.
Greetings. I’m part-time on this project.
- All transactions have been imported from a bank using Tiller’s function. The Description field has been modified in many cases because my bank simply puts “Check ####” in that space and I’m updating the language to reflect the actual expenses. Additionally, there have been several transactions that were split by Tiller.
- I have tried to apply the rules to “All Transactions” every time and have had zero categorized to date.
What other details can I provide that would help shed light as to why the AutoCat function is not able to categorize ANY transactions? -Thank you.
Hi Dirk,
Welcome to Tiller!
It’s hard to say why you are running into this issue without seeing the rules you have setup and the transactions. If you are willing to share a screenshot of a rule(s) and a transaction(s) (blure out anything sensitive) for that rule it would help.
I can also point you to this helpful AutoCat for Microsoft Excel Troubleshooting guide.
If you aren’t able to solve the issue with the troubleshooting guide and don’t want to share the details, you can contact support at support@tiller.com and they can take a look.
Thank you for your input and help. Here’s a screenshot set of tree transactions, three rules and three categories.
Is something incorrectly setup here?
Additionally, when I go into Excel’s Name Manager, there’s a bunch of #Ref errors:
Now I’ve not yet used things like “AssetsLiabilities” or “PayGross”, but is this correct, or do I have something corrupted? -Thank you!
Amount Min and Amount Max values both need to be specified on the same row.
Min-Max criteria works as a pair.
@dirkasarus I’d recommend trying to start simple first to make sure AutoCat can run and categorize, and then incrementally re-introduce complexity.
So just rename your AutoCat sheet (so the add-in will think it doesn’t existing). Use the Tiller Money Feeds add-in sidebar to re-install the AutoCat sheet and leave it as is with just the defaults. Create a really simple rule using Description contains only assigning only a category. Chose a simple transaction example and make sure the description contains is broad enough to match (don’t include store numbers, etc) so like “Trader Joes store 12434” just use “Trader Joes” in the Description Contains criteria. Set up a rule you know will match. Make sure the Transaction is uncategorized
Then Run AutoCat.
If it successfully categorizes then incrementally add in more complexity one thing at a time to figure out what explicitly is causing it to think there are no matches.
AutoCat by default only runs on Uncategorized transactions so if you’re trying to have it make other edits like renaming the description or applying notes to transactions that are already categorized it won’t do that unless you use the Run Rules on All option in the AutoCat Settings.
Let us know if that doesn’t help.
Thank you, I’ll give that a try and see where it goes. Much appreciated.
[SOLVED]
I have renamed the original Autocat tab, and had Tiller recreate the sheet. I then started very simple and it worked. I kept adding elements until I found that the “Account Contains” column was causing the problem. The bank is using a four digit number, which I had specified. However, I think that the Transaction sheet sees it as a string, and Autocat sees the rule as a number and that may explain the behavior.
Thank you for your guidance on this issue!
Great news. Glad you were able to fix the issue.