Catch the Replay: Mastering Categorization Webinar

Thanks to all who attended our live session! For those who couldn’t make it, or want to view the replay, just click below :down_arrow:

Click here to view the Mastering Categorization in Google Sheets webinar!

Q&A

Question Answer
Is it possible to pick the date range of transactions to train the AI to categorize your expenses? Specifically I have drilled down to manually categorize the last 2-3 months of expenses, but I don’t want to spend the time to drill down on all my history from 2025 and older. Description Matching uses all categorized transactions to learn your patterns and apply going forward. No need to set any rules or categorize really old data. It can use any of your existing categorizations to move forward. AI Suggest passes your uncategorized transactions to an AI model (Gemini) to attempt to categorize them. No rules or previous categorization in your sheet required.
How do we know if the google sheet has direct fill? You can find the Fill Service information for your sheet from the Settings section on the Tiller Console after you click on a spreadsheet’s name. More details available here: Direct Fills vs Sidebar Fills | Tiller Help Center
is our data protected even using the AI auto categorization? Yes, data is protected if you choose to opt-in to Tiller’s AI Suggest feature. AI Suggest is currently using Google’s Gemini LLM for categorization. When customers choose to enable AI Suggest, Tiller then shares transaction and category information from your spreadsheet with the LLM as a way to categorize your other transactions. This transaction data is not used to train the LLM nor is it retained by the LLM. As always, the humans at Tiller also do not see your transaction details. You can learn more about Gemini’s zero data retention here: Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform and zero data retention  |  Google Cloud Documentation
I might have missed it but how do you update/download to get the new sheet without losing your existing data? Absolutely! Upgrading your existing sheet to Direct Fills is simple. Check out our detailed instructions here: Upgrading from Sidebar Fills to Direct Fills | Tiller Help Center
If I do make changes to my categories and then I run an auto cat, will all of my historical data change as well? (And therefore all my historical reporting?) Only if you choose to “Run Rules on All”, otherwise AutoCat will only run on uncategorized transactions. More detail on that available here: How to use AutoCat for automatic categorization | Tiller Help Center
Where are the Description Match rules held, can I edit them? No rules required! Description Match learns from your behavior and applies those rules going forward. Learn more here: How to use AutoCat for automatic categorization | Tiller Help Center
(can I turn Description Match on/off?) Yes! There is a toggle in your AutoCat settings both in the console and Tiller Money Feeds add on.
How do we know if we need to update our spreadsheet or if we are on the most recent version that has the autocat? You can find the Fill Service information for your sheet from the Settings section on the Tiller Console after you click on a spreadsheet’s name. More details available here: Direct Fills vs Sidebar Fills | Tiller Help Center
1. Is there an easy way to know how each transactions was categorzied? Assuming I have all 3 options enabled? 2. Would be great to have an easy color coded way to see the Description Matching and AI Suggest. The main reason I don’t like these 2 options is that I want to make sure it’s categorzing correclty. Yes! There is a “Categorized By” column that will show if the transaction was categorized by AutoCat Rules, Description Match, or AI Suggest. You could also use that category to filter your transactions by AI Suggest to review them.
Categorization - When you move from 2025 to 2026 do you keep the 2025 data and add new columns for 2026? It looks like you need to save old year budgets & categories for past years. Learn how to move into the new year with these instructions: How do I get my budget ready for the new year? | Tiller Help Center
With description matching and AI, I almost want to turn off my manual categories - is there an easy way to do that? Possible rename the Autocat tab to some other name so it would be used? If you don’t want to use AutoCat rules, you could simply delete the rules set up in that tab.
For sub-categories could you create something like “Taxes / Property” and “Taxes / Income”? The disadvantage would be that your OOB reporting wouldn’t lump all tax categores together, they’d be treated separately. You can add additional information to the end of your categories to differentiate between them, but they will still be in the same hierarchy of “Category”.
I’ve got Spending Trends, but not the Spending Trends 2.0 that shows on your screen. How do I get Spending Trends 2.0? Learn more about using Spending Trends 2.0 here: Using the Spending Trends Sheet | Tiller Help Center
For the Need Categoration, I don’t have that option. To manually add the category, what is the group and type that should be used when adding the row You’ll first need to create a category for Needs Categorization and then it will be available in your AutoCat sheet. More info on exclusion rules available here: How to use AutoCat for automatic categorization | Tiller Help Center
I dont see the column “Catagorized By” in my transcation sheet. Whay would that be? If you don’t see the Categorized By column you can simply add it to your Transactions sheet by inserting a column next to another text based column and it will fill going forward.
how do i get the tiller feed on the sidebard show? You’ll need to install the add-on as an extension in Google Sheets, then it will be available from Extensions > Tiller Money Feeds > Launch. More on the add on is available here: Using the Tiller Money Feeds Add-on for Google Sheets | Tiller Help Center
Your Transactions tab shows Source (Yodlee). Mine doesn’t - how do I get that information on my Transactions tab? You should be able to re-add the Source column by inserting a new column with header “Source”.
Do Description Match and AI Suggest create new categories, or do they only try to match to the categories I created? Is it possible that it can’t figure out a match? They will only match the categories you have already created, they do not have the ability to create or suggest new categories.
How to add multiple key words for description in AutoCat to classify into same category? Are keywords case sensitive? You can add multiple keywords separated by commas in your AutoCat rules. No, AutoCat is not case sensitive.
I’ve learned that AutoCat seems to use absolute values for the Min and Max fields which is a problem with negative values. Has this changed? AutoCat rule amounts operate as absolute values so to match only on a negative amount you’ll add an Amount Polarity column to your AutoCat sheet. Learn more here: How to use AutoCat for automatic categorization | Tiller Help Center
Is there a good straightforward approach to preserving category amounts in the new year? I notice when looking at data from previous years, there is no planned budget data, since the Categories worksheet houses the current year Absolutely! You can keep previous years’ budget information in your sheet and just opt to insert columns for the new year. More information on that available here: How do I get my budget ready for the new year? | Tiller Help Center
If the AutoCat tab is missing from my tiller Gsheet, how do I get it back? If you open the Tiller Money Feeds add on in Google Sheets, you’ll see an option to add the AutoCat sheet back in.
What is the “transfer” Type used in the setup of a categorization scheme? Great question! Check out this help article for more information on transfers: Understanding Transfers | Tiller Help Center
Do you provide 1-1 support to fix this categories? We do not currently have 1:1 live support but our team would be happy to help you with any of your issues! Just reach out to support@tiller.com.

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