How can I define custom category mapping rules for transactions from my online accounts?

While TimelyBills automatically maps the categories provided by your bank to its internal category system, sometimes these defaults may not align with your personal budgeting preferences.

To give you more control, TimelyBills allows you to change the category of any transaction and also create a category mapping rule that will automatically apply your preferred category to future (and optionally past) transactions.

Ways to Create or Manage Category Mapping Rules:

1. From a Transaction Detail Screen

• Open a transaction from your online account.

• Tap “Change Category” or the "Pencil icon" next to the category name.

• Select a new category, and you'll be prompted to Create a Mapping Rule.

• Choose whether to apply the rule to:

  • This Only

  • This & All Future

  • Past, This & All Future
    
    

2. From App Menu → Settings → Category Mapping Rule

• View, create, edit, or delete your existing category mapping rules.

• Useful for bulk management or fine-tuning multiple rules.
  
  

How Category Mapping Works in TimelyBills
Each Category Mapping Rule consists of three components:

1. Merchant Name – e.g., Starbucks, Walmart

2. From Category – the original category of the incoming transaction

3. To Category – the new category you want to assign

Category Mapping Evaluation Order:

When a new transaction comes in, TimelyBills evaluates your rules in the following order:

1. Merchant + Category → New Category
   (Both match? Apply this rule.)

2. Merchant Only → New Category
   (If no full match, check for merchant match only.)

3. Category Only → New Category
   (If no merchant match, apply rule based on the category alone.)