Skip to content

FAQ: Templates and plans

Michael Totschnig edited this page Nov 19, 2023 · 5 revisions

How to create a recurring transaction?

When you create a new transaction, in the action bar there is a checkable command labeled "Save as template". Depending on the width of the screen, it is rendered as an icon () or in the overflow menu (opened by click on the three vertical dots). Checking it will define a template for the transaction, and add a Plan field to the form, which allows you to the select the type of recurrence (e.g monthly, etc.). Plans are stored in the Android platform calendar, and a new transaction will be created on the day of each instance of the plan. Alternatively from the main screen, by opening the "Templates and Plans" screen, you can also directly define a schedule for a repeating transaction. In this context, you can also edit existing plans and configure advanced options:

  • Should the transaction be instantiated automatically, or be presented as a notification, from which you have the option to edit the transaction before it gets saved.
  • By setting an advance execution, the transaction will appear in the list a configurable number of days earlier.

Where is the biweekly (bimonthly etc.) recurring payment option?

My Expenses delegates configuration of more sophisticated types of recurrence to your calendar app. Proceed as follows:

  1. Open "Templates and plans".
  2. Click on the floating action button to create a new plan.
  3. Fill out the form and select Custom from the Plan spinner.
  4. Save.
  5. The Plan is opened with your calendar app. Click on Edit and use the calendar app's UI to configure the recurrence to your needs.
  6. Save and Hit back to return to My Expenses.

How can I add future instances of plans?

By default, new instances of plans are added to the transaction list on their specific date, or a configurable number of days in advance. If you want to have them appear in the transaction list earlier, there are two ways:

  1. You can open the calendar view for a plan, navigate to the specific month, click on the date, and click on "Apply and save" or "Apply and save".
  2. On the "Templates and plans" screen, there is a command "Planner" that shows a list of instances for all your plans, and allows to select multiple instances, and apply all of them at once.

Both procedures are illustrated in this video: https://mastodon.social/@myexpenses/109489202417354133

Clone this wiki locally