Getting Started

1. Create a sheet
2. Add items to your sheet
3. Manage categories
4. View your stats and trends

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Create a Sheet

When you first open Expenses, the first step is to create a sheet. Think of it as a titled spreadsheet (similar to Google Sheets). While you can manage sheets in whichever way you prefer, we recommend creating a sheet for a specific purpose.

Instead of adding a new sheet each month, consider using a single sheet consistently. It’s perfectly fine to include numerous items in one sheet, as we offer flexible ways to view them through the Stats feature.

Here are some examples of how you might label your sheets:

• Sheet 1: Day-to-Day Family Spending (shared with family members)
• Sheet 2: Trip to Paris
• Sheet 3: Personal Spending
• Sheet 4: Side Project (shared with a friend)

Add Items to Your Sheet

To add an expense or income to your sheet:

1. Open the sheet you want to use.
2. Tap the Add button (usually a “+” icon).
3. Enter the details for your item:
   • Amount: Enter the value.
   • Category: Choose a category or create a new one.
   • Date: Adjust the date if needed.
   • Notes: Optionally, add a note for more context.
   • Currency: If using multiple currencies, select the appropriate one.
4. Tap Save or Add to record the item.

Your new item will appear in the list for that sheet. You can edit or delete items at any time by selecting them.

Manage Categories

Categories help you organize your expenses and income. You can use default categories or create your own to match your needs.

To manage categories:

1. Go to the Categories section in the app settings or tap the category field when adding/editing an item.
2. To add a new category, tap the Add or “+” button, enter a name, and choose an icon or color if available.
3. To edit a category, select it from the list and update its details.
4. To delete a category, swipe left (on iOS/iPadOS) or right-click (on macOS) and choose Move to Trash.

You can assign categories to each item for better tracking and reporting. Custom categories make it easier to analyze your spending patterns.

View Your Stats and Trends

Expenses provides built-in tools to help you understand your spending and income patterns.

To view your stats and trends:

1. Open a sheet.
2. Tap the Stats or Trends button (usually found in the toolbar or menu).
3. Explore summaries such as total spending, income, category breakdowns, and trends over time (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly).
4. Use filters to focus on specific categories, time periods, or types of transactions.

These insights can help you identify where your money goes, spot trends, and make informed financial decisions.

If you still have questions, we’re here to help. Please get in touch and we’ll respond shortly.