In the FiQu app, a transaction can only have one category. But you can add as many tags as you like to a transaction. This allows you to analyze and track your expenses in a very detailed way.
In FiQu you create tags in this hashtag format:
- Starts with a #. Called a hash, number sign or pound sign.
- Only letters; no more than 30 in FiQu.
- No spaces in between.
You use tags for three purposes:
- Subcategory: for example add #dentist, #pharmacist or #othermedical to the description of expenses in the “Medical costs” category. You can then create separate budgets for the each subcategory. Or visually analyse your spend for only one of these subcategories via the Graphs screen.
- Special event or project: for example #movinghouse or #wedding. You add these hashtags to expenses of many different categories. In this way, you still keep an overview of the total costs of e.g. moving to a new house. Again by selecting your hashtag as selection option for a budget, graph or list of expenses and income on the Transactions screen.
- Try out a budgeting method not based on categories. Like dividing all your expenses in #needs and #wants.
Three ways to add a hashtag to a transaction
You can add a new hashtag by adding it anywhere in the description, using the Transaction details screen. In that same screen, you can select existing hashtags from a list by tapping on the Select # button. This is convenient and prevents typing errors. Finally, you can add any number of hashtags to the description of transactions in a spreadsheet, which you then import into FiQu.
1. Type a hashtag in the description
Tap on a transaction in the list, shown on the Transactions screen. Then select Edit and type your hashtags anywhere in the description field. You can add as many hashtags as you want. New hashtags are automatically added to the list. Swipe to the right or left to add tags to the description of the next transaction.
You can also remove hashtags from the decription of a transaction. Or change them.
2. Select from list of existing hashtags
When adding a new transaction or editing an existing one, tap the “Select #” button to open the list of existing hashtags. Any tags already present in the description of the transaction are highlighted. Change the selection as you need and then press Select. The description of the transaction is updated immediately.
3. Import a spreadsheet with hashtags added to description column
lf you prepare a spreadsheet with expenses and income transactions in FiQu format e.g. based on a downloaded file or bank statement, you can add hashtags to the description column. New hashtags will be automatically added to the list during import of your transactions.
You can also export all your transactions to a FiQu spreadsheet, then add one or more hashtags anywhere in the description column on your desktop computer. Finally, import this updated spreadsheet in the FiQu app.
Maintain your list of hashtags
You can select a hashtag as basis for a budget, to view a subset of your transactions or as selection option for the Graphs screen. To add, edit or delete hashtags please tap the “Selection options” button on the Settings screen. Then tap the Hashtag radio button.
Tap the + button to add new hashtags. Hashtags are automatically added to the list when you add them to the description of a transaction, either by typing or importing. But you can choose to set up your list of hashtags upfront, so you can pick them from the list.
Create a new FiQu hashtag in two steps
1. Hashtag name
You can choose any name for a hashtag, as long as it’s unique, has only letters and no spaces in between. You do not need to type the # as it is automatically added on this screen.
2. Tap ‘Create this hashtag’
This button will only become active after you have entered a valid and unique name. After you tap it, you can immediately create another hashtag. Or go back to the list by tapping on the arrow button on the top left of the screen.
Edit a hashtag
Tapping on a FiQu hashtag row in the list and you will see a menu. You can choose to delete the hashtag or edit it. Deleting a hashtag will remove it from the description of all transactions where you have used it. The transactions themselves will not be deleted or changed.
Tapping Edit will open the Hashtag details screen:
You can change the name. Then swipe left or right to view the details of the next or previous hashtag in your list.
If you want to reorganize your list of hashtags, merging can be useful feature. This can be handy if you have accidentally created a new hashtag, like #essentials next to #essential. Instead of changing the hashtag in the description of a large number of transactions, you can exchange a hashtag you no longer want to use for another one. All related transactions are updated.
After the merge, you can then delete the hashtag you no longer need.
