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How to Manage a Shared Category Tree?

Centralize and streamline your category management across multiple entities in one go.

Updated over 2 weeks ago

Accessing Shared Category Trees

  • Navigate to Advanced settings > Categories via the cogwheel on the left side at the organization level.

  • Ensure you have admin rights (organization admin, admin of all entities, or the permission to manage the category tree on all entities).

Core Categories

  • Manage Core Categories: Create, rename, delete, or move categories and subcategories (unlimited depth).

  • Automatic Categories: Four automatic categories—To categorize, VAT (credit refund/outflow), and Debt—are always present under core categories and follow specific rules.

  • Importing Core Categories: Only new categories are added during import; existing ones stay intact. Remember to reposition automatic categories afterward.

Shared Category Tree Management

  • Creation & Modification: Create, rename, delete, or move shared categories and subcategories without modifying the underlying core categories.

  • Linking Entities:

    • Link an entity explicitly to a shared category tree.

    • Caution: When linking, data related to categorization, rules, forecast values, series, formulas, KPIs, custom dashboards, and others will be lost as the entity adopts the shared structure.

    • Note: This feature is currently available only for new customers. Existing customers will lose all their categorization data, rules, forecast, KPIs, and other related settings when linking to a shared category tree.

  • Unlinking Entities:

    • Remove the link to revert the entity to its isolated (old) category tree—nothing is lost during this process.

  • Customization Options:

    • Define core categories shared by all entities, representing the reporting category structure.

    • Extend the shared structure with categories specific to a group of entities with the same business activity (e.g., Holding, Operational entity).

    • Hide categories that are not relevant for some entities within a group.

Isolated Category Tree

  • Existing entities that haven’t been linked yet will continue using their own isolated category tree with no changes to the current setup.

Permissions & Advanced Settings

  • Only users with the appropriate admin or management permissions can access and modify the shared category trees.

  • Note: VAT rates and advanced settings remain manageable on each entity’s individual Categories page, not via the shared interface.

💡 Tips

  • Limit the number of categories to avoid an unmanageable setup.

  • Confirm with your team before linking an entity, as the change has many consequences.

  • Use shared category trees only for entities with similar business activities or reporting structures to maintain consistency.

FAQ ❓

How do I link an entity to a shared category tree?

To link an entity, go to Advanced settings > Categories via the cogwheel on the left side at the organization level and select the desired shared category tree. The entity’s category structure will then be replaced by the shared tree. Ensure you have the necessary permissions before proceeding.

What data is affected when linking an entity to a shared category tree?

Linking causes the loss of all previous settings related to:

  • Categorization and categorization rules

  • Project & Bank account assignment conditions

  • Forecast values, series, formulas and forecast input level

  • Forecast allocation rules, P&L mapping, KPIs, and custom dashboards
    Any setting or data relying on a customized category will be replaced.
    Note: This feature is currently available only for new customers. Existing customers will lose all their categorization data, rules, forecast, KPIs, and other related settings when linking to a shared category tree.

Can I revert an entity to its original category tree?

Yes. Unlinking an entity from a shared category tree will switch it back to its isolated category tree. No data is lost in this process; however, adjustments may be necessary to realign previous settings.

Who can access the shared category tree management page?

Only users with the following roles can access it:

  • Organization admin

  • Admin on all entities

  • Users with the explicit permission to manage the category tree across all entities

How do automatic categories behave in shared category trees?

Automatic categories (To categorize, VAT, Debt) are part of the core categories and must be repositioned manually if imported or when changes are made (not all of them can be moved in the category tree). They follow specific rules and are updated automatically based on each entity’s settings.

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