About purchase categories
Learn about how to categorize your purchases to create more fine-grained reporting options.
In this article we'll cover:
Each one of the purchases you add to Craftybase can be classified into a category. This allows you to group together similar costs for reporting.
Learn more about how purchases work in Craftybase →
As a starting point, we provide you with a number of preconfigured categories in the system; however, from here, you can reconfigure and create your own to match your specific requirements.
Your Material category is the default category you'll use to track purchases of raw materials you purchase to create your products. Any purchases added to this category will be automatically included in your inventory and will thus be included in your COGS calculations.
All other categories can be optionally used to track (overhead) purchases. Learn more about how to track overhead purchases →.
Default purchase categories
The default purchase categories we create for each Craftybase account are as follows:
| Code | Name | Associated Type |
|---|---|---|
| MATERIAL | Materials | Material |
| COMMISSION | Commissions and Fees | Other |
| ADVERTISING | Advertising | Other |
| OFFICE | Office Expenses | Other |
| REPAIRS | Repairs and Maintenance | Other |
| OTHER | Other Expenses | Other |
| POSTAGE | Postage | Other |
| TRAVEL | Travel | Other |
| EQUIPMENT | Tools and Equipment | Other |
These categories are locked, which means that they cannot be removed or merged together. However, they can be renamed (it's important to note that the unique code needs to remain the same).
Adding a new purchase category
You can add as many purchase categories as you need. Categories can be added when creating a new purchase or created directly in your Categories pages.
To add a category via the Categories area:
- Hover your mouse over the "slider" icon in the top right-hand menu
Select the Settings option from the menu that appears.
From here, click the Categories option on the page that appears.
- Select the tab called "Purchase Categories"
- Click Add Category and give it a unique code, name, description, or color.
- Click Save.
FAQ
What is the Associated Type for a purchase category?
The Associated Type is used to determine the types of items added under this category can be linked to.
There are two choices: Material or Other.
Material Associated Type
If a category is set to have an Associated Type of Material, any purchased item added to the system using this category will need to be associated with a Material. You can add as many Material categories as you wish.
When a material-associated type category is selected on the purchase form, you will be able to select a material in your list to link it to. If the material is inventoriable, then the stock will be automatically increased as a result of this purchase and included in your COGS calculations. If the material is non-inventoriable, then the purchase will be treated as an indirect purchase and not included in COGS.
Other Associated Type
If a category is set to have an Associated Type of Other, any purchased item added to the system using this category can be associated with a Product or order, or left unassociated.
Do you have to be an admin to add categories?
Yes - secondary users aren’t able to add or remove categories. This action can only be completed by the admin user
The associate purchase item feature is only available for categories that are marked as Other.