---
title: "Accounting categories"
description: "Set up accounting categories and assign them to order line items in Orbit MissionControl."
url: "https://support.pr-10.orbit.do/en/advanced-features/accounting-categories"
locale: "en"
apps: ["mission"]
lastReviewed: "2026-10-15"
---

# Accounting categories

Set up accounting categories and assign them to order line items in Orbit MissionControl.

Accounting categories help you group order line items for the accounting system used for invoice drafts and purchase orders. Set up categories in Orbit MissionControl, then assign them to line items or let subtype aliases match them automatically.

## Set up categories

1. **Open Categories**

   In Orbit MissionControl, open **Settings**, then **Accounting**, and choose **Categories**.
2. **Add a category**

   Choose **Add category** in the last row of the table. Enter a display name, and Orbit MissionControl fills in the **Identifier** from that name. The identifier is the category's stable key and cannot be changed after creation.
3. **Add more settings**

   Open **More settings** to add a description, subtype **Aliases**, **External references**, or defaults for new line items. Aliases match existing line items automatically. External references are key and value pairs for accounting integrations.
4. **Save the category**

   Optionally enter a **Default amount**, **Unit** and **Default VAT percentage** under **More settings**, then choose **Create**.

To change a category, choose its pencil icon in the table. To prevent it from being selected for new line items, turn off its **Active** switch in the row.

## Match categories with aliases

An alias without an asterisk matches a line item's subtype exactly. Add an asterisk at the end to match subtypes that start with the preceding text. For example, `marketplace-*` matches `marketplace-home` and `marketplace-office`.

An explicitly assigned category takes precedence over aliases. Alias matching uses active categories. If no category matches, the line item remains uncategorised until you assign one.

## Assign a category to a line item

In a line item editor, use **Category** to choose an active category. If an active alias matches the line item's subtype, that category is selected automatically. Choose **None** to leave the line item without a category.

## Activate or deactivate a category

Turn off **Active** to prevent a category from being selected for new line items. Existing line items can keep their category; the inactive category remains visible on those lines but cannot be selected again. Turn **Active** back on to make it available for new assignments.

**Q: Can I change a category's identifier?**

No. The identifier stays the same after creation. You can edit the category's other settings.

**Q: What happens when no alias matches a line item?**

No category is assigned automatically. Choose a category in the line item editor or leave it as **None**.