---
title: "Accounting categories"
description: "Set up accounting categories and assign them to order line items in Orbit MissionControl."
url: "https://support.staging.orbit.do/en/advanced-features/accounting-categories"
locale: "en"
apps: ["mission"]
lastReviewed: "2026-10-08"
---

# 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 Accounting categories**

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

   Choose **Add category**, then enter an **Identifier**, a display name and an optional description. The identifier is the category's stable key and cannot be changed after creation.
3. **Add aliases and references**

   Add subtype **Aliases** to match existing line items automatically. You can also add **External references** as key and value pairs for accounting integrations.
4. **Save the category**

   Optionally enter a **Default amount**, **Unit** and **Default VAT percentage**. Leave **Active** selected if you want the category available for new assignments, then choose **Create**.

## 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**.