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🤖 Automatic Imputation

❓ What is Automatic Imputation​

Automatic imputation is a powerful feature that eliminates the need to manually assign every transaction to a budget segment. By assigning categories to budget segments, Balancia can automatically impute transactions to the appropriate segments based on their category.

How it works:

  1. Assign one or more categories to a budget segment
  2. When a transaction with that category is created or updated within the budget period
  3. The transaction is automatically imputed to the matching segment(s)

🎯 Setting Up Automatic Imputation​

To enable automatic imputation for a segment:

  1. Edit a budget segment
  2. Assign categories to the segment (e.g., "Food" segment → "Groceries", "Restaurants" categories)
  3. Save the segment

From now on, any transaction categorized with those categories during the budget period will be automatically imputed to that segment.

🔄 When Automatic Imputation Occurs​

Automatic imputation happens in two scenarios:

1. Transaction Creation​

When you create a new transaction:

  • Date Check: The transaction date falls within the budget period
  • Category Match: The transaction category matches a segment's assigned categories
  • Auto-Imputation: The transaction is automatically imputed to the matching segment(s)

Example:

  • Budget: "January 2026" (Jan 1 - Jan 31)
  • Segment: "Food" with categories: ["Groceries", "Restaurants"]
  • You create a transaction: $50, date: Jan 15, 2026, category: "Groceries"
  • Result: Transaction is automatically imputed to "Food" segment

2. Transaction Update (Category Change)​

When you edit a transaction and change its category:

  • Delete Old: Any existing automatic imputation is removed
  • Re-evaluate: The system checks if the new category matches any segments
  • Re-impute: If a match is found, a new automatic imputation is created

Example:

  • Existing transaction: $50, category: "Groceries" (auto-imputed to "Food" segment)
  • You edit it: change category to "Gas" (matches "Transportation" segment)
  • Result:
    • Old automatic imputation to "Food" is deleted
    • New automatic imputation to "Transportation" is created

🛡️ Manual Imputation Protection​

Important: If a transaction already has a manual imputation, automatic imputation will not override it.

Rule: Manual imputations always take precedence over automatic imputations.

Example Scenario​

  1. Transaction: $100, category: "Groceries"
  2. Auto-imputed to "Food" segment (100%)
  3. You manually impute 50% to "Food" and 50% to "Shared Expenses"
  4. You change the category to "Restaurants"
  5. Result: The manual imputation remains unchanged (automatic imputation does NOT apply)

This protection ensures you maintain full control when you've explicitly decided how to allocate a transaction.

🚫 Category Uniqueness Within a Budget​

Important Rule: Within the same budget, a category can only be assigned to one segment.

This means:

  • ✅ You can assign "Groceries" category to the "Food" segment
  • ✅ You can assign "Restaurants" category to the "Food" segment
  • ❌ You cannot assign "Groceries" category to both "Food" segment AND "Household" segment

Why this restriction exists:

  • Ensures automatic imputation is unambiguous - the system always knows which segment to use
  • Prevents conflicts and confusion about where transactions should be allocated
  • Maintains clear budget structure and reporting

Note: You can assign the same category to segments in different budgets. The uniqueness rule only applies within a single budget.

📋 Use Cases​

Monthly Recurring Expenses​

Set up automatic imputation for predictable expenses:

  • Rent/Mortgage → "Housing" segment with "Rent" category
  • Utilities → "Housing" segment with "Electricity", "Water", "Internet" categories
  • Subscriptions → "Entertainment" segment with "Streaming", "Apps" categories

Shopping Categories​

Group related shopping categories:

  • Groceries & Dining → "Food" segment with "Groceries", "Restaurants", "Cafes" categories
  • Clothing → "Personal" segment with "Clothes", "Shoes", "Accessories" categories

Mixed Budgets​

For budgets covering multiple areas:

  • Essential Expenses segment → "Rent", "Groceries", "Healthcare" categories
  • Discretionary segment → "Entertainment", "Hobbies", "Travel" categories

⚠️ Important Considerations​

Date Boundaries​

Automatic imputation only occurs if:

  • The transaction date falls within the budget period
  • A transaction dated outside the budget period will NOT be automatically imputed

Category Changes​

  • Changing a transaction's category triggers re-evaluation
  • Old automatic imputations are deleted
  • New automatic imputations are created if categories match

Manual Override​

  • Once you create a manual imputation, automatic imputation is disabled for that transaction
  • To re-enable automatic imputation, you must delete the manual imputation

🎯 Best Practices​

  1. Clear Category Mapping: Assign categories to segments in a way that makes sense for your budgeting goals
  2. One Category Per Segment: Remember that each category can only belong to one segment within a budget
  3. Review Regularly: Periodically review automatic imputations to ensure they align with your actual spending patterns
  4. Use Manual When Needed: For complex or exceptional transactions, manually impute instead of relying on automatic rules

💡 Benefits​

  • ⏱️ Time Saving: Eliminate repetitive manual imputation for routine transactions
  • 🎯 Consistency: Ensure similar transactions are always categorized the same way
  • 📊 Accuracy: Reduce human error in budget tracking
  • 🔄 Flexibility: Change category assignments to adjust imputation rules globally