Fast record-keeping with Xero’s Smart Document capture

Want an easy digital system for your bookkeeping? Xero lets you automatically extract data from your receipts, bills, and business expenses. Then whenever you need the financial record, you’ll quickly find it in Xero’s cloud-based software. Simple!

Co-workers check their Xero dashboard on a laptop and share documents online.

How Xero’s Smart Document capture simplifies your admin

Xero gives you one single workflow for recording your financial documents.

A small business owner is happy to reconcile an invoice and bank record with Xero’s smart transaction matching.

Capture data from anywhere

Use your phone to snap a receipt or forward it to your Xero email, from wherever you are. Admin on the go!

Create accurate financial records

Let Xero scan your documents and prepopulate your records – without the retyping and mistakes.

Keep your documents in the cloud

After you review and publish a record, store it online in Xero so you can access it wherever you are.

Match transactions the smart way

No more duplicates. Xero cross-references your extracted data with your bank records and highlights matches.

Capture documents – your way

Choose how to record your financial admin with Xero’s data capture software. Maybe that’s by snapping a receipt on your phone, or by forwarding a supplier’s bill to your Xero email. However you do it, sort your record-keeping without the stress.

  • Included
    Use the Xero Accounting app to photograph a paper receipt – Xero records the crucial details for you
  • Included
    Double-check and approve the info before Xero creates a financial record
  • Included
    Quickly capture your invoices, bills, and other paperwork in one slick digital workflow
A gif of a receipt being scanned.

Record the right amounts every time

Xero’s advanced AI technology reads your receipts, invoices, and rental statements before the data flows into Xero, ready for your tax reporting. No typing or spreadsheets – just a reliable way to handle your admin.

  • Included
    Let the Xero Accounting app extract your scanned documents in under 20 seconds
  • Included
    See your original document next to the Xero data-entry screen so you can double-check the info
  • Included
    Attach the original photo or file to the digital record for your tax-office compliance
Capture data from a property management invoice to create an accurate financial record with Xero’s digital software.

Save time with smart transaction matching

How about going faster? Once the data is extracted and uploaded to your Xero organisation, Xero automatically cross-references it with your existing bank records. Xero then highlights matches for you to review and tap to post – and your digital trail is complete!

  • Included
    A Xero pop-up suggests a potential match – just accept or reject it
  • Included
    Xero spots if you accidentally upload a document twice, so you avoid duplicate records
  • Included
    You update your financial admin while staying in control of the process
Here’s more on how Xero reconciles your transactions
Reconcile a construction invoice in Xero by clicking the Match button for structural renovation works.

Keep your documents online and get organised

Xero’s accounting software and online file management work together, so you keep all your records in one central place. Pull up that business expense when you’re in a meeting or on the train. And share documents online with your team so they can always get on with a job.

  • Included
    Store your files digitally – no more lost or damaged paper records
  • Included
    Easily search for and filter documents in Xero’s user-friendly software
  • Included
    Access your Xero records wherever you have an internet connection and stay productive on the move
Here’s more on Xero’s accounting software
Xero’s document scanner software replaces paper invoices and documents with an easy digital system.

FAQs on Xero’s Smart Document feature

No you don’t. The Xero smart document capture feature is available to customers on all Xero small business pricing plans. You can automatically capture the data of your receipts and other business documents, store them in Xero’s cloud-based software, and manage them as part of your wider bookkeeping processes.

No you don’t. The Xero smart document capture feature is available to customers on all Xero small business pricing plans. You can automatically capture the data of your receipts and other business documents, store them in Xero’s cloud-based software, and manage them as part of your wider bookkeeping processes.

Certainly! Photograph a paper receipt with the Xero Accounting app on your phone or tablet – Xero captures the amount, date, and other details automatically. You can also send documents to your Xero email address, or drag and drop files over the web.

Certainly! Photograph a paper receipt with the Xero Accounting app on your phone or tablet – Xero captures the amount, date, and other details automatically. You can also send documents to your Xero email address, or drag and drop files over the web.

You can capture your business receipts, invoices, bills, and rental statements. Xero’s online file storage supports a range of file types – including image formats like JPG and PNG, Word documents, and PDFs. This lets you work with different suppliers and customers – for example, you can process emailed bills, paper invoices, and physical receipts in one system.

You can capture your business receipts, invoices, bills, and rental statements. Xero’s online file storage supports a range of file types – including image formats like JPG and PNG, Word documents, and PDFs. This lets you work with different suppliers and customers – for example, you can process emailed bills, paper invoices, and physical receipts in one system.

Xero gives you an efficient, secure way to turn physical documents – and emails with PDFs – into accessible digital records. Everything is organised together in one central place, ready for you when it’s time for your tax reporting or another financial admin job.

Xero gives you an efficient, secure way to turn physical documents – and emails with PDFs – into accessible digital records. Everything is organised together in one central place, ready for you when it’s time for your tax reporting or another financial admin job.

Very! The Xero smart document capture feature uses clever AI technology that is highly accurate when documents are visually clear – receipts aren’t damaged, for instance – and in standard document formats. You can easily double-check all the captured details before you generate your financial records, so you’re in full control of the process.

Very! The Xero smart document capture feature uses clever AI technology that is highly accurate when documents are visually clear – receipts aren’t damaged, for instance – and in standard document formats. You can easily double-check all the captured details before you generate your financial records, so you’re in full control of the process.

Small business accounting tips and guides

There’s no short cut to building a thriving business. But get the basics right, and you’ll be well on your way to success.

  • Guide

    How to start a business

    Thousands of new businesses open every day. If all those people can do it, why not you? Here’s what to do, and when.

  • Chaptered guide

    Growing your business

    Are you ready to drop the hammer and take your business to the next level? Let’s look at how to grow.

  • Chaptered guide

    How to do bookkeeping

    Bookkeeping includes everything from basic data entry to tax prep. Let’s look at the core jobs and see how they’re done.

See how Xero works for your business

Sort files online, monitor your cash flow, and add apps for extra functionality. Xero has features to fit your business type and industry.

A tradesperson shares a light-hearted moment with a colleague while invoicing for the job they’ve just finished

Grow your business with app integrations

Get even more out of Xero accounting software by integrating apps with Xero to do more in one place.

Start using Xero for free

Access Xero features for 30 days, then decide which plan best suits your business.

Plans to suit your business

All pricing plans cover the accounting essentials, with room to grow.

Starter

Usually R450

Now R90

ZAR per month

Save R1080 over 3 months

Good for sole traders, new businesses, and the self-employed.

Standard

Usually R795

Now R159

ZAR per month

Save R1908 over 3 months

Good for growing small businesses.

Premium

Usually R1095

Now R219

ZAR per month

Save R2628 over 3 months

Good for established businesses of all sizes.