wish: Attach Receipts/File/Image

[Laxman]

Hey,

First I would like to thank you all for the great software that is very simple and easy to use. I'm very excited about the cloud version.

One thing I really miss is the ability to scan a receipt and attach it to a transaction. I'm not looking for anything fancy. On other boards people propose to run some sort of OCR on the receipt and have it automatically fill out the transaction data. That is quite ridiculous in terms of how long it would take to do properly and then nothing ever happens.

I think a lot of people just want the ability to upload a file and have it associated with a transaction.

I'm no expert but I see it working like this:
1) User specifies a folder to upload everything into
2) For a transaction, any number of files can be associated with it by hitting an upload button when I'm entering the transaction.
3) The files I selected are then copied to the folder specified in #1 and renamed (if needed). The file names are then recorded in the transaction so it knows which files to associate with each transaction.

The software doesn't care what file I attach, they are just for the user's benefit. That way if you are writing a cheque, you can scan the bill or receipt and easily look it up in the future. Since the software just keeps track of a bunch of file names associated with each transaction, it doesn't care if I upload MP3 or AVIs (though you may limit that if you want).

This would work very well with the cloud version of this as well. If people are concerned about privacy, the filenames can be given random names. That way even though the directory is publicly accessible (in cloud version) no one can guess the name. Only the database has the list of file names.

In the future you may consider some sort of container encryption to protect the entire folder, but I see that as a second step. I would be very happy with just the ability to have a filename associated with a transaction.

Thanks.

[rubén gómez (monicaco)]

to solve the lack of this feature what i'm doing is enter a number of 5 digits in the 'info' field (00024, 02306,...) and then in a directory 'infos' (at the same level than the wallet file) i put the corresponding attached files (00024.png, 00024.pdf, 02306.odt,...).

[calltheninja (calltheninja)]

This would be an INVALUABLE tool. I use this software to keep track of business expenses/income and can't put into words how important having this feature is.

[TERGEIST Paul (paul-tergeist-666)]

Great software. Thanks for the nice work.
I agree with other people: that would be an invaluable feature: very convenient to keep track of expenses and warranty cards.

Thanks

[TonyIT (nc8430)]

I think that a simple way to reach a compromise is to have a new field where the user can drag and drop a file and so 'magically' the path is auto compiled.
In the ledger the user will see a icon next to every transaction if the field is populated. By clicking on it, the file will be opened by the operating system.

For sure, the user has to set a root path where he will store the docs. In this way, if he needs to move the whole directory, he will have the possibility to change it in one-shot.

So, no upload button or document stored in any kind of new DB, but simply a link, populated by a Drag&Drop and easily clearable.

[Miguel Beltran (miguel-beltran)]

I would love to see this feature.

[DonV (donv)]

I'd love to see this feature too.

It would be great if the implementation provided the capability of selecting from the following actions:
1. Opening the default file selection dialog from the operating system so the user could select an existing image file to link to (or copy over to a defined directory)
2. Running a command specified by the user (for instance, to run the default scanning application on the system so the user could scan and save an image to a defined location).

In doing (2), it would be great if Homebank could make available the value of the current wallet as a variable to use in the command invocation (and possibly, account name too). In this way, if one were managing multiple wallets the applicable image files could be automatically managed in relation to the wallet file, account, etc. or simply placed into a flat structure at the user's choice.

[Miguel Beltran (miguel-beltran)]

Hello Maxime,

I understand this may be a major piece of work. I just wanted to encourage you have this feature in mind, it will add an extreme value to this already great software.

Thanks!!

[graphik123 (graphik123)]

That feature is available on Money Manager Ex, I would love to see it coming to Homebank :-)

[Miguel Beltran (miguel-beltran)]

:( I was so happy to see this comming in 5.2... Is there anything we can do to help, maybe help defining how the solution should look like?

[Maxime DOYEN (mdoyen)]

I know perfectly how it works on MMEX for example.
5.2 is already complex to achieve, so I removed this one for now, maybe it will come back replacing something I will postone.
a pause in a wish is never definitive

[Maxime DOYEN (mdoyen)]

Hey,

My preferred version is the one from TonyIT, but with some adaptation.
1) a new single field (so no multiple attachment, but this is not decided yet)

2) "think that a simple way to reach a compromise is to have a new field where the user can drag and drop a file and so 'magically' the path is auto compiled."
Q @TonyIT: what magic were you thinking about ?
If we let the user drop a file into the txn dialog window or just this field, lots of actions, case and checks are required: copy the src file to the root attachment folder, check existence (not to overwrite), copy it (what to do then), or rename it, etc...

3) In the ledger the user will see a icon next to every transaction if the field is populated. By clicking on it, the file will be opened by the operating system.
=> I most think about an attachment icon, and a button beside the others to let the system open (like in MMEX)

4) For sure, the user has to set a root path where he will store the docs. In this way, if he needs to move the whole directory, he will have the possibility to change it in one-shot.
=> I have setup a configurable global attachment folder

[TonyIT (nc8430)]

Time ago, in Access and Visual Basic I've done a form in where the user "drag & drop" a file on a text box, linked to a field in a table. So I was able to store the path for future use.
Just catch the path and store it in a table.
I've work a lot to help the user to avoid overwriting and to simplified the procedure.

This is my suggestion:
Focus on the transaction.
A button on the bottom will be colored or not, depend if the record has a document linked with it.
If it is colored, the user can click on it and the SO open the attachment.
For attach a file, drag and drop the file on the transaction. No file selector.
If the transaction has already an old link: ask the user before proceed.
To remove a link (numble... numble...) A voice in the menu?
[ATTACHMENT]
-[open document] <-grey if no link
-[clear the link] <-grey if no link
The single transaction has various receipts and/or invoices? The user prepare a multi page PDF.

[Tasos Karapas (tasoskarapas)]

Wish to see that too. Receipt Attachment would be amazing.

Please check this request also... I think many people may need it
https://bugs.launchpad.net/homebank/+bug/1805996

[Miguel Beltran (miguel-beltran)]

Any update on this? This would be great to have in the tool :)

[Maxime DOYEN (mdoyen)]

No update, I have a draft on howto in my working list.
But for know I work on report and print pdf.
300380
1606714

If you sort wish by heat, attached is not far after

[Miguel Beltran (miguel-beltran)]

Thanks!

[Marcílio Rocha (marciliobr)]

I'm looking forward to this functionality!

[Marcílio Rocha (marciliobr)]

I'm looking forward to this functionality

[Alexandr Shipulin (azrael-zs)]

I'm looking forward to this functionality

[Konrad (kziarek)]

I'm looking forward to this functionality

[André Silva (andre15silva)]

Hi! Is there any update on this wish? I'd love to use this feature in HomeBank :)

[nick van machelen (nick131a)]

Hi

would also find this very helpful, and am sure I am not alone.

keep it simple ----> one hyperling to folder - photo or file

[Darren John de Lima (darthagnon)]

I would find this feature really useful, too. Hopefully one day!

[bleutneut (bleutneut)]

hi,

To test this option "easily",
can take the same programmation way as you did for web connection in account option
The user add him self the hyperlink, its a test, and it stays in text format, easy for HB to range.
In addition you need a activation button, and a wrong dialog box in case of wrong hyperlink.
To follow
Regards