Split Transactions: A Guide

March 3 2025 11:47pm • Est. Read Time: 5 MIN

Create split transactions to spend from multiple categories in a single transaction. Record cash back as a split transaction by choosing an account transfer as one of the splits. Expand or collapse your split transactions when using the web app.

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In This Article

How to Enter a Split Transaction

Multiple Payees, One Transaction
Explains how to enter multiple payees in one transaction

Two Views: Expand or Collapse
Explains how to expand and collapse split transactions in the web app

Related Resources

How to Enter a Split Transaction

  •  Web
  •  iOS
  •  Android
  1. Click on an account in the left sidebar.

  2. Click Add Transaction or double-click to edit an existing transaction.

  3. Tap the category field.

  4. Tap Split.

  5. Enter the total outflow or inflow in the top line.

  6. Now, on each line that follows, select a category and enter the corresponding amount. Keep going until you've entered everything.

  7. Edit the date or payee if needed, then tap Save or Update.

 Quick Tips   

  • YNAB can automatically do the math for you—if there is any amount remaining next to "Amount remaining to assign" when you click Save, YNAB will prompt you to auto-distribute the remainder to each of the splits (or go back and actively assign it yourself). Auto-distributing the remainder allows you to proportionally distribute any sales tax to each part of the split.

  • If you have a transaction to divide equally between each split category, you can leave them all equal to $0, and YNAB will Auto-Distribute the total evenly across all of the splits. However, if you leave only one split category at $0, it will be skipped in the Auto-Distribution and remain at $0.

  • If you have recurring transactions with the same split each time, save time by setting them up as automated scheduled transactions ↗️.
  1. Tap the Transaction button (plus sign icon   )at the bottom of the app. 

  2. On the Add Transaction screen, enter the amount as an Outflow.

  3. Choose the Payee. 

  4. Tap the Category section. 

  5. Tap Split at the top right of the screen. 

  6. Select all the categories you want to split the total between, or create new categories. 

  7. Tap Next. 

  8. On the Splits screen, enter in the amount you want for each category split. 

  9. Tap Done.

  10. Tap Save.  🎉

 Quick Tips   

  • If there is any amount remaining next to "Remaining" when you tap Done, YNAB will prompt you to auto-distribute the remainder to each of the splits (or you can go back and actively assign it yourself). Auto-distributing the remainder allows you to proportionally distribute any sales tax to each part of the split.

  • If you have a transaction to divide equally between each split category, you can leave them all equal to $0, and YNAB will Auto-Distribute the total evenly across all of the splits. However, if you leave only one split category at $0, it will be skipped in the Auto-Distribution and remain at $0.

  • There's no need to type the amount itself into the final split category. Tap a split category and then tap Remaining Amount to apply that amount to the selected split. The Remaining Amount will then show $0.00, and you're ready to save the split transaction!

  • If you have recurring transactions with the same split each time, save time by setting them up as automated scheduled transactions ↗️.
  1. Tap the Transaction button (plus sign icon    ) at the bottom of the app. 

  2. On the Add Transaction screen, enter the amount as an Outflow.

  3. Choose the Payee. 

  4. Tap the Category section. 

  5. Tap the two-arrow button at the top right of the screen.

  6. Select all the categories you want to split the total between, or create new categories. 

  7. Tap Next at the top right of your screen. 

  8. On the Splits screen, enter in the amount you want for each category split. 

  9. Tap Done.

  10. Tap Save.  🎉

 Quick Tips   

  • If there is any amount remaining next to "Remaining" when you tap Done, YNAB will prompt you to auto-distribute the remainder to each of the splits (or you can go back and actively assign it yourself). Auto-distributing the remainder allows you to proportionally distribute any sales tax to each part of the split.

  • If you have a transaction to divide equally between each split category, you can leave them all equal to $0, and YNAB will Auto-Distribute the total evenly across all of the splits. However, if you leave only one split category at $0, it will be skipped in the Auto-Distribution and remain at $0.

  • There's no need to type the amount itself into the final split category. Tap a split category and then tap Remaining Amount to apply that amount to the selected split. The Remaining Amount will then show $0.00, and you're ready to save the split transaction!

  • If you have recurring transactions with the same split each time, save time by setting them up as automated scheduled transactions ↗️.

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Multiple Payees, One Transaction

Have you ever decided to withdraw cash at the same time as paying for a purchase? YNAB has you covered! You can enter a different payee for each split in a split transaction, if needed. 🤯

 How to Enter Multiple Payees in One Transaction  

  •  Web
  •  iOS
  •  Android

From the account register, click on the payee field of the part of the split with a different payee, and enter the correct payee there:

a transaction for the grocery store has two separate lines: one for groceries, and another with a Transfer to Cash payee

  1. You'll enter the categorized split (choosing the categories and amounts that you want for each first). 

  2. Once you reach the Splits screen, you'll then have the option to tap Add a transfer. 

  3. Then, select the account to which you'd like to transfer some of the split funds.

  4. The Transfer payee will show up below all of the split categories you've selected. 

    On the Splits window in addition to the category options, you can tap Add a Transfer to move funds to a selected account.
  5. Enter the specific amount that you'd like to transfer. 

  6. Tap Done. 

  7. Tap Save. 
  1. You'll enter the categorized split (choosing the categories and amounts that you want for each first). 

  2. Once you reach the Splits screen, you'll then have the option to tap Add a transfer. 

  3. Then, select the account to which you'd like to transfer some of the split funds.

  4. The Transfer payee will show up below all of the split categories you've selected. 

    On the Splits window in addition to the category options, you can tap Add a Transfer to move funds to a selected account.
  5. Enter the specific amount that you'd like to transfer. 

  6. Tap Done. 

  7. Tap Save. 

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Two Views: Expand or Collapse

If you're using the web app, you'll notice an arrow next to the top line of your split transaction. You'll find it next to the text that reads "Split (Multiple Categories)..." 

You can expand or collapse individual split transactions by clicking on that arrow—and your browser will even remember the way you left it.

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Related Resources

Didn't find the information you needed? Check out these related options!

Want to track a partial reimbursement? Tracking Reimbursements in YNAB: A Guide ↗️

Split your bills with Splitwise? Splitwise and YNAB: A Guide ↗️

Need to edit or delete a split transaction? How to Edit and Delete Transactions ↗️

Share a credit card with someone? Managing Shared Credit Cards: A Guide ↗️

Want to track your payroll deductions in YNAB? Payroll Deductions: An Overview ↗️

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