[Feature] Category picker selectively show hidden categories when searching #1959

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opened 2026-02-28 19:59:54 -06:00 by GiteaMirror · 4 comments
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Originally created by @youngcw on GitHub (Mar 11, 2025).

Verified feature request does not already exist?

  • I have searched and found no existing issue

💻

  • Would you like to implement this feature?

Pitch: what problem are you trying to solve?

Sometimes a hidden category is the proper category to assign a transaction to. Currently you have to go back to the budget, unhide the category, go back to the account, then add the category to the transaction.

Describe your ideal solution to this problem

It would be nice if the category picker would show hidden categories if there are few to no non-hidden categories matching the search.

For example if there are no matches to your search hidden categories will start to show up as a option

Teaching and learning

No response

Originally created by @youngcw on GitHub (Mar 11, 2025). ### Verified feature request does not already exist? - [x] I have searched and found no existing issue ### 💻 - [ ] Would you like to implement this feature? ### Pitch: what problem are you trying to solve? Sometimes a hidden category is the proper category to assign a transaction to. Currently you have to go back to the budget, unhide the category, go back to the account, then add the category to the transaction. ### Describe your ideal solution to this problem It would be nice if the category picker would show hidden categories if there are few to no non-hidden categories matching the search. For example if there are no matches to your search hidden categories will start to show up as a option ### Teaching and learning _No response_
GiteaMirror added the needs votesfeature labels 2026-02-28 19:59:54 -06:00
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@github-actions[bot] commented on GitHub (Mar 11, 2025):

Thanks for sharing your idea!

This repository uses lodash style issue management for enhancements. That means enhancement issues are automatically closed. This doesn’t mean we don’t accept feature requests, though! We will consider implementing ones that receive many upvotes, and we welcome contributions for any feature requests marked as needing votes (just post a comment first so we can help you make a successful contribution).

The enhancement backlog can be found here: https://github.com/actualbudget/actual/issues?q=label%3A%22needs+votes%22+sort%3Areactions-%2B1-desc+

Don’t forget to upvote the top comment with 👍!

@github-actions[bot] commented on GitHub (Mar 11, 2025): :sparkles: Thanks for sharing your idea! :sparkles: This repository uses lodash style issue management for enhancements. That means enhancement issues are automatically closed. This doesn’t mean we don’t accept feature requests, though! We will consider implementing ones that receive many upvotes, and we welcome contributions for any feature requests marked as needing votes (just post a comment first so we can help you make a successful contribution). The enhancement backlog can be found here: https://github.com/actualbudget/actual/issues?q=label%3A%22needs+votes%22+sort%3Areactions-%2B1-desc+ Don’t forget to upvote the top comment with 👍! <!-- feature-auto-close-comment -->
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@Teprifer commented on GitHub (Mar 11, 2025):

I believe this has come up before and it was decided not too. One of the key points is it would create issues for the envelope budget by allowing negative categories that weren't visible and so the budget couldn't be trusted.

@Teprifer commented on GitHub (Mar 11, 2025): I believe this has come up before and it was decided not too. One of the key points is it would create issues for the envelope budget by allowing negative categories that weren't visible and so the budget couldn't be trusted.
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@youngcw commented on GitHub (Mar 11, 2025):

The envelope budget will include those in the totals, so the totals are still correct.

The tracking budget is where it would likely get the most use.

@youngcw commented on GitHub (Mar 11, 2025): The envelope budget will include those in the totals, so the totals are still correct. The tracking budget is where it would likely get the most use.
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@Teprifer commented on GitHub (Mar 11, 2025):

This is technically correct, but it leads to confusion about why the numbers don't appear to add up. It's a reasonably common question in discord already.

It also misses the point that category balances are what is used, not the overall balance. But these can't be trusted when there's an unknown negative category.

Typically only new users will check the total matches up. Once in regular use the category balances are referred to, because they can be trusted.

I don't think we should encourage situations leading to an evelope budget that can't be trusted because information is hidden. Users should be able to look down their budget page as is and see anything that needs attention.

@Teprifer commented on GitHub (Mar 11, 2025): This is technically correct, but it leads to confusion about why the numbers don't appear to add up. It's a reasonably common question in discord already. It also misses the point that category balances are what is used, not the overall balance. But these can't be trusted when there's an unknown negative category. Typically only new users will check the total matches up. Once in regular use the category balances are referred to, because they can be trusted. I don't think we should encourage situations leading to an evelope budget that can't be trusted because information is hidden. Users should be able to look down their budget page as is and see anything that needs attention.
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Reference: github-starred/actual#1959