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The + Add Data Source button in the top-right is your shortcut for getting data into ClearSpend.
Only charges from card statements (CSV import) or Plaid count toward KPI cards and charts. Invoices and receipts are supporting documents. Uploading an invoice alone creates a temporary subscription in Needs review — its amount is excluded from dashboard totals until a matching charge arrives. See How data enters ClearSpend.

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When to use each option

Menu itemUse whenCounts in KPIs?
Import your SubscriptionsBulk backfill from card CSV✅ Yes (charges)
Upload Invoices/ReceiptsAttach PDF/JPG proof to existing subscriptions❌ No (supporting doc)
Forward invoice emailCopy your workspace @clearspend.cc address❌ No (supporting doc)
Add ManuallyVendor never sends invoices; enter details yourself❌ No until charge arrives
Connect more data sourcesOpen Integrations✅ Plaid yes; invoice syncs no
Add Data Source dropdown menu
File size limits vary by flow — see Limits and formats.

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Import subscriptions

Choose Import your Subscriptions to upload card statements (CSV) and create or update subscriptions in bulk. This is the fastest way to backfill verified spend and populate KPI cards and charts when you don’t have individual invoices. Statement imports create charges — the data layer ClearSpend uses for dashboard totals and spending trends.

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Upload invoices and receipts

Choose Upload Invoices/Receipts to upload individual vendor files. Supported types:
  • Invoices: individual vendor invoices in PDF or JPG format
  • Receipts: payment receipts in PDF or JPG format
Files must be PDF or JPG, up to 10 MB each, and you can upload up to 20 files at once. ClearSpend extracts the vendor, amount, and date, and routes each file to the matching subscription when the vendor is recognized.
Invoices are supporting documents. They help reconciliation and audit trails but do not add amounts to KPIs or charts on their own. If no matching charge exists, ClearSpend creates a temporary subscription in Needs review.
If the vendor is new and no charge confirms the spend, the subscription stays in Needs review until you import a statement, connect Plaid, or manually approve (approval moves it to Overview but still excludes the amount from KPIs until a charge arrives).
Privacy protected: ClearSpend extracts only transaction data and does not store sensitive information from your documents.
Need KPI totals? Use Import your Subscriptions for CSV statements, or connect Plaid — not invoice upload alone.

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Add manually

Choose Add Manually to create a subscription by entering vendor name, amount, billing cycle, and owner yourself — useful for tools that never send email invoices. Manual rows appear on Overview but do not contribute to KPI cards or charts until ClearSpend receives a charge from a statement import or Plaid sync for that vendor.

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Forward an invoice email

Your workspace has a unique ClearSpend email address (e.g. bear.077@clearspend.cc). Forward any invoice or billing email to that address. ClearSpend reads it and adds it as a supporting document within a few minutes. Forwarded invoices follow the same rules as uploads: they create or update subscription metadata but do not count in KPIs without a matching charge.
Set up an auto-forward rule in your inbox to send all billing emails to your ClearSpend address. Pair this with Plaid or periodic statement imports so charges confirm the spend.
Connect your credit card via Plaid from Integrations, or use Connect more data sources → Manage integrations at the bottom of the + Add Data Source menu. Plaid syncs charges in the background — these are what populate KPI cards and dashboard charts.

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Send from the Chrome extension

If you have the Chrome extension installed and signed in, open the toolbar popup and drop files or browse to upload PDF, CSV, JPG, or PNG files without opening the webapp. CSV uploads behave like statement imports (charges); PDF/JPG uploads are treated as invoices (supporting documents).

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Connect an integration

Opens the Integrations page where you can connect Google Workspace, Gmail, Google Drive, or Plaid card linking.
  • Plaid → verified charges → KPIs and charts
  • Gmail / Drive → invoice discovery → supporting documents

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Something wrong?

SymptomWhat to do
KPIs show $0 after invoice uploadExpected — import a statement or connect Plaid. See Troubleshooting
Subscription stuck in Needs reviewApprove manually or wait for a charge — Needs review
Upload failedLimits and formats
See also Troubleshooting — Uploads.