Dext
Dext sits between your document pile and Xero - capturing receipts and invoices from every source, extracting the data, and publishing coded transactions ready to reconcile
Everything on this page comes from using Dext with Xero across hundreds of client files - setting up extraction rules, reviewing AI categorisation, and making sure every transaction that hits Xero is clean before BAS time. This is what we have learned
Features
Capture receipts and invoices from any source, extract the data automatically, and push clean coded transactions to Xero
Staff submit, Dext extracts, Xero codes. Reconciliation that used to take hours takes minutes
Best for
- bookkeepers managing high document volumes
- businesses with field staff or frequent travellers
- trades and professional services capturing job expenses
- anyone eliminating manual data entry into Xero
- clients needing a single document inbox for all receipts and invoices
Receipt & invoice capture
Capture from mobile photo, email forwarding, browser upload, direct supplier connections, and bank feeds. If there is a document, there is a way to get it into Dext
AI data extraction
AI reads each document to extract supplier, date, amount, GST, and line items. Quoted recognition rate of 99%+ on clear, well-formatted documents
Auto-categorisation
Every transaction is automatically categorised using AI and mapped to your chart of accounts. Suggestions improve the longer you use it
Expense & mileage tracking
Employees capture expenses on their phone as they happen. Mileage claims are calculated automatically and submitted for approval in one tap
Approvals workflow
Set roles and permissions across your team. Expenses route through the right approvers before anything reaches Xero - no bypassing the process
App & bank connections
Connects to 11,500+ apps, banks, and institutions including PayPal, Shopify, and direct bank feeds - automating document collection before you even open Dext
Shared data between Xero and Dext
Dext handles the document side, Xero handles the accounts side. The integration keeps both platforms aligned - every captured document flows into Xero already extracted and coded, with your chart of accounts, contacts, and tracking categories available at the point of capture
Documents & Transactions
Account Setup
How to connect Dext to Xero
15-30 minutes. The Xero authorisation is a few clicks - most of the time goes on reviewing default category mappings
Before you start
- confirm Xero Advisor access - needed to authorise the connection
- have your chart of accounts reasonably clean before connecting - Dext imports what is in Xero, including any junk accounts
Get access to Dext
Starting fresh - go to the Dext listing on the Xero App Store click Get this app - starts your 14-day trial and links Dext to your Xero organisation
Already a Dext customer - Settings Integrations Xero tile Connect follow authorisation prompts
Sync your chart of accounts
- in Dext: Settings Integrations Xero Sync accounts
- accounts, tax rates, contacts, and tracking categories import from Xero
- review default expense category mappings - Dext pre-assigns accounts but they may not match your coding conventions
Set up your team and approval rules
- add users with appropriate roles - submitter, approver, or admin
- configure the approval workflow for expenses and invoices
- set default expense categories per employee or supplier if your coding is consistent
- enable Mileage tracking if field staff need it
Capture your first documents and review
- capture a batch of receipts via mobile, email forward, or drag-and-drop upload
- review AI extraction and categorisation in the Inbox - correct anything that looks off
- Publish to Xero - check the transactions in Xero are landing in the right accounts
- adjust default supplier rules for any that miscoded - the AI learns from corrections going forward
What to watch out for
Dext is reliable but a few habits will determine whether your Xero file stays clean or slowly accumulates noise
AI categorisation needs bedding in
The AI learns from your coding patterns but the first weeks require active review. New suppliers, unusual transactions, and ambiguous descriptions are where suggestions drift - check before publishing until patterns are established
Document quality determines extraction
Dext quotes 99%+ accuracy on clear documents. Handwritten receipts, low-light phone captures, and non-standard formats push that rate down. Extraction errors need correction before they hit Xero - the principle is quality in, quality out
Supplier records can duplicate
New suppliers without history may not match existing Xero contacts and create duplicates. Review the contact sync in the first few weeks - duplicates that get through to Xero are harder to clean up than prevent
Document volume affects plan cost
Dext prices by seat but document allowances vary by plan. Businesses with seasonal spikes or multiple entities need to check monthly submission limits - going over triggers additional costs that compound quickly
What Dext costs
Pricing model
Per seat / month
Free trial
14 days, no credit card required
Main variable
Monthly document submission volume
Expense and invoice categories mapped to your chart of accounts
Transactions publish to Xero clean, consistently coded, and ready to reconcile
Supplier matching reviewed so contacts stay clean
Duplicates caught before they compound across the file - in both Dext and Xero
Xero books reconciled and coded before BAS time
Extraction errors caught and corrected before they appear on your Activity Statement
Frequently asked questions about Dext
Is Dext worth paying for if I only have a few receipts a month?
Even with a small number of receipts, Dext saves time and reduces errors by extracting data automatically with over 99% accuracy. The real value is the audit trail - every receipt is stored permanently and linked to the correct transaction in Xero. For businesses that only process a handful of receipts, the free trial is worth testing to see if the time savings justify the cost for your situation
Can Dext handle Australian GST correctly?
Yes. Dext reads GST amounts from Australian receipts and invoices and maps them to your Xero tax rates. It syncs your chart of accounts, tax rates, and tracking categories from Xero so everything codes correctly. Occasionally, handwritten or damaged receipts may need a manual check, but for standard printed receipts and digital invoices, GST extraction is reliable
What happens to my data if I cancel Dext?
Dext retains scans of all documents uploaded during your subscription. Before cancelling, export anything you need. Once cancelled, you lose access to the platform and its document archive. Any transactions already published to Xero remain in Xero unaffected
Does Dext replace my bookkeeper?
No. Dext automates the data capture and coding step of bookkeeping - it gets receipts and invoices into Xero faster and more accurately. A bookkeeper still needs to review coding, reconcile bank transactions, manage payroll, lodge BAS, and produce reports. Think of Dext as a tool that makes your bookkeeper more efficient, not a replacement
Can I use Dext on my phone?
Yes. The Dext mobile app lets you photograph receipts and submit them instantly. It also supports expense tracking and mileage logging. Some advanced features like publishing certain transaction types are limited on mobile compared to the desktop version, but for day-to-day receipt capture it works well
How does Dext handle duplicate receipts?
Dext has duplicate detection that flags receipts with matching supplier names, dates, and amounts. It will warn you before publishing a potential duplicate to Xero. The system is not perfect - occasionally it groups separate legitimate receipts together - but it catches most genuine duplicates before they reach your accounts