# Flags > Looking to add some extra detail to your expenses? Our Flags feature allows you to color code (and label) similar transactions that have separate categories. Source: https://support.ynab.com/en_us/flags-a-guide-Skh8Xb4kj Last updated: 2026-07-29T17:20:05.613Z Enhance your YNABing experience with the Flags feature, which allows you to tag and add detail to expenses, help track reimbursements, and color-code related transactions. Learn how to name, add, change, and remove flags from transactions, and how to search by flag. Note that flags are an optional feature— your YNAB setup can be successful with or without them! #### In This Article [What Can I Do With Flags?](#function) [How to Name a Flag](#name) [How to Add a Flag to a Transaction](#add) [How to Change a Flag](#change) [How to Remove a Flag](#remove) [How to Add or Edit Flags on Multiple Transactions](#multiple) [How to Search and Sort by Flag](#search) * * * ## What Can I Do With Flags? Want to add some extra detail to your expenses? Want to really dial in on tracking reimbursements and shared expenses? Try out our Flags feature! Flags can serve multiple functions in your account register and plan as a whole, including: * Adding detail to your expenses, and color-coding related transactions. Flags help group expenses that have separate categories, like tax-deductible expenses. You can also [export your flagged transactions](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-export-plan-data-Sy_CouWA9#selected) and then share them with anyone who will listen to you. * Helping you follow up on reimbursable expenses (who owes you, or what it's for).  * If you're YNABing with a partner, you can flag transactions that you need to discuss together. * Reminders to take action, like remembering to pay a bill that isn't on autopay. * If you're frequently needing to get a total amount that you've spent on something—but the transactions span multiple categories or accounts—using a flag allows you to search for the flag color, and get a selected total with ease. * Adding splashes of color to your accounts and transactions! #### Do I need to use flags in YNAB? No. Flags are one of those cherry-on-top features. Your YNAB setup can be just as successful with them as without them. 😊 Keep in mind that you can **change your mind**, and change your plan to reflect that. If you choose not to use flags now, but want to in the future, you can absolutely start using flags at a later date, and vice versa! [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## How to Name a Flag Use these steps to name a new flag or edit an existing one. You can then follow the steps in the [How to Add a Flag to a Transaction](#add) section to tag any transactions you'd like! ### iOS 1. Tap the _Spending_ tab. 2. Tap on the transaction you'd like to edit.  3. Tap _Show more_. 4. Tap _Flag_. 5. Tap _Edit Flags_ and type in the custom flag name or description for the color of your choice.  6. Tap the checkmark at the top of the screen.  ### Android 1. Tap the _Spending_ tab. 2. Tap on the transaction you'd like to edit to bring up the Transaction window. 3. Tap _Flag_. 4. Tap _Edit Flags_ and type in the custom flag name or description.  5. Tap _Save_.  ### Web 1. From the **web app**, click on an account (or _All Accounts_) in the left sidebar. 2. Click on the flag icon of any transaction (found to the left of the date). 3. Click _Edit Flags_ at the bottom of the flag picker pop-up menu. 4. Click the text box of the flag color you'd like to name. 5. Type the custom name. 6. Click _Done_. [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## How to Add a Flag to a Transaction ### iOS 1. Tap the _Spending_ tab. 2. Tap on the transaction you'd like to edit.  3. Tap _Show more_. 4. Tap _Flag_. 5. Tap on the color flag you'd like. 6. Tap the checkmark at the top of the screen.  ### Android 1. Tap the _Spending_ tab. 2. Tap on the transaction you'd like to edit.  3. Tap _Show more_. 4. Tap _Flag_**_._** 5. Tap on the color flag you'd like.  6. Tap _Save_.  ### Web 1. From the **web app**, click on an account (or _All Accounts_) in the left sidebar. 2. Click on the flag icon of any transaction (found to the left of the date). 3. Choose the flag by using one of these options: 1. Click the color from the flag window that appears. 2. Use a [keyboard shortcut](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/keyboard-shortcuts-Skw9Xp9A9) by typing the number to the right of the flag. [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## How to Change a Flag ### iOS 1. Tap the _Spending_ tab. 2. Tap on a transaction to open the details window. 3. Tap _Show more_. 4. Tap _Flag_. 5. Tap the color you want instead. 6. Tap the checkmark at the top of the screen.  ### Android 1. Tap the _Spending_ tab. 2. Tap on a transaction to open the details window. 3. Tap _Show more_. 4. Tap _Flag_. 5. Tap the color you want instead. 6. Tap _Save_.  ### Web 1. From the **web app**, click on an account (or _All Accounts_) in the left sidebar. 2. Select the transaction(s). This will bring up a transaction action bar at the bottom of your screen. The options presented will depend on the statuses of the selected transactions (whether they need to be cleared, approved, categorized, etc.). 3. If you see a _Flag_ option, click it now. If you **don't** yet see it, click the _More_ button and then select the _Flag_ option. 4. Select the new flag option from the menu. [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## How to Remove a Flag ### iOS 1. Tap the _Spending_ tab. 2. Tap on a transaction to open the details window. 3. Tap _Show more_. 4. Tap _Flag_. 5. Tap the _None_ option to remove the flag entirely. 6. Tap the checkmark at the top of the screen. ### Android 1. Tap the _Spending_ tab. 2. Tap on a transaction to open the details window. 3. Tap _Show more_. 4. Tap _Flag_. 5. Tap the _None_ option to remove the flag entirely. 6. Tap _Save_.  ### Web 1. From the **web app**, click on an account (or _All Accounts_) in the left sidebar. 2. Select the transaction(s). 3. Select _Flag_. 4. Click the _Clear_ option. [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## How to Add or Edit Flags on Multiple Transactions ### iOS 1. Tap the _Spending_ tab. 2. Tap _Select_ at the top right to display circles to the left of each transaction. 3. Select multiple transactions by tapping each circle. 4. Tap the _More_ button (three dots icon) at the bottom of the screen.  5. Tap _Flag_.  6. From this window, you can choose whatever bulk flag action you'd like:  1. Remove the flags: tap _Clear Flag_. You will only see this option if one or more of the selected transactions has a flag currently.  2. Add a flag: select the color of your choice. 3. Change the flag color: choose your preferred color option. 4. Edit the flag name. Click _Edit Flags_, rename the color of your choice, and click _Save_ when finished.  ### Android 1. Tap the _Spending_ tab. 2. Long press on any transaction to display checkboxes to the left of each transaction.  3. Select multiple transactions by tapping each checkbox. 4. Tap the three dots icon at the **bottom** of the screen to bring up more options.   5. Tap _Flag_.  6. From this window, you can choose whatever bulk flag action you'd like:  1. Remove the flags: tap _Clear Flags_. You will only see this option if **all** of the selected transactions have the same color flag currently.  2. Add a flag: select the color of your choice. 3. Change the flag color: choose your preferred color option. 4. Edit the flag name: this option is not available for bulk action on Android, so you'll want to select an individual transaction in order to access this edit functionality (using [these naming steps from above](#name)). ### Web 1. From the **web app**, click on an account (or _All Accounts_) in the left sidebar. 2. Select all of the transactions you'd like to edit using the checkboxes on the left-hand side of the account register. This will bring up a transaction action bar at the bottom of your screen. The options presented will depend on the statuses of the selected transactions (whether they need to be cleared, approved, categorized, etc.). 3. If you see a _Flag_ option, click it now. If you **don't** yet see it, click the _More_ button and then select the _Flag_ option.  4. From this window, you can choose whatever bulk flag action you'd like:  1. Remove the flags: tap _Clear_. You will only see this option if one or more of the selected transactions has a flag currently.  2. Add a flag: select the color of your choice. 3. Change the flag color: choose your preferred color option. 4. Edit the flag name. Click _Edit Flags_, rename the color of your choice, and click _Done_ when finished.  [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## How to Search and Sort by Flag ### iOS If you’re using flags to earmark a certain group of transactions, you can later use the search function to search for the flag.  When searching for a flag, type the **name** of a custom flag or the **color** of a flag you haven't customized and tap "Flag is: \[name/color\]" to review all transactions with that flag. If a flag is named, it's no longer searchable by color. While search is available in individual account registers, you'll find more powerful search features in the Spending tab. #### More on Search Unable to find the search bar? Try scrolling up to reveal it. Check out [our article on the power of the search function](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/searching-transactions-a-guide-r1gxyQryj) (and selected totals) for more specifics and instructions!  You can also use flags to [sort your transactions](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/searching-transactions-a-guide-r1gxyQryj#sort).  ### Android If you’re using flags to earmark a certain group of transactions, you can later use the search function to search for the flag. In the search bar (either within the account register or when reviewing all transactions in the Spending tab), type the flag color or custom name of the flag you're searching for. #### Can’t see the search box? Tap on the search icon in the top bar to reveal it. Check out [our article on the power of the search function](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/searching-transactions-a-guide-r1gxyQryj) (and selected totals) for more specifics and instructions!  You can also use flags to [sort your transactions](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/searching-transactions-a-guide-r1gxyQryj#sort).  ### Web If you’re using flags to earmark a certain group of transactions, you can later use the search function to search for the flag. In the search bar (either within the account register or when reviewing all transactions), type the flag color or custom name of the flag you're searching for.  Check out [our article on the power of the search function](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/searching-transactions-a-guide-r1gxyQryj) (and selected totals) for more specifics and instructions!  You can also use flags to [sort your transactions](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/searching-transactions-a-guide-r1gxyQryj#sort).  [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## Help Us Help You! 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