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Understanding Automatic Mode

Automatic Mode converts a statement DocuClipper can't recognize by treating all the text as a generic table: when it happens, why, and how to organize the columns before download.

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DocuClipper converts scanned and PDF bank, credit card, and brokerage statements into structured formats like CSV, Excel, and QBO. When it can't recognize a statement's layout, it falls back to Automatic Mode so you still get the data out.

What is Automatic Mode?

  • When DocuClipper can't recognize the uploaded PDF, it switches to Automatic Mode and extracts every word in the document into a generic table (columns are labeled Col 1, Col 2, and so on).
  • Automatic Mode exports to Excel only. Structured targets like QuickBooks and other integrations aren't available for these files.

Why did DocuClipper use Automatic Mode?

Common reasons:

  • No transactions. The statement has no transaction rows to detect.
  • Unsupported statement. The bank or format isn't recognized. Check the list of supported banks.
  • Low quality. A blurry or heavily compressed scan prevents clean extraction.
  • Missing headers. DocuClipper needs column headers (date, description, amount, etc.) — at least on the first page — to detect a transaction table.

How to avoid Automatic Mode

  • Check the file before uploading. Confirm the scan quality, that headers (date, description, amount) are visible, and that transactions are present.
  • Upload through the right option. In the left sidebar, click Add Documents and choose Bank/CC Statements (PDF) for statements, or Other Documents for invoices, receipts, and custom layouts.
  • Use a Custom Template for unsupported banks. Under Other Documents, build a custom template that maps the columns yourself. See the Custom Template instructions.

The sidebar Add Documents dropdown open, showing the upload options with Bank/CC Statements (PDF) and Other Documents highlighted.

Organizing the columns before download

Automatic Mode still lets you download to Excel, but since it captured every word, you'll usually want to tidy the generic columns first:

  1. Resize columns by dragging their edges, and rename the Col X headers to match the data underneath.
  2. Use Preview to check how the file looks before downloading.
  3. Click Download.

Note: Email support@docuclipper.com if you run into issues or have feedback.