> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.smartbills.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create an Expense Report

> Start a new expense report and configure its details

## Introduction

Creating an expense report is the first step toward submitting your expenses for approval and reimbursement. A report groups related expenses together under a single title and business purpose, making it easy for your approver to review everything in context.

## Create a New Report

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to My Expense Reports">
    Click **My Expense Reports** in the sidebar or go to `/{slug}/expense-reports`. This page shows all of your existing reports organized by status.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create Report">
    Click the **Create Report** button in the top-right corner of the page. A dialog opens where you can enter the report details.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Report Title">
    Give your report a descriptive title that identifies the expenses it contains. Use a consistent naming convention so that your approver and finance team can quickly understand the purpose.

    Examples:

    * "Q1 2025 Travel Expenses"
    * "March 2025 Client Dinners"
    * "Toronto Conference - April 2025"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Description and Business Purpose">
    Provide an optional description that explains the business context for the expenses in this report. While the description is optional, including a clear business purpose helps your approver understand why the expenses were incurred.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Date Range (Optional)">
    Optionally set a start and end date for the report. The date range helps you organize expenses by period and can be used to filter which expenses are eligible to be added later.

    If you leave the date range blank, you can add expenses from any date.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create">
    Click the **Create** button to save your new report. The report is created in **Draft** status and you are taken to the report detail page where you can begin adding expenses.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Report Fields

| Field           | Required | Description                                             |
| --------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Title**       | Yes      | A short, descriptive name for the report                |
| **Description** | No       | Additional context or business purpose for the approver |
| **Date Range**  | No       | Start and end dates covering the expense period         |

## Tips

<Tip>
  Use a consistent naming convention for your reports. A format like "Month Year - Purpose" (e.g., "March 2025 - Sales Travel") makes it easy to find reports later and helps your approver process them quickly.
</Tip>

## What's Next?

After creating your report, the next step is to add expenses from your Expenses list.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Add Expenses to a Report" icon="plus" href="/guides/web-app/reports/add-expenses">
    Select expenses from your Expenses list to include in the report
  </Card>

  <Card title="Submit a Report" icon="paper-plane" href="/guides/web-app/reports/submit-report">
    Submit your completed report for approval
  </Card>
</CardGroup>