> This is Payabli documentation. For a complete page index, fetch https://docs.payabli.com/llms.txt — append .md to any page URL for lightweight markdown. For section-level indexes, query parameters, and other AI-optimized access methods, see https://docs.payabli.com/ai-agents.md # Create a bill (Portal) > Add vendor bills in the Payabli Portal, then send a payment link or pay with a stored method Create a bill to record what you owe a vendor and pay it through Payabli. You can send the vendor a payment link or pay them directly with a stored payment method. A new bill starts as **Active** and is ready to pay. To understand how a bill moves from created to paid, see [Bill statuses and lifecycle](/guides/pay-out-bills-lifecycle). This guide is written primarily for on-demand payouts. If your account uses **Managed Payables**, some of these steps may not apply the same way — Payabli's enablement team determines the vendor's payment method after you submit the bill. See [Understanding managed payables](/guides/pay-out-managed-payables-overview). ## Add a bill To add a bill, start from the *Bills* report. You can create a bill at the organization or paypoint level, and the form is the same. #### Open the Add Bill form Navigate to **Pay Out > Bills** and select **Add Bill**. As you fill out the form, a live preview updates: use the **Payment link** and **Email** tabs to see how the bill reaches the vendor, and the **Bill image** tab to see the attached document. To fill the form from a document instead of typing it in, [upload a bill image](#upload-a-bill-image). Bills report with the Add Bill button highlighted at the top of the screen #### Select the vendor Find an existing vendor or add a new one. Adding a vendor uses the same form as [Manage vendors](/guides/pay-out-portal-vendors-manage). #### Enter bill details Assign a **bill number** to identify the bill, and set a **due date**. #### Add item details Item details unlock after you select a vendor. Choose one: * Enter a **Total Amount** — the amount you owe, plus any notes. * Select **Items from Catalog** — search for and add items from your [catalog](/guides/platform-portal-catalog-manage), or create a new line item. After you add a line item, you can adjust its quantity or unit price. Add Bill form with the Total Amount option and catalog item search #### (Optional) Set advanced options Under advanced options, set the details shown on both the payment link and the email: * **Header** — header text, description, and background color. * **Payment methods** — the methods offered when you send a payment link. * **Footer** — footer text. * **Contact information** — contact details shown to the vendor. #### Choose a payment type Under **Payment Type**, choose how to pay the bill: * **Send vendor payment link** — Payabli emails the vendor a link where they choose how to receive the payment, or you share the link manually. * **Select how vendor gets paid** — search for and select a stored payment method to pay the vendor directly. You can save the method as the default for future payments. For the payment methods a vendor can receive — virtual card, ACH, or check — see [Payout payment methods](/guides/pay-out-payables-overview#payout-payment-methods). Payment Type options showing Send vendor payment link and Select how vendor gets paid #### Save or pay the bill Finish the bill based on the payment types available for you: * Select **Save Bill** to save your bill and act later. * Click **Send Payment Link** to send an email to the vendor including a link where they can select their preferred payment method. * Select **Make Payment** to send the transaction. ### Upload a bill image Instead of entering a bill by hand, upload the vendor's bill and let Payabli read it for you. On the Add Bill form, click the upload area to add a bill image — a PDF, JPEG, or PNG up to 10 MB. Payabli uses optical character recognition (OCR) to parse the document and fill in the bill's fields, including line items. Because OCR results can vary, verify the parsed details against the original bill before you save or pay. If Payabli can't match the bill to an existing vendor, the Add Vendor modal opens so you can add the vendor before you finish the bill. If the bill is for an existing vendor and you don't want to add a new one, click **Cancel** to go back, then adjust the vendor selection manually. To find, view, edit, or pay a bill later, see [Manage bills (Portal)](/guides/pay-out-portal-bills-manage). ## Related resources See these related resources to help you get the most out of Payabli. #### Next steps * **[Manage bills (Portal)](/guides/pay-out-portal-bills-manage)** - After you create a bill, track, edit, and pay it from the Bills report #### Related topics * **[Bill statuses and lifecycle](/guides/pay-out-bills-lifecycle)** - Understand how a bill moves from created to paid, including approval, and what each status means * **[Manage Vendors in the UI](/guides/pay-out-portal-vendors-manage)** - Learn how to add and manage vendors in the Payabli UI * **[Manage line items and your catalog (Portal)](/guides/platform-portal-catalog-manage)** - Add, edit, find, and delete products and services in the Payabli Portal * **[Understanding payables](/guides/pay-out-payables-overview)** - Learn about managing your payables and payouts with Payabli * **[Bills and invoices](/guides/platform-bills-vs-invoices)** - Understand the difference between bills and invoices in Payabli