Why the Original Receipt File Still Matters

Keep original images and PDFs connected to structured data so a future reviewer can verify what was captured.

Designed for: anyone exporting or sharing expense records
Practical result: avoid turning extracted data into unsupported assertions

The specific decision behind Why the Original Receipt File Still Matters

This guide is complete only when a reviewer can avoid turning extracted data into unsupported assertions. The original document remains the evidence; recognized fields make that evidence searchable and usable. The following checkpoints focus on this exact problem instead of treating every receipt or invoice as the same workflow.

Checkpoint 1: Retain the source at capture time

The completion signal is that source files are readable. Do not close the checkpoint by cropping away merchant or tax context; that shortcut removes context needed later.

Checkpoint 2: Keep corrections separate from the original image

The completion signal is that changes are distinguishable. Do not close the checkpoint by overwriting the source with an edited copy; that shortcut removes context needed later.

Checkpoint 3: Use stable references in exports

The completion signal is that exports point back to evidence. Do not close the checkpoint by sharing a spreadsheet with no evidence; that shortcut removes context needed later.

Checkpoint 4: Control access when documents contain sensitive information

The completion signal is that source files are readable. Do not close the checkpoint by cropping away merchant or tax context; that shortcut removes context needed later.

Article-specific walkthrough: Why the Original Receipt File Still Matters