Take a photo that reads well
What the blurry, dark and washed-out warnings mean, and how to fix them.
What the warnings mean
When you add a photo, SlipInbox looks it over before anything is saved. A photo with a clear problem gets a warning on its picture and a line underneath saying what helps.
- Looks blurry
- Hold steady and let the camera focus on the receipt.
- Too dark
- Move somewhere brighter.
- Washed out
- Tilt the receipt away from the light.
- Low resolution
- The text may be too small to read.
PDFs are not checked this way.
Retake or keep the photo
Each warning has two buttons:
Looks blurryRetakeKeep
- Retake on a phone or tablet opens the camera, and the new photo takes the old one’s place. On a computer this button is Remove, which takes the photo out so you can add a better one.
- Keep hides the warning and keeps the photo as it is.
A warning never stops you adding a photo. If you keep a poor one, SlipInbox may miss some fields, and the receipt may need someone to check it. See Why a receipt needs review.
Tips for a photo that reads well
- Lay the receipt flat on a plain, darker surface, so its edges stand out.
- Fit the whole receipt in view, with all four edges showing. The camera reminds you.
- Hold the phone straight above the receipt, and wait a moment for it to focus.
- Use even light. Avoid your own shadow, and tilt the receipt if a lamp or window shines off it.
- Take one photo per receipt.
Faded thermal receipts read best soon after you get them. Take the photo the same day if you can.