Line Recognition: how eConnect recognizes invoice lines, with 80% automated and the option for a 100% guarantee.
Since July 2024, eConnect offers line recognition (Line Recognition): the automatic splitting of PDF invoice lines into individual transaction lines in the e-invoice. This allows you to process invoices at line level in your accounting software, significantly speeding up the automation of your procurement process.
With standard PDF conversion, the IDR recognizes the main data of an invoice: supplier, buyer, invoice number, date, total amounts and VAT. Line recognition goes a step further. For each invoice line, the following fields are recognized:
The result is an e-invoice where not only the totals are correct, but the individual lines are also available in a structured format for your ERP system or accounting software.
Line recognition runs after the basic recognition of the invoice. The AI models are based on large language models in a shielded environment. Recognition of lines happens automatically; the standard path currently runs without quality control at line level. Optional line validation remains available separately (see below).
Lines are stored in the XML document only if the sum of the line amounts equals the invoice total excluding VAT. If this fails, the system falls back to the standard method: one line per VAT base. The invoice always remains valid.
Per line, quantity × price = amount must hold. The line amount is leading: if quantity or price is missing, the IDR calculates it from the recognized amount (which already matches the invoice total excl. VAT).
At the top of the XML document is an extension with the outcome of the line recognition. On failed recognition, this extension still shows the line amounts that were recognized -- useful for investigation and improvement.
The IDR recognizes 80% of all invoice lines fully automatically. The remaining 20% falls back to standard processing, where the subtotal per VAT rate is used instead of individual lines. This means the invoice is always processed, even if not all lines can be automatically recognized.
The "No Lines No Pay" guarantee applies: you only pay for invoice lines that are actually successfully recognized. If line recognition fails for a specific invoice and the system falls back to standard processing, no additional charges are incurred.
For organizations that want 100% certainty on invoice recognition at line level, the line validation option is available. With this option, invoice lines that are not automatically recognized (the 20%) are forwarded to the eConnect validation team. They manually review and correct the lines.
The result: a 100% guarantee that all invoice lines are correct in the e-invoice. This is especially relevant for organizations with complex invoices or strict requirements for line-level accounting.
The IDR recognizes these fields automatically, without requiring a template or training per supplier. The system learns from every processed invoice and thereby becomes increasingly better at recognizing different invoice layouts. Additional fields may follow based on customer requests.
Tip: for line recognition, a born-digital PDF (generated directly from a system) is preferred over a scanned document. With born-digital PDFs, the text is sharp and the table structure is intact, which makes the recognition more reliable.
Line recognition is a standard feature included with the Professional subscription.
The line validation option (100% guarantee) can be enabled separately and is billed separately.
Line recognition becomes even more powerful when combined with order line matching. This automatically links recognized invoice lines to the corresponding order lines. The system matches based on unique unit price, description or a single order line. Order information is retrieved via the interface or the archive of previously sent orders. This works for both e-invoices and OCR-processed PDFs and significantly increases the straight-through processing (STP) rate, as invoices that match an order can be fully automatically approved.
The invoice is always processed, even if not all lines are automatically recognized. If the sum of line amounts does not match the invoice total excl. VAT, the system falls back to one line per VAT base (or subtotal per VAT rate). The "No Lines No Pay" guarantee applies: you only pay for lines that are actually successfully recognized.
Yes. On the platform, line recognition is included with the Professional subscription and you activate it yourself via My Environment in the organization settings. Via PSB you activate line recognition in the webhook configuration. For lower subscription tiers, line recognition can be purchased as an additional option.
Yes, line recognition works for both born-digital PDFs and scanned documents. Born-digital PDFs are preferred because the text is sharper and the table structure is intact. This delivers more reliable recognition results than a scanned document.
Per line, quantity × price = amount must hold. If quantity or price is missing, the IDR calculates it from the recognized line amount. That amount already matches the invoice total excl. VAT, so the e-invoice remains valid.
Want to activate line recognition? Go to My Environment in the organization settings and enable the feature. For questions about line validation or the options for your organization, contact support.
Go to My Environment