---
title: "Global Cost Codes"
url: "https://help.ontraccr.com/en/article/global-cost-codes"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-08-22T17:57:40.141Z"
---

# Global Cost Codes

## 🧾 **Global Cost Codes**

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### **📘 Overview**

The **Global Cost Codes** page in Ontraccr is your company's central database of all potential cost codes that might be used across projects. These codes define specific work activities (like “Rough-In” or “Lighting Automation”) and are essential for enabling job costing workflows across time tracking, budgets, invoices, and progress tracking.

Think of this as your **master library of cost codes**, which can be reused in different projects as needed.

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### **🔍 Accessing the Global Cost Codes Page**

-   Navigate to the **Cost Codes** section from the left sidebar
-   Click on **Global Cost Codes**

This page displays all cost codes available for use across the organization. These codes are not automatically added to individual projects — they must be selected or applied during project setup.

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### **🧱 What Are Cost Codes?**

Cost codes represent **trackable work items or tasks** that form the basis of your job costing structure.

**Examples:**

-   *Electrical Contractor:*
    -   “Rough-In” (installing wiring)
    -   “Finishing” (installing fixtures)
    -   “Fire Alarm”
    -   “Automation Systems”

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### **📥 Adding Cost Codes to the Global List**

There are three ways to add cost codes:

### 1\. **Manual Entry**

-   Click **Add (+)** on the Global Cost Codes page
-   Select “Create” to open the cost code slider and enter required details

### 2\. **CSV Import**

-   Click **Add (+)** and choose **Upload**
-   Download the provided template
-   Fill in your cost codes
-   Upload the completed file

**Important:**

-   Each cost code must have a **unique number and name**
-   A **description** is required (can match the name if needed)
-   **Division** is required only if your account has multiple divisions
-   **Category** (Labor, Material, Overhead, or Equipment) is mandatory

### 3\. **Accounting System Import**

-   Direct import is supported from:
    -   **QuickBooks Online**
    -   **Sage 100**
    -   **Eclipse**
    -   Others via CSV
-   Imported cost codes will retain integration links (e.g., visible on the cost code's detail view)

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### **🗂️ Filtering & Viewing Options**

-   **List or Card View Toggle:** switch between compact and visual layouts
-   **Filter Options:**
    -   Active vs Archived
    -   By Category (Labor, Material, Overhead, Equipment)
-   **Sort Options:**
    -   Ascending, descending, alphabetical
-   **Search:** by name or cost code number
-   **Pagination:** use page icons to navigate multiple entries

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### **⚙️ Editing Existing Cost Codes**

-   All cost codes can be edited directly from the Global list
-   Integrated codes show linked systems (e.g., “QuickBooks”) in their integration section

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### **🧠 Tips & Best Practices**

-   If you don’t break down labor into detailed activities, **you can still create a general code like “Labor”** for tracking basic labor hours and costs.
-   Aim to match your **budgeting structure 1:1** with cost codes. This allows for precise tracking and comparison between budgeted and actual costs.