# Configuring Xero in Astalty

Source: https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/configuring-xero-in-astalty

> Connect your Xero organisation to Astalty before sending timesheet data across for payroll.

Scheduling add-on - This feature requires the Scheduling add-on, which is available on Astalty Premium. See How to enable Scheduling.

## Overview

Before you can send timesheet data from Astalty to Xero, connect the correct **Xero organisation** to your Astalty account. The connection lets Astalty read payroll setup such as pay items and calendars, and create draft timesheets in Xero.

The Xero user who authorises the connection needs access to the organisation and its payroll data. Astalty warns you if the connection does not include the payroll access needed for Scheduling.

## Confirm Xero as the Payroll Platform

Confirm that **Xero** is selected as the payroll platform in **Scheduling Settings**. This controls which payroll export actions Astalty shows.

1. Navigate to **Settings** and select [Scheduling](https://app.astalty.com.au/settings/scheduling).
2. Click **Edit** in the **Scheduling Settings** section.

![The Scheduling settings page with three numbered callouts: 1 Settings in the main menu, 2 Scheduling in the settings list, and 3 the Edit button on the Scheduling Settings card, whose Payroll section shows Platform as Xero.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/payroll-settings-1.png)

3. In **Platform**, select **Xero**.
4. Click **Update** to save your changes.

![The Scheduling Settings dialog with an arrow pointing to the Payroll Platform field set to Xero and another pointing to the Update button. A note recommends contacting support about the Xero integration before your first pay run.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/payroll-settings-2.png)

## How to Connect Xero

1. Navigate to **Settings**.
2. Select **Integrations**.
3. On the **Xero** card, click **Connect**.

![The Integrations settings page with three numbered callouts: 1 Settings in the main menu, 2 Integrations in the settings list, and 3 the Connect button on the Xero card.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/xero-setup-1.png)

4. Sign in to Xero when prompted.
5. Select the Xero organisation you want to connect.
6. Grant all requested access and return to Astalty.

![The Xero access screen asking to connect Astalty, with the organisation dropdown highlighted and an arrow pointing to the Allow access button. It lists the organisation data and user account information Astalty will access.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/xero-setup-2.png)

If Astalty asks you to select an organisation after returning, choose it before continuing. Astalty can send invoices to only one accounting platform at a time, so disconnect MYOB before connecting Xero if the **Connect** button says it is blocked.

## Setup Integration Settings

After connecting, configure the integration:

![A Connection successful message with a green tick and a Configure your Xero Integration button.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/xero-setup-3.png)

- Check that **Connected Organisation** shows the organisation you intended to connect.

1. On the **Xero Integration Settings** card, click **Edit**.

![The Xero Integration Settings card with the Connected Organisation highlighted and an arrow pointing to the Edit button beside Disconnect and Refresh Connection. A warning says a Default Sales Account must be configured before invoices will sync.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/xero-setup-4a.png)

2. Select a **New Invoice Status**. The choices are **Draft**, **Awaiting Approval**, and **Approved**. **Draft** is the default.
3. Select a **Default Sales Account**. This is required before invoice batches can sync to Xero.
4. If you use the **Xero Bills CSV** export for Staff Payments, select the relevant **Default Staff Payment Account**. The field lists Xero expense accounts and uses the selected code on each exported line.
5. Choose a **Payroll Calendar** that already exists in Xero. This is the fallback calendar for a manually dated timesheet batch. A batch created by Xero payroll calendar uses the calendar selected for that batch.
6. Review **Sync invoices automatically**, **Sync leave automatically** if Leave is enabled, and **Sync invoice comments**.
7. Click **Update**.

![The Update Xero Integration Settings dialog with the Default sales account and Payroll Calendar fields highlighted, Sync invoices automatically ticked, a More option, and an arrow pointing to the Update button.](https://docs.astalty.com.au/assets/xero-setup-5.png)

> **No Default Staff Payment Account Field?**
>
> The field only appears when both **Staff Payments** and the **Xero Bills CSV** export are enabled on your account. See [Processing Staff Payment Batches](https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/finance/staff-payments/processing) for the export workflow.

## Connecting Xero Video Walk-Through

In this video, we walk through how to connect and configure your **Xero integration in Astalty** to enable the **Xero Payroll integration**.

Video walkthrough: configure xero for payroll integration.

## Next Steps

You are now ready to set up your **Pay Items** and **Employee Pay Templates** in Xero. Continue to [Setup Pay Items and Employee Templates in Xero](https://docs.astalty.com.au/guide/setup-pay-items-and-employee-templates-in-xero).