> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.anedot.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.anedot.com/finance/internal-processing/terminal.md).

# Terminal

Charge a donor's credit card or bank account (ACH) on their behalf in Finance > Terminal for phone-in, mail-in, in-person, recurring, or scheduled gifts.

**Terminal** lets you charge a donor's credit card or bank account (ACH) on their behalf, for phone-in, mail-in, or in-person donations. Go to **Finance > Terminal** to process a one-time, recurring, or future-dated gift through one of your Donation Pages.

{% hint style="info" %}
To record cash, check, offline card, or in-kind gifts that Anedot doesn't charge, use [Terminal (Offline Entry)](/finance/internal-processing/offline-entry.md) instead.
{% endhint %}

## Before You Begin

* **Permissions:** Your role needs **Action Pages: Edit permissions**. Otherwise, **Finance > Terminal** is disabled in the menu. See [Permission Sets](/settings/access/permission-sets.md).
* **Donation Page:** You need at least one active Donation Page. Event Pages and Lead Pages aren't available in Terminal.
* **Donor fields:** Name, address, and required custom fields follow your Donation Page settings. **Email** and **Phone** are always optional in Terminal.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Paused Donation Pages still show in the **Action Page** list, but you can't process a payment on one. Unpause the page to accept payments through Terminal. See [Pause or Archive an Action Page](/action-pages/action-page-basics/pause-or-archive-an-action-page.md).
{% endhint %}

## Process a Donation

To process a donation:

1. Go to **Finance > Terminal**. Terminal opens in a new tab.
2. Under **Action Page**, select the Donation Page the gift belongs to.
3. Enter the donor's information and complete the form. The form follows the configuration of the Donation Page you selected, so the fields, funds, frequencies, and fee options you see match that page.
4. Enter the **Amount**.
5. (Optional) Under **Frequency**, choose how often the gift is charged.
6. (Optional) Enter a **Future process date (optional)** to charge the gift on a future date.
7. Under **Payment**, choose **Credit card** or **Bank (ACH)**.
8. Enter the donor's card or bank account details.
9. Click **Process donation**.

You'll see "Donation processed successfully." and the gift appears in **Finance > Transactions**. The form clears so you can enter the next donor.

{% hint style="info" %}
To split a gift across more than one fund, click **Add fund** under **Fund allocation**. If **Add fund** isn't available, the Donation Page has only one fund.
{% endhint %}

## Recurring and Future-Dated Gifts

* **Recurring gifts:** **Frequency** appears when the Donation Page offers recurring giving. Choose a frequency to charge the first gift today and repeat it on that schedule. You can also enter an **Ends on** date. The schedule appears in [Commitments](/finance/management-and-reporting/commitments.md).
* **Future-dated gifts:** Enter a **Future process date (optional)** of tomorrow or later. You'll see "Donation scheduled." and the gift appears in [Commitments](/finance/management-and-reporting/commitments.md). It's charged on the date you chose, and then it appears in **Finance > Transactions**. If you also choose a recurring frequency, the schedule starts on that date.
* **Charge today:** Leave **Future process date (optional)** blank.

{% hint style="info" %}
You can cancel a future-dated gift in [Commitments](/finance/management-and-reporting/commitments.md) before it's charged.
{% endhint %}

## Process a Gift Without Sending a Receipt

**Email** and **Phone** are optional in Terminal, even when your Donation Page requires them. The donor gets a receipt only when you enter an email, so leave **Email** blank to process a gift without sending one. You'll still need to enter the donor's phone number or last name.

{% hint style="info" %}
For a future-dated gift, you'll need the donor's first or last name, plus an email or phone number.
{% endhint %}

## Add an Email to a Terminal Gift

You'll need **Transactions: Edit permissions** to add an email to a Terminal gift.

To add an email to a Terminal gift:

1. Go to **Finance > Transactions**.
2. Click the donor's name to open the transaction.
3. Click **Edit**.
4. Enter the donor's email in **Email**.
5. Click **Save**.

You'll see "Transaction updated." and the email is saved on the transaction. Adding an email doesn't send the donor a receipt.

## What Happens Next

* The gift appears in [Transactions](/finance/management-and-reporting/transactions.md) and [Entries](/finance/management-and-reporting/entries.md), the same way an online donation does.
* If you entered the donor's email, the donor gets the Donation Page's email receipt.
* Funds from Terminal gifts are included in your [Payouts](/finance/management-and-reporting/payouts.md).
* To refund or void a Terminal gift, see [Refunds and Voids](/finance/management-and-reporting/transactions/refunds-and-voids.md).

## Troubleshooting

* **Finance > Terminal is disabled in the menu.**\
  Your role doesn't have **Action Pages: Edit permissions**. Ask an Admin User on your account to give your role **Action Pages: Edit permissions**.
* **"No access to this account"**\
  Your user doesn't have access to this fundraising account. Ask an Admin User on the account to give you access.
* **"Future process date must be tomorrow or later. Leave it blank to charge today."**\
  Choose a date of tomorrow or later, or clear the date to charge the gift today.
* **"Please check the card details." or "Please check the bank account details."**\
  The payment details are missing or invalid. Review them with the donor and try again.
* **"Payment confirmation timed out. Check the transaction before processing it again."**\
  The payment may still go through. Check **Finance > Transactions** before you process the gift again so the donor isn't charged twice.
* **"Terminal account not found."**\
  The Donation Page you selected is paused. Unpause the page, or choose an active Donation Page and try again.
* **My Event Page or Lead Page isn't listed.**\
  Terminal is available for Donation Pages only.

If the issue continues, contact our Support team.

## Frequently Asked Questions

* **What's the difference between Terminal and Terminal (Offline Entry)?**\
  Terminal charges a donor's card or bank account through Anedot. [Terminal (Offline Entry)](/finance/internal-processing/offline-entry.md) records cash, check, offline card, and in-kind gifts you already received, without charging anything.
* **Can I process a check through Terminal?**\
  Yes. Choose **Bank (ACH)** and enter the routing and account numbers from the check. If you already deposited the paper check at your bank, record it in [Terminal (Offline Entry)](/finance/internal-processing/offline-entry.md) instead so the gift isn't counted twice.
* **Can the donor cover the processing fees?**\
  Yes, when the Donation Page lets donors cover fees. Select **Donor pays the processing fees.** under **Fees**. If the page requires donors to cover fees, this is always on.
* **Can I backdate a Terminal gift?**\
  No. Terminal charges the gift today or on a future date. To record a gift you received in the past, use [Terminal (Offline Entry)](/finance/internal-processing/offline-entry.md).
* **Does the donor get a receipt?**\
  Yes, if you enter the donor's email. To skip the receipt, leave **Email** blank. Adding an email later doesn't send a receipt.
* **Can I use an Event Page or Lead Page?**\
  No. Only active Donation Pages can accept payments in Terminal.

## Related Articles

* [Terminal (Offline Entry)](/finance/internal-processing/offline-entry.md)
* [Commitments](/finance/management-and-reporting/commitments.md)
* [Refunds and Voids](/finance/management-and-reporting/transactions/refunds-and-voids.md)
* [Transactions](/finance/management-and-reporting/transactions.md)
* [Entries](/finance/management-and-reporting/entries.md)
* [Payouts](/finance/management-and-reporting/payouts.md)
* [Permission Sets](/settings/access/permission-sets.md)


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