# E-invoices

Receive and process structured e-invoices.

Some suppliers send **structured e-invoices**: a PDF with embedded XML, or a standalone XML file. Cortena reads the structured data directly instead of scanning the PDF like a photo.

**Who this is for:** AP teams receiving German ZUGFeRD / Factur-X, European UBL, or other machine-readable invoices who need to know how Cortena treats them differently from scanned PDFs.

## 1. What counts as a structured e-invoice

| Format | What you receive |
| --- | --- |
| **ZUGFeRD / Factur-X** | PDF with embedded XML (common in Germany) |
| **UBL / CII** | XML invoice file, sometimes with a PDF attachment |
| **XRechnung** | German public-sector XML variant |

When detected, Cortena shows an **e-invoice** indicator. Fields such as supplier, invoice number, line items, and VAT come from the **embedded XML**, not from OCR on the PDF pages.

## 2. How extraction differs from scanned PDFs

- **Totals and VAT** are taken from the XML · usually more reliable than OCR
- **Line items** map directly from the structured data
- **Matching** still runs · booking accounts, cost centres, and creditors from your guidelines
- **Reprocess** runs the full pipeline again but **does not slice PDF pages** · the XML is the source of truth

If the XML is wrong, fix the file at the supplier or edit allowed fields manually in Cortena after import.

## 3. Page-range reprocess is not available

**Page-range reprocess** works for multi-page scanned PDFs. It does **not** apply to structured e-invoices because slicing the PDF would not change the embedded XML.

For e-invoices:

- Use **Reprocess invoice** (full reprocess) from the **⋯** menu
- Or edit fields directly where your permissions allow

See [Reprocess](https://help.cortena.ai/guides/invoices/reprocess).

## 4. Common situations

| Situation | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| PDF looks correct but totals are wrong | Check if it is an e-invoice · values come from XML |
| Supplier sent ZUGFeRD with bad XML | Ask supplier for a corrected file; full reprocess after re-upload |
| Mixed scan + XML attachment | Cortena uses the structured attachment when present |
| Invoice already synced | Editing and reprocess are locked |

## Tips

- Prefer suppliers to send **ZUGFeRD 2.x** or **UBL** for fewer OCR errors.
- After import, spot-check **VAT breakdown** against your accounting system's expectations.
- Use list filters **Document type** to separate e-invoices from scans when reviewing queues.