# What is an invoice processing API?
An invoice processing API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of protocols that allows different software systems to communicate and exchange invoice data programmatically. Invoice APIs enable: (1) Submission - uploading invoices in various formats (PDF, image, XML); (2) Extraction - retrieving structured invoice data (vendor, date, amount, line items); (3) Validation - checking data quality and compliance; (4) Status Tracking - monitoring processing status and approvals; (5) Webhook Notifications - receiving real-time updates; (6) Integration - connecting invoice processing with accounting, ERP, and payment systems. RESTful APIs with JSON payloads are most common. Benefits include: seamless system integration, automated workflows, custom application development, and scalability. Leading invoice processing platforms provide comprehensive API documentation and SDKs for major programming languages.
## Key Takeaways
- An invoice processing API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of protocols that allows different software systems to communicate and exchange invoice data programmatically.
- Invoice APIs enable: (1) Submission - uploading invoices in various formats (PDF, image, XML); (2) Extraction - retrieving structured invoice data (vendor, date, amount, line items); (3) Validation - checking data quality and compliance; (4) Status Tracking - monitoring processing status and approvals; (5) Webhook Notifications - receiving real-time updates; (6) Integration - connecting invoice processing with accounting, ERP, and payment systems.
- RESTful APIs with JSON payloads are most common.
## Related Topics
- invoice API
- invoice processing API
- invoice automation API
- invoice data API