How to Automate Bill.com Data Export (No API Required)

Introduction

Bill.com is a widely used accounts payable and bill payment platform that helps businesses manage invoices, vendors, and payments. While Bill.com offers API access for some enterprise plans, many teams need to export bills, vendor data, and payment history from the web dashboard when API access is limited or not available. Browser automation can serve as an effective alternative for pulling bill data, vendor lists, payment runs, and reports directly from the Bill.com portal.

Why Use Browser Automation for Bill.com Data Export?

• Limited or No API Access: Bill.com's API may be restricted to certain plans or use cases, leaving dashboard-only access for many users
• Dashboard-Only Reports: Custom reports, payment history, and export options are often only available in the web interface
• Historical Data: Access older bills, payments, and vendor data beyond API or manual export limits
• Vendor and Bill Lists: Export vendor master data and bill registers when the portal doesn't expose a full API
• Payment Runs and Approvals: Pull payment run details and approval workflows for accounting and audit
• Invoice and Document Export: Batch-download invoices and supporting documents for record-keeping
• Sync with ERP or Accounting: Automate data export for sync with QuickBooks, NetSuite, or other systems

Setting Up Bill.com Data Export Automation

Here's how to automate data collection from Bill.com using browser automation:

import { chromium } from 'playwright';

const response = await fetch("https://api.anchorbrowser.io/api/sessions", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "anchor-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    'headless': false,
    'proxy': {
      'type': 'residential',
      'country': 'US'
    }
  }),
});

const { id } = await response.json();
const connectionString = `wss://connect.anchorbrowser.io?apiKey=YOUR_API_KEY&sessionId=${id}`;

const browser = await chromium.connectOverCDP(connectionString);
const context = browser.contexts()[0];
const ai = context.serviceWorkers()[0];
const page = context.pages()[0];

// Navigate to Bill.com
await page.goto("https://app.bill.com");

// Login with AI agent
await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
  prompt: 'Log in to Bill.com using the provided credentials. Wait for the dashboard to fully load.'
}));

Exporting Bills and Invoices

Automate the export of bills and invoice data from Bill.com:

const exportBillComBills = async (page, ai, options) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Bills or Invoices section'
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Apply date or status filters if needed. Then export or download the bill list for ${options.reportType || 'bills'} (e.g., CSV or Excel).`
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Exporting Vendor Data

Export vendor lists and vendor details when no API is available:

const exportBillComVendors = async (page, ai) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Vendors or Payees section, then to the vendor list or export option'
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Click Export or Download, select CSV or Excel if available, and wait for the download to complete.'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Payment History and Payment Runs

Pull payment history and payment run details from Bill.com:

const exportBillComPayments = async (page, ai, dateRange) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Payments section, then to Payment History or Payment Runs'
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Set the date filter to ${dateRange.start} to ${dateRange.end}`
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Export or download the payment report. Wait for the download to complete.'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Reports and Approval Workflows

Export AP reports and approval workflow data:

const exportBillComReports = async (page, ai, reportType) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Reports or Analytics section'
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Select and run the ${reportType} report, then export or download the results.`
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Best Practices for Bill.com Portal Automation

• Security: Use secure credential storage and support 2FA or SSO if Bill.com requires it
• Financial Data: Treat bill and payment data as sensitive; ensure access controls and encryption
• Rate Limiting: Add delays between actions to avoid lockouts or triggering security controls
• Error Handling: Implement retries for transient failures and session timeouts
• UI Changes: Bill.com may update the portal; monitor UI changes and adjust automation accordingly
• Terms of Use: Comply with Bill.com's terms of use and any contractual restrictions on automated access

Handling Bill.com Authentication

Bill.com typically uses email/password; many accounts use SSO. Example flow:

const handleBillComAuth = async (page, ai, credentials) => {
  await page.goto('https://app.bill.com');
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Enter email: ${credentials.email} and password: ${credentials.password}, then click Login or Sign in`
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'If 2FA or verification is required, enter the code from the provided method. Choose "Remember this device" if offered.'
  }));
  
  await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle');
};

Resources

• Anchor Browser Documentation - Complete API reference and guides
• Anchor Browser Playground - Try browser automation in your browser

Conclusion

Browser automation provides a flexible alternative to Bill.com API access for bills, vendors, payments, and reports. By using browser automation, you can automate data export when the Bill.com portal does not expose a full API for your needs. With attention to security and terms of use, you can streamline accounts payable and bill payment workflows.

Start automating your Bill.com data collection and simplify your AP and vendor reporting.