How to Automate Tipalti Data Export (No API Required)

Introduction

Tipalti is a global payables platform used to pay suppliers, freelancers, affiliates, and other payees at scale, with multi-currency support and built-in compliance. While Tipalti offers API access for some use cases, many teams need to export payee data, payment runs, and reports from the web dashboard when API access is limited or not available. Browser automation can serve as an effective alternative for pulling payee lists, payment history, tax and compliance data, and reports directly from the Tipalti portal.

Why Use Browser Automation for Tipalti Data Export?

• Limited or No API Access: Tipalti's API may be restricted to certain plans or workflows, leaving dashboard-only access for reporting and exports
• Dashboard-Only Reports: Payment run details, payee lists, and custom reports are often only available in the web interface
• Historical Data: Access older payment and payee data beyond API or manual export limits
• Payee and Supplier Data: Export payee master data, bank details, and approval status when the portal doesn't expose a full API
• Payment Runs and Mass Payments: Pull payment run details, batch status, and payment history for accounting and audit
• Compliance and Tax Documents: Export tax forms (e.g. 1099), KYC status, and compliance reports
• Sync with ERP or Accounting: Automate data export for sync with NetSuite, QuickBooks, or other systems

Setting Up Tipalti Data Export Automation

Here's how to automate data collection from Tipalti 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 Tipalti
await page.goto("https://app.tipalti.com");

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

Exporting Payee and Supplier Data

Automate the export of payee and supplier data from Tipalti:

const exportTipaltiPayees = async (page, ai, options) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Payees or Suppliers section, then to the payee list or export option'
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Apply filters if needed. Then export or download the payee list (e.g., CSV or Excel) for ${options.reportType || 'all payees'}.`
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Exporting Payment Runs and Payment History

Export payment runs and payment history when no API is available:

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

Compliance and Tax Documents

Pull tax forms and compliance reports from Tipalti:

const exportTipaltiTaxForms = async (page, ai, reportType, yearOrPeriod) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Compliance, Tax, or Reports section'
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Select ${reportType} for ${yearOrPeriod} and trigger the export or download`
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

const exportTipaltiCompliance = async (page, ai) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Compliance or KYC section, then to Reports or Export'
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Export or download the compliance report. Wait for the download to complete.'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Reports and Analytics

Export payables reports and analytics from Tipalti:

const exportTipaltiReports = 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 Tipalti Portal Automation

• Security: Use secure credential storage and support 2FA or SSO if Tipalti requires it
• Financial and PII Data: Treat payee 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: Tipalti may update the portal; monitor UI changes and adjust automation accordingly
• Terms of Use: Comply with Tipalti's terms of use and any contractual restrictions on automated access

Handling Tipalti Authentication

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

const handleTipaltiAuth = async (page, ai, credentials) => {
  await page.goto('https://app.tipalti.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 Tipalti API access for payee data, payment runs, compliance, and reports. By using browser automation, you can automate data export when the Tipalti portal does not expose a full API for your needs. With attention to security and terms of use, you can streamline global payables and mass payment reporting.

Start automating your Tipalti data collection and simplify your payables and payee reporting.