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Managing the Cash Drawer

Angel Horowitz avatar
Written by Angel Horowitz
Updated yesterday

📝Overview

Learn how to connect, configure, and use your cash drawer within DaySmart. This includes setting up your receipt printer, adjusting drawer settings, running balances, and using petty cash or cash drop features.

🔌Connecting your Cash Drawer

To enable automatic drawer opening after checkout, your cash drawer must be connected to a compatible receipt printer.

Click the arrow to learn how to connect your cash drawer

  1. Your cash drawer must be connected to an Epson receipt printer. Other brands may work, but hardware issues must be resolved with the manufacturer before troubleshooting in DaySmart.

    • Here is a non-exhaustive list of printers that we support, these can be USB or Serial connections:

      • Epson TM-T88VI (Recommended for Windows 11)

      • Epson TM-T88V

      • Epson TM-T88IV

      • Epson TM-T88III

      • Epson TM-T20

      • Epson TM-T20II

      • Epson TM-T20III (Recommended for Windows 11)

      • Epson TM-U220

  2. Use an RJ-12 to RJ-45 cord to connect the drawer to the printer (it will look like a phone cable with different-sized ends).

💻 Windows Setup

Click the arrow to learn how to enable drawer opening in Windows

  1. Open Devices & Printers from the control panel

  2. Right-click your receipt printer and choose Printer Properties or Properties, depending on your version.

  3. Click Preferences.

  4. Locate the Peripherals or Document Settings tab.

  5. Under Cash Drawer, set Cash Drawer #1 (2 pins) to Open after printing or Open.

  6. Click OK, then OK to save your changes

🍎 Mac Setup

Click the arrow to learn how to enable drawer opening on Mac

  1. Open Safari and navigate to http://localhost:631/printers/

    • If that URL gives an error:

      • Use Spotlight Search to find and open Terminal.

      • Type cupsctl WebInterface=yes and hit Enter.

      • Return to Safari and try the URL again.

  2. Click Printers and select your receipt printer.

  3. From the second drop-down, choose Set Default Options.

  4. Change Paper Reduction to Bottom Margin, then click Set Default Options.

    • If prompted to log in, repeat the dropdown and click Set Default Options again.

  5. Under Cash Drawer Control, set Cash Drawer #1 to Open after printing, then click Set Default Options.

⚙️ Cash Drawer Settings

Configure your cash drawer’s default behavior before running your first balance.

Click the arrow to learn how to adjust cash drawer settings

  1. At the top of the software, click More > Drawer

  2. Navigate to the Settings tab in the upper right.

  3. Choose one of the following starting balance options:

    • Turn on the first toggle to carry over the previous drawer’s ending balance.

    • Or, set a fixed daily starting amount in the second field.

  4. Decide if booth renter transactions should be included in drawer tracking.
    ​

  5. Review your Currency Denominations and ensure all bill/coin types you use are listed for your currency type.
    ​

💡Pro Tip:

Exclude any denominations your business doesn’t use to simplify cash counts. For example, uncheck pennies in the settings if they are not part of your daily transactions.

6. Click Save.

📊Running a Cash Drawer Balance

Start and save a cash drawer balance to track end-of-day totals and discrepancies.

Click the arrow to learn how to run a cash drawer balance

💡Pro Tip:

  • Run cash drawer balances regularly, such as at the end of each shift or business day. This helps catch errors early and ensures accurate records.

  • Set a starting balance strategy that matches your workflow. You can choose to carry over the last counted total or use a fixed opening amount. Configure this in the Settings tab for consistency.

  1. Click the More button, then select Drawer.
    ​

  2. On the Cash Drawer Balances tab, click the plus (+) button.
    ​

  3. The logged-in employee’s name and date will auto-fill.

  4. Choose All Day or Custom Time, then enter a comment if needed.
    ​

  5. Enter the quantity of each bill and coin in the Count section.
    ​

  6. Confirm that the Starting Balance and Reported Total are correct. If those totals do not match, start by verifying that all of the days tickets have been closed and that any tickets closed from previous days have been edited to show the correct closed date.

  7. The Status will show whether the drawer is balanced or if there is a discrepancy.
    ​

  8. Scroll to the bottom to view Non-Cash Totals.

  9. Click Save or Save and Print.

💸Using the Petty Cash Feature

Use this option to log money being added to or taken from the drawer for business-related expenses like buying supplies or adding change.

Click the arrow to learn how to record a petty cash transaction

  1. Click the More button, then select Drawer.
    ​

  2. Go to the Petty Cash tab and click the plus (+) button.
    ​

  3. The employee name, date, and time will auto-fill.

  4. Select a Category, enter an Amount, and add a Comment.

  5. Choose whether the money is going into or coming out of the drawer.
    ​

  6. Click Save.

​🏦Using the Cash Drops Feature

Record when you remove cash or checks from the drawer to deposit at the bank. This helps keep your drawer totals accurate throughout the day.

Click the arrow to learn how to record a cash drop

⚠️ Please Note:

If you're using the "previous drawer balance" setting, make sure to complete any cash drops before running your next balance. Drops done between balances will not be reflected correctly, which can lead to reporting issues. To avoid confusion, keep a consistent workflow for when you perform cash drops.

  1. Click the More button, then select Drawer.
    ​

  2. Go to the Cash Drop tab and click the plus (+) button.
    ​

  3. The logged-in employee’s name will auto-fill.

  4. Enter the Amount of cash or check being deposited.
    ​

  5. Click Save.

❓ FAQs

Find answers to common questions or additional details that may not be covered in the main instructions.

Click the arrow to view frequently asked questions

What if my counted cash total doesn't match the reported total?

Click the arrow to view the answer

That indicates an over or under discrepancy in your drawer balance. Check the currency denominations and any petty cash or drops entered to make sure you counted each bill and coin type correctly. If repeated discrepancies occur, review your settings and then recount.

​
​How do I customize which denominations appear on my report?

Click the arrow to view the answer

Go to the Settings tab under Drawer. Enable or disable specific currency denominations (e.g. pennies, quarters) based on what you actually use. Click Save to update your preferences. This updates your counts and reports to match your business workflow.

What counts toward the “non‑cash totals” section?

Click the arrow to view the answer

Non-cash totals include credit card, check, and other non-cash payments processed through closed tickets. These automatically appear at the bottom of your cash drawer balance screen. They're used for reconciliation but don’t affect counted cash.

Do petty cash or cash drops affect my drawer balance?

Click the arrow to view the answer

Yes, both change the expected cash count. Petty cash adjustments (add or remove funds) and cash drops (bank deposits) are considered in the closing balance. These entries appear in the Cash Drops and Petty Cash tabs and are applied automatically to final calculations.

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