Authorize and Capture Transactions
A Sale and an Authorization look similar in the Gateway, but they do different things.
Sale (most common)
- Runs the transaction in one step
- If approved, it is scheduled to settle and fund on your normal settlement cycle
Authorization (Auth Only)
- Checks the card and reserves the funds right away
- No money moves and nothing settles until you capture it manually
- Best when you need to confirm funds before finalizing the charge (examples: delayed fulfillment, variable totals, deposits)
Step 1: Run an Authorization
- Go to Credit Cards → Authorize
- Enter the transaction details (card number, expiration, amount, and any optional customer/order info)
- Click Authorize
- Save the Transaction ID (you will use it to capture)
Step 2: Capture the Authorization
- Go to Credit Cards → Capture
- Enter the Transaction ID
- The Gateway will prefill the authorized amount
- Choose your capture amount:
- You can capture the full amount or a partial amount
- You can capture up to the original authorization amount (you cannot capture more)
- Click Capture
Once captured and approved, the transaction will settle and fund like a normal sale.
If You Do Not Know the Transaction ID
- Click the magnifying glass to search reports
- Look for the transaction marked Pending Capture
- Open it and select Capture from the transaction options
After approval, you can print or email a receipt just like any other transaction.
Watch the video below for a step-by-step walkthrough of authorizing and capturing transactions in the EPD Gateway: