The error "The name supplied already exists. Another customer, supplier, or employee is already using this name" is usually caused by the following:
- Importing Data from QuickBooks Desktop or turning on payroll after adding employees in QuickBooks Online.
- The customer, supplier, or employee name you are trying to add already exists in QuickBooks Online.
Change the display name
Here's how to change the display name:
- Sign in to your QuickBooks Online company file.
- Select Expenses, then Suppliers.
- Select the name of the duplicate supplier.
- Select Edit (Note: Select Sales and then Customers if you are doing this to check for duplicates in your customer list).
- Change the Display name as format to "last, first".
- Select Save and close.
Editing the duplicate or making it inactive
If you continue to get the error, there may be more than one duplicate. You can choose to edit the duplicate or make it inactive (if no longer needed).
- As appropriate, select Sales, Expenses, Workers, or Employees, then choose Customers, Suppliers, or Employees.
- Find the duplicate supplier, customer, or employee.
- Select Edit.
- In the Display name as field, add a digit at the end of the name. (Note: If the profile is no longer in use, you can select Make inactive. Making the existing name inactive will also allow them to add the new, identical name).
- Select Save and close.
