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RavenRa2
Level 2

Hi Could you tell me how to delete categories. I have an unnecessary long list of mostly unneeded categories and would like to simplify my list. many thanks.

 
Solved
Best answer September 13, 2024

Accepted Solutions
AdonL
QuickBooks Team

Hi Could you tell me how to delete categories. I have an unnecessary long list of mostly unneeded categories and would like to simplify my list. many thanks.

It's a pleasure to have you in the Community space, RavenRa2. I can help you manage categories and make your list more manageable in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

 

Instead of deleting them, you can make the accounts inactive. This step removes the account from the Chart of Accounts (COA) and other areas where you can select accounts, such as the category list. QuickBooks makes accounts inactive instead of deleting them, so you can still access historical transactions.

 

Here's how to inactivate the accounts:

 

  1. Go to the Gear icon.
  2. Select Chart of Accounts under Your Company.
  3. Find the account you want to delete.
  4. Hit the drop-down in the Action column and choose Make Inactive.
  5. Select Yes to confirm the action.

 

To learn more about this process, and regarding the accounts in your COA that can't be deactivated, edited, or deleted by merging. Refer to these resources:

 

.

Finally, I'll provide references to help you match your bank transactions and reconcile your accounts with your bank statements and QuickBooks:

 

 

Leave a comment below and mention my name if you have additional questions about inactivating accounts or any other concerns in QBO. My team and I are here to help you.

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6 REPLIES 6
AdonL
QuickBooks Team

Hi Could you tell me how to delete categories. I have an unnecessary long list of mostly unneeded categories and would like to simplify my list. many thanks.

It's a pleasure to have you in the Community space, RavenRa2. I can help you manage categories and make your list more manageable in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

 

Instead of deleting them, you can make the accounts inactive. This step removes the account from the Chart of Accounts (COA) and other areas where you can select accounts, such as the category list. QuickBooks makes accounts inactive instead of deleting them, so you can still access historical transactions.

 

Here's how to inactivate the accounts:

 

  1. Go to the Gear icon.
  2. Select Chart of Accounts under Your Company.
  3. Find the account you want to delete.
  4. Hit the drop-down in the Action column and choose Make Inactive.
  5. Select Yes to confirm the action.

 

To learn more about this process, and regarding the accounts in your COA that can't be deactivated, edited, or deleted by merging. Refer to these resources:

 

.

Finally, I'll provide references to help you match your bank transactions and reconcile your accounts with your bank statements and QuickBooks:

 

 

Leave a comment below and mention my name if you have additional questions about inactivating accounts or any other concerns in QBO. My team and I are here to help you.

RavenRa2
Level 2

Hi Could you tell me how to delete categories. I have an unnecessary long list of mostly unneeded categories and would like to simplify my list. many thanks.

Hi 

Thank you so much. That is very clearly explained and has solved my issue. 

Best wishes 

RhoiceW
QuickBooks Team

Hi Could you tell me how to delete categories. I have an unnecessary long list of mostly unneeded categories and would like to simplify my list. many thanks.

Hi there, Raven.

 

I'm pleased that my colleague briefly explained about deleting the categories of your chart of accounts in QBO. Our team is committed to providing you with the best support possible, and I'm happy that we were able to assist you.

 

Additionally, you can create subaccounts in your chart of accounts to keep your chart of account organised and more detailed. 

 

Let us know if you need further assistance managing your invoice in QuickBooks Online. I am here to help in any way I can. Stay safe.

Inadvertent_Sublimation
Level 1

Hi Could you tell me how to delete categories. I have an unnecessary long list of mostly unneeded categories and would like to simplify my list. many thanks.

This is perfect thank you. 

It's all cleaned up on my computer but my phone still has the super long list. 

Do I have to make it inactive on the mobile app as well 

 

Thanks

RheaMaeH
QuickBooks Team

Hi Could you tell me how to delete categories. I have an unnecessary long list of mostly unneeded categories and would like to simplify my list. many thanks.

It's great to see a new member here in the Community, Inadvertent_Sublimation. I'm glad to hear that you've successfully organized the category list on your computer. Let me address the issue you're experiencing with your mobile app.

 

First, you don’t need to deactivate categories separately in the mobile app. Any changes you make in the web version of QuickBooks Online are supposed to sync to the mobile app automatically. If you made categories inactive on the web version, those changes should appear in the mobile app without additional steps.

 

However, if your mobile app still shows an extensive category list, try logging out and back in. If the problem persists, update the app to view the latest information.

 

To refresh your app, follow these steps:

 

iOS

  1. Tap Settings, then locate General.
  2. Select iPhone Storage, then click the QuickBooks Online app.
  3. Press Offload App.

 

Android

  1. Go to Menu ☰, then tap More Options ⋮.
  2. Select Settings, then Refresh Data.
  3. Tap YES to confirm.

 

This process clears up storage space without removing data. If the issue continues, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the QBO mobile app.

 

You can also check this article to learn more about the features available in the mobile app: Compare mobile app features.

 

This information should help you resolve your mobile app issue and align your category list with the changes made on the web version. If you have further questions or concerns, feel free to ask. We’re here to help you make the most of your QuickBooks experience.

RavenRa2
Level 2

Hi Could you tell me how to delete categories. I have an unnecessary long list of mostly unneeded categories and would like to simplify my list. many thanks.

Thank you for your helpful reply. This problem is solved 

many thanks

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