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theinsightfulorg
Level 2

How can I set columns widths on reports?

I can make the column widths wider BUT can't make them get any narrower on my Customer Balance Detail report.  I tried using different browsers so that's not the problem.  Even though the print preview shows all the columns, the printed product cuts off all the dates!  

Look at all the questions and comments about this issue, which has been complained about for over two years.  Can't QBO hire someone to fix this extremely basic, critical and annoying problem?  Boy, do I miss QB Desktop!! The Online development team squeezed all of the Desktop's flexibility and intuitive thinking right out of the Online version.

Ryan_M
Moderator

How can I set columns widths on reports?

Hi @theinsightfulorg,

 

I have replicated what you stated on my QuickBooks Online (QBO) test account and didn't encounter the issue that you described.

 

Since the same issue happens on other browsers that you have, I suggest you contact our Technical Support for further assistance. They can pull up your account information in a secure environment, and investigate this issue for you. 

 

Refer to this article for the steps: QuickBooks Online Support. It includes their hours of operation, so you know when they're available. 

 

I'll share this article with you as well: Fix QuickBooks Online printing issues on browsers for Windows. You can keep this article with you in case you encounter any other issues with printing in QBO. 

 

I'll be around in case you have other concerns with reports in QBO. Tag me in a comment below, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. 

GSH2
Level 2

How can I set columns widths on reports?

I'm not using QuickBooks Online. I'm using QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2020. 

GSH2
Level 2

How can I set columns widths on reports?

Hi Katherine. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I did everything you recommended and it didn't work. 

JasroV
QuickBooks Team

How can I set columns widths on reports?

No worries, @GSH2

 

I appreciate you for going through the steps shared by my colleague and for sharing some clarifications. Allow me to add additional information to help you get around this issue.

 

I recommend downloading our QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) Tool Hub and run the Quick Fix my File. This tool scans your program for issues and self resolves them right away. Let me show you how.

 

  1. Close your QBDT software.
  2. Download our latest QuickBooks Tool Hub
  3. Open the file you downloaded (QuickBooksToolHub.exe).
  4. Follow the on-screen steps to install.
  5. When the install finishes, open the tool hub on your Windows desktop.
  6. Select Program Problems.
  7. Click Quick Fix my File.
  8. Start QuickBooks Desktop and open your data file.

 

You can also check this article for more details and additional troubleshooting steps: Fix common problems and errors with the QuickBooks Desktop Tool Hub.

 

Once everything is in place, you might want to check these articles for reference. These can walk you through the steps in customizing your reports and saving its current settings: 

 

 

I’ll be around if you have any other concerns or questions about managing your reports. Leave a reply below and I’ll sprint back into action. Have a great day ahead and keep safe!

PA CPA 090
Level 3

How can I set columns widths on reports?

You can expand columns this way but I do not see any way to narrow them. The "Transaction Type" and "Number" columns are way too wide and I need that space to expand the "Memo" column. QB only lets me make columns wider and does not let me make them narrower. The desktop version is very easy to format columns. 

oceanbeachesglass
Level 5

How can I set columns widths on reports?

I have to say, the NUMBER ONE issue I've had in QBO is with the columns in places like the COA registers.  The issue is two-fold - one being the column widths, the other being the column titles.

 

The column resizing is not always an easy matter.  As has been mentioned, it can be very difficult to get the cursor exactly right to re-size a column.  And, often, I can't get it to that exact point at all. 

 

And the default columns that appear are not at all what I want.  I'm constantly using the gear to change which columns appear, but the settings never stay put.  I can leave and come back to find how they'd been originally.

 

This is extremely frustrating.  I have trouble believing that a piece of software like QBO, with all it's advanced and admittedly impressive functions, is not able to handle something as simple as how the columns work! 

 

And if anyone suggests clearing the cache, trying a different browser, or even sending Feedback, I've tried all that - it's enough of a repeating theme through the responses here that I pursue those things before anything (and btw, the Feedback button is often totally non-functional).

kastrup
Level 2

How can I set columns widths on reports?

Thank you for stating the problems so well.  Let me also add that QB could at least size the column to fit contents.  Often the you have a very large column just to fit a word or too.  Taking up all the screen space and leaving information out of the screen.

 

Also, please, can't they freeze the title pane, so that when we scroll down we can still see the column titles!?

 

Really, basic stuff...

Rea_M
Moderator

How can I set columns widths on reports?

I can see how the benefit of freezing the title pane on your financial and transaction reports would aid you in managing the different aspects of your business using QuickBooks Online (QBO), @kastrup. That's why I'm here to share a few details about this.

 

We take customer suggestions as opportunities to improve the various features within our products. Therefore, I would encourage you to send suggestions or product recommendations.

 

Your valuable feedback will be forwarded and reviewed by our Product Development team to help improve your experience while using the program. Here's how:

  1. Go to the Gear icon.
  2. Select Feedback.
  3. Type in your recommendation in the Share your feedback field.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

 

I've attached screenshots below that show the first four steps.

 

 

Also, to see the complete list of reports available for your version of QBO and how you can manage and customize them, I encourage you to check out these articles: 

 

 

On top of that, I'd also recommend visiting this page to keep you updated with the latest software improvements and enhancements with QBO: Customer Feedback for QuickBooks Online.

 

I'm all ears if you have other concerns about creating and customizing invoices in QBO. You can drop a comment below, and I'll gladly help. Take care, and I wish you continued success, @kastrup.

GSH2
Level 2

How can I set columns widths on reports?

It's me again. I figured out the "problem", but I'm still not happy that QB works this way. I have three screens. My laptop screen in the middle and two big screens on either side of it. As soon as I moved QB to the laptop screen, all of the functionality was available. Drilling down on transaction detail, changed column widths, etc. Of course you can't "freeze" the column width settings for some stupid reason, so I have to adjust them every month every time I run my financials, but at least now I understand how to do it.

 

Thanks for all the helpful ideas! Much appreciated.  - Gordon

DivinaMercy_N
Moderator

How can I set columns widths on reports?

Hi there, GSH2.

 

Thanks for getting back here and giving details about your outcome. I'm glad to know that you've been able to adjust the range width of your reports. Here's a helpful article for an additional guide in modifying your reports: Customize reports in QuickBooks Desktop. You can also save the modifications to apply the same formats in the future. To do so, simply select the Memorize button in the report. 

 

Then, to make sure that your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) program always has the most recent components and fixes, you have to ensure that it is always updated to the latest release

 

Also, it's recommended to create a backup copy first before doing any changes to your company file. This is to ensure you have the original details that you can restore at any time in case of accidental loss or damage.

 

Just in case you have any other concerns about running a report in QBDT, don't hesitate to post again here in the Community. Have a good one. 

oceanbeachesglass
Level 5

How can I set columns widths on reports?

It's ridiculous how long this has been going on.  As you can see, the first post in this thread is from Jan, 2019.  I've had QBO for a little longer than that, and have had the issue continuously.  Just randomly enough to not chuck the whole thing, but often enough that it's a genuine frustration.

 

I did take it all the way to phone support once.  She was ready to give up on fixing it, until I gave up and said "close enough".  It worked all right for a while, then, mostly, but it still goes wild at times and resists any input - absolutely randomly.

 

Example, today, when I looked at my Product Categories, only one column was visible.  I'd never seen this before.  There are only 2 columns in the Categories - Name and Action.  Now, how on earth can anyone account for the fact that the Action column is wider than my entire screen?  I CAN get my cursor to find the border line on the far right of that column, but it will absolutely NOT MOVE.  So all day I've been working with Product Categories having to slide the window back and forth because I can't see a measly two columns at the same time!

 

And there are only so many times I can refresh the browser, clear the cookies, check for updates, try other browsers, etc., etc.(I tried every one of them but nothing changed), but I would think that after AT LEAST 3 years of people having this problem, Intuit would be able to figure it out.  All I can guess is that you have, but you don't feel the cost warrants it.  I suppose maybe you don't have QUITE enough people quitting to make it worth your while.  But really, this piddly stuff that we all take for granted in other software we use absolutely ruins an otherwise positive experience.

PA CPA 090
Level 3

How can I set columns widths on reports?

It's still not fixed and I still hate QB Online reports. It will not allow me to narrow columns that are way wider than they need to be and this results in not having enough space for other columns. I was originally thinking that clients who were pushed into the online version because they can no longer purchase and use the Desktop version for multiple years would warm up to it but they're not. They just want their old Desktop version back. This is a money grab on the part of Intuit and they are irritating enough long time customers that many will eventually drop the product. There are other options out there that are looking more appealing. 

CBlue
Level 3

How can I set columns widths on reports?

The only time I managed to make some QBO Essentials columns narrower, to resize them, I believe it was on a Microsoft Edge browser for Windows 10. I have to agree with everyone, the column resizing issue is one of the most frustrating things about QuickBooks Online, and such an essential feature. 

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