I'm looking for a way to print/create a report of expenses by category. Seems like something every business would want to know.

This worked once I added sorting by the Split column.  This kept all the various expense categories grouped together.  I then exported to Excel and added my own subtotals for each category.  I would think this is a common type of report since tax deductions are taken per expense category.  All I'm trying to understand is "what did I spend on expense category X last year."  Thanks for the tips!

I'm happy to hear that sorting by the Split columns works, alext-pobox-com.

If you have other QuickBooks questions, please don't hesitate to create a new post here in the Community forum. We're always open to providing the necessary steps and information so you'll get what you need.

I'll be closing this post now. Thank you and have a great weekend ahead!

Okay, I think I have the exact same question, I've followed the instructions and have the report, but how do I group it by category?  It's not grouped that way.  

Thank you for joining in and for following the instructions, Angela.

I'll continue to help you about grouping your transactions by category. However, can you please clarify more about the goal that you want to achieve? The Transaction Detail by Account report already groups the transactions "by account (category)," so can you please enlighten me about the groupings you like?

Thanks in advance.

Ahhh, I think I figured out what was wrong!  Most of my "transaction types" are "expenses," which are not part of the filter in the original instructions, so I was missing most of my transactions.  That being said, should my "expenses" be "bills" or "bill payments" instead?  Do you know why that filter is set up to only use those 8?  

Thanks for your quick reply. 

Good job that you figured out what was wrong in your report, @Angela770. 

I'm here to assist you in fixing the report filter and explaining why it is configured only to use the 8 transaction types indicated above. 

You'll need to customize the transaction type to show the other expense transactions in the report (bills & bill payments). Let me show you on how: 

1. Open the Transaction Detail by Account report again. 
2. Choose the Customize tab on the upper right side. 
3. In the Transaction Type, select All. 
4. Pick All Expenses Accounts from the Distribution Account drop-down menu.
5. Hit Run report. 

For more details about the customizing report, see this link: Customize reports in QuickBooks Online.

Did you know that your current report customization options can be saved? The new transaction will auto-populate in the report when you use this feature. For complete details, see this article: Memorize reports in QuickBooks Online.

I've also included some links below that to know how to exclude, print, and email the list of reports available in each QuickBooks version: 

• Reports included in your QuickBooks Online subscription
• Run, print, email, and export reports in QuickBooks Online.

If you have questions about the reports or other product-related issues, comment below and tag my name. I'll be right back to help you out.

I have tried this with my Essentials account - i do not see the SPLIT field? Can this be done with INTUIT PLUS, or is the only possibility INTUIT ADVANCED? 

Let's add the split column in your report, @ntlee111888111.

If you're subscribed to QuickBooks Online (QBO) Essentials, you can customize your report and add the Split column. If you're referring to the Transaction List By Customer report, click on Switch to classic view. From here, you can follow the steps provided by KlentB above. Check the screenshot below:

Here's how you can customize reports in QuickBooks Online to guide you with adding rows and columns in your report. Then, check out this article for more information about reports that are available for your version of QuickBooks Online.

To save the customization that you set for the reports, here's how you can memorize reports in QuickBooks Online. 

Let me know if you need more help with your report. I'm always here to help. Have a great rest of the day!

thank you - I've gotten closer but this isn't quite what I want. Apparently only the Advanced Account  can show you:

Expenses by Category?

And if I want to create a Report that is based on TAG and then run it by Category for Expenses and Income it doesn't seem to allow me to either?

Is there a way to speak with someone about this?

Hi ntlee111888111,

Thank you for getting back to us. I'll continue to help you with your report, and you can comment anytime if you have questions.

The expenses by category is not a preset report, even in the Advanced plan, but we can create it by customizing the Transaction Detail by Account, as KlentB shown above. However, instead including the Transaction Type, you can just utilize the Distribution Accounts: All Expenses Accounts filter.

With regards to creating a report based on Tags and grouping the transactions by category (Distribution Accounts), we're unable to achieve this. The available reports can only show tags or distribution accounts.

Your workaround is to run the Transaction Detail by Account report and use this filter: Distribution Account: All Income/Expense Account. You can export the it to Excel so you can add a column for Tags. Then, manually check the tags of each transaction.

On the other hand, I can see the convenience of having a report with tags and distribution accounts. Feel free to send a suggestion about it so our engineers can make enhancements in future updates.

1. Click on the Gear icon.
2. Choose Feedback.
3. Enter a sentence or two to describe your suggestion and click Next.

I'm only a comment away should you need more help with your report. Take care and have a good one!

I must be missing it - 'Transaction Detail by Account' is not an option for me at all.

Thoughts?

Thank you for joining the thread, @denk.

I'd love to share my thoughts to get your concerns sorted out. Anyhow, can you specify what specific goal you're trying to pertain to with reports? Which concerns posted above that are similar to yours? Additional details are much appreciated.

I'll wait for your response to get this resolved. Stay safe!

The goal is pretty simple, find out what I'm spending my money on.  The report should answer simple questions like "How much money did I spend on office supplies last year."    There's a report for "Transaction List by Vendor" why not one for "Transactions by category"?

I'm just surprised that a simple report to tell me what I'm spending my money on isn't available in the product. 

I *think* I may have discovered what it is.  Reporting is limited within the simple start plan, and this report is based on a template that is only available in essentials and higher.  So if I want a report of expenses by category, I have to change my subscription type.  Please correct me if I am off base?

This would be a great solution

but there is no such report as "Transaction Detail by Account" 

Hello denk, 

You are correct! You would need to upgrade your subscription to be able to see reports such as Transaction Detail by Account. If you want to upgrade your subscription, you can use this link to assist with that. 

• Upgrade your QuickBooks Online Subscription

Please let me know if you have any concerns or other questions! My team and I are ready to help. Bye for now. 

Hey I've been trying to figure this out, as well. I just went to management reports, put in the dates in the Expense Performance line, and it shot out a report by category. A minor victory for a quckbook challenged type

Hi there, RonMc99.

I appreciate you for visiting the QuickBooks Community and informing us that your concern has been figured out by putting the dates in the Expense Performance line. This motivates us to provide the best solution that our customers need.

Please know you're always welcome to post with any other concerns. I'm always here to help. Have a good day!

Hello Quickbooks Team

Please update this information to reflect the upgrades made. Thank you 

Dear QB Team

Please advise on how to create a Transaction Summary by Account report.

Thanks

Hi there, @Jacque22. I'll share some information about running a Transaction Summary by Account report in QuickBooks Online (QBO). 

In QBO, the option to run a Transaction Summary by Account report is unavailable. As a workaround, you can pull up the Transaction Detail by Account report and hide the details for each account so you only see the balance. Here's how:

1. Select the Reports menu and scroll down to the For my accountant section.
2. Next, click the Transaction Detail by Account report.
3. From there, select the dropdown arrow beside the account's name to hide the transactions.
4. Then, select the Customize button to remove unnecessary columns or filters and add the needed ones. 
5. Once done, select Save (for the new interface) or Run report (for the old interface).

For reference in managing your reports, please check this article: Customize reports in QuickBooks Online.

On the other hand, you can also export the report to Excel and modify the details there. Let me guide you on how:

1. Select the Reports menu and scroll down to the For my accountant section.
2. Next, click the Transaction Detail by Account report.
3. From there, apply the customizations you want.
4. When ready, select the Export to Excel option. 

You can also memorize custom reports in QBO. This process will help you save the customization so you can use it in the future: Memorize reports in QuickBooks Online.

I'm always here to provide additional assistance if you have other concerns about running reports in QuickBooks. Please don't hesitate to leave a reply below. Have a good one, and stay safe.