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RIM_LLC
Level 1

Why QuickBooks replace the "Description" filed (originally populated with "Bank Details") with whatever I type on the "Memo" field?

The major question I have is this:

 

Why QuickBooks replace the "Description" filed (originally populated with "Bank Details") with whatever I type on the "Memo" field?

 

When adding new expenses, I have the option to add information to the "Memo" field. But if I type anything on the "Memo" field and click on " Add", both the "Description" and "Memo" field (on now the registered Expense) with have the same information.

 

This results in the loss of the original Bank Detail information. Why such a behavior? I.e., why doesn't QuickBooks live the "Bank Detail" information on the "Description" field while registering what I wrote on the "Memo" field?

4 Comments 4
AdonL
QuickBooks Team

Why QuickBooks replace the "Description" filed (originally populated with "Bank Details") with whatever I type on the "Memo" field?

I've got you covered, @RIM_LLC. I'm here to provide details about retaining the original bank description on a transaction in QuickBooks Online(QBO).

 

I understand the importance of preserving original bank details in the description field. The information displayed in each transaction depends on the settings configured on your Transactions tab. To ensure accurate mapping, let's update your settings.

 

Here's how:

 

  1. Go to the Transactions tab.
  2. Click on the Gear icon.
  3. Tick the Copy bank detail to memo checkbox.

 

I've also included a screenshot below for your visual reference.

image_720.png

 

Once done, your bank details will appear in the Memo field. It's important to note that the program will only preserve the data stored in this field. 

 

If you wish to maintain the information stored in both fields, you can manually duplicate the bank description into the designated Description field.

 

I've included this article to help you enter and manage your expense transactions: Enter and manage expenses in QBO.

 

Finally, to help you when you don’t see your income and expenses in your Profit and Loss report, here's an article you can check: Find the missing transactions in your Profit and Loss report.

 

For further assistance in managing bank descriptions in QBO, you can leave us a comment below. We're always here to assist you. 

RIM_LLC
Level 1

Why QuickBooks replace the "Description" filed (originally populated with "Bank Details") with whatever I type on the "Memo" field?

Thank you for the quick response.

 

I was already aware that the bank detail could be copied to the memo field. But what I would like to have is: (i) the bank detail remains on the "Description" field and (ii) whatever I type on the "Memo" field isn't copied to the "Description" field.

 

Your suggesting looks like more a workaround. For instance, see the expense below. I bought a thermometer for my office on Amazon. To avoid loosing the bank detail info, I typed on the "Memo" what this expense refers to, before the "banks details" info. Since QuickBooks copies this info on the "Description" field, they both show the same info.

 

It works, but this is a strange way to register information, no? I.e., I have now two fields (Memo and Description) with the exact same information. What I would like is for the "Memo" to have what the expense refers to and "Description" to keep the Bank Details information.

 

Why isn't an option to do so? Please don't suggest that, after adding each expense, open it and change the two fields manually... That would be a crazy amount of extra work!

 

Screenshot 2024-05-06 081214.png

 

jenop2
QuickBooks Team

Why QuickBooks replace the "Description" filed (originally populated with "Bank Details") with whatever I type on the "Memo" field?

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to us with your concern about the bank descriptions, RIM_LLC. We truly appreciate your feedback on this.

 

Allow me to clarify how the program handles banking details when using the Online Banking feature.

 

For now, there's no option to keep the bank description after matching a downloaded transaction. Please note that they are used as a reference for easy identification when using the Online Banking feature. 

 

Only the information in the Memo field will be retained by the program. 

 

I understand that you want to keep both information saved in their respective fields. To keep them separate, you can manually copy the bank description in the actual Description field as a workaround.

 

 

You can also send feedback to our product engineers about keeping the memo and bank description separate when working in the Online Banking section. Customer suggestions and product requests are reviewed if they can be added in the next updates.  

 

Here's how: 

 

  1. Go to the Gear icon and select Feedback
  2. Type in your feedback or suggestions about the bank descriptions. 
  3. Click Next to submit them.

 

Just in case you need additional resources when using the banking feature, I'll share these articles as well:

 

 

Let me know if you have other questions when working with your bank transactions. You can also visit us again in the forum for additional support or to ask any QuickBooks-related questions.

RIM_LLC
Level 1

Why QuickBooks replace the "Description" filed (originally populated with "Bank Details") with whatever I type on the "Memo" field?

Thanks for the extra info. I did add a request to make both fields show different info. It still baffles me however that this is not the standard - i.e., to preserve the bank detail on the bank description even if something is entered on the Memo field.

 

And here is another issue: below is a real transaction. Note the "Rule" highlight. I.e., it is a regular transaction that is capture by one of my rules. The issue is that if I click os "Add" (when looking all Bank transactions), I will loose the bank detail info, as my rules also include a comment on the memo field. So now I have to select "append the meno to bank details" to have both pieces of information. Again, it works, but both fields will have the same data.

 

Screenshot 2024-05-14 165220.png

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