Write checks in QuickBooks Desktop for Mac

Learn how to write a check in QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

Checks are good as cash. You can write a check to record a bank account withdrawal or pay vendors and employees. Here’s how.  

Write a check  

1. From the Banking menu, select Write Checks. 
2. Select Create Check... on the left panel.
3. Fill out the fields:
   • Pay to the order of: The name that you’re paying with the check. If it’s a vendor that has an open purchase order, a prompt appears if you want to receive the items. 
   • Bank Account: The account where the money will be taken from. 
   • Date: The date when you issued the check.
   • $: The amount of the check.
   • Address: The payee address. If you're adding a new name, you need to enter an address.
   • Memo: A note or message you want to print on the check.
4. Select Save.

To open the check preferences, select Format. To edit a check, select the check on the left panel. If you don't see this list, select the Left View icon. 

You can also add a signature to your checks. 

If the check is for expenses you want to track through expense accounts

In the Expenses tab, assign the expenses to one or more expense accounts. If you don't see the Expenses tab, turn on Inventory and purchase orders are used in Inventory preferences.

If the check is for an inventory part, non-inventory part, service, or other charge item

Select the Items tab. Then, do the following steps. If you don't see the Items tab, turn on Inventory and purchase orders are used in Inventory preferences.

If you have an existing purchase order

1. Select Select PO and select the purchase order that contains the items you're writing the check for.
2. Select OK.
3. Make changes to the line items if necessary. If you didn't receive all the items on the purchase order, you can edit the quantity or cost of any item. Or or delete an item from the detail area of the charge.

To return all quantities to their original values, select Receive All.

If you don't have a purchase order

1. From the Item list, select the first item. 
2. In the Qty column, enter the quantity you received.
3. Edit the cost of the item if necessary.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the other items you received.