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CCCBuilder
Level 1

Alternate Line Shading removed from Invoices and Estimates Desktop Pro 2020??

Hey guys, I recently saved an invoice as a PDF and noticed my fields are no longer shaded every other line, making it very difficult to match up the description with the price.  I reviewed the last 200 invoices I have done using the exact same method (it's muscle memory at this point) and see they DO HAVE the shaded alternate lines.  I've searched here and it sounds like this is not a feature in pro and instead an upgrade?  But are you seriously telling me you removed a feature from a previous year's software?  I have tried to run the "check and repair" and it takes all but about 45 seconds and reports no errors found. 

 

PLEASE tell me this is something we can get back to the way it was when we paid for the software.   I am in absolute disbelief that they would remove a feature, at least one that is so minor and pre-existing. I understand removing something from a future program but this seems absolutely outrageous??

7 Comments 7
DebSheenD
QuickBooks Team

Alternate Line Shading removed from Invoices and Estimates Desktop Pro 2020??

Hi, CCCBuilder.

 

We want to help you with your question about alternate line shading in invoices and estimates in QuickBooks Desktop. However, we need more information about it to provide the correct resolution to get this sorted out.

 

Can you share some screenshots for us to view the saved invoice as PDF?

Please know that you're always welcome to post any questions you have in this space. Have a great day ahead.

CCCBuilder
Level 1

Alternate Line Shading removed from Invoices and Estimates Desktop Pro 2020??

I've uploaded and image with 2 screenshots.  This is a perfect example of what's going on - the one WITH alternate lines shaded was saved several months back on the EXACT same PC/Software.  Now I resaved the same invoice and you see there is no line shading.  I looked under printer options, (even though saving isn't printing technically) and there is no checkbox to enable or disable "Shade Alternate Table Rows".  I don't remember if there was before, but that has to be what is wrong and I hate to say this but I believe that was intentionally removed from this software via an update.  WHICH would be absolutely wrong of Intuit to do to their customers.

Jovychris_A
Moderator

Alternate Line Shading removed from Invoices and Estimates Desktop Pro 2020??

Thanks for replying, @CCCBuilder. I appreciate you for sharing a screenshot to resolve this.

 

I can see where you're coming from, and I'll help you sort this out. Normally, there's a setting in the Print options to show the alternate shading for a sales form. When you open the invoice or estimate, we can ensure that purring a checkmark in the Shade alternate table rows box should show the desired output.

 

You can follow:

  1. Click the Customers menu.
  2. Select Customer Center.
  3. Open the invoice.
  4. Click on the drop-down arrow under the Print icon, then select Invoice.
  5. Check Shade alternate table rows box.
  6. Click Preview to check the changes.
  7. (Optional) Click Print.

 

If you wish to remove the alternate shading in the future, you can follow the same steps and uncheck the Shade alternate table rows box.

 

Since you're not seeing this option, you can try to run the verify and rebuild data process. Verifying the data identifies the most commonly known data issues within a company file while rebuilding the data resolves most data integrity issues.

 

You can also check out this article about troubleshooting issues with printing in QuickBooks Desktop for your future reference: Using the Print & PDF Repair tool.

 

Additionally, you'll have the option to duplicate or make a copy of your sales forms templates. Here's an article for your future reference: Use And Customize Form Templates.

 

Stay in touch with me if you have other questions about printing sales forms in QuickBooks. I'm always delighted to help. Have a nice and prosperous day ahead!

CCCBuilder
Level 1

Alternate Line Shading removed from Invoices and Estimates Desktop Pro 2020??

There are no errors when I ran the data check like I mentioned originally.  There are no errors when trying to print either, nor when trying to save as PDF.  

 

There is NO option to 'Shade Alternate Table Rows' whatsoever on the print menu like I did have previously.

 

How can I get that feature back? It's totally removed, not as simple as just checking or unchecking the box, because the box does not exist anymore.

JonpriL
Moderator

Alternate Line Shading removed from Invoices and Estimates Desktop Pro 2020??

I wish I could make it better, @CCCBuilder. Let me make it up to you and offer other ways to get back this feature.

 

We haven't received reports from other customers, like you, whose having issues working with alternate line shading of the sales form transactions. Let's repair QuickBooks to determine the reason why this feature is not working as expected. I'll show you how.

 

First set:

  1. Download the QuickBooks Tool hub.
  2. Open and install the downloaded file.
  3. On the QuickBooks Tool app, select Program Problems.
  4. Click Quick Fix my Program.

 

Second set:

  1. Go to Start.
  2. Select Control Panel.
  3. Under Program and Features, select Uninstall a Program.
  4. From the list of applications, select QuickBooks.
  5. Select Uninstall/Change.
  6. Click Repair.

 

Once done, restart your desktop first before working again with QuickBooks. Then, review and reprint the invoices in question to check if they're now showing the alternate line shading feature.

 

I'm adding this article with the topics you can use while recording the common customer transactions: The Customer Transaction Workflows in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

It'll always be my pleasure to help if you've got additional questions about QuickBooks invoicing and its features. Use the Reply option below and surely I'll be here ready to assist you. Take care and stay safe!

CCCBuilder
Level 1

Alternate Line Shading removed from Invoices and Estimates Desktop Pro 2020??

None of these things worked. The option is still not there.  Everything I have read says that Intuit took this out and has it locked behind enterprise, which is significantly more than I want to pay for one feature.

Giovann_G
Moderator

Alternate Line Shading removed from Invoices and Estimates Desktop Pro 2020??

I know that this hasn't been easy for you, CCCBuilder.

 

Thank you for doing the steps outlined above.

 

In QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise, the option to add Shade alternative table rows is still available. I recommend contacting our Technical Support Team since the methods provided by my colleague aren't working for you. In a secure environment, they'll be able to look through your account and see why the ability to add shaded lines is no longer there.

 

Here's how:

 

  1. Open QuickBooks.
  2. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
  3. Click Contact Us.
  4. Enter a brief description of your issue, then hit Let's talk.
  5. Choose a way to connect via Get a callback or Chat.

 

Support is available from Monday until Friday from 6 AM to 6 PM PST.

 

If you want to personalize the details of your sales forms, check out this article for more information: Use and customize form templates.

 

You can count on me if you need more printing tips in QuickBooks. I'll be around to back you up.

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