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Items and Services Column Width Resets

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
July 7, 2020
10 replies
40 views

Hello,

I've been using Quickbooks Enterprise for some time now. I run a small warehouse for paving equipment parts, and use Quickbooks Items and Services feature to keep track of the prices, bin locations, quantities, etc for all the part numbers I handle. I spend a large amount of my day, every day, inside of Items and Services and for the most part it works just fine. However, there is one annoyance I deal with that I've about had my fill with. I am constantly resizing columns so that I can read information that isn't displayed fully, and when I go back to a Sales Order or Estimate the columns will reset back to obscuring information again. How can I make the columns retain their size?

Columns After Manual Adjustment

Columns After Reset

QuickBooks Enterprise Suite

Best answer by BigRedConsulting

I looked into NetSuite and yes, it was like $1,200/month, so that's a NO! Have never looked at Sage. I'm not the only user, so we're stuck. As it is we have to have a separate CRM and now I'm looking at a separate Project Management software because there is so much that cannot be done in QB that I desperately need for tracking our projects. Between the constant tweaking of views, having to do custom notations as a workaround, and the reports that also need to be edited to be useful, I lose HOURS per week in productivity. We even had a QB "expert" consult with us recently, which only confirmed that I wasn't crazy and that QB will not do many of these basic things that improve the user experience.

I've not seen this issue, as I wrote above. The columns stick for me wherever I put them, which is what QB is designed to do.

If you try it in multi-window mode (View | Multiple Windows) and resize the item window to be large enough to use (nearly full screen, for example) then do you see the same results, where your column widths are not saved after closing and reopening the window?

Big_WAuthor

Bump

C

Charies_M

Level 9

It's my pleasure to assist you today, Big_W.

At this time, there's no option to permanently re-size the columns in QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise.

I can only imagine the convenience of being able to save the column adjustments you've previously made. For now, you can click the + sign or Expand Columns to see the complete details, just like what you're doing now.

For more information on the available customization options in QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise, check out this article: Customize reports in QuickBooks Desktop.

While the option is not yet available, I want you to be updated with our latest features and news about the product, I encourage you to visit our QuickBooks Updates: New QuickBooks Accounting Software Updates.

Stay tuned for updates and don't hesitate to get back to me should you have any follow-up questions or concern. Have a good one.

Big_WAuthor

I'm using Quickbooks Enterprise 18.0 on Windows 10 if that makes a difference

H

Hoitytoyti

Hi

I am doing reconciliations and for every transaction I have to resize the columns. It is 2021 is there a fix for this?

This question has been raised in the past.

MaryLandT

Level 10

Let me share some insights about changing the size of the window during the reconciliation process, Hoitytoyti.

You can resize the column by manually dragging it. Just point the mouse to the three (3) dots of each column, then move it. Here's the sample screenshot for your visual guide.

You can also optimize the settings to change the displayed window in QuickBooks. Check out this link for instructions and detailed steps: Fix screen issues in QuickBooks Desktop.

If there's anything else you need with bank reconciliation, please let me know. I'm always here to help you.

Big_WAuthor

The problem is we have to do that column resize every single time on every window. Estimates, Sales Orders, Invoices, Items and Services, etc. It forgets what we size it to every time.

E

EH in CT

The bane of my existence is re-sizing columns in QB Enterprise desktop. I HATE it. As you put it, the program is NOT cheap and yet, every function, every day, I'm re-sizing columns to be able to see or copy/paste the info I need to record against my transactions - mainly because it will not accommodate the customization I need.

Even the fixed fields can't be resized such as "customer message" in estimates, or even the terms field. Those boxes are TINY. I don't want to have to print preview in order to view BASIC info.

I keep checking back (like today when I saw your post) and there has been ZERO movement on this front. I can't even get it to retain a re-sequencing of columns. Example: I need my PO# in the memo field, so I add that as a display column and it will only show me part of the number, so I have to re-size to see it. I try moving the column to the left, but no, it still shows me only part of the data. Then the next time I go to look at the PO field, it's shrunken again or moved back to the far right. It's infuriating.

And QBO is NOT any better. In fact, it's WORSE. There's no way I could do my normal functions if I had to rely on QBO to do it. It will only do BASIC functions and it's in no way laid out like the desktop Enterprise version.

M

Mark_Grisnich

They need to fix this now. Such a troublesome issue with such an easy fix should be at the top of the priority list. There cannot be a reasonable excuse for putting this off.

M

Mosto

I can not agree more. This issue should be fixed asap

D

DesktopPayroll2021

I agree with all the users complaining about columns resizing issue.

This is a simple fix. And it's just a basic user interface concept. QB lacks 'user-friendly' design. And so many other minor things that makes this program very slow to operate.

We just purchased QB, and as soon as we can, we'll find a substitute program. It's unbelievable. I'd rather build my own software, than keep using QB beyond our yearly subscription.

Probably, the majority of users aren't computer savvy, so they don't even realize how badly QB is designed.

It's time to make a change, find another accounting software, or push QB to listen to feedback (because similar basic-functionality features have been requested for a decade, and no one does anything about it). QB looks like an older version of Windows, similar to Windows 7 or prior.

E

Ecurb

QB can't seem to make simple neccessary fixes after years of complaints. Also looking to replace QB with a software company that listens to its' customers.

Big_WAuthor

I just wanted to point out to everyone who's interacted with this thread, and particularly to the Intuit team that it's now been well over a year since I originally brought this problem to their attention. This is especially frustrating because of how simple of a fix it would be. There's already a variable that records column widths! It just needs to be saved to the local preferences file. It's such a small change that would save everyone at my company so much time.

AmericanRV

I have the same problem and it's so frustrating. This appears to be yet another example of the only official advice is to submit your comments to the developers. If you're not familiar with that, don't expect it to EVER be resolved. They always say they're working on it, it'll be fixed in a future release (which I think is different than an update) - but it won't be. QuickBooks is not a cheap software to use, but the end users are ignored much of the time.

M

mikeracine

Let me add my voice to the column-width-saving thread. It's extraordinarily annoying to have to resize columns all $%^&# day long. We're an Enterprise Platinum customer. We're in QB all day every day. PLEASE fix this productivity-killing gap in your product!!!!! As multiple people have indicated, it shouldn't be hard.....

Mike Racine | VP Operations | TerraClear Inc.

M

mikeracine

Let me add my voice to those requesting this fundamental feature. It is extraordinarily annoying having to resize columns each time you open a new window anywhere in QB. We are a QB Enterprise Platinum customer. We're in QB all day every day. From GL to AP to AR to Sales Orders to Inventory & Purchase Orders. PLEASE FIX this productivity-killing gap in the product!!!

Mike Racine | VP Operations | TerraClear Inc.

E

EH in CT

I've had the column width and column display sequence complaint for YEARS in QB Enterprise.

Intuitively it should work like excel where you change a column width and it stays that way. Or you re-sequence the display (such as in the vendor window) and it stays that way. I waste countless hours each week just formatting the windows in QB rather than doing my actual work all because I cannot fully see the info that is needed for our record keeping. And why can't you even get the PO # or the memo field in the bill pay window? The vendor reference # is meaningless to me - I need to see OUR record #, especially when I have a vendor with multiple PO's at once.

I just don't get why it's so difficult for Intuit/QB to make a few of those boxes wider. For example - I cannot see the full payment terms or the full customer contact info in those fixed fields, so I have to bring it up in a completely different program from QB or highlight and copy/paste into where it's needed next (also not easy to do when the window is so small). Why are those fixed fields so narrow and can't be widened? And it always shrinks the PO # field in the vendor screen and I MUST have that on the memo line in order to tie it to the record I'm working on when notating a bill or cutting a check. I've tried moving the PO# to the left and I still have to constantly re-size it and the next time I log in I have to start all over again.

Beyond frustrating.

Jen_D

Level 8

Thanks for posting your insights and feedback about the display preferences QuickBooks, @EH in CT.

Please know that we would love to hear your requests or suggestions for QuickBooks Desktop. However, we can't provide the turnaround time if they will release additional invoice template preference like you want. They work on product enhancements internally.

To add your product suggestions to our developers about our invoice template preferences, go to the Help menu and select Send Feedback Online.

Reach out to back to me if you need further assistance while working with QuickBooks preferences. I'm always here to help. Have a great rest of the day.

C

CCS Finance Team

Well, after everything, let me also add a comment regarding how frustrating this is. For me specifically, the problem is with the advanced "find" window, where the columns always seem to be so confusingly spaced, and after manually adjusting them to your preference, they revert to their original confused spacing when you reopen the advanced "find" window.

It boggles the imagination that QB Enterprise cannot possibly find it worth their precious time and money to let customers set column widths in the spacing which works best for them. What do they gain by slowing their own customers down?

It isn't a rocket ship, its an accounting program. How many users need to remain frustrated with this before action is taken?

Kind of embarrassing for the QB development team if truth be known.

BigRedConsulting

Level 15

@Big_W RE: I am constantly resizing columns so that I can read information that isn't displayed fully, and when I go back to a Sales Order or Estimate the columns will reset back to obscuring information again. How can I make the columns retain their size?

I've read through this thread and see the various complaints. However, I've oddly never noticed these issues. When I set column widths on various forms and windows, they stick for me. They always have.

I did test the Sales Order based on your response, and it seems to me that even there the columns stick, except that it's a little more complicated than for Invoices or Sales Receipts. This is because there are different 'views' for the same template. When editing a sales order, one or more additional columns appear, pushing the others around. And that seems to impact my column settings somewhat, shifting them a little bit. However once that slight shift happens, then scrolling through the stack of Sales Orders is consistent and the columns don't move anymore.

I've never seen, and can't duplicate your example for the Item's list. For me, the columns always stay right where I put them, as QB is designed to do.

There is also a complaint in the thread that the Reconcile feature doesn't have resizable columns, but for me it does. And they 'stick' wherever I put them as well.

For some reason, our experiences are very different. I wonder what's different?

K

Keybler

Well for starters, there's 10 thousand versions of quicksbooks. What version/year are you on? Item list, how many columns? Do 6ish, that typically have data, set them, screenshot them, and use them over a few days and let us know.

I only work with item list, not the others you mentioned.

BigRedConsulting

Level 15

RE: What version/year are you on?

I've used every version-year published this century at least.

I'm currently commonly using versions 2016 to 2022, both Enterprise and non-Enterprise. They all seem to work the same way for me.

RE: Item list, how many columns?

I've customized it different ways, adding and reordering columns. It doesn't seem to matter. Whatever I set just sticks as expected.

RE: Do 6ish, that typically have data, set them, screenshot them, and use them over a few days and let us know.

Not sure what you mean or are asking?

A

AxelK

I've posted this before, and am curious to know whether anyone has tried this, or if it's available on any other version. I am using Enterprise Manufacturing and Wholesale 2022 - Canadian version.

I've found that if the user's desktop view preferences are set to save on exit, the size of the columns in every screen EXCEPT reports will be saved after an initial manual adjustment. This needs to be set for every user as far as I can tell. Check (or have admin check) permissions if the preferences can't be accessed. It doesn't solve the problem entirely, but it definitely makes it less annoying!

(Edit menu; Preferences; My Preference tab; Desktop View; Select 'save when closing company')

O

otfaccounting

The preference to 'Save when closing company" makes no difference to this issue for me. I have that setting turned on all the time. I'm running Desktop Pro Plus 2022 and have had this column sizing issue since updating last year to Desktop Pro Plus 2021.

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