Difference between category and item details in purchase order? It means when to use category and/or item details in P.O.?

Good day, himanshu100175.

The Category details are based on accounts in the Chart of Accounts such as Asset, Liability, Income, Equity and Expense. You can use it when you'll want to track the account of that certain category while Item details are based on the specific product or service. You can input the name of the product or service in it.

Let me know if you have other questions. 

category is the name intuit uses for what everyone else in the world calls account

If your purchase posts directly to an account (category) use that section and select the account you need

If your purchase is for an item, inventory or non inventory, use the item details part

In the purchase order area -- I need the category details to show for proper accounts payable & chart of account reasons, as well as item details for inventory & customer billing reasons.  I don't see how exactly to do this. HELP !!!

Hello @PNE1,

As of the moment, there isn't an integrated way that'll let you show the category and item details of your purchase order transaction.

In the meantime, you utilize the custom fields of your purchase order so you can manually enter the details you needed to show up. To do so:

1. Go to the Plus icon.
2. Under Vendor, select Purchase Order.
3. Select the Gear icon.
4. Click Add your own field.
5. Enter Category Details, Item Details, and Customer Information as the name of your custom fields.
6. Select a category and item for your purchase order.
7. Click Save and close.

In addition, here's a couple of screenshots for your visual reference and an article you can read to learn more about purchase orders: How to Create Purchase Orders in QuickBooks Online?

Lastly, I've also included this helpful article that'll guide how you can copy your purchase order to a vendor transaction: Apply a Purchase Order to a Vendor Transaction.

You can always click the Reply button and leave a comment below. I'd be happy to provide further assistance.