Estimates

Hello there, Ahlcllc.

QuickBooks automatically assigns numbers to your transactions. If you've manually changed the estimate number, our software will auto-populate the next number in sequence when you create a new one. For now, we're unable to turn off this feature.

I suggest sending this idea directly to our product engineers. We're actively gathering feedback from our customers to continuously improve our software and provide you with the best features possible. Just click Help, go to Send Feedback Online, then choose Product Suggestion. 

You're always welcome to post in the Community if you have other concerns. 

How do you change the estimate number? I don't want mine to start at 1001 which is the default number for the first estimate. Thanks.

Quickbooks never used to retain my estimate numbers, this has just started in the last few weeks after I entered one particular estimate number, now all of a sudden it’s using that number for every estimate I create. And even if change the estimate number and save it with the new number it still has the auto generated number as the file description so when I attach the estimate to an email it looks like I’m sending someone the wrong estimate. This does not make my company look very professional. 

Hi there, @Asil00 and @Ahlcllc.

Thank you for joining this thread and providing details about your estimate number concern. Allow me to loop in and share some more insights.

As mentioned by my colleague, QuickBooks has a sticky setting feature where it will remember the previous information and continue to increment just like the estimate number.

To change the estimate number, you'll have to edit the Estimate # field. In case you enter 100 as the transaction number and save it, the next estimate you will create will have 101 automatically.

When editing the transaction's number, be sure to save it before closing. This is for the correct number to reflect once you email them to your customer.

Keep me posted if there's anything else you need about estimates. I'm still here to help you further. Have a good one.

Contrary to what I see repeatedly posted, when I create a new Estimate it does not add "1" to the previous estimate number when the previous number was customized. In my case, the very first Estimate number was 2. The next number was 3. I changed that to 103 and saved the Estimate. A new Estimate reverts to 4, not 104. How do I get it to do what everyone in QB Support says is the default, to add 1 to the previous Estimate number? Please don't tell me to start by clicking on some gear icon that I do not have on desktop QB. Thank you.

Hello @Chuck S,

In QuickBooks Desktop, the estimate's transaction number will always follow the next sequence based on the last one created. Since it doesn't allow you to do so, let's consider utilizing the QuickBooks tools to identify why creating an estimate reverting its transaction number. Let me show you how.

A. To Verify Data

1. Go to File.
2. Click Utilities.
3. Select Verify Data.
4. Click OK.

B. To Rebuild Data

1. Go to File.
2. Click Utilities.
3. Select Rebuild Data.
4. Click OK.

In addition, here's an article you can read to learn more about these tools: How to fix possible data damage on your QuickBooks Desktop company file?

Lastly, I've also included this reference helpful with the different ways you can use to track customer transactions: Get started with customer transaction workflows in QuickBooks Desktop.

Don't hesitate to post again here if you have other questions or concerns with QuickBooks tasks and navigations. I'm always around happy to help. Stay safe and have a good one!