Feature Request: Turn off auto-fill of check numbers

Intuit will probably never change this.

When I'm entering data in the register, after entering the date I press tab and then delete and then tab again. After awhile it just seems natural do to, unless I'm actually writing a check, which is about once a month.

Note that if you're entering a deposit you don't have to worry about the check number because when you enter the deposit amount in the Deposit column, the check number disappears. So, that might help a little.

Thanks for the clarification about the deposits auto-clearing the check number field.  That will help me some of the time.

For my style of typing, I'd still much prefer not to have to clear the field when entering all other transactions.  I've been doing this in QuickBooks 20 years now and that habit has never formed, it keeps tripping me up.  I'll go in weeks later to reconcile a statement and find a bunch of check numbers I didn't know I had accidentally entered.

I know Intuit has adopted a stance of forcing people to buy the new version every year (or lose access to your very own data in a program that was previously working fine), but I'd prefer to see them adopt the stance of implementing popular customer requests and giving people a natural reason to WANT to pay to upgrade.

What sort of transactions are you entering, that don't have check numbers?

I fiddled around with this for awhile and there may be an acceptable option:

If entering direct payments of some sort, like DD or ACH orders, or electronic payments of some other type, you could set up an alpha-numeric "number" in the register and QB will take it up and start incrementing it like a check number. The number would be basically meaningless, but you could then just leave it in place as it can't be confused with a real check number.

For example, if you enter PMT001 in the check number field and then record the 'check' transactions, then on the next check QB will default to PMT002, and on the next PMT003, and then on up to PMT999, and then it'll roll to ACH1000.

You can replace PMT with whatever you want as your default, like DD or ACH or some such thing, and you might want to start with PMT0001 (four digits) so it goes up to PMT9999 before adding another digit.

I have learned the same thing yrs ago. It does become habit but I would like to not have to do that anymore. QB is slooow to change anything they don't have to.

As long as there's little direct competition, they have no incentive.

The issue isn't just when manually entering transactions. The biggest one for me is all the automated transactions and the ones that are downloaded into the register like from QB Payroll. I have to manually delete ever check number from every transaction. That is NOT productive work.

100% would support this. Really a useless "feature" these days.

I write one check a year out of ALL my transactions, but I have to go back and delete all the auto-entered ones.

Waste of my time.

I would like this as well

Welcome to the QuickBooks Community again, LekkerByDieSee. Please know that QuickBooks Desktop is constantly changing and evolving based largely on the requests of users. With that, I'll ensure you can send feedback so the feature you want in QBDT is forwarded to the Product Development Team.

I suggest going to the Help icon in QuickBooks Desktop. From there, you're able to choose Send Feedback Online to submit a request about turning off the auto-fill check numbering feature in QBDT. Any recommendations are sent to our engineers for consideration in future updates.

Lastly, you may refer to this article to see steps on how to record a bounced check transaction in QuickBooks by creating a journal entry and a bill payment check: Manage a bounced check you wrote.

Don't hesitate to add a comment below if you need more help managing different features in QBDT. I'm always around to help, LekkerByDieSee. Have a great day!

If these complaints or requests do not automatically go to the development teams, then what is the purpose of this "support"!

We also need the option of a thumbs down when something does not work or your response id not relative to the request.

Agrivation.  Our days are numbered for Desktop for small users.  Will investigate alternatives.

Why hasn't this been corrected?

I WILL NOT GO TO ONLINE VERSION AND BE AT MERCY OF THE INTERNET CONNECTION! I am with you--after all the money we spend year afterr year this is our thanks! 25 years for me

I have been using QB since it was created back in the DOS days! I am with you. I have already tried QBO and it stinks. First, like you, I don't want to be at the mercy of internet service [failing]. I also lose all my sub Contacts, i.e. jobs under each Customer. I have many dozens of those since I serve property management companies. Unfortunately I haven't found a substitute software/app yet that has done what QB has done on a good day and everyone wants you to do an online subscription unless you have an enterprise structure.

Any heads up?

I get what you're saying and it's all good intel but then when I need to enter a real (printed) check number I have to change the nomenclature and it will default to that new nomenclature. I know, I've experienced it. I prefer to have it NOT automatically enter check numbers. I want it to just accept my entries when I enter them. It's less cluttered that way.

"PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Intuit developers, give us a simple option in preferences to turn off the auto-check numbering feature.  Just a simple checkbox, so I can ignore that field and just type and post transactions."

Couldn't agree more! I go back and forth from using the insane online ref numbers from my bank to occasional manual checks and QB automatically sequences base on 1 number in a 10 alpha-numeric - it's insane.

Also, please stop sequencing the date during check writing. If I enter a recurring payment now that's due end of next month and don't pay attention, the next check written today has the future date which, when reconciling, makes me go back and fix the mistake. Have it always enter today by default if anything.

100% AGREE - WE PAY WAY TOO MUCH FOR THESE PROGRAMS TO HAVE TO HANDLE THESE ANNOYANCES - INTUIT GET ON IT!

I LOVE tyour idea of putting in a number that is basically meaningless that will incrementally count. I started the new year with Online 1. As a bonus, it does let me know the total transactions I have paid for out of my checking account too.  Thanks for your great suggestion!!

I LOVE your idea of putting in a number that is basically meaningless that will incrementally count. I started the new year with Online 1. As a bonus, it does let me know the total transactions I have paid for out of my checking account too.  Thanks for your great suggestion!!

We are also do a property management function.  I tried QBO and it lost much of my info including my attachments.

Also requesting this function.  More and more of transactions are via online and/or use of debit card.  I wouldn't mind having a default of some kind (I'd probably use debit or ACH) but it is ridiculous to continue to have to deal with a check number every time I pay a bill.  We even do EFT for our staff so simply no need for a check number hardly ever.  ty.

I hear your sentiments, Spencer. I'll add details about check numbers and missing attachments in QuickBooks.

QuickBooks Desktop(QBDT) and QuickBooks Online(QBO) are distinct products with some differences in functionality. Thus, some data(including attachments) is unavailable on the online platform after the migration. To learn more about the process, please refer to this article: How Features and Data Move.

Additionally, the option to turn off the auto-fill of check numbers is currently unavailable. I suggest you send us feedback. Our Product Development Team considers customer feedback when making updates and improvements in the system. 

Here's how:

1. Click the Help option.
2. Select the Send Feedback Online option.
3. Choose the Product Suggestion option, and a pop-up window will appear.
4. Type your feedback suggestion.
5. Click the Send Feedback button, and your feedback will be sent.
6. You can track your requests through the customer feature request.

Finally, I've included this resource to guide you in entering your income and expenses and have a complete picture of your business: Enter and manage bills and bill payments in QBO.

Please don't hesitate to leave a reply if you have additional concerns about managing your QBO account. We're always here to help you. Stay safe!

AdonL, please rest assured that I have already contacted product development.  Since, they're trying to get everyone to move on from desktop, I will not be holding my breath at all ever for it to come to pass.

I do thank you about the info on attachments.  I keep very few physical receipts anymore, I scan them with my Epson Rapid Receipt (one the best purchases I have ever made for my business) and then shred them. 

I will be avoiding the move to QBO as long as I can afford it.