Find, correct or delete a Class created in error

Sandy Eggo · ‎February 07, 2022

I made a typo and created a new Class when entering a transaction. Weeks later, I noticed the new (wrong) Class and corrected it wherever it could be found.

I would like to delete that "bad" Class and cannot as I receive an error message "Warning This Class is used in transactions and cannot be deleted."

Question: How can I find where any/all transactions where the Class was used to fix it? I have unsuccessfully tried searches, reports by Class, etc.

Pete_Mc · ‎February 08, 2022

Found more info posted by @Alessandra_B which is also for QB Mac. Give this a try and see if it helps.

First, let's pull up your Item Listing report. Here's how:

Click on Reports from the menu bar.
Hover your mouse on List, and select Item Listing.
Click on Customize Report.
In the Columns box, select class.
Click on the Filter tab.
In the Choose Filter box, click on Class, and select the unused class.
Click on OK.

Next, you need to pull up your Customer, Vendor and Employee Contact List. This way you'd know if you've assigned classes to them. You may follow these steps.

Click on Reports from the menu bar.
Hover your mouse on List.
Choose Customer Contact List, Vendor Contact List, and Employee Contact List one at a time.
Click on Customize Report.
In the Columns box, select class.
Click on the Filter tab.
In the Choose Filter box, click on Class, and select the unused class.
Click on OK.

Lastly, you need to pull up your Chart of Accounts list to know that the unused class is not used in any of them. Here's how:

Click on Lists from the menu bar.
Click on Chart of Accounts.
Right click on the page, and click on Customize Columns.
From the Available Columns box, click on Class.
Click on Add.
Click on OK.

Once you've verified that the class is not used in any of these and still unable to delete it, you can run the Verify and Rebuild Data utilities.

To Verify Data:
1. Click on File from the menu bar.
2. Hover your mouse on Utilities.
3. Click on Verify Data.
4. If you see QuickBooks detected no problem with your data, select OK.
5. If Verify finds an issue with your data, you will be prompted to Rebuild Now or View Errors.
To Rebuild Data:
1. Click on File from the menu bar.
2. Hover your mouse on Utilities.
3. Click on Rebuild Data.
4. On the QuickBooks Information window, select OK. Note that as long as the cursor is moving while displaying QuickBooks not responding, the rebuild is still ongoing.
5. Select OK when you see Rebuild has completed.

Once done, you can delete your unused class again from your class list.

View solution in original post

Pete_Mc · ‎February 07, 2022

In the Windows version you go to the Lists drop-down menu and then Class List.

Right click or Double click and edit the name.

Sandy Eggo · ‎February 07, 2022

Thank you Pete but I am trying to remove the "wrong" class. I do have the existing "correct" class already. I am hoping I can find the incorrect ones, fix them and delete the wrong class.

I did try to rename this wrong one to the correct name and QB tells me the name is already in use (no ability to merge them).

Pete_Mc · ‎February 07, 2022

I'm going to guess this is one of those QB quirks like not being able to switch a Bank entry if you accidentally put something in as a Deposit. You have to delete it to put it back in as a Payment.

So at this point, I'd pick the Class Name that has the fewer entries and change them all to the other name (even if it's the wrong Name). Once you're moved them all, try to Delete the name with no transactions. There is a chance you may need to log out and then back in for QBs to recognize there are no associated transactions.

Once you've got everything associated to one Name, edit it to what you want.

NOTE: One way to get all the items you're trying to change the name FROM is to create a Report for that Class Name. As you edit each one to the other name they should drop from your Report. So you'll have an idea of how many are left to go or a way to pick up the process again if you need to stop.

Sandy Eggo · ‎February 07, 2022

Thank you Pete.

The problem I have is the inability to find the entries with the wrong Class. I've tried Profit and Loss by Class and a Quick Report for the class. No entries appear and therefore, nothing to change to allow the deletion of that wrong Class.

Pete_Mc · ‎February 07, 2022

Have you logged out and logged back in? If not, try it and see if you find anything. The Profit & Loss by Class should show you all the items in the column for the Class. You can also Filter the Report to show only that Class.

Does the Name show up, but there's just nothing shown? If you really don't see anything, go change the name to something else. Then change the incorrect spelling to the correct spelling.

Also, try running Utilities and Repair the File. There may be something just hung up. (After you do a backup, of course...)

Sandy Eggo · ‎February 07, 2022

Darn, tried all that (thank you) and still, I am in the same place. Cannot delete those classes as QB reports they are still in use.

Pete_Mc · ‎February 07, 2022

But can you just rename the Class you're not using to something like "X" and just leave it. Then rename the one you are using to the correct name.

One other thing to try is to make a Backup and then Restore the Backup. I'd make a copy of the Folder that has your Company.QBW file in it first. Again, long shot, but that may free up whatever is hanging the old Class.

ChristieAnn · ‎February 07, 2022

Hi there, Sandy Eggo.

I appreciate you for performing the troubleshooting details mentioned above and for coming back to the thread to share updates on your issue about deleting classes. With this, I'll ensure to you'll be routed to the right support team to assist you further so you can get back on track as soon as possible.

Since the issue continues to occur, I recommend contacting our QuickBooks Desktop Support Team. They have the tools to pull up your account in a secure environment which we're unable to do it here in the Community. This way, they'll be able to investigate the cause of the problem and remove the specific class on your end.

Lastly, you may refer to this article to see steps on how you can open Accounts Receivable and Credit card by class in QBDT for Mac: Filter, sort or total reports by Class.

If you need further assistance about managing your classes in QuickBooks Desktop. Please just comment down below. I'm always here to help. Have a great day!

Pete_Mc · ‎February 07, 2022

OH... one other thought.

I don't know if this counts as being "in use" or not, but do you have any Memorized Transactions that have the Class added? I didn't think QBs would track that, but maybe it does.

So think of ANY transactions you can think of that might have the Class added.

Sandy Eggo · ‎February 08, 2022

I did rename the Class and could leave it that way or even hide it.

The "problem" is that QB automatically creates a new (wrong) Class when you make a typo on the Class field of a new entry. I now have two of them and my OCD wants my accounting to be correct.

Sandy Eggo · ‎February 08, 2022

I removed all Memorize transactions and tried again, no luck. Thanks for the suggestion.

Pete_Mc · ‎February 08, 2022

Found more info posted by @Alessandra_B which is also for QB Mac. Give this a try and see if it helps.

First, let's pull up your Item Listing report. Here's how:

Click on Reports from the menu bar.
Hover your mouse on List, and select Item Listing.
Click on Customize Report.
In the Columns box, select class.
Click on the Filter tab.
In the Choose Filter box, click on Class, and select the unused class.
Click on OK.

Next, you need to pull up your Customer, Vendor and Employee Contact List. This way you'd know if you've assigned classes to them. You may follow these steps.

Click on Reports from the menu bar.
Hover your mouse on List.
Choose Customer Contact List, Vendor Contact List, and Employee Contact List one at a time.
Click on Customize Report.
In the Columns box, select class.
Click on the Filter tab.
In the Choose Filter box, click on Class, and select the unused class.
Click on OK.

Lastly, you need to pull up your Chart of Accounts list to know that the unused class is not used in any of them. Here's how:

Click on Lists from the menu bar.
Click on Chart of Accounts.
Right click on the page, and click on Customize Columns.
From the Available Columns box, click on Class.
Click on Add.
Click on OK.

Once you've verified that the class is not used in any of these and still unable to delete it, you can run the Verify and Rebuild Data utilities.

To Verify Data:
1. Click on File from the menu bar.
2. Hover your mouse on Utilities.
3. Click on Verify Data.
4. If you see QuickBooks detected no problem with your data, select OK.
5. If Verify finds an issue with your data, you will be prompted to Rebuild Now or View Errors.
To Rebuild Data:
1. Click on File from the menu bar.
2. Hover your mouse on Utilities.
3. Click on Rebuild Data.
4. On the QuickBooks Information window, select OK. Note that as long as the cursor is moving while displaying QuickBooks not responding, the rebuild is still ongoing.
5. Select OK when you see Rebuild has completed.

Once done, you can delete your unused class again from your class list.

Sandy Eggo · ‎February 08, 2022

@Sandy Eggo wrote:
I made a typo and created a new Class when entering a transaction. Weeks later, I noticed the new (wrong) Class and corrected it wherever it could be found.
I would like to delete that "bad" Class and cannot as I receive an error message "Warning This Class is used in transactions and cannot be deleted."
Question: How can I find where any/all transactions where the Class was used to fix it? I have unsuccessfully tried searches, reports by Class, etc.

Found it / fixed it (leaving a trail for others). I right-clicked the wrong Class and ran a QuickReport and it came up empty. I clicked the Filter option and tried every drop-down under Account until "All bank, a/r, a/p, u/f" worked. Corrected the wrong entry and deleted the wrong Class. Whew.

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Find, correct or delete a Class created in error