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byomtov
Level 4

Layout designer

I want to create a template for estimates and am having problems.

 

First, I want the form to be titled "order" instead of "estimate" for various reasons. When I change this in the "Header" section the change does not appear on screen.

 

Second, I want columns for unit and total cost and unit and total price of the items listed. How do I do this? I can't seem to get the unit price to show up, even though the total price does, under "amount."

 

What is totally unclear is how the title of a column determines what goes in the column. I've tried using "sales price," since that's in the item definition, but that doesn't help.

 

Is there an explanation of this anywhere?

 

Thank you.

9 Comments 9
Rejeil_O
QuickBooks Team

Layout designer

Welcome to the Community @byomtov,

 

Let me share with you some of my ideas on how to manage the template of your estimate. First, you can change the title "Estimate" into "Order" by editing the title of the header. Also, make sure to click the OK button to save the customization setting on your estimate. Follow these steps:

 

  1. Go to your estimate, then click the Formatting menu in the estimate windows.
  2. Click the Manage Template, and select the template you want to edit.
  3. Hit the Additional Customization button in the Basic Customization page.
  4. Under the Header menu, put a checkmark in the Screen and Print boxes under the Title section.
  5. Edit the Estimate title into Order in the Title column.
  6. Click the OK button to save the customization settings.

 

For your second concern, make sure to put a Sales price on the item so that the cost and rate of the item will automatically appear in the Cost and Rate column. For the last concern, the cost is the default title of the column in the template. Though it states cost in the column, the data that will pull up is the sales price of the item since estimate is a sales related transactions. However, you can change the column name on your screen and also when you print it. Here's how:

 

  1. On your estimate windows, click the Formatting menu and select the Manage Template button.
  2. Choose the template you want to edit.
  3. Click the Additional Customization button.
  4. Select the Columns menu in the Additional Customization page.
  5. Put a checkmark in the Screen and Print boxes under the Cost section.
  6. Edit the title in the Title column.
  7. Click the OK button.

 

You can use these steps in your QuickBooks Desktop account, and for your QuickBooks Desktop for Mac account, you can check the QuickBooks Desktop Mac 2020 User's Guide and search for the layout designer and formatting templates and follow the steps provided.

 

If you'll need further assistance, feel free to leave a message in the comment section. I'll be happier to help. Take care and have a wonderful day!

byomtov
Level 4

Layout designer

Thank you, but I think you are talking about a different version entirely.

 

In mine I select a template from a dropdown menu at the top of the estimate and then select "Edit current template."

 

I am then given the option to change columns, rename fields, etc.

 

There is no "Title" column. Instead there is a box labeled "Header" with various fields. I typed the word "Order" in place of "Estimate," but it doesn't show on the invoice.

 

I do have both selling prices and costs in my items list, and the software seems to find them, since it is able to multiply both prices and costs by quantity. It shows cost, not price in the column labelled "Cost."

 

Just to be sure, I am using the Mac Desktop version.

MaryAnn_E
QuickBooks Team

Layout designer

Hello there, @ byomtov.

 

You can layout your header to your invoice template. In the Layout Designer window, you can modify the invoice's content let me show you these steps to do so:

 

  1. Go to the Lists menu and then select Templates.
  2. In the Templates window, double-click the invoice form you'll want to edit.
  3. A window will appear where you can customize the form.
  4. At the bottom part of the page, click on the Layout Designer button.
  5. If your header (logo) is: Text - double-click the text to open the Properties window and click Font where you can increase its size then OK.  Image - you can resize it (indicated with a resize cursor).
  6. If you're done making the changes you can save it by clicking OK to every opened window.

 

See this article to learn more about customizing templates in QuickBooks: Use and customize form templates.

 

For QuickBooks for Mac user guide, check out this pdf file: QuickBooks Desktop Mac 2020 User’s Guide.

 

 Let me know if you need further assistance in customizing your sales forms in QuickBooks. Keep safe always.

byomtov
Level 4

Layout designer

There is no "templates" item in the Lists menu.

 

The choices on the Lists menu are:

 

Chart of Accounts

Items

Classes

 

Customer: Jobs

Vendors

Employees

Other Names

Customer and Vendor Profile

 

Vehicles

 

Memorized Transactions

 

 

Kristine Mae
Moderator

Layout designer

I'll guide you on how to open the layout designer, Byomtov.

 

Just follow these steps:

  1. Open the invoice or sales form.
  2. Click the Template pop-up menu at the top of form, then select the template.
  3. Click Edit Current Template.

You can also open the Mac user guide provided by MaryAnn_E, then search for Layout Designer

 

If there's anything else that you need, please get back to this thread. Keep safe! 

byomtov
Level 4

Layout designer

Thank you, but that's where I started and I can't get it to work.

 

I would love to see the following columns on my estimate:

 

Item

Description

Quantity

Unit cost

Total cost

Markup (in dollars, not %)

Unit price

Total price

 

Can you tell me how to do that?

 

The information in the manual is not helpful.

ReymondO
QuickBooks Team

Layout designer

I can see that my colleagues have previously shared steps on how you can customize your template, @byomtov.

 

Since you're still unable to create the estimate based on the information that you've provided, I would recommend reaching out to our phone support. They'll walk you through on how to edit the current template and guide you on how to add the columns that you've mentioned above.

 

Here's how you can reach out to them:

 

  1. Go to this link: https://help.quickbooks.intuit.com/en_US/contact
  2. Select QuickBooks Mac Desktop.
  3. Select a topic.
  4. Scroll down to the bottom section and click Start a Message.

 

If you need more help regarding other tasks in QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, you can check our articles here. Make sure that the topic is set as "QuickBooks Desktop for Mac."

 

Don't hesitate to tag my name in the comment section below if you have other concerns or questions. I'm always ready to help.

byomtov
Level 4

Layout designer

I tried that. The chat was closed by the agent almost immediately.

 

This is incredibly frustrating. It's a simple thing. Why can't anyone explain it?

Candice C
QuickBooks Team

Layout designer

Greetings, @byomtov

 

Thanks for reaching back out to the Community. Since you're having trouble getting in touch with our Customer Support Team, I'll send you a private message with additional information that can get you in contact with them. Here's how to go to your messages within the Community. 

 

  1. Go to your profile bubble. 
  2. Select Messages
  3. Press on the message that has my username to receive and review the information. 

 

If you have any trouble along the way, just let me know. Have a great day!

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