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January 17, 2019
Solved

Search Rules Desktop

  • January 17, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 4 views

I have taken on yet another new challenge for a client to get their books back in order.  I came to see there are hundreds of automated rules that may or may not be valid.

 

First of all, I submitted another question regarding accounts used in a previously created rule.  When I updated the COA, none of the rules changed accordingly.  In other words, the rule still kept the old account which I am sure if used, would simply add the transaction and create the unwanted account on the fly.  I have never seen QB Desktop not automatically update anything relating to the COA before.  This is ridiculous that the rules do not change accordingly.  If any business creates say 1,000 rules, and changes their COA, have fun changing all the rules to match the new COA.

 

Okay, so Second and the topic of this conversation:

This client has hundreds of rules created and as I said, I made changes to the COA by adding account numbers to descriptive accounts (yet another pet peeve of mine).  I have a choice to make:

1) Delete all the "automated rules" created

2) Search for and edit each of the rules that exist.

(Update: I did come to realize that the rules can be sorted by clicking on "WHEN", "DO THIS", etc..., located on the title bar.  Although this makes it "a bit" easier, it's not the best solution).

 

The problem if I go with #2 is, I have to manually scroll down the list to find a rule that I need to modify.  There is no search option.  If I'm not seeing something, please help and point out where I would find this.

 

Thank you in advance for your help.

Best answer by SophiaAnnL

Thank you for posting in the QuickBooks Community forum, BasicBooks.

 

At this time, QuickBooks doesn't have an option to edit the rules by batch. You'd have to do it manually one by one. The two options you've considered can work in achieving the task.

 

I would highly recommend that you send a feature request for this. I know that other users would want to have this option as well as it helps save time.

 

To send feedback, just follow these steps:

  1. Click Help at the top.
  2. Select Send Feedback Online.
  3. Choose Product Suggestion.

Please let me know if you need anything else. I'll be around to help you further.

3 replies

SophiaAnnL
Level 5
January 17, 2019

Thank you for posting in the QuickBooks Community forum, BasicBooks.

 

At this time, QuickBooks doesn't have an option to edit the rules by batch. You'd have to do it manually one by one. The two options you've considered can work in achieving the task.

 

I would highly recommend that you send a feature request for this. I know that other users would want to have this option as well as it helps save time.

 

To send feedback, just follow these steps:

  1. Click Help at the top.
  2. Select Send Feedback Online.
  3. Choose Product Suggestion.

Please let me know if you need anything else. I'll be around to help you further.

January 17, 2019

Thank you :).

 

Many times I answer my own question(s), but I need to ask to keep my thinking in check.  At least now I know that the topic of discussions I post, are valid.

January 17, 2019

You're most welcome, BasicBooks.

 

Every question you're about to post here in the Community is valid, and we're here to help. 

 

Don't hesitate to post more. Have a good one! 

May 30, 2021

I too am in this exact situation.  I probably have thousands of rules.  Some are misclassified as income instead of expenses.  So, every month I have to go through during reconciliation and find these automatched transactions and change them.  What a head ache!

 

The for the money Intuit charges for this software it is very buggy and it seems there could be at least a few features added to make our lives easier.

 

This problem should not be marked as solved!

April 25, 2023
Agreed. The more I use it, the more I realize how crappy it is and Intuit doesn't ever update or fix anything. I hasn't gotten any significant improvements since I've been using it beginning 2009.
June 8, 2024

I found it helpful in searching rules to click on the "DO THIS" which sorts alphabetically. This cuts the search for a specific rule allowing you to find it quickly and efficiently. Alternatively, you can do the same in the "WHEN" column. Then you can alter the rule in question easily, since there is no search button to choose.