Can I merge 2 inventory items? If so, how?

Hi there, @placeintimeclock.

Allow me to provide you with some information about merging inventory items. 

At this time, the system only allows you to merge services and non-inventory items. This is because the inventory items are affecting the Inventory/Asset accounts and have Quantity On Hand that requires correct tracking of your data.

If there are duplicate items that you won't be using in QBO, it'd be best to make them inactive. To do that, follow the steps below.

1. Go to the Sales menu.

2. Select Products and Services.

3. Find the product or service that you want to make inactive.

4. From the Action column, drop-down menu, click on Make inactive.

5. Click on Yes.

I appreciate the idea of merging two inventory items. I'll take note of this.

Please know that our developers are constantly working and considering new options to be added to the system. This way, we'll be able to make the product work according to your business needs.

Aside from services and non-inventory items, you can also merge lists such as accounts, customers, and vendors in QuickBooks Online.

Feel free to click the REPLY button if you have further questions about merging items in QuickBooks Online. I'd be glad to help you out. Take care and have a good one!

Follow up.

If you are unable to merge 2 inventory items, and is only allow to Make 1 Inactive.  If both have inventories, do we just make QT 0 for the inactive, and then add QT 10 to the active to balance everything out?

Thanks for joining the thread, Erss.

I'll chime in and share some information with you. 

In QuickBooks Online, since you're unable to merge two inventory items and can only make one inactive, you'll want first to ensure that the inventory quantities for the inactive item are accurate before making it inactive.

Then, you can make the inactive item's quantity zero and add that quantity to the active item to balance everything out. This will ensure that your inventory counts and values remain accurate in QuickBooks. I'll show you how: 

1. Select Settings ⚙ and then Products and Services.
2. Find the inventory item. Then select Edit from the Action column.
3. In the Quantity on hand section next to Adjust, select Quantity.
4. In the Inventory Quantity Adjustment window, enter 0 in the New Qty column.
5. Select Save and close.

Once done, continue following the next steps to ensure that your books are balanced. Please refer to the steps under Adjust inventory items in this article: Change product and service item types in QuickBooks Online.

You can also visit this article to learn how to group your products and services in QBO: Group your products and services into different categories.

Feel free to reach us again for further concerns. Stay safe!

Thanks!

- Zero inventory to the item that you want to inactivate

- Inactive the extra item

- Add inventory that you want to combine

That basically it?  Since the cost of the items should be the same, in the accounting side it should even out?

We just did something different on Desktop.

1. Change all descriptions (Purchase/Sales) to make sure the 2 items are the same.

2. Change the part number of the item that you want to merge from to the part number you want to merge to.

By doing this the inventory is added together, accounting is good, and there is a trace of things.  What you have to look out for is the Manufacture's Part number, preferred vendor, etc.  You will lose that info on the item that you want to merge.

Can't believe no active QB agents recommended this..... 

Hi there, @Erss. 

Thanks for sharing some insights on the thread. I appreciate you for taking the time to explain that. The information you provided can be a great help to other users who have the same concern.

Moreover, if you need help getting alerts if there are inventory items with low or out-of-stock status, we have an article to guide you through the process: Get alerts for low or out-of-stock products. 

Know that you can always post your QuickBooks-related concerns here. I'll be around to lend some help. Stay safe!

How do you merge the items when they were purchased at different price points, in different years.  If we follow your instructions, then it changes the value of our inventory assets.

It is currently unavailable to merge inventory items in QuickBooks Online (QBO), mombo007. 

At the moment, the system only allows the merging of services and non-inventory items. This limitation exists because inventory items impact the Inventory/Asset accounts and have a Quantity On Hand that necessitates careful tracking of your data.

In addition, the purchase cost of a non-inventory or service item will align with the details of the item you wish to merge.

For now, you can send a feature request directly to our product development team. This way, they can review it and might consider adding this in future product updates. Here’s how you can submit your request:

1. Go to the Gear icon at the top.
2. Select Feedback.
3. Type in your feedback and product suggestions.
4. Click Next to submit them.

Additionally, let me share these articles to help you manage and keep track of your inventory items, such as your best sellers, what's on hand, and the cost of goods:

• Impacts of inventory tracking on balance sheet and profit & loss reports
• Use reports to see your sales and inventory status

Should you have any further questions or require additional assistance with managing your inventory items, please leave a comment below. I'm here to help you.