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ronbear2017
Level 1

How do I add a category

Trying to modify expense categories to my specific uses
5 Comments 5
Ethel_A
QuickBooks Team

How do I add a category

You can add a category from the Gear icon, @ronbear2017.

 

From the Gear icon, you can add another Product & Service category under Settings. For the complete details, follow the steps below:

 

  1. Go to Settings ⚙, then select Products & services.
  2. Click More ▼, then Manage Categories.
  3. Select New category, then enter the name of the category.
  4. Click Save.

 

Once done, you can navigate to the Sales menu and click on Product & services to group similar items under the same category. Select the checkbox for each item that belongs to the same category and choose the appropriate category from the Assign category drop-down list.

 

Here is an article for the detailed steps and learn more about categories: Group products and services into different categories in QuickBooks Online.

 

You have the option to create different types of reports that can provide you with useful information about your sales, purchases, and inventory status.

 

Feel free to click the Reply button below if you need further assistance in managing your Products and Services in QuickBooks Online. I'm always here to help. Have a great day.

ASECOP-JBP
Level 1

How do I add a category

Ethel, hello. I also am trying to add a category. The item would be an expense, not a sale. How are expense categories added? Thanks.

 

JBP

ZackE
Moderator

How do I add a category

Good morning, @ASECOP-JBP.

 

Thanks for chiming in. How are you doing today? I hope all is well. 

 

Adding new expense categories in QuickBooks Online (QBO) is as easy as 1, 2, 3. We will navigate to the Chart of Accounts page to complete this smoothly.

 

To begin, open your company and switch to the Business view. Next, follow these steps to create the account:

 

  1. In your company, navigate to the Gear icon and select Chart of Accounts.
  2. On the Transactions page, click the New button to open the Account window.
  3. Click the Account Type drop-down and select Expenses.
  4. From the Detail Type drop-down, choose the category you wish to add.
  5. Enter a Name for the new account. Optional Description as well as any other required fields.
  6. Press the Save and Close button.

 

Repeat the same steps for the remaining expense categories you wish to add to the chart of accounts. This useful resource provides detailed instructions on setting up accounts in both the New Account panel and New Category panel: Add an account to your chart of accounts in QuickBooks Online.

 

That should do the trick. Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns about this process. I'm always happy to lend a hand. Have a good one! 

ASECOP-JBP
Level 1

How do I add a category

 

Thanks Zack. Can an addition be deleted? It seems not, one can only select  'inactive'.

 

Take care.

JBP

AdonL
QuickBooks Team

How do I add a category

Your observation is correct, ASECOP-JBP. The expense category in QuickBooks Online (QBO) can only be inactivated to remove it from the list. The details below will clarify things.


Making an account inactive will remove it from the Chart of Accounts (COA) and other areas where accounts are selectable. However, any associated transactions will remain in your company data and can still be accessed by re-activating the account again.

 

Here's how you can deactivate an account:

 

  1. Go to the Gear icon and choose Chart of Accounts.
  2. Find the expense account you want to delete.
  3. Click the drop-down arrow under the Action column.
  4. Select Make inactive.

 

If you want to see your inactive accounts, here's how:

 

  1. Navigate to the Chart of accounts.
  2. Next to the printer icon, click the Settings icon.
  3. Tick the Include inactive checkbox.

 

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For more details on this process and which accounts you can delete, edit, or merge, refer to these resources below:

 

 

If you'd like expert assistance managing your COA, check out QuickBooks Live Assisted. They are professionals specially trained in QuickBooks and can offer valuable insights:

 

We appreciate your effort in posting here in the Community space. If you have further questions about deleting an expense account from the COA, notify us below, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Have a productive day ahead, and stay safe!

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