how to merge accounts

Unfortunately, there is no simple "en masse" method. 

1. edit each sub-account to no longer be a sub-account

2. edit name of sub-account to equal main account

I did exactly what you said and an error message popped up saying that you can not merge two accounts that have online information.  I tried to disconnect bank feed, but that did not help.

Thanks for posting here again about this merge account topic, @JGalarza.

Joining the thread to share further insights on how you can get rid of the error message.

Accounts connected to online banking, can't be merged or deleted. If you're still unable to merge the accounts after disconnecting the bank connection, let's proceed to the next troubleshooting. 

Unexpected issues in QuickBooks are sometimes affected by the amount of data stored in the cache. This is because a regular browser will constantly overwrite itself and will not remove history unless done manually.

Private browsing will not save any history, so it's a great place to identify issues in the browser. Use these keyboard shortcuts to launch a new private window:

• Google Chrome: press Ctrl + Shift + N  
• Mozilla Firefox: press Ctrl + Shift + P
• Safari: press Command + Shift + N

Try copying the PO one more time. If it works, clear the cache to resolve browser issues in QBO. Using a different browser can also help.

If the same issue persists, I highly recommend that you contact our Support Team directly. This way they can check on your account and escalate the case to our engineers. You can also request a callback so you won't have to wait on the line. See our support hours here.

Here's how to contact us if you're using QuickBooks Online: 

1. Sign in to your QBO account.
2. Click the (?) Help icon in the upper right-hand corner of the Dashboard.
3. Tap the Search tab, then select the Contact Us button and enter your concern in the description box.
4. Once done, select Call us or Get a callback option.

If you have other questions or need further help with this account register merge, just post here again. I'll be right here to help. Have a good one!

I'm having the same issue with QB Desktop for Mac.  Who do I contact

Thanks for chiming in the thread, @jtbierly. I'm here to assist you with how to contact our technical support for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

We're still here to assist you. If anything isn't working properly, try the following:

1. Go to this link: Contact Support
2. Select your product in QuickBooks and click Continue.
3. Drop your concern in the space given and hit Continue.
4. Choose Chat or Call you'd like to connect with you. 

Furthermore, I added this link for more information: Contact QuickBooks Desktop Support.

Feel free to visit this link for additional details in QuickBooks Desktop: 

• Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release
• Download a trial of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise
• Learn about converting from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online

I'm always available if you have other concerns about your QuickBooks Desktop for Mac version. I'm looking forward to hearing from you on this. Good luck to you.

In my QBO, I´m changing the organization of the chart of accounts. Is there a way of:
1. download the historic information of the accounts
2. erase the old chart of account
3. import the new chart of accounts
4. import the historic information into the new chart of accounts

If its not possible how would you recommend it to do it?

Hello there, jterraz.

I'm here to guide you how to enter the data to your chart of accounts.

First, you can download the historical data of an account via an Excel file. As for deleting an account, you can only deactivate it. The transactions of the inactive account will not reflect on any reports, however the sytem still hold its information.

Here's how to download the historical data:

1. From the Gear icon, select Export Data.
2. Select the reason why you're exporting, then click Continue.
3. On the Reports tab, set the desired date range.
4. Toggle the button under Reports and Lists.
5. Select Export to Excel.

Then, here's how to deactivate anaccount:

1. From the Accounting tab, select Chart of accounts.
2. Locate the account.
3. Under ACTION, click the View register drop-down.
4. Select Make inactive.
5. Select Yes.

Then, you can now import your new Chart of accounts.

Once imported, you can add the historical data to the newly added account. Here's an article as your guide:  Manually upload transactions in QuickBooks Online.

I've also attached an article you can use to reconcile the account in QuickBooks: Reconcile accounts in QuickBooks Online.

Feel free to comment below if you have more questions regarding this or any QuickBooks concerns. I'll be here to help. Have a good one.

In the account to be merged, try changing the account name only, leave the existing account number as is, and click 'save'.

I get an error message saying: Another account is already using this name. Please use a different name.

Hi @Janeknutson.

I can share some insights to merge two separate accounts. This prompt message will appear when the accounts have a different account type, or the detail type are not related.

To combine two different account names, ensure that you save the accounts under the same account type and tax form section (detail type). This way, you can combine two different accounts. You can reference this article for the detailed steps and information: Merge duplicate accounts, customers, and vendors in QuickBooks Online.  Take a look at the screenshots below for visual guide: 
 

However, if you're using QuickBooks Desktop, ensure that the Account Type is the same as the account you want to merge. This way, you'll be able to edit and change the account name and combine it successfully. For more details, take a look at this article: Merge list entries in QuickBooks Desktop. Please see sample snippets below where I merge account B to A. Edited B's account type to Bank and named it A to combine the account:

Additionally, you'd like to see QuickBooks Online data or review QuickBooks Desktop reports after merging the accounts.

Please let me know if you have other concerns with merging accounts in your chart of accounts. I'm always available to help you out. Take care!

I have merged accounts before without an issue. This week I've tried endless times to simply merge three accounts. Each time I get to the "Yes, merge accts", click it, and then it only gives me the option to Save. I click "Save" and then it gives me a message "Another acct is already using number 7085. Please use diff number."  It just won't save. See screenshots below. Thank you for any help in solving this problem. Kara

Hi, kbakerabc123.

I've got a way you may consider merging the account without getting the prompt message.

From the account, you want to merge (not the one you want to keep). Make the name match but remove the number from the account number field. 

If the problem continues, you can open your account to an incognito or private browsing session. Use these keyboard shortcuts to open one depending on the browser that you're using:

• Ctrl + Shift + N  for Google Chrome
• Ctrl + Shift + P for Firefox
• Control + Option +P if you're using Safari

If it works, go back to your regular browser and clear the cache to delete those temporarily stored files and browsing history. You can also use supported, up-to-date browsers to roll out the possibility of a browser-related issue. 

You can also bookmark this reference in managing default and special accounts in your chart of accounts article. It will guide you on which accounts to remove or combine.

Keep me posted by commenting below if you have other concerns with managing your accounts. I'm ready to help anytime.

OMG - This worked that you suggested - "From the account, you want to merge (not the one you want to keep). Make the name match but remove the number from the account number field."

Random but thank you!!  Kara

Hey there, @kbakerabc123.

It's good to hear that my colleague @GlinetteC was able to fix your issue about merging accounts. 

If you have any additional inquiries concerning merging accounts or other issues, you are more than welcome to post them in the Community. Enjoy your day ahead!

This does not work. Now it says "Another account is already using this name. Please use a different name." It doesn't even give me the option of saving to merge.

It appears to save the merge but the account I did not want any longer doesn't go away, it now appears as inactive (deleted) and is still there.  If I merge an account I want it gone.  

Ok. So, I connected with my bank feed. It downloaded about 2100 transactions. All into a new account. I attempted editing one of their names to exactly match the existing one and received a message "cannot merge two accounts that both contain online information.

Using Desktop Pro 2021

I know the reason why it happened, @doug5791. And I’m here to discuss it with you.

The message that says, “You cannot merge an account that both contain online information,” occurs when you have an active bank feed on one of the accounts. Please know that you can’t merge accounts connected to online banking. 

You can disconnect the account to get your new and existing accounts incorporated successfully. Check out the steps below to turn it off:

1. Hit the Lists menu and then select Chart of Accounts.
   
2. Right-click the account you want to disable, then click Edit Account.
   
3. Go to Bank Feed Settings and select Deactivate All Online Services.
4. Select OK, then press Save & Close after.
   
5. Once done, you can now proceed to the merging process.

You can generate a bank report after to review and check your financial records. Accessing reports provides consolidated, factual, and up-to-date information. It also helps organize your data for better planning and decision-making.

If you need further assistance with operating transactions. Just add them to your reply below. We’ll always be here to help.

Were you able to figure this out? 

I appreciate you posting here in the Community since it's our goal to help you find the right solution to your concern. 

I would like to ask what should be able to figure out in our QuickBooks account. What specific QuickBooks product are you using? And did you encounter any errors when editing one of your transactions from your bank feed? Clarifying this would give us more depth on how to fix the issue that you're currently facing.

I'll be waiting for your response and additional information regarding this matter. Please add them to your reply. Have a great day!