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wendren
Level 2

Marking an estimate as closed.

How do I mark an estimate as closed?

One suggestion I found in the forums is to delete the estimate but I cannot becuase I get this message:

"One or more progress invoices have been created from this estimate. Deleting the estimate will cause each of the invoices to lose its association with the estimate. Do you want to delete the estimate anyway?"

And I assume that I should rather not delete it in fear of loosing the invoice. 

I have hundreds of estimates. How do I know which ones I still need to convert into an invoice?

Solved
Best answer December 10, 2018

Best Answers
SkinnyRaven
Level 8

Marking an estimate as closed.

To mark the estimate inactive use the icon at the bottom of the estimate window that looks like a half open door or from the edit menu select "mark inactive"

View solution in original post

21 Comments 21
Rustler
Level 15

Marking an estimate as closed.

I am not sure about the layout in mac

but in windows on the ribbon bar (or anywhere else for that matter) look for a make inactive button/icon or check mark setting

It is a long standing bug in QB that estimates do not close when creating an invoice automatically and you have to do it your self

wendren
Level 2

Marking an estimate as closed.

I cannot find the ianctive button that you are referring to so I have attached a screenshot of my window. Can you see it anywhere?
Rustler
Level 15

Marking an estimate as closed.

you have to click answer in this forum to attach a screen shot
SkinnyRaven
Level 8

Marking an estimate as closed.

To mark the estimate inactive use the icon at the bottom of the estimate window that looks like a half open door or from the edit menu select "mark inactive"

wendren
Level 2

Marking an estimate as closed.

I do not have the button? Please see my screenshot attached above and advise.
SkinnyRaven
Level 8

Marking an estimate as closed.

Look at the bottom of the estimate window.

wendren
Level 2

Marking an estimate as closed.

Thanks. I expected it to change colour the colour of the estimate or stamp it with something marking it as converted. Now I have to find this tiny button and check if it is pushed in our out.... Quickbooks please make this a bit more noticeable in future versions.

janetcc
Level 1

Marking an estimate as closed.

agree, please make it more obvious if the estimate is "open/active" or "closed/inactive"
SkinnyRaven
Level 8

Marking an estimate as closed.

You may find it easier from the transaction center. To get anything changed use quickbooks>quickbooks feed back and submit a feature request.
wendren
Level 2

Marking an estimate as closed.

Screenshot Attached

Rustler
Level 15

Marking an estimate as closed.

wow not only are you using mac which I said I was guessing at, but a non US version too just to really confuse me - ROFL

I honestly have no idea since there is nothing on screen, do you have an edit menu, perhaps with the estimate on screen there is something in that menu to close.inactivate it - or maybe right click on the estimate in the list on the left and see if that has an option

Other wise, sorry but I can't help, hopefully some mac user will come along and know the answer
coastalerica1
Level 3

Marking an estimate as closed.

I'm trying to figure out why my estimates are not automatically marked as inactive when I create an invoice from them. At that point, they are invoiced for 100% of the estimate but they are still showing active. I have the preference selected to progress invoice and "close estimate after converting to invoice" but it still keeps all estimates "active" unless I manually close them. I do know how to manually close them, so I don't need that information, but I'm wondering if I am missing something.

KlentB
Moderator

Marking an estimate as closed.

You're not missing something, coastalerica1.

 

As of now, the option to automatically closed a fully invoiced estimate is unavailable in QuickBooks Desktop. Please know that we roll out updates based on our customers' requests. We’ve heard that request quite a bit so maybe we will do so in the future. I'll also take this post as feedback and share it with our Product Design Team for consideration.

 

For now, you can manually close your estimates once they're fully invoiced.

 

In case you need to track all the outstanding estimates that your company has for all your customers, you can follow the steps below in pulling up the Estimates by Customer report:

 

  1. Select Reports from the top menu bar.
  2. Choose Report Center.
  3. Enter Estimates by Customer.
  4. Click the Run icon.
  5. Set the appropriate reporting date in the date picker.

As we assess this opportunity, I encourage you to visit our blog to stay current will all our product updates and enhancements.

 

I'll be right here to continue helping if you have any other questions or concerns about estimates. Have a great rest of the week.

drs5542
Level 1

Marking an estimate as closed.

I would like to second this request - to truly use the estimates correctly, they should automatically go to inactive status once they have been fully billed!

pcadmin2001
Level 2

Marking an estimate as closed.

You can batch mark unbilled estimates inactive by going to Income Tracker. Unbilled Estimates is where you can do it.

Foster0622
Level 1

Marking an estimate as closed.

Where is the income tracker?  I cannot find it.

ReymondO
Moderator

Marking an estimate as closed.

Thanks for joining this thread, @Foster0622.

 

Let me walk you through the steps on how to find the Income Tracker feature in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT). 

 

Here's how:

 

  1. Open your company file.
  2. Go to the Customers menu and select Income Tracker.

income tracker.PNG

In addition, you can run the Transaction List by Customer report. This will show the list of your transactions (income and expenses) grouped by customer. Just go to Reports and select Customers & Receivables, then click Transaction List by Customer

You can also customize this report to view the details that matter the most to your business.

 

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.

Daphne
Level 1

Marking an estimate as closed.

Has this feature been added yet? It seems like it's only appropriate to have the option to automatically have estimates closed at the time they have been fully invoiced. And this thread started in 2018, so it's been on users minds for almost FIVE years now. 

Thanks!

MadelynC
Moderator

Marking an estimate as closed.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Daphne.

 

I know how convenient it is to get estimates automatically closed at the time they've been fully invoiced. However, the option is unavailable in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

You can use the Feedback feature to send this idea straight to our concerned teams. This way, they could take action to help improve your experience. I’ll show you how:

 

  1. Open QuickBooks.
  2. Go to the Help menu.
  3. Select Send Feedback Online.
    Capture.PNG

 

If you want to customize, import, or export your form templates in the program, please refer to this guide for complete instructions: Use and customize form templates.

 

Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions or concerns besides estimates. We’re always here to help. Take care!

kldixey
Level 1

Marking an estimate as closed.

Any update on turning on the "close estimate after converting to invoices"   We do dozens a week, and it is very cumbersome.   Thank you

MadelynC
Moderator

Marking an estimate as closed.

Thanks for joining this thread and asking for updates about estimates, @kldixey.


At the moment, the ability to get estimates automatically closed after converting to invoices is unavailable. We can't provide you a specific time frame as to when this feature will roll out.


I’d recommend sending our Product Development team feedback as I instructed above. Please know that QuickBooks developers always search for ways to improve user experience by promoting helpful and efficient features to streamline processes that suit your business need. And one of their bases is your submitted product request. The more users who need it, the greater chances it’ll be part of the future enhancements.


Our Resource Center contains insights to help run and grow your business successfully. It has free tools and bookkeeping basics you need to organize your data.


Get back to this page if you need further assistance with your sales transactions. We’ll be here to help. Keep safe always!

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