Profit & Loss Statement Report

Thanks for the details, Skip.

It's possible that you've sorted the Profit and Loss report by Default. Let's make sure that you've selected the Total under the Sort By drop-down.

Next, if the same thing happens, let's isolate what's the causing this issue. Let's open the Profit and Loss report on a sample company file. This helps us differentiate if your regular file isn't damaged. Here's how:

1. Click the File menu.
2. Select Open Second Company.
3. Click OK in the Open QuickBooks window.
4. Select Open a sample file.
5. Select a sample file.

Then if the expense account is arranged accordingly, let's go back to your company file and do the re-sort list troubleshooting step. This will put the list back to its default order. However, if you get the same result, your file may be damaged. Let's perform the verify and rebuild steps to fix it.

Don't hesitate to get back to me if the troubleshooting steps help fix the issue.

Thanks for the reply...

Unfortunately I'm not seeing the menus you are and I don't understand why?
I also noticed that when I go to pick an account in a register the list of accounts is showing up in the drop down menu is in the same out of alphabetical order order as the P&L statement, if that helps any.

Here are the menus and reports as I'm seeing them.

Hi there, @SkipW.

Thanks for getting back to us. Let me share some clarification about your question.

The solution provided by my colleague is for QuickBooks Desktop for Windows. Since you're using the Mac version, let me guide you on how to go to the filter options.

Here's how: 

1. Open the report.
2. Click the Filters tab on the sidebar located on the right side of the report. 
3. Select the checkbox next to the filter you want to use. 

However, there's no option to sort the Profit & Loss Statement report alphabetically. As a workaround, I recommend exporting the report to excel and customize it to show the expenses in the order you want. 

Here's how:

1. Open the report you want to export.
2. Click Export.
3. When the file opens, click File, then Save As to save it.

You can also visit this site to customize the report, as well as other related topics about QuickBooks Desktop for Mac. This includes guides and the latest news about the software: https://qblittlesquare.com/.

Stay in touch if you have follow-up questions. I'll be happy to help you some more. 

Thanks, @MaryGraceS for your reply...

So, the bigger issue isn't the P&L report as I would be fine exporting the report to Excel and sorting the report.  

The bigger issue is actually in the drop-down menu in the accounts selection inside the account registers. 

We have to scroll through everything and search every line for the account we want to attribute an expense to because we can't just scroll to that letter in the alphabet to trust it will be there, and we have to memorize where each account name is stored to get to.

I don't understand why things aren't aligned alphabetically in this drop-down menu when they are in the overall Chart of Accounts. 

For my small business company account in this same QB software, it aligns alphabetically perfectly in the drop-down menu account selection area in the registers and in the P&L statement.

Does QB just set these things up randomly? Is it a bug in the software, or did I do something wrong when I set up our personal company last year?

Thanks!
SKip

I wish I could make it better, @SkipW.

I want to let you know that your voice matters and I'm taking notes of your feedback and submitting it directly to our engineers.

As a way around, you may want to consider exporting your Profit and Loss statement and rearranging your accounts in alphabetical order from there.

In addition, you can always visit the following sites below for product updates and enhancement:

• The QuickBooks Resource Center
• Firm of the Future

Let me know in the comment section down below if you have any other questions. I'm always around happy to lend a helping hand.