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VCOfficeManager
Level 2

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Hello, 

 

I am just creating a company account through Quickbooks. We are a design firm that bills by phases, progress, and fixed amounts. In our Items list I have the different phases broken down. However, I keep seeing people talking about identifying something by a class. 

 

First, what is the difference between a class and a list item? Isn't Quickbooks capable or running a report based on either a class or a list item to see Profit and Loss? 

 

My question is: can my list items be the same as my classes? For instance: 

 

Transportation: Design

Transportation: Project Management

Transportation: Marketing

Transportation: Construction Admin

Education: Design
Education: Project Management (and so on)

 

Can all of those be both a list item and a class? 

 

Or should they be separated by class, items, and types? How do you tell the difference between which one should be?

19 Comments 19
Anonymous
Not applicable

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Hi, @VCOfficeManager.

 

Thank you for posting in the Community. I can help share some details about item lists and classes in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

The item lists in QuickBooks are what you sell or buy and are used on all customer transactions. It provides a quick means for data entry and shows up as a line on an invoice or other sales forms. Let me route you this article for more information: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/community/Inventory-and-projects/Add-edit-and-delete-items/td-p/201687.

 

Classes are used to give you a means of adding a second dimension to your data classification. A common application of classes is to track multiple locations for the same business. This will be helpful when running a financial report for your entire company since you can easily filter your report to segregate the transactions by class.

 

You can always use the same name for your list items and classes, however, they have a different and separate function when generating your financial reports. 

 

To know more about class tracking in QuickBooks, you can check out this helpful blog: How to Use Class Tracking in QuickBooks.

 

Please keep me posted if you have other questions about items and classes. I'll be here to help in any way I can.

SandyH1
Level 1

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Can you help explain when I would choose to assign class to items or if I should choose assign class to accounts. I use classes for our 5 retail locations. I want to assign each document a class such as the sales invoice, and also the sales accounts and COGS account associated with that document. 

 

Thank you.

FritzF
Moderator

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Hi there, @SandyH1.

 

Thanks for joining this thread. Allow me to step in and share some information about how to use the class tracking feature in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).

 

Turning on this feature in QBDT will let you assign a class to transactions such as an invoice. This lets you track account balances by department, business office or location, etc.

 

Technically, you can assign a class to either items or accounts. However, you also have the option to only assign a class to Accounts, Items, and Names depending on what you prefer. Here's how:

 

1. Go to the Edit menu at the top, then pick Preferences on the drop-down.
2. Select Accounting on the left pane, then Company Preferences tab.
3. Put a check mark to Use class tracking for transaction under CLASS section.
4. Check the box beside Assign classes to, then choose on the drop-down.
5. Click OK.

 

27.PNG

 

For your reference, you can also check out this article for more information: How to Use Class Tracking in QuickBooks.

 

That should point you in the right track. Please let me know how it goes or if you have any additional questions or concerns. I'm always here to answer them. Take care and have a good one!

Cynthia2019
Level 1

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Hi Fritz, thank you for helping with this subject. I have another question and I couldn't find an answer by searching for it. I want to know if we can bypass the bill pay section and just assign classes while writing checks? I think we can in QuickBooks online but we are using QuickBooks desktop 2015. It's old, I know. We may upgrade but want to know what options we have. We only have a few transactions each month and bill pay section really seems like too much, yet we do need to  or use classes or job assignments.  Thank you for your help.

MirriamM
Moderator

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Hi there, Cynthia2019,

 

Nice to see you here in the Community! Thanks for joining the thread. Allow me to answer your question about writing checks.

 

Once Class tracking feature is turned on, it will be visible to line items in checks. However, if the class column is not visible when creating a check, then you may have not turn on the feature.

 

Upon writing a check, you have the option to bypass the Pay Bill window by just clicking the Continue Writing Check button. From there, you can simply write a check and assign classes.

 

To have a better view about this process, you can read this article: Create, modify, and print checks.

 

For future reference, you may also find this great resource helpful: Create an automatic recurring payment (check) to a vendor.

 

You can always get back to me if you have any other questions. I'd be glad to offer additional assistance.

Cynthia2019
Level 1

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Thank you so much for your reply. I did not get a notification about this reply in my email or would have been overjoyed.  One thing you are not mentioning is if this feature works for our older version of Desktop? The reason why I ask is that we certainly have been using the class feature already, but just don't see it when just trying to write a check.  

 

Again thank you. I will definitely check the forum more often and not wait for the email. :)

Cynthia2019
Level 1

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Hi 

 

 

Keiz
Level 1

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Why doesn't the option to "Assign classes to (accounts, items, names)" appear on my application? I am using the Desktop Premier 2018 version if that makes any difference. 

KlentB
Moderator

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Let me share some insights about class tracking that can help you, Keiz.

 

The Assign classes to option is only available in QuickBooks Enterprise. For QuickBooks Pro, we can activate the Use class tracking for transactions to assign your transactions to a class upon creating it.

 

Here's how: 

  1. Select Edit from the top menu bar.
  2. Choose Preferences.
  3. Select Accounting, then go to the Company Preferences tab.
  4. Tick the Use class tracking for transactions checkbox.
  5. Select the Prompt to assign classes checkbox (if you want a reminder when you haven't assigned a class).
  6. Hit OK.

Class tracking applies to these following transactions:

  • Invoice
  • Sales receipt
  • Estimate
  • Sales order
  • Statement Charges
  • Refunds and credits
  • Check
  • Credit card charges
  • Bill
  • Purchase order
  • Paycheck

Once activated,  the CLASS drop-down menu (beside the TEMPLATE drop-down menu) will appear when you create those transactions mentioned above.

 

For more information about this process, you can read this article: Set up and use class tracking.

 

I've added an article that will help you in managing class-related reports: Filter, sort or total reports by Class.

 

Please let me know in the comment section if you other concerns or questions about class tracking. I'll be right here to keep helping.

clearfinancials
Level 1

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

HI, I am currently using Desktop Pro 2020 and I do not have the option to assign classes to an Item. Why is this?

ZackE
Moderator

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Welcome to the Community, clearfinancials.
 

With class assigning, classes can be assigned to a number of transactions, such as invoices, estimates, sales orders, checks, bills, credit card charges, and etc.
 

Currently, QuickBooks Desktop doesn't have the ability for users to assign classes to items. I understand this feature could benefit your business, so I've submitted feedback to our product development team. This way, it can be considered in future updates.
 

You can find further information about assigning classes and using class tracking in our Set up and use class tracking resource.
 

If you have any other questions, I'm just a post away. Have a great weekend!

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

@clearfinancials 

You need an inventory management app wih the matrix inventory feature.

Robinglen
Level 1

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Good Morning, I am setting up class accounting and I am not sure if I should assign classes by Accounts, Items or Names?

I am mostly looking to assign payroll costs.

Thank you,

Robin

chucklobaugh
Level 2

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

I can not figure out how to assign customers to classes in Quickbooks 2022 for accountant. The preference to assign classes to accounts is missing and therefore in the additional information tab of the customer setup, there is not Class: with dropdown slection.

JenoP
Moderator

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Hi there, chucklobaugh.

 

Assigning classes to names can be only be done in the Enterprise version. This is the reason why you're unable to see the option to assign classes to accounts or names in QuickBooks for Accountant. 

 

Although, you can still assign classes to transactions in the version that you're using. Just make sure to activate the feature in your Preferences window. Here's how:

 

  1. Go to the Edit menu and select Preferences
  2. Click Accounting and proceed to the Company Preferences window. 
  3. Check the box for Use class tracking for transactions.
  4. Click OK

 

Once done, you can now assign classes in your transactions. You can either assign classes per line item or to the entire transaction. 

 

c.PNG

 

I'd also like to share these articles for more references: 

 

 

Reply to me or post more questions if you ever need more help with QuickBooks. We'll be more than delighted to help you again. 

chucklobaugh
Level 2

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

It is turned on. It just doesn’t allow me to assign classes to my customers. I’m told this is an enterprise feature, which is crazy.

jamespaul
Moderator

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Hello, Chuck. 

 

I appreciate taking the time to follow-up with us on the Class tracking feature issue. I'll take it from here and share other details about the ability to assign classes to customers. 

 

Yes, that's correct. The ability to assign classes to customers is only available in the Enterprise version. 

 

You'll want to consider upgrading to Enterprise if customer classes are critical to your business. This article will help you with the steps and details on how to upgrade your edition: Upgrade to QuickBooks Enterprise from Desktop Pro/Premier

 

If you'd like to keep your current edition, you can assign classes to your customer transactions (sales receipts, invoices, etc..).

 

For estimates, invoice or sales receipts, these can be assigned to the whole transaction form or by line item. 

 

Need more help with the Class tracking feature? I'd recommend checking this article: Set up and use class tracking in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

If you need help checking your sales data and other financial information, you can run reports in QuickBooks. I'll add this article in case you need to familiarize yourself with the reports: Understand reports.

 

I'll listen to other concerns you might have regarding the features in QuickBooks Desktop. If you have any questions about recording customer transactions, reply to this thread with the details. I'll get back to you to help you out. 

M Cramer
Active Member

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Is there a way to permanently  add a class to an item? Our company has 3 classes. Company, Showroom and Contract. There are items that we sell that will only ever be showroom. Is there a way to have an item always show up as showroom? 

Clark_B
QuickBooks Team

Classes, Items, Types Assistance

Welcome to the Community, @M Cramer.

 

Currently, the option to permanently add a class to an item is unavailable.

 

I understand the importance of adding a class to an item permanently in QuickBooks Online (QBO). While this option is unavailable, I recommend sending feedback about it. This will give us an idea of how we may improve the functionality of QBDT to meet users' needs and enhance the working experience.

 

Here's how:

 

  1. Select the Help option.
  2. Select the Send Feedback Online option.
  3. Select the Product Suggestion option. A pop-up window displays.
  4. Enter your comments or feedback suggestions.
  5. Click the Send Feedback button.

 

Additionally, you might want to check these articles to guide you in customizing any report that you want to generate and memorize it if you want the same settings as the customized reports.

 

 

Feel free to click the Reply button below if you have other questions about the class. I'm always here to help. 

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